{{Short description|American guitarist (born 1968)}} {{Use American English|date=November 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Michael Romeo | image = Symphony X-16 (53989636446) (cropped).jpg | caption = Romeo performing with Symphony X in 2024 | birth_name = Michael James Romeo | alias = The Maestro | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|3|6}} | birth_place = New York, U.S. | origin = | genre = Progressive metal, power metal, symphonic metal, neoclassical metal | occupation = Musician, songwriter, composer, record producer | instrument = Guitar, keyboards, backing vocals | years_active = 1992–present | label = | current_member_of = Symphony X }}
'''Michael James Romeo''' (born March 6, 1968) is an American musician, best known as the guitarist, founding member, and main songwriter of the progressive metal group Symphony X. He is one of two members to appear on every Symphony X release (the other being Michael Pinnella).
Romeo is known for his speed and precision on the guitar, having been praised for his "pyrotechnic displays" on the instrument.<ref>{{Citation |title=Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-divine-wings-of-tragedy-mw0000443058 |language=en |access-date=2023-01-20}}</ref> He is also known for his unique style of tapping.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2016-03-19 |title=Michael Romeo Interview – A Perfect Symphony Part One: 1970's to 2000. {{!}} All Out Guitar {{!}} Magazine Archive |url=http://alloutguitar.com/interviews/michael-romeo-interview-%E2%80%93-perfect-symphony-part-one-1970s-2000 |access-date=2023-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319072647/http://alloutguitar.com/interviews/michael-romeo-interview-%E2%80%93-perfect-symphony-part-one-1970s-2000 |archive-date=March 19, 2016 }}</ref>
Romeo was ranked #91 out of 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time by Guitar World,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=18446 |title=Guitar World's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time |date=January 23, 2004 |work=Blabbermouth.net |publisher=Roadrunner Records |access-date=September 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902145402/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=18446 |archive-date=September 2, 2011 }}</ref> and has influenced a number of younger players, including DragonForce's Herman Li, who listed Romeo among his favorite guitarists in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 12, 2011 |title=DragonForce Shredder Herman Li Lists His Ten Favorite Guitarists |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/dragonforce-shredder-herman-li-lists-his-ten-favorite-guitarists |access-date=July 28, 2014 |publisher=Roadrunner Records}}</ref>
== Early life and influences == Romeo's introduction to formal music training began with piano lessons at the age of 10.<ref name="Michael Romeo Biography">Symphony X website {{cite web |url=http://www.symphonyx.com/michael_romeo.html |title=-=Symphony X-Official Website=- |access-date=July 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721164229/http://www.symphonyx.com/michael_romeo.html |archive-date=July 21, 2011 }}, Michael Romeo tells the story of his influences and musical career.</ref> His parents owned a piano, and a piano teacher would visit the house once per week.<ref name=":1" /> He also played clarinet in a school concert band.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Michael Romeo Biography" /> Through lessons, Romeo was introduced to a number of classical composers that would become a source of inspiration throughout his career, such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard Wagner, Gustav Holst and Igor Stravinsky.<ref name="Michael Romeo Biography" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=All That Shreds |date=2018-07-10 |title=Symphony X's Guitar Maestro Michael Romeo Discusses His New Solo Album |url=https://allthatshreds.com/symphony-xs-guitar-maestro-michael-romeo-discusses-his-new-solo-album/ |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=allthatshreds.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Upon hearing his first Kiss album, Romeo purchased a cheap acoustic guitar at a garage sale and began practicing.<ref name="Michael Romeo Biography" /> He became serious about the guitar around the age of 12, after listening to the albums ''Blizzard of Ozz'' and ''Diary of a Madman'' by Ozzy Osbourne, and would subsequently be heavily influenced by the neoclassical technique and style of Randy Rhoads.<ref name="Michael Romeo Biography" /> In a 2022 interview with Sea of Tranquility, Romeo would recall practicing daily at that point in his life, by playing along to the Ozzy Osbourne albums and others.<ref name=":3">{{Citation |title=A Chat with Michael Romeo of Symphony X | date=July 13, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2NJOjmCrw8 |language=en |access-date=2023-01-20}}</ref>
