Interview: Michael Romeo (SYMPHONY X)

Hi, Mike. It's nice to hear from you. First, I would like to say that it's a great honor for me to talk with you.

Thank you, dude!

So, how are you these days?

I'm really good, man. I'm looking forward for the festival that is coming up. It will be really cool, man.

It's nice to hear that. So, let's start with your last album "Iconoclast", which was released almost a year ago. Are you satisfied with the result and the subsequent reaction of the fans and media so far?

Well, yeah. It's probably my favorite album. You know, when you do a new album it's always the band favorite, but for me definitely it's "Iconoclast". With this record we tried to do something different and it's definitely pretty heavy record. Our previous record "Paradise Lost" was heavy record, too.

Yes in my opinion "Iconoclast" is really strong and the best SYMPHONY X album so far.

I agree with that (laughs). You know, being a little heavier as a guitar player, it's like going back to the stuff I liked and listened when I was growing up, and I started to play guitar. And so, the theme in "Paradise Lost" was dark and more like "Good and Evil" sort of thing and it was meant to be a little heavier. "Iconoclast" has this "Man against Machine" theme and is even more aggressive. When we started making this album we were talking to add some mechanical textures to the music and build the album as it is at the moment. I'm definitely satisfied with the result.

I think that there are really few people that are not satisfied with the album.

(laughs). That's good to hear, man, because we really put a lot into it, and every new album for us is like trying to add something new and to be creative and interesting. So, when the fans like it and the reviews are good, we feel like we did a good job and we did what we wanted to do. The work on this record was the same as the other albums. We try to do something that is "Symphony X" and is our style, but some albums are a little bit more progressive, others - heavier or whatever. But for every record we are looking for something that feels right. And this record just felt right.

Well, I hope you will continue in the same direction - searching for the new but faithful to yourselves.

It's getting a little more difficult every time trying to find that "thing".

The album was released almost a year ago but how can you describe it for the fans who haven't heard it yet, with just few words?

Oh... Man...

Tough question?

Oh yes, it's tough to describe it. You know, it's metal. Basically with progressive and symphonic elements. There are some songs that are longer and complex, and others are a little more straight ahead with a good melody.

Well, I think that all of them have a good melody. My personal favorite is "Reign In Madness". So, is there a concept in the album?

It's tough to say that it is a concept record that starts like a story. I guess it's more like thematic album. Most of the songs, or pretty much all of them, deal with technology, machines and man versus machines. As I said, the main idea of the album was "Man versus machines". We didn't want to create some story, but we found a lot of topics that kind of relate to that. One song is lyrically related to futuristic fantasy kind of things, but others - look at us at the moment with our technology, cell phones and computers and how they have changed our lives. How we communicate and how we socially interact.

Can you describe the writing process in the band? Who is the main author of music and lyrics?

For the music – it's pretty much me. The writing process for the last three or four albums starts with me composing by myself for a couple of months the basics on the ideas. Then we get together with the guys and we work out as a band different things and put together the whole thing.

Are you still recording in your personal studio "The Dungeon"?

Yes, we do everything here. As long as we have something done, we record it right away. For the lyrics, me and Russell get together and kind of hang out for a couple of weeks and try different things with the lyrics.

I see.

It's really unusual how we work. It's not like we have a bunch of recorded songs and then start rehearsing them. Most of the things we do while recording the song. We work and try things right on the spot.

Do some things change while recording?

They usually do (laughs). Which is kind of cool, because we have the basics of the song pretty much sketched out and we spend some time to get a decent demo to present everybody. The song structure is basically done, but when everybody comes in, we add more to it. It's the same with the lyrics and melodies. We actually try to keep the initial energy of the song, because sometimes, if you rehearse too much or you beat the song to death, you will lose that. But this is just us, everybody works differently.

Yes, for you definitely works fine!

(Laughs) I hope so, man!

Last winter, you toured North America together with ICED EARTH. How was the tour?

It was probably the coolest tour we have done in a long time. We've met those guys in the past but never really hanged out, and now we did 6-7 weeks tour.

Yes, it was stunning because both of the bands released really strong albums last year.

Yes, the fans were great, the shows were great and personally we get along with those guys just great. Every day was a lot of fun and a really good time. It was definitely very cool and one of the best things we have done.

Can you tell us for some high and low points in your career, for almost twenty years now? I guess there are moments that stand out from others in your memory.

