The BEST Guitarist you've never heard of | Symphony X
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video we'll watch The BEST Guitarist you've never heard of. His name is Michael Romeo from the Neoclassical metal band Symphony X. In order to determine if Lord Romeo is a true guitar god, we'll be watching a live performance of Symphony X's "Sea Of Lies", recorded in Bologna, Italy in 2019. Notice the ease with which he executes incredibly difficult passages. His level of compositional competence is at a very high level. This comes from his study of classical composers like Bach, Mozart and Gustav Holst. He's also influenced by modern legends such as Randy Rhoads, and Yngwie Malmsteen. Who do you think deserves more recognition for their skill? Get on Michael Romeo's level with my full music theory course below. It teaches you how to become more than just a guitarist....it's about being a composer as well muhahaha!
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Michael Romeo is awesome, great voice, amazing guitarist, his latest music is awesome!!
You ever react to Buckethead?????
I approve this video..
75% off on The Package is validated too.
Michael Romeo and Symphony X are extremely underappreciated in the metal world. Can't wait to see them at the end of the month!
Enjoy muhahaha
I've seen them live back in 2016, one of the best concerts man.. You'll definitely enjoy
I'm gonna see them at Montréal saturday may 14 best band metal progressif
Yea, they really are.
I do think the last 3 albums are very samy.
But the up until paradise lost, every album was very different from the other.
@@casaroli I really like Underworld, but it was definitely different than Iconoclast, but Paradise Lost is their most brutal.
Michael Romeo and Symphony X are criminally underrated. One of my favorite bands ever.
I’ve been a Symphony X fan for over 25 years, Michael Romeo is so under rated and over looked, plus he’s the nicest guy ever, I talk to him after every show.
Michael Romeo is an absolute monster on guitar. His solo album is pretty great too. He is often compared to Yngwie Malmsteen, but he is much more articulate and varied as a player. Yes, he does a lot of neoclassical, but he is so much more than that.
One of Romeo's main influences is Uli Jon Roth.
Also Gary Moore and Shawn lane for his fusion side
His riffs are so monstrous
He is way better than Malmsteen. Malmsteen is onedimensional player.
I absolutely love Symphony X Mythology Suite album with Egypt track which I consider their pinnacle.
I really don't care much for the rest of their stuff even though I collected something like 6 or 7 of their albums.
But Michael Romeo is very well known in guitar world. He is sought after as a chorus composer on other well known musicians. He often arranges entire tracks for them.
You can hear his arrangements, he's got his signature approach to doing stuff.
Symphony X is well known outside of US, very popular in both Europe and Japan where it rivals the DT popularity.
For me, outside of The Mythology Suite, it's really difficult for me to go through other albums because it's simply not something I dig.
It sounds too forced to me as opposed to the above mentioned album where everything flows very nicely, fantastic harmonies, time signature mastery, drumming, everything crystal clear by every band member. That album is one of my most favorite albums of all time.
@@mitsanut5869 I saw a photo of Hazuki from Nemophila. She was wearing a Symphony-X shirt!
God, I spent *so* many hours learning that string skipping tapping lick back in the day. Criminally underrated guitar player in a criminally underrated band. Michael Romeo is the reason I started playing in D standard back in the late 90's.. Russell Allen could sing the phone book and kill.
“Best guitarist you’ve never heard of.” Man Michael Romeo is my favorite guitar player, lol.
Yes!
He's always been one of my favorite guitarists, ever since I found out about Symphony X back in 2011.
same. he inspired me to play guitar 20 years ago, and he's still the best as far as i'm concerned.
@@ric112 One of my big inspirations for sure. Led Zeppelin first inspired me to play the guitar, but I loved learning some of Symphony X, especially the acoustic parts (Accolade, Divine Wings of Tragedy, the clean guitar instrumental on ''V'' album.) I tried to learn ''Inferno (unleash the fire)'' but I could never play that with his speed. lol
@@lopolik Candlelight Fantasia was one of the first i ever learned :D took me many years to get inferno down
I really dig his solo stuff, War Of The Worlds Pt. 1 and Pt. 2. Great vid as always!
Yes, those are great, have you heard his first Solo album called ''The Dark Chapter'' from 1994? Definitely worth checking out, if you like Romeo's stuff.
