The Noteworthy Influence Of A Master | Michael Romeo

Michael Romeo is a guitar player with an uncommon level of skill. Over the last 25 years, Michael has toured the world, entertaining fans from his legendary progressive metal band, Symphony X, and silently building up to icon status.
There just aren't that many guitar gods out there anymore, but Michael wears that gold sash proudly and embraces the music that both he, and the audience, adores.
Michael released 'War of the Worlds Part 1' in 2018 and here we are finally getting the follow up, 'War of the Worlds Part 2,' a mere four years later. If you're a fan already, words cannot express what an utterly powerful work of music this is. If you are just discovering Michael, prepare to fall headfirst into this sonic masterwork.
Please enjoy my chat with the kind and humble guitar hero, Michael Romeo, on Rockstar Superhero.
Time Codes:
1:30 Pure old school rock and roll
3:30 A Fifth of Beethoven
5:50 The KZbin shuffle
8:25 Blizzard of Ozz
11:00 Randy Rhoads and his capabilities
13:50 The songwriting approach to cinematic ideas
16:40 Holst, Stravinsky, and Star Wars
19:00 Telling us about the band
22:00 Songs made for these times
24:00 Assumptions about War of the Worlds
27:00 Loving the studio and feeling of being trapped
30:00 How Michael keeps the flag flying
33:00 Mortal Kombat and the Shakuhachi
36:00 Being the influencer to up and coming guitarists
39:00 When instruments show up magically
Subscribe to both shows here: bit.ly/3airCvh
Wanna be on the show? Go here: calendly.com/r...
The Rockstar Superhero Podcast examines the personal lives and creative careers of your favorite classic rock artists. We are obsessed with understanding the inner workings of the music business and all that it takes to remain in the public eye for as long as possible. Join us as we pursue conversations with legends and legends in the making.
The Rockstar Superhero Radicals podcast was created to connect you directly to people, professional and private, who have lived lives worth discussing and offer solutions to our listeners, one heart at a time. If you are seeking truth and purpose beyond yourself, the Radicals podcast is for you.
Copyright 2022 Rockstar Superhero Podcast - All Rights Reserved

[@craigharrison5406]

One of the most techincally gifted metal guitarists out there.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

He is absolutely extraordinary and wonderfully kind gentleman. Thanks for the nice comment as well!

[@seaarebee5417]

I was the singer for Phantom's Opera and went to school with Mike. A stellar talent beyond adequate description of existing vocabulary!

[@thisissentimentalillness]

For sure!

[@zedddddful]

MJR is a personal hero of mine the dude is a genius and a modest guy he's gave us decades of amazing music thanks SIR ROMEO.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Agreed. A legend if there ever was one. A kind humble monster of a player as well. Thanks for the comments!

[@ultranemesys5908]

Symphony X is the APEX of Metal. Michael Romeo is the APEX of Guitar. Period.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

I cannot disagree with you.

[@xxraddrummerxx]

yes. i am not a guitar player but i feel like this dude is extremely underrated. i love symphony x and the mythology suite changed music for me.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Right on. I get ya completely. They are a great band, that much is proven.

[@Briandk1702]

My favourite guitar player!

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Cannot disagree! Loved my time chatting with him too. Thanks for checking it out.

[@raoulmeynard666]

This guy is just amazing. he is my favorite metal guitar player by far.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

He's something, that's for sure. Glad you seemed to enjoy it!

[@stevebarker4681]

Michael is yngwie x10. Super awesome player. Met symphony x and they came out and it was total 🔥 shred.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

I get ya.

[@Vbnklll]

I'm pretty sure the Malmsteen can play that stuff too. It will be cool if they were really great Friends! Romeo must be the most Genius persons Alive completely insane guitar player. Those tappings n things are like fucking Impossible.

[@tel5690]

Michael is so down to earth One hell of a guitarist That symphony x band is a masterpiece. He makes me put the guitar down and relook at it in a different way.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

I'm so happy you enjoyed it. He's an amazing human.

[@the_shadow_realm5110]

Michael Romeo is a living legend. He and Symphony X have created so much magic and hair-raising, goosebump inducing epic moments over the years. Great interview.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

I couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for checking out the interview and for your nice comments.

[@scottdunn2178]

Would love to see him and Ron Jarzombek collaborate 🎸

[@tonesfreeman1769]

Excellent album. Good interview, thanks.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Appreciate the words! Have a great one!

[@CYON4D]

Great to see another interview with Michael Romeo.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Thank you!

[@KellyKGuitar]

Awesome interview, Rob! MJR is a terrific player and its always great to get his perspective on things. I have to say though....my head snapped up when you mentioned SAGA! I'm actually Steve Negus' guitarist for his solo band (NEGUS), so it was a rare treat to hear them mentioned!

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Oh, that makes me so happy. This was one of my favorite experiences. I'm hoping to have Michael on a special soon. So much to catch up on. I'd love to chat with Steve someday. He's an amazing player! Thank you so much for the great comments. It makes it all worth it. Truly. Thank you.

[@romankrhounek5974]

He's so effortless

[@thisissentimentalillness]

A musical genius. ...and so nice.

[@johnramsey2480]

I greatly love MJR as a guitarist/composer and jist overall Musician!! He is on my favorites list with Kiko Louriero, Gus G., Angel Vivaldi, Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal and Marty Friedman.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Agree wholeheartedly. Love him and love those that you've mentioned. Ron doesn't get near enough kudos. He's a massive talent. Thanks for the great comment. Appreciate it!

