Symphony X at the Nepture Theatre
Symphony X at the Neptune Theatre, Seattle WA (Photo: Mike Baltierra)
Symphony X brought their North American Tour 2025 to Seattle’s Neptune Theater, delivering a technically dazzling and emotionally charged performance that reaffirmed their status as progressive metal giants.
The lineup—Michael Romeo (guitar), Michael Pinnella (keyboards), Jason Rullo (drums), Russell Allen (vocals), and Michael LePond (bass)—demonstrated seamless cohesion throughout the evening.
The setlist featured a mix of fan favorites and deeper cuts, beginning with the powerful opener Nevermore, which immediately showcased Romeo’s precision riffing and Allen’s commanding stage presence.
Songs such as Underworld and Dehumanized maintained relentless energy, while Evolution (The Grand Design) and Communion and the Oracle highlighted the band’s progressive roots with intricate arrangements and Pinnella’s soaring keyboard passages.
The middle of the set brought intensity with Inferno (Unleash the Fire) and Domination, before transitioning into the melodic hooks of Eve of Seduction and the anthemic Set the World on Fire (The Lie of Lies), which closed the main set on a triumphant note.
The encore provided a dynamic blend of introspection and ferocity, beginning with the heartfelt ballad Without You, a rare live performance that emphasized Allen’s vocal depth. This gave way to the darkly powerful To Hell and Back, before culminating in the fan-favorite Sea of Lies, a thunderous closer that had the audience chanting along until the final note.
Supporting act Sonata Arctica set the stage with a polished and melodic performance that balanced energy with atmosphere, complementing Symphony X’s heavier approach.
Their presence created a strong progression in the evening, moving from Sonata Arctica’s power metal storytelling to Symphony X’s intricate and aggressive soundscapes. Overall, the night was a masterclass in progressive metal, leaving the Seattle crowd thoroughly engaged and appreciative of both bands’ musicianship and showmanship.
Symphony X Setlist
Nevermore
Underworld
Dehumanized
Evolution (The Grand Design)
Communion and the Oracle
Inferno (Unleash the Fire)
Domination
Eve of Seduction
Set the World on Fire (The Lie of Lies)
Encore
Without You
To Hell and Back
Sea of Lies