@@lopolik Yes, I have it. It's excellent.
his work in symphony x is some of the best guitar playing i’ve ever heard. truly inspiring player and very underappreciated in the metal world
Michael Romeo was putting down orchestral arrangements in his metal in the beginning of midi plugins. A pioneer of solo composing/recording at home with just a PC. Before modellers even. Those first few Symphony X albums were done doing home recording with cubase and plugins. Now that is the norm.
I remember when he was using the Mesa/Boogie TriAxis.
He also used Steinberg Nuendo when he composed and recorded "The Odyssey".
@@TheCyberMantis Didn't know those details! Cool. I didn't even know Steinberg Nuendo was a thing.
Dude is literally one of the greatest to ever do it, should be way more widely known
Romeo is incredible. Been listening to SX since the 90's. Absolute beast of a guitarist.
To answer your questions at the end. I think the most underappreciated guitarist is another Caparison player, just like Romeo. His name is Mattias Eklundh and he's the reason Caparison started making 8 string guitars.
Romeo is the KING. He's been #1 for over 25 years. I discovered Symphony-X back around 1995.
Another amazing player that not many people know about is: Marcel Coenen.
In Japan, there is SYU from Galneryus.
Also from Japan: Midori and Miyako from LOVEBITES!
I'm primarily a metalhead, but IMO fusion guitarists reign supreme as they can masterfully play many genres and switch it up on the fly with immaculate phrasing and fluidity. I'd vote Alex Hutchings and Max Ostro as the best you've never heard of; they certainly can give Guthrie (my#1) a run for his money.
Honorable mention goes to Stanley Jordan, who's two handed tapping is simply mind-blowing; also an equally skilled pianist like Lane and MacAlpine.
Romeo is fantastic, I've been a fan of Symphony X for 20 years. Class act.
I love Michael Lepond's bass arrangements especially live, the things he did to some of the older songs before he joined are awesome.
He is one of the most naturally fluid players there is. Just effortless when he plays, and insane technique.
hes that guy who just LOVES playing guitar and it shows.
Michael Romeo absolutely rips! His solo stuff and work with Symphony X is outstanding! Another guitarist that seems to fly under the radar is Ron Jarzombek of Blotted Science, WatchTower, Spastic Inc, ect. He's another guy that's outta this world with his playing and composition.
Ron is the man!
Blotted Science is absolutely insane.
My two faves mate 🤘
Saw them open for Queensrych years ago when Symphony X had just released the Odyssey album. They were so good, but there was like Only 5 of us that knew who they were and were wearing their Merch lol. Got to shake their hands after the show, they were very cool.
I'm torn between if I like divine wings, odyssey, or V the best
What about you?
I'm a SX fan since 98, and being honest, paradise lost album is the top of their game, divine wings is my personal favorite, though. I saw them live in '03 at the opera in Toronto, the opening show for Blind Guardian and nobody knew who they were, most people were amazed at Romeo's playing skills.
@@MrBiteme39 I think my favorite is a tie between V and Odyssey. The way V opens up is so awesome. Evolution is probably my favorite song of theirs.
@@drlq7577 I saw them open for Blind Guardian too in '03. The good old days. Damnation Game is the album for me.
He's my favorite guitarist of all time absolute monster.
Mister Romeo and Kiko Loureiro are two of the greatest and most underrated metal guitarists ever. They have everything, they write good songs and know how to play for them while keeping their style untouched. Two masters by their own
Loads and loads of people froth over Kiko lol. He’s miles away from underrated.
i dont know if kiko is underrated. i see so many people say hes megadeths best guitarist ever. like all the time i see it.
@@idk9637 he's underrated basically because people stay only with what he's done with Megadeth or Angra. But by himself he's able to play instrumental rock music, jazz fusion, brazilian jazz, bossa nova... Always with his identity untouched and unmatched. He is a master of the instrument and chooses to play the way he does in every single context, I don't think people are aware of this
Romeo is the reason I got back into playing guitar after initially playing for a year or so then quitting. Something about his style just hooked me and I knew I had to pick it back up.
Great band. Have seen them live many times. The New Mythology Suite is a masterpiece.
I think the band has been more popular in Europe than the US. And yes! He is an amazing guitar player, seen him live a few times and the huge control he has on the instrument is just out of this world.
