Symphony X

[Jacksonguy666]

Michael Romeo is the best guitarist ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG2804ggsI0
im a VERY talented shredder, and i can sweep and tap sweep even, but for w/e reason, i CANNOT even come close to this guy
whats weird is you NEVER see him on like the top 100 guitarist or other similar lists, wtf!?!?! yet you see john mayer and the jonas brothers

[eakinj]

oh dear jebus. for a second I misread that as Static X and I was about to call bullshit. then I pulled my head out of my arse and saw what you actually said.

very cool, video thanks for sharing

[Ben...]

If you like them check out Adagio. Very similar and a really good band.

[fullmetalguitar]

Good? Yes. Excellent technical chops? Definitely yes! The best guitarist ever? No way.

He's technically awesome and certainly blows me away, but I was bored after a minute or so. There's nothing unique about what I heard, at least in my opinion. I'd lump in with Yngwie and all the other clones in that category. There's a reason why you'll never see him on a 100 greatest guitarists list. Again, this is all my opinion, and if you love his style, then that's all that matters.

[horns666]

I'm what some may call a shredder/Metal "aficionado"..JCF's personal Mike Varney if you will.

Mike Romeo made my list. Now mind you this is a very partial list..not revised or complete whatsoever..but it's a start.

Uli Roth
Zeno Roth..that's right, The master's bro!
Criss Oliva
Jeff Waters
Dushan Petrossi
Tony MacAlpine
Allan Holdsworth
Shawn Lane
Jason Becker..why not Marty Freidman..well, why not?
Eric Rutan
Curran Murphy
Pat O'Brian
Greg Howe
Ritchie Kotzen
John Sykes
Jeff Loomis
Jennifer Batten
Michael Faith
Rusty Cooley
Jani Liimatainen
Michael Lee Firkins
Reb Beach
Olaf Lenk
Joe Stump
Andre Corbin
Ron Jarzombek
Tim Calvert
Chris Impelliteri
Magnus Karlsson
Gus G.
Mike Romeo
Glen Drover
Brednt Allman
Vinnie Moore
Steve Stevens ..He's MUCH more than Rebel Yell!
George Lynch
Steve Morse
Steve Lukather
Frank Marino
Blues Saraceno
Joey Tafolla
Harry Cody
Jonas Hanson
James Murphy
Alexi Laiho
Roope Latava
Gary Moore
Alex Skolnick
Andy Timmons
Stevie Blaze
Al Petrelli
Akira Takasaki
Michael "Angelo" Batio
Jeff Waters
Craid Goldy
Doug Aldrich
Tommy Vetrelli
John Norum
John Petrucci
Tore Otsby
Ronnie Le Tekro
Patrick Rondat
Dario Mollo
Nuno Bettencourt
Kee Marcello
Adrian Vandenburg
Tony Fredianelli
James Byrd
Roland Grapow
Andy LaRoque
Mike Wead
Eric Johnson
Joshua Perahia
Chris Broderick
Tore Moren
Jorn Viggo Loftad
Jarno Keskinen
Damir Uzunovic
Peter Espenoza
Pete Blakk
Michael Denner
Hank Sherman
Andre Segovia
George Bellas
Gary Wehrkamp
Jeff Kollman
Marcel Coenen
Carlos Montoya
Al DiMeola
Scott Henderson
Stanley Jorden
Alex Masi
Axel Rudi Pell
Victor Smolski
Chris Poland
Warren DiMartini
Bruce Bouillet
Luca Turelli
Gary Werhkamp
Django Rheinhart (sp?)
Eddie Antonini
Thomas Wolf
Timo Tolki
Frank Gambale
Mark Mcgee
Jaron Sebastian
Brad Gillis
Jeff Watson
Buckethead
Herman Li
Sam Totman
Jame Murphy
Phil Keagy
Magnus Nilsson
Roy Z
Guthrie Govan
Ralph Santolla
Vitto Bratta
Steve Lynch
Muhammed Suicmez
Stephan Lil
Dweezil Zappa ..yeah, we know his pop!
Mike Amott
Chris Amott
Dave Suzuki
Fredrick Akesson
Fredrik Thordendal
Christofer Malmstrom
Ron Thal
Franck Kobolt
Helge Engelke (has a Uli guitar)

Guitarist polls are popularity contests..it has NOTHING to do with talent. To judge the best, one must know all the players..and I do.