Romeo has listed a number of individual players as influences to his style of playing, but considers Rhoads, Al Di Meola, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Uli Jon Roth to be his primary influences.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Michael Romeo Biography" /> Other players include Marty Friedman, Shawn Lane and Ritchie Blackmore.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Michael Romeo Biography" /> In terms of bands, Romeo has listed Rush, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Kansas as sources of inspiration.<ref name="Michael Romeo Biography" /> Romeo is also a fan of composers of film scores, such as Bernard Herrmann and Hans Zimmer.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author1=Amit Sharma |date=2022-04-13 |title=Symphony X shredder-in-chief Michael Romeo's 5 tips for guitarists: "Keep speeding up those patterns you're working on. That's the way to build up speed… there are no shortcuts" |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/michael-romeo-symphony-x-5-tips-guitarists |access-date=2023-01-20 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}}</ref> In particular, Romeo has been influenced by the works of John Williams.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Michael Romeo Biography" /><ref name=":2" />
== Equipment == {{Infobox Guitar model|title=Caparison Dellinger Prominence-MJR |image= |manufacturer=Caparison Guitars |period=2005–present |bodytype=Solid |necktype=Bolt-on |woodbody=Mahogany |woodneck=Maple and Walnut |woodfingerboard=Maple |bridge=Schaller S-FRT II (Floyd Rose type) |pickups=2 Humbuckers<br />Neck: DiMarzio Tone Zone<br />Bridge: DiMarzio X2N |colors=White |scale={{convert|648|mm|in|frac=2|abbr=on}}}}
Romeo's first serious guitar was a white Kramer Pacer, and he has also used Fender Stratocasters.<ref name=":3" /> Romeo began his career with Symphony X using ESP M-II Deluxe guitars with EMG Active pickups, and later switching to the DiMarzio Tone Zone and X2N pickups.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2014-05-31 |title=The official Silent Edge Website |url=http://www.silentedge.com/misc_syxinterview.html |access-date=2023-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105451/http://www.silentedge.com/misc_syxinterview.html |archive-date=May 31, 2014 }}</ref> In 2005, Romeo was introduced to Caparison by Henrik Danhage of Evergrey.<ref>{{Cite web |title=COFFEE WITH OLA – Henrik Danhage of Evergrey – REUPLOAD FULL VIDEO |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOLzQcQnV3A&t=1300s |website=YouTube| date=February 2019 }}</ref> Caparison developed a custom model Dellinger Prominence-MJR,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dellinger Prominence-MJR |url=https://www.caparisonguitars.com/products/dellinger-prominence-mjr-michael-j-romeo-signature/ |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=Caparison Guitars |language=en-GB}}</ref> which Romeo has since used as his primary guitar. The guitar was used to record the 2007 Symphony X album ''Paradise Lost,'' and all subsequent releases from the band.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Romeo Interview – A Perfect Symphony Part Two: 2002 - 2008 {{!}} All Out Guitar {{!}} Magazine Archive |url=https://www.alloutguitar.com/interviews/michael-romeo-interview-%E2%80%93-perfect-symphony-part-two-2002-2008 |access-date=2023-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505033017/https://www.alloutguitar.com/interviews/michael-romeo-interview-%E2%80%93-perfect-symphony-part-two-2002-2008 |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Romeo has also played a Dellinger Prominence 7, which can be heard on ''War of the Worlds, Pt. 2.''<ref name=":3" />
In the studio Romeo has used Mesa Boogie Triaxis amplifiers, before switching to the [https://www.englamps.de/ ENGL] Fireball around the time of Symphony X's ''The Odyssey''.<ref name=":4" /> Romeo has continued to use ENGL's Fireball and Powerball amplifiers in the studio and for live performances.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2021-05-05 |title=Michael Romeo Interview – A Perfect Symphony Part Two: 2002 - 2008 {{!}} All Out Guitar {{!}} Magazine Archive |url=https://www.alloutguitar.com/interviews/michael-romeo-interview-%E2%80%93-perfect-symphony-part-two-2002-2008 |access-date=2023-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505033017/https://www.alloutguitar.com/interviews/michael-romeo-interview-%E2%80%93-perfect-symphony-part-two-2002-2008 |archive-date=May 5, 2021 }}</ref> Throughout his career, Romeo has also used various Line 6 and Marshall amplifiers.<ref name=":5" />
In terms of effects for live performances, Romeo pairs his various amplifiers with a TC Electronic "G System",<ref name=":5" /> a Boss NS2 Noisegate, an Ibanez Tube Screamer and a Boss Acoustic Simulator.<ref>{{Citation |title=GEAR GODS RIGGED - Symphony X | date=October 14, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmZA1kN1XQQ |language=en |access-date=2023-01-22}}</ref>
== Solo and guest work == In 1994, Romeo's solo debut ''The Dark Chapter'' was released.