SYMPHONY X is my favorite band too. But they are not only a Neo Classical Metal band. They are a Progressive Metal band too. And you are right, Michael Romeo is not only a guitarist. He is the best composer of the Metal World now!
You should breakdown The Accolade. I love the section in The Accolade when all the instruments are playing at the same time in different time signatures. You've got the violin playing in 6/4, then the crystal sounding keyboard comes in at 7/8, the piano joins in at 5/4, followed by the guitar playing at 6/4, then the bass and drums come in to round out the sound with the bass alternating between 6/4 and 5/4 and the drums playing in 4/4. Such a great, and underrated, Symphony X song and that section, in particular, is just a beautifully crafted section.
I saw them play this song live just a few days ago! Michael Romeo is amazing live, he never misses a note or anything. Just flawless. The whole band is awesome.
Oh I've heard of him alright. I've idolized his playing for nearly 20 years now. He's one of the greats whether he's unknown or not.
MIchael Romeo is is a GOAT. Absolutely love Symphony X
Man…. I had the great honor to witness him in gigantour! His tone alone gave me goosebumps! Good times! 🤘🏽
Best guitar tone ever
Paradise Lost is one of my favorite albums. I would add that Russel Allen is one of the very best vocalists.
The first time I heard symphony x was on 2nd shift running an engine lathe. This old school metal head was blasting it across the shop.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Check out "Eve Of Seduction" it's such an amazing composition.
I am fortunate to have seen these guys live twice. Definitely check them out in your area! Russell Allen's voice live is something else.
i didnt know he isnt famous till now actually...he has been my guitar hero for over 15+ years and i had been waiting for his solo album forever
I started listening Symphony X in the 90’
Symphony X is not a new band, they been around for more than 20 years …but I’m agree, not many people know them and M. Romeo is totally underrated… I always said that he is and was superior than J. Petrucci …way more progressive, neo classic and heavy …he is awesome…
Great video …🤟🏼🤘🏼
Symphony is one of my favorite metal bands!!! So good.
dude what! i am in love with symphony x. michael romeo has been my favorite guitarist for a while now
And he plays the brand than no players have heard of Caparison. Love my Horus and your channel Shred.
My favorite musician ever!
Michael Romeo is the guitar player that the world's greatest guitar players look up to. Symphony X is the kind of a band that the world's most successful metal bands listen to.
1st time i saw michael romeo was in 2010 and i was so amazed by his talent. And until now i still keep on watching his videos.
I totally agree with you @Shred Been into Romeo for a number of years now!! Great video man. Love your sense of humor.
I'm just a 45 yo black dude from Maryland, moved to California and I've been listening to X for 10 years, maybe more, just incredible. Steve Vai, Mark Rizzo.
Symphony X is so damn good! Been trying to catch them live for almost 15 years and something always comes up. Got to see the lead singer of symphony x touring with Trans-Siberian orchestra which was pretty rad though!🤘💪
If you can get to see them I'd recommend it I saw them on the underworld tour amazing live and they played the Odyssey in full.
@@zedddddful that's awesome dude, killer album!! I hear they have a new album in the works so hoping for another tour cycle after this is dropped! 💪🤘
I waited 19 years lol and they announced that they're working on another album
Mats Haugen from Circus Maximus is a sick player, ludicrously overlooked.
The only Metal band that can make me listen to 24min song on repeat - The Odyssey :D. I'm so fcking glad I rediscovered them recently, and now they blow my mind away.
Started playing guitar because of Metallica's One. Specifically Kirk's solo at the end. In 2006-2008-ish, when I watched the DVD of the concert they did with the San Francisco symphony orchestra in the living room with my mum....when Kirk's solo started I jumped out of my seat, tears in my eyes. Telling my mum right then and there I wanted to learn guitar.
That said, I started learning how to shred and started learning theory and took guitar playing seriously because of Michael Romeo and Symphony X. I once heard him described as a "guitarist's guitarist". I think that fits perfectly. You listen to their songs (especially the older stuff) and you're like: "That right there. That's the level I wanna be at."
Thank you for bringing attention to this man's amazing work.
JOkes on you Shred, I've been listening to SX since at least 2008.
