In a recent conversation aboard the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, Symphony X bassist Mike LePond opened up about the long-awaited follow-up to 2015’s Underworld album. During the interview with Metal Anthology, LePond offered a measured glimpse into the band’s meticulous creative process and hinted at exciting new developments and the arrival of the album in 2026.
Mike LePond emphasized that the band has been in the studio for “many years”. As he put it: “A bunch of years. We are working on a new album, and it’s gonna have all the cool stuff you guys like. It’s gonna have the big symphonic stuff, it’s gonna have the heavy riffs, it’s gonna have the classical elements as well. It’s gonna have all that stuff in there.”
LePond further explained the band’s writing approach, stressing that every track must meet a strict standard of excellence: “When we write, it just takes time, because Michael Romeo, his rule is there are no filler songs, no songs that are, like, ‘Ah, it’s not bad.’ And it goes in the garbage. They’ve all gotta be where at least we think they’re all great. They all have to be that.”
“The fans are, like, ‘Hey, it’s been so long.’ But we promise you it’s coming,” Mike added. “It’s gonna be good.”
Addressing fans’ curiosity about the potential for longer, more ambitious compositions, Mike LePond noted: “We’re still thinking where we wanna go with that. There’s gonna be something crazy epic on it. We just don’t know how we’re gonna present it yet. But with all the newer technology for the symphonic stuff, it’s gonna be monstrous.”
Beyond the technicalities of songwriting, Mike LePond shared a lighthearted personal ritual that brings comfort during the grueling recording process: “So, yeah, we’re excited to finally do it again. When it’s time to record the bass, I’ll be sweating for days, but once it’s done… I have this routine. Once I finish all my bass tracks and I’m just so tired and wiped out, I go to McDonald’s [fast food restaurant chain]. That’s the only time I go, and it’s, like, ‘Ah.’ My comfort.”
When pressed about a possible release date, Mike LePond offered a tentative timeline: “I’m gonna take a guess. I’m gonna think that by the end of the year, we’ll be finished writing it. It’s just a guess. And then in 2026, probably get it recorded and out.”
Furthermore, the bassist confirmed that Symphony X intends to support the new album with an extensive tour: “We’re gonna tour everywhere we can and just get back out there and really try to say, ‘Hey, Symphony X is back.'”
