Michael Romeo

Michael J. Romeo (New York, March 6, 1968) is an American virtuoso guitarist recognized for being the founder and lead guitarist of the progressive metal band Symphony X. Influenced by Steve Vai, Al Di Meola and Yngwie Malmsteen, among others, began taking the guitar seriously at the age of 18 after listening to the albums Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne. As a solo artist, he has released three albums: The Dark Chapter (1994), War of the Worlds, Pt. 1 (2018) and War of the Worlds, Pt. 2(2022).

Biography

Michael began playing the guitar at the age of 14 but did not devote himself seriously until he was 18, taking as his main influences Steve Vai, Al Di Meola, Johann Sebastian Bach, John Williams and Frank Zappa, although he developed an inclination stronger towards the neoclassical style of Yngwie Malmsteen. Despite this, Michael maintains his own style that distinguishes him from the rest of the genre's guitarists by fusing exotic scales and arpeggios, unusual rhythms and a hard neoclassical style. Additionally, Michael is a songwriter, which makes the difference between him and many other guitarists. All these factors make many people consider it one of the best in metal today.

At the age of 19 Michael was one of the finalists in the well-known 'Sam Ash Music Store' competition. His skills and compositions were famous in magazines such as Guitar World, Guitarist Network, Metal Brigade and Burrn!

Although Michael has received extensive coverage in some guitar-related magazines, he is best known as the guitarist for the progressive metal band Symphony X, which he founded in 1994 after being asked by a Japanese record label. after being impressed by the demo tape The Dark Chapter.

Michael has also published a tutorial video called "The Guitar Chapter", in which he demonstrates his virtuosity, and his sweep tapping technique.

He currently uses guitars from the Japanese brand Caparison, of which he has his own signature model.

Influences

• Steve Vai
• Randy Rhoads
• Al DiMeola
• Yngwie Malmsteen
• Allan Holdsworth
• Uli Jon Roth
• Johann Sebastian Bach
• Gustav Holst
• Igor Stravinsky
• John Williams
• Jason Becker

Favorite bands

• Rush
• Led Zeppelin
• Kansas
• Judas Priest
• Black Sabbath
• Queen
• ELP
• Frank Zappa
• Pink Floyd
• AC/DC
• Megadeth
• Kiss
• Metallica
• Gamma Ray
• Helloween
• Stratovarius
• Rhapsody of Fire
• Heat Master

Discography with Symphony X

• Dance Macabre (Demo, 1994)
• Symphony X - (1994)
• The Damnation Game - (1995)
• The Divine Wings of Tragedy - (1997)
• Twilight in Olympus - (1998)
• Prelude to the Millennium - (1998)
• V: The New Mythology Suite - (2000)
• Live on the Edge of Forever - (2CD live, 2001)
• The Odyssey - (2002)
• Rarities and Demos - (Church Of The Machine Fan Club CD 1, 2005)
• Paradise Lost - (2007)
• Iconoclast - (2011)-(2CD)
• Underworld - (2015)

Solo project

• The Dark Chapter (Instrumental) - 1994
• The Guitar Chapter - Instructional Video for Guitarists
• Phantom's Opera - Self Titled 1997
• War of the Worlds, Pt. 1 2018
• War of the Worlds, Pt. 2 2022