(Laughs) Oh, man, there are so many, but to be honest there are not so many low points. We've been pretty lucky. Probably, the thing I remember the most, is when we first started with the band in 94-95. In the States, there were not so many metal clubs where you can play. They were closed down or became something else and it was really hard to do anything with such music around here. We had this Japanese record deal, and we were really happy to have even that. I clearly remember the first tour we had in Japan back in 1998 and seeing the fans and realizing, that there are people that love what you did. It was really crazy.

So, you became famous first in Japan and then in the United States and Europe?

Well, the United States were probably the last. I remember the first Japanese concert. We were like " Holy shit! This is different than back home!". It was really cool and felt differently. We became quite popular in Japan, and eventually in Europe and South America, and later in the States. Which was cool too, because more and more things were happening with metal music there.

Can you compare the fans in Japan and Europe?

You know ... everybody is different. We haven't been in Japan for so long and we are really looking forward to go back. As long as I remember, the Japanese fans are quite reserved but really appreciate the music. In Europe, they are a little bit crazier and in south America – even more. In general, everybody is happy that you are there and they are having a good time.

So, let's return now to 2012. What do you think for Russell Allen and Mike Portnoy's project – Adrenaline Mob? They have released an album recently.

Yes, yes. It's cool, man! Russell is a man that is trying to be busy and he wanted to do something different. So, we knew Mike because we did a tour with Dream Theater in Europe years ago. So, it's OK.

Is there a possibility Mike to play with you some day... as a guest?

Well who knows? Maybe.. .Mike is a cool dude! No doubt about it.

What do you think for the progressive scene these days? Are there any young bands that you like?

Well yes, there are a lot of young bands and there is a lot of cool stuff out there. Probably, too many to name just few. You know, sometimes it becomes quite confusing with all this labeling of bands. Because sometimes I listen to a band and I'm not thinking about their style. I think it's hard to put a label on a band when everybody is trying to do something different, which is more important.

So, let's turn back to SYMPHONY X. Your next show will be in Sofia – Bulgaria at LOUD FESTIVAL. It will be your first time here, what do you expect from the Bulgarian fans.

Well, man, I hope everybody will just have a good time and enjoy the festival. As you said, we have never been there and we are waiting to see how the fans will react.

Be sure that the fans here will blow your mind.

Yeah?

You will be very surprised.

That's good to hear! I'm sure it will be fantastic.

But I wish it wasn't on festival because we all know that you will play short playlist. This is the only thing I don't like on festivals. But never mind. Let's hope next time for a headline show.

Yeah, well, as you said, it's our first time. So, it's good at least getting there. And in the future – who knows, we will try to come back. But the festivals are cool even that you play an hour or less, its cool environment.

But I'm sure for an hour you will do your best, and you will do it on LOUD FESTIVAL

Oh, yes. We will do a set that is pretty cool, be sure about it.

Are you planning something special for the festival or it will be something regular?

Well, it definitely will be something different but as soon as our album is still pretty new, we will try to put out a lot of the new stuff.

That's good, because personally I like the new stuff a lot. So, now a little weird question. Who is Mike Romeo behind the scenes? How would you describe yourself without your guitar?

(Laughs) I don't know man... Just an average dude. I do the same stuff as everybody – fixing stuff around the house, mowing the lawn and taking care of the family. I'm pretty much a family person.

Are you happy with what you have and what you do?

Absolutely! You always want the band to be more successful and stuff, but it is a hard profession. It's tough to do it and have a stable living. But we can visit so many different places and play for many different people, which is probably the coolest thing in the world. And so, YES! I am happy!

Can you leave a message for all your fans here in Bulgaria!

We can't wait to see everybody at the LOUD FESTIVAL. We've never been in Bulgaria before, so, we are anxious to see the fans and I'm sure they are anxious to see us. We will have a really great time and we are looking forward to it. New places are always exciting for us.

I'm sure you will remember Bulgaria for a very long time. Very famous bands that have visited Bulgaria for the first time are quite excited and surprised by the Bulgarian fans. For example, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax did the "Big Four" DVD here in Sofia.

It was there? That is huge man! Now I'm definitely looking forward to it.(laughs)

OK, thank you very much for this interview and I hope we will have the chance to meet on the LOUD FESTIVAL.

Oh, yes! No problem, man, just look out for me and we will hang out and have a chat.

Yes for sure! Thank you! See you!

You too, man. Bye.

Interviewed by: Konstantin Yovkov