In 1995, Long Island Records of Germany released the self-titled debut ''Phantom's Opera'' album featuring Romeo on lead guitar, Colie Brice on vocals, Bob Nelson on drums, Eric Walz on bass, and founding member Jack Young on keyboard and piano.<ref name=":0">{{Citation |title=Phantom's Opera - Phantom's Opera |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/889585-Phantoms-Opera-Phantoms-Opera |language=en |access-date=2023-01-16}}</ref> The album was reissued with bonus tracks by Rewind in the US in 1999.<ref name=":0" />
In 1999, Romeo provided all guitar and bass parts on ''The Last Viking'', the third studio album from Johansson brothers Jens and Anders.
In 2000, Romeo played a guest solo on the song "Dawn of a Million Souls" from Ayreon's album ''Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-21 |title=Ayreon Reveals Video For "Dawn of a Million Souls" |url=https://metalplanetmusic.com/2022/11/ayreon-reveals-video-for-dawn-of-a-million-souls/ |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Metal Planet Music |language=en-GB}}</ref> Romeo has been a frequent guest collaborator with Arjen Lucassen, having also contributed guest solos on the songs "E=MC²" from Ayreon's 2008 release ''01011001,''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Romeo – Arjen Lucassen |url=https://www.arjenlucassen.com/content/michael-romeo/ |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=www.arjenlucassen.com}}</ref> and "Fate of Man" from Star One's 2022 release ''Revel in Time'', a side project of Lucassen's.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BraveWords |title=SYMPHONY X Guitarist MICHAEL ROMEO Performs Solo On New STAR ONE Album; Video |url=https://bravewords.com/news/symphony-x-guitarist-michael-romeo-performs-solo-on-new-star-one-album-video |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=bravewords.com |language=en}}</ref>
In 2002, Romeo provided guitar parts for five songs from Kotipelto's ''Waiting for the Dawn''. He would go on to provide guitar work on seven songs from their 2004 followup, ''Coldness''.
In 2003, Redemption's self-titled release featured contributions from Romeo on the first four songs of the album.
In 2004, Romeo contributed guitar work for Vitalij Kuprij on his song "Piano Overture" from the album ''Forward and Beyond''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Vitalij Kuprij - Forward And Beyond |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1178099-Vitalij-Kuprij-Forward-And-Beyond |language=en |access-date=2023-01-16}}</ref>
In 2005, Romeo provided guitar, bass and orchestration for eight songs from Symphony X bandmate Russell Allen's solo debut, ''Atomic Soul''. Romeo also recorded and served as engineer on the record. The same year, Romeo provided orchestration work on three songs of Steve Walsh's solo album ''Shadowman'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Review: "Walsh, Steve: Shadowman" – Sea of Tranquility – The Web Destination for Progressive Music! |url=http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=2515 |access-date=July 28, 2014 |publisher=Sea of Tranquility}}</ref> and on all songs from The Bronx Casket Co.'s ''Hellectric.'' Romeo would work with The Bronx Casket Co. again in 2011, providing lead guitar work on ''Antihero''.
In 2007, Romeo arranged orchestral parts for the album ''Beautiful Tragedy'' by American band In This Moment.
In 2009, Romeo composed and recorded orchestral parts for "The Discovery" and "Gaia (The Vultures)" on God Forbid's album ''Earthsblood.'' Symphony X bandmate Michael Pinnella also contributed to two songs on the release.
In 2013, Romeo recorded some solos and guitar work for the self-titled debut album of Michael Kaplan's progressive rock project Flaud Logic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flaudlogic.com/news.asp#FlaudLogicRevealsAlbumsSpecialGuestSymphonyXGuitaristMichaelRomeo |title=News |publisher=Flaud Logic |access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=React App |url=http://www.flaudlogic.com/#/press |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=www.flaudlogic.com}}</ref> He also made a guest appearance on the new Pat Gesualdo album, ''Iceland.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=BraveWords |title=SYMPHONY X's Michael Romeo, METAL MIKE Among Musicians Joining Forces With Drummer Pat Gesualdo In ICELAND Project; Audio Samples Streaming |url=https://bravewords.com/news/symphony-xs-michael-romeo-metal-mike-among-musicians-joining-forces-with-drummer-pat-gesualdo-in-iceland-project-audio-samples-streaming |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=bravewords.com |language=en}}</ref>
In 2014, Romeo engineered and provided drum programming and some guitar work for Symphony X bandmate Michael LePond's project ''Mike LePond's Silent Assassins''. Romeo would provide the same for ''Pawn and Prophecy'' and ''Whore of Babylon'', released by Mike LePond's Silent Assassins in 2018 and 2020 respectively.
