Speed Metal Symphony

Speed Metal Symphony is the first studio album by the American heavy metal band Cacophony, released in 1987 through Shrapnel Records.[1]

Speed Metal Symphony
Cover backdrop by Guy Aitchison
Studio album by
Cacophony
Released1987 (1987)
RecordedMay–June 1987
StudioPrairie Sun Recording Studios, Cotati, California
Genre
Length45:07
LabelShrapnel
Producer
Cacophony chronology
Speed Metal Symphony
(1987)		 Go Off!
(1988)

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal6/10[2]
Rock Hard8.5/10[3]

In a contemporary review, Frank Trojan of Rock Hard magazine found Speed Metal Symphony "much harder and faster" than the works of Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore or Yngwie Malmsteen, "which means that some tracks are speed kills with super solos". He added that, although "the pure instrumentals are, unfortunately, again the usual mixtures of classic elements and endless revival on well-known riffs and standards, Cacophony could appeal to a bigger circle by their rough, and sometimes also partly speedy way of playing, than just pure guitar freaks."[3]

Andy Hinds at AllMusic called Speed Metal Symphony "tough to digest". He noted its technical complexity and lack of production quality, while suggesting that it is "some of the most indulgent music ever recorded." Praise was nevertheless given to the skill of guitarists Jason Becker and Marty Friedman, though Hinds suggested that both their subsequent solo releases (Perpetual Burn and Dragon's Kiss, respectively) were superior.[1] Canadian journalist Martin Popoff defined the album "an expertly played, mostly instrumental affair" and "a slightly less arch and arcane version of Yngwie's debut", criticising Peter Marrino's vocals "buried in the mix" and not "up to standards" of the other musicians.[2]

In 2009, Guitar World magazine ranked the album ninth on its list of the all-time top ten shred albums.[4]

Track listing
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Savage"Marty Friedman5:48
2."Where My Fortune Lies"Friedman, Jason Becker4:32
3."The Ninja"Friedman7:24
4."Concerto"Friedman, Becker4:37
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."Burn the Ground"Friedman, Becker6:50
6."Desert Island"Friedman6:24
7."Speed Metal Symphony"Friedman, Becker9:32
Total length:45:07

Personnel
Cacophony
Production
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References
  1. Hinds, Andy. "Cacophony - Speed Metal Symphony review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  2. Popoff, Martin (1 November 2005). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 2: The Eighties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 65. ISBN 978-1894959315.
  3. Trojan, Frank (1987). "Review Album: Cacophony - Speed Metal Symphony". Rock Hard (in German). No. 23. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  4. Guitar World Staff (7 September 2009). "Top 10 Shred Albums of All Time". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 28 May 2011. Retrieved 2017-08-13.
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