[toejam]

Mike Romeo? I took lessons from that dude back in '87... he was frighteningly good back then!
Too bad I still suck and don't have 1/4 of the talent he does.

[horns666]

Good? Yes. Excellent technical chops? Definitely yes! The best guitarist ever? No way.

He's technically awesome and certainly blows me away, but I was bored after a minute or so. There's nothing unique about what I heard, at least in my opinion. I'd lump in with Yngwie and all the other clones in that category. There's a reason why you'll never see him on a 100 greatest guitarists list. Again, this is all my opinion, and if you love his style, then that's all that matters.

Well I truly believe that you over generalized. Mike is no "clone" he has his own style, tone, seven string techniques and ect. I have his entire body of work including his '94 solo effort "The Dark Chapter", and the EXTREMELY commerical almost Journey-like Phantom's Opera which is far removed from anything neo-classical.

[horns666]

Mike Romeo? I took lessons from that dude back in '87... he was frighteningly good back then!
Too bad I still suck and don't have 1/4 of the talent he does.

Yeah and Joe knew him while he was in Phantom's Opera, and their singer..right Joseppi?

[Jacksons Shred]

Well I truly believe that you over generalized. Mike is no "clone" he has his own style, tone, seven string techniques and ect. I have his entire body of work including his '94 solo effort "The Dark Chapter", and the EXTREMELY commerical almost Journey-like Phantom's Opera which is far removed from anything neo-classical.

Going to have to agree with Bill on this one. Mike Romeo is definetly not a clone. He has some Yngwie chops, but you can hear a huge influence of Cacophony , EVH, Holdsworth, and Lane in his playing. He's a phenominal guitarist, and probably has the best vibrato ever.

[toejam]

Yeah and Joe knew him while he was in Phantom's Opera, and their singer..right Joseppi?

Coleman Brice... hahahaha! That guy was a dick at the time, and people used to egg his house. :ROTF:

[horns666]

Going to have to agree with Bill on this one. Mike Romeo is definetly not a clone. He has some Yngwie chops, but you can hear a huge influence of Cacophony , EVH, Holdsworth, and Lane in his playing. He's a phenominal guitarist, and probably has the best vibrato ever.

wow, very good ears and observation. Yes, he has a very sick, fluid legato. He's also an a very diverse amazing songwriter..he writes for the song, even if the song is centered around his wankery..much like YJM.

[fullmetalguitar]

Well, to be fair guys, I don't have any of his stuff. I've only seen a few clips on youtube. My comments were based on the clip you posted. And what he's playing screams neo-classical to me. So my comments/opinion are based on that clip only. And don't get me wrong, he's got amazing chops.

[horns666]

Coleman Brice... hahahaha! That guy was a dick at the time, and people used to egg his house. :ROTF:

You egged his house , or toilet papered it..I know you Joe..come clean man. You know who did it..don't you ya bastid! Are you thirsty? Would you like some refreshing, ice water, or a frosty coke..then just answer the damn question!!!

I was a cop...a damn good one!

[horns666]

Well, to be fair guys, I don't have any of his stuff. I've only seen a few clips on youtube. My comments were based on the clip you posted. And what he's playing screams neo-classical to me. So my comments/opinion are based on that clip only. And don't get me wrong, he's got amazing chops.

Well, there ya go. We couldn't rate your playing on one clip, or anyone's for that matter..unless they sucked so much ass it was obvious. There's alot to Mike Romeo man. He is considered one of the best in the genre..but I'm partial to Jeff Loomis. Did I ever mention that?:think:

[toejam]

I didn't, but I know some people in a rival band that did. Their band stickers used to be plastered on his house and basement door, too, and when they got scraped off, more got put on.