[@Therionx]

Doubled Solos did not know that ! Wow

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Yeah, when you consider how technical those passages are.... wow.

[@Therionx]

@@thisissentimentalillness Very true ! Amazing

[@MaximShelkov]

What a great interview, MJR is such an amazing musician, composer and solid dude.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

That's really great words, man. Thank you so much!

[@SyX512]

my favorite musician! and great to listen to!

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Wow, thank you! I'm so happy this made you happy. Thanks for listening!

[@smitlag]

Can you imagine being that good to double his solos without really knowing they are doubled. I have seen him several times. He plays the most difficult passages while looking like he is thinking of ordering pizza. Totally effortless playing

[@thisissentimentalillness]

It's a truly outstanding thing, yes. I'm so happy you like him as much as I. He deserves all the accolades, that's for sure. Thanks for the comment!

[@jessicapalmer3452]

I've been listening to War of the Worlds part 2 every single day. I love it! Feels good to be into a new release so much. Man, I'd love to see this line up tour. And you did a great job interviewing Michael Romeo here. Really enjoyed it!

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Ah thanks! It was such an awesome experience. I loved talking to him. Appreciate the kind words and glad you enjoyed it!

[@mooncritter721]

GREAT INTERVIEW!! Ask him if Symphony X will ever do a pro shot DVD of a live show. It would sell really well!! Plus it`s a keep sake that will always show the live side of the band.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

I'll try to remember the next time I talk with him. Thanks!

[@haneyguitarinstruction6260]

I have been playing Symphony X music for years and it has vastly improved my playing. Dressed to kill, secrets, domination, evolution grand design, iconoclast, nevermore. Parasites on the new album is the best 4 minutes and 33 seconds of my life. Going to see them live in May in Salt Lake City. Can not wait

[@thisissentimentalillness]

I love what you're saying and I agree with you on all fronts. Their music has never strayed from being incredible or exciting. It's just so different from everyone else. Glad you love them like I do. I hope this interview was as cool as you'd hoped.

[@haneyguitarinstruction6260]

@@thisissentimentalillness I enjoyed this interview and I greatly admire Mr. Romeo. He is my inspiration for guitar

[@harrisfrankou2368]

Wow this guy is a total genius. He slipped under my radar. Amazing Love the Movies he cites.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

I agree.... a great guy as well. An "all- around" kind of genius. So cool.

[@EphemeralSkiesBand]

Really enjoyed this interview!🤘🏻

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Thank you so much. It's evergreen for sure!

[@quasipseudo1]

MR = GOAT

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Indeed.

[@theophany1770]

Just saw them in Orlando at The Plaza Live. Awesome experience seeing Michael up close. The whole band was amazing!

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Awesome. Yes, they are a force of amazing will and songs!

[@74Bert]

Fantastic album virtuose 😍👊pts2 instru and vocal GREAT ROMEO the best guitariste métal néoclassique 👽🤘💙

[@thisissentimentalillness]

He is amazing. Fantastique!

[@Squidz66]

There’s no one, plays and writes like MJR. Legend.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

For sure!

[@canyoncarver]

Thank you for this great interview. Michael Romeo is a beast of a composer and guitar player. I will subscribe to your channel from this day on. Great job with the interview, man!

[@oIADZIo]

I've been listening to Arch Echo non-stop since 2019 and was lucky enough to see them live late 2019 before the Pandemic kicked in 2020 - Those guys are insane and set a new precedent of what I wanted/want to achieve. Been playing Classic and Metal since 1999 MJR is still such a legend!!!!!

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Michael is a legend, absolutely.

[@Cloudburzt]

Speaking of getting into prog by accident: I used to buy unknown records from a record store as a kid (early 2000's). I'd usually look for covers that looked different and the first one I listened to in terms of prog metal was Images & Words by Dream Theater. The cover looked different to all the other covers and I got intrigued. Not long after I learned about Symphony X and Michael Romeo is an absolute god on guitar!

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Great story!

[@jerrodlopes186]

Michael is my exe's cousin. The whole band are a bunch of really nice guys. Too bad I never got any free lessons out of him.

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Better to be happy! Hope you enjoyed the show!

[@angelinc7627]

Thanks for the amazing interview!

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Glad you enjoyed it! I really dug my time with Michael!

[@Nasosdag]

WHAT would we do without MJR (and Symphony X)... I have only seen them once live, they blew the roof off the place. Michael's work has captivated me since the first notes of SX's "V - The New Mythology Suite". Never looked back (except exploring SX's back catalogue and the guys' other work). He is such a cool person as well. Thanks for the interview!

[@thisissentimentalillness]

I'm right there with you. NMS and Paradise Lost are the two that I love so much. Glad you enjoyed the chat. I hope you'll enjoy the others we are talking with!

[@keyboardwarria]

damn he has so many guitars

[@thisissentimentalillness]

For sure.

[@romankrhounek5974]

He's right with Kansas listen to The Wall and you'll know

[@thisissentimentalillness]

For sure

[@danielrrjd]

I wanna be the next Michael Romeo :P

[@thisissentimentalillness]

I'd like you to be!

[@DjentleYGO]

What does doubling a guitar solo mean?

[@thisissentimentalillness]

Playing the same part at least twice and having both tracks on the recording so it sounds really big and has a natural chorusing affect.

[@DjentleYGO]

@@thisissentimentalillness Thanks! 👍

[@scirasco1]

Randy would of been shocked if he still would of been around when yngwie hit a 17 year old that can do everything u dreamt off ,its not even a contest