Incredibly underrated. Maybe because in the early years they could be compared to Dream Theater. And as metal prog DT is better. But with evolution of their own style more thrashy the comparaison is not possible now. They will finaly get recognition.
Definitely have heard of him. Symphony x is my personal favorite band of all time. Seen em live twice, n got to meet them all on the underworld tour back in October 2015. Was wicked cool.
Thank you for introducing me to the band. I've heard about them and about Michal Romeo in particular, but somehow I've never listened to their compositions.
Michael is sick talented. I wish more people knew about him.
Yes I have.. Been a Fan of Symphony X since 2011. I actually commented on one of your videos about 3 years ago mentioning this band and Michael Romeo, with them using the Gustav Holst's Marks bringer of War in their epic track ''Divine Wings of Tragedy''.. I am really glad you made a video on him! \m/
Symphony-X has been my #1 band since 1995. Check out the band: LOVEBITES.
@@TheCyberMantis thanks man. I will check them out! Do you know Shadow Gallery? if you don't check that band out man.
@@lopolik I have a couple of Shadow Gallery cd's in my collection.
Symphony X rules, in my top 3 favorite bands ever. I've met them and had conversations with them they're awesome!
I love Symphony X. This guys are fantastics. Michael Romeo is a monster!!
The man is a beast. One of the things I love about this guy is that he plays his solos just as tight and clean as the studio recordings. And he makes it look so effortless.
met him last week in quebec city got to speak music with him for 20-25 minutes. a really great player and a great guy as well!
Been a Romeo fan since about 2000
Andy LaRocque is also one of the most underrated guitarists. I'm not a guitarist, but I know he sounds different from other guitar players and plays some melodies in a way that would raise your eyebrows and rewind the solo. I just wish I could find the words to describe his style of playing, but please do give him a listen if you have any time to spare.
Pardon me I forgot to mention that he's been playing in King Diamond from the beginning and also played on Death's Individual Thought Patterns.
Absolutely!! Andy la Rocque is my favourite guitarist, he's one of the best, I heard king diamond "conspiracy" when it was released, it's still my favourite album, king diamond is the best 🤘
Been a fan of the WHOLE band since the First album... CRITICALLY UNDERRATED !!!! MICHAEL is FUCKING AMAZING.🤘🤘
Awesome, finally someone who get it, mr Romeo is a beast and has an amazing new album thanks bro.
Syu from Galneryus doesnt get his fair share of recognition, especially in the West.
ABSOLUTELY! Syu-san is the metal king of Japan! Don't forget about Midori and Miyako from LOVEBITES!
and Hide from X Japan. While he was alive.
THANK YOU Mr. Shred for breaking down what we are hearing...not only sound wise but key signature changes!! I HONOR YOU SIR!!!
I love Symphony X, all the members are a huge musicians, but especially Russell, he's voice is in metal music, like Steve Perry's voice is for 80's rock music
This was awesome!
Just saw the in montreal and FFs they are so good. I wish their show was 3h. Its really one of my best show I attended so far. Every member is a master of their craft.
That was awesome! I need to start looking into learning this style. I also like Buckethead 's style
Mr.Shred I am so glad I found this video... I thought MICHEAL ROMEO will be forgotten, what is truly unfair... BR
hell yes, they are freakin mind blowing live, glad i get to experience it.
I’m going to see symphony x and haken later this month. Super excited.
I had Michael Romeo's guitar video back in 2004! he is one of the best guitar players out there!
Jokes on you Symphony X is one of the bands that got me into metal. Micheal Romeo is one of my favorite guitarists.
Never heard of? I thought everyone knew this legend! 🤣
Nah fam
@@ShredmasterScott I guess I've lived in the SX bubble for so long I assumed so 🤣
I wish.. but sadly not everyone knows about him. I'm glad Shred made a video, hopefully it will get more people into Symphony X.
MY favorite guitarist ever (tied with Petrucci). Will be seeing him live for the 3rd time on the 21st! Can't wait!
Absolutely fantastic
Not only is Michael a great guitarist/composer, he is a nice and humble person
I've been listening to Symphony X since 2001, I play keyboards and piano, I became huge fan of the band, knowing that Romeo is the main composer, I really got influenced a lot by his works, the band is extremely and criminally underrated, they are on the top of the Metal bands out there and deserve big appreciation, top quality music.