In early 2018, Romeo announced the release of a new full-length solo album called ''War of the Worlds, Pt. 1'', featuring Rick Castellano (vocals), John "JD" DeServio (bass) and John Macaluso (drums) as the backing band. It was released on July 27 via Mascot Label Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/symphony-x-guitarist-michael-romeo-to-release-war-of-the-worlds-pt-1-solo-album-in-july/ |title=SYMPHONY X Guitarist MICHAEL ROMEO To Release 'War Of The Worlds / Pt. 1' Solo Album In July |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=May 30, 2018 |access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref> A sequel album, ''War of the Worlds, Pt. 2'' was released in March 2022 through Inside Out, with Dino Jelusick replacing Castellano on vocals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BraveWords |title=SYMPHONY X Guitarist MICHAEL ROMEO Releases "Divide & Conquer" Music Video; War Of The Worlds, Part 2 Album Details Revealed |url=https://bravewords.com/news/symphony-x-guitarist-michael-romeo-releases-divide-conquer-music-video-war-of-the-worlds-part-2-album-details-revealed |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=bravewords.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Discography ==<!--Credits for complete albums in chronological order, grouped by artist-->
=== With Symphony X === {{Main|Symphony X#Discography}}
=== Solo === * ''The Dark Chapter'' (1994) * ''War of the Worlds, Pt. 1'' (2018) * ''War of the Worlds, Pt. 2'' (2022)
=== With Phantom's Opera ===
* ''Phantom's Opera'' (1995)
=== With Johansson ===
* ''The Last Viking'' (1999)
=== With Mike LePond's Silent Assassins ===
* ''Mike LePond's Silent Assassins'' (2014) * ''Pawn And Prophecy'' (2018) * ''Whore of Babylon'' (2020)
=== As a guest ===<!--Guest appearances in chronological order, grouped by artist-->
==== With Whiplash ==== * "Strike Me Blind" (''Thrashback'') – Whiplash (1998)
==== With Arjen Lucassen ==== * "Dawn of a Million Souls" (''Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator'') – Ayreon (2000) * "E=mc²" (''01011001'') – Ayreon (2008) * "Fate of Man" (''Revel in Time'') – Star One (2022)
==== With Kotipelto ==== * Various (''Waiting for the Dawn'') – Kotipelto (2002) * Various (''Coldness'') – Kotipelto (2004)
==== With Redemption ==== * "Desperation (Part I-IV)" (''Redemption'') – Redemption (2003)
==== With Thunderstone ==== * "Drawn to the Flame" (''The Burning'') – Thunderstone (2004)
==== With Vitalij Kuprij ==== * "Piano Overture" (''Forward and Beyond'') – Vitalij Kuprij (2004)
==== With Russell Allen ==== * Various (''Atomic Soul'') – Russell Allen (2005)
==== With Steve Walsh ==== * Various (''Shadowman'') – Steve Walsh (2005)
==== With The Bronx Casket Co. ==== * Various (''Hellectric'') – The Bronx Casket Co. (2005) * Various (''Antihero'') – The Bronx Casket Co. (2011)
==== With Eidolon ==== * "Arcturus #9" (''The Parallel Otherworld'') – Eidolon (2006)
==== With In This Moment ==== * Various (''Beautiful Tragedy'') – In This Moment (2007)
==== With God Forbid ==== * Various (''Earthsblood'') – God Forbid (2009)
==== With Lion's Share ==== * "Behind the Curtain" (''Dark Hours'') – Lion's Share (2009)
==== With Mike Orlando ==== * "Full Speed X" (''Sonic Stomp II'') – Mike Orlando (2010)
==== With Flaud Logic ==== * Various (''Flaud Logic'') – Flaud Logic (2013)
==== With Michael Angelo Batio ==== * "Juggernaut" (''Intermezzo'') – Michael Angelo Batio (2013)
==== With Pat Gesualdo ==== * Various (''Iceland'') – Pat Gesualdo (2013)
==== With DGM ==== * "Dogma" (''The Passage'') – DGM (2016)
==== With Mari Hamada ==== * "Orience" (''Gracia'') – Mari Hamada (2018)
==== With Verni ==== * Various (''Barricade'') – Verni (2018)
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110721164229/http://www.symphonyx.com/michael_romeo.html Biography of Michael Romeo]
{{Symphony X|state=plain}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Romeo, Michael}} Category:American heavy metal guitarists Category:1968 births Category:Living people Category:American lead guitarists Category:American progressive rock guitarists Category:Progressive metal guitarists Category:Symphony X members Category:20th-century American guitarists Category:American people of Italian descent