Saw them on the underworld tour greatest gig of my life can't wait to see them again soon Russell was incredible and MJR is just the master.
Decades ago guitar player mag I believe it was called him the next Malmstien.
I used to rent a rehearsal room in DD Vernies studio. Symphony x had a room there. Mostly to store their road gear. Once or twice a year they would practice for a tour or their next album. When they started playing all others bands who may have been there, like mine would stop playing and just listen in awe. Very nice guys too. Mike's wife is a very talented classical pianist as well. Her brother was the drummer in Exxplorer. Another good band from NJ. Check out their early stuff. Much different but very good. Always reminded me of early Merciful Fate.
“No one heard off”? MR has been the favorite guitarist of everyone I know 🤨
For to see Symphony X back in 2003, life changing.
Cool Story about Michael Romeo.. I went to go see Symphony X when i was younger.. and was pretty close to his side of the stage.. only a few people were infront of me... i looked away from the stage and looked back to see EVERYONE going crazy looking at the the floor searching for something.. ended up being a pick that Romeo threw out.. 20 mins goes by and from what i saw no one found the pick.. For some reason i ended up putting both hands into my pocket.. and i felt a pick in my front right pocket... It was a Symphony X Pick with Romeo's Sig on it.. my friend looked over all excited i found it but was shocked in disbelief when i told him i actually found it in my pocket...
Saw them in Albany ca. 2017 - 18? and for their encore they played the song The Odyssey in full. As an encore, after a two hour set. For only about 80 people.
He is phenomenal. As is the band. Love em!
Michael Romeo is one of guitarist which songs slaps me so hard. While obviously need to practice most shred songs dilligently, i can paraphrase most of Yngwie, Vinnie Moore, even some Impelliteri licks and their songs, but Michael Romeo....damn, that guy simply writes not only fast but extremely musical AND BRUTAL lines that needs full attention and commitment to MERELY learn at like, 60% Speed
Michael Romeo, Mike Varney Spotlight guy. Pretty cool player, with a bunch of solo albums too.
Super underrated player and symphony x is crazy underrated too.
Totally agree! Just saw them play live just a few days ago and they were absolutely amazing.
Ridiculous! subbed!
Criss Oliva is hardly ever mentioned as one of the best, possibly because he died so young. But if you listen to his solo on 24 Hours Ago, he's a master, man. And one of the precious few metal players to use octaves on a regular basis. SET IT UP, Shred!! Analyze us some Criss Oliva!! 24 Hours Ago (best), or Beyond the Doors of the Dark, or Gutter Ballet, or Power of the Night.
Chris would be a true idol today. His riffs and solos are still hitting hard and can't even compare with todays technical shit that will be forgotten in a year or so. Michael Romeo, Victor Smolski and others are awesome song composers!
I remember reading a story years ago, and I think it was Alex Skolnick who said he saw Criss playing and he was ok and then a year later he saw him and was like "what the hell" how does someone get that much better that fast? Losing Criss sucked for the Metal world
Agreed! I love Savatage.
Beyond the doors of the dark
Symphony X is so underrated
Symphony X is my mom's favourite band!
hes absolutely phenomenal theres no one like him out there
Sx Rules!!!! Just saw them in Cleveland - amazing!
Wonderful
I am 39 years old and been a drummer since I was a kid and a progressive drummer since 2004. I got into Dream Theater back in 1996 when I first discovered the album Awake and Mike Portnoy has been my favorite drummer ever since and still is. DT isn't what they used to be without Mike Portnoy leaving in 2010.
However Jason Rullo is a very close second favorite drummer for me plus he shares my name Jason haha. I got into Symphony X back in 2001/2002 when The Odyssey album first came out and I was hooked. Symphony X is easily one of the best Prog bands ever. Russell Allen is my favorite singer ever along with Neal Morse. Mike Romeo is the best guitar player ever....or at the very least on the same level with John P from DT or Marco Sfogli.
Jason Rullo is a better technical drummer than Portnoy by far
THANK YOOOUUUUU
I've ALWAYS loved this band since their Paradise Lost album
So unbelievable T.T T.T
We could do one for days Naming guys who'd be known
One of the most underrated metal guitarist. ❤️❤️
He is the best one alive. Best of the best.