It's not very often one runs into a band on the caliber of SYMPHONY X. Few bands are able to pull off the Neo-Classical and Progressive elements in Metal the way these New Jersey stalwarts have been for well over a decade. Currently in the midst of a world tour in support of their latest opus, "Paradise Lost", SYMPHONY X are spreading their vision of Metal to the masses and leaving ecstatic audiences in their wake. Drummer Jason Rullo and bass guitarist Michael Lepond give METALEATER some insight.

First off, tell us a bit about the choice of opening bands (SANCTITY and ECHOES OF ETERNITY) and the tour so far.

Jason: "Well, the choice of opening bands was really done by management and labels and stuff like that. We really didn't have much of a say to be honest with you. You know, they kind of put it by us and we said 'okay, yeah, sure - that's fine'. And so far, it's worked out well - everybody's real cool and everybody gets along and the bands seem to be doing pretty well in those opening slots. What was the other part of the question?"

How has the tour been so far?

Jason: "Oh. Good, actually really good - a lot of full rooms and great, great reactions, people seem to be enjoying the new stuff and everybody seems to be singing along with that, all that kind of stuff, so everything's good, man."

Now tell us a little bit about the new album, "Paradise Lost".

Jason: "Well, as you know, it took awhile. It's certainly a labor of love. It was the kind of thing where we had a few tours pop up over the last couple years that kind of kept pushing off the album, you know - the was the QUEENSRŸCHE tour, Gigantour and stuff; things that we felt we should do, would be important, even though they would set back the release date, obviously. I guess the main thing was really we wanted to make sure we were going to release something that was solid, that we were all proud of and that the fans would obviously enjoy. I guess it was slightly a conscious decision to make it a little bit more accessible kind of material and at the same time keeping all the SYMPHONY X flavor and maybe a little bit more of an edge. So that's kind of how we came up with it. As far as the theme of the album and all that, it's not really a concept album, as some people think; we're just kind of touching on all those themes - common things that are a part of everyone's life; classic good versus evil struggle, of course, and things like lust and greed. So we wanted it to say something, but at the same time, we leave it open ended for interpretation, for people to get what they want out of it. Ultimately, I think we ended up with a pretty neutral stance on the whole thing, but it's more something to get you thinking if you read the lyrics and whatnot."

Tell us a bit about the recording and songwriting process.

Jason: "Well, on this one, it was mostly Mike Romeo (guitar) as far as the song writing - he just had so much material. I mean, we still have CD's full of riffs and ideas that didn't get used for this record and as it came together, it's just one of those things that, I know as far as Mike goes, he likes to have a story in mind and a picture in mind - if he can see where it's going, he can feel where the music needs to be. So as the lyrics kind of came together and the ideas and the riffs started turning into songs, it was really good, just part of all that, you know... that process. Fairly similar from album to album. Yeah, it's just kind of building blocks and again, seeing what riffs work where and of course, the importance of each song is huge to us, so there's nothing just for the sake of having this riff there or that riff there."

How much of the packaging for the album was the band's decision and how much of it was the record label?

Jason: "Well, really Warren, the artist, once he came to us with that artwork, it was kind of a done deal; we loved what he did - it was just perfect, we were all really pretty blown away by the art, so then it was really the band's decision to say 'all right, look - how can we make the packaging special?', especially with the Internet frenzy that happened with the pre-release, so to speak. (laughs) So we wanted to make sure that it was a nice package that people would want to go out and have, so we again told that to Warren and he really came up with the whole design of that, as well. Then it was us just really putting the pressure on the label, say 'hey, look - we're really passionate about this, we really want this to happen and make sure that the fans have something special to go out and buy'. They agreed and just went on from there, but many thanks to Warren, 'cause he just did a killer job with the artwork and the layout and the whole thing. We're just really happy with it."

How did you enjoy filming your first music video for "The Serpent's Kiss"?

Jason: "That was a pretty wild experience, you know. We had played in Italy the day before - Gods Of Metal - and then we flew to Serbia to do those in two days. We did two videos, actually, we did 'Set The World On Fire' also, and it was really quite an experience just being in Serbia and working with those guys there who really were great. It was cool. It was different for all of us having the green screen kind of thing behind you and you kind of wonder what they're going to put there and how it's all going to come out, so a big part of it is just kinda do your part and then hurry up and wait for the results. It was a cool experience; the guys in the production crew over there were really top-notch, you know, nice guys, professional and everything and I think they did a great job, so it was cool experience. We're all happy with it."

What are your thoughts on the critical reviews for the album?

Jason: "Honestly, I don't really... I've gotten some emailed to me and stuff like that and for the most part, people seem to be really enjoying it, so I think that's great. I mean, there's probably a few people who were maybe a little scared off by how heavy it is and stuff like that, but I really don't think it's that much heavier than what the band had going on before. For people who have never seen us live, I guess those are probably the people who think it really sounds heavy. We've always been a little heavier live than our recordings. But yeah, most of the reviews I'm hearing are really good and that Swedish thing, we got a ten out of ten and they had never given a ten before, so I mean, some of these people are just going bonkers for it and that's great for us, obviously."

Awhile ago, I heard some rumblings about a re-recorded version of the self-titled album and a box set. Was that just Internet rumor or was there a grain of truth to that?

Jason: "No, there was discussion in our camp about that; that's really all it was. We talked about doing something and the label wanted to do some sort of special package kind of thing, so we said 'look, if you're going to repackage stuff and have a box set, then we need to do something that's fresh'. We didn't want the old stuff on there, 'cause that's like our demo in our opinion, you know what I mean? We don't even acknowledge that CD for the most part, (laughs) so we figured re-record like maybe half of it, you know, pick out the best tunes to do and that kind of thing, so it did almost happen, but then we decided 'you know what? It's just going to detract more time away from writing the new material' and stuff like that, so we just for now, we'll just concentrate on the new stuff. But it was something we did talk about, yeah."

I've heard about an upcoming DVD of some sort?

Jason: "Another thing that we're talking about. I figure it's just a matter of time before we finally get that out, but it's also... a big part of that is having the DVD film crew being able to really come out and film the right shows, so coordinating all that and having the label organize all that and that kind of stuff. Unfortunately, it's a little bit out of our hands, you know. We can kind of say 'yeah, this is what we wanna do', but until the pieces are all together, we're kind of at their mercy. But it's something we definitely plan on doing, you know; we get a lot of requests for it, so it'll happen."

Okay, now imagine that somebody decides to come out with "The Damnation Board Game". (laughter) What would the rules be?

Jason: (still laughing) "I don't know. In this camp, I don't know if it would have an end to that game. What do you think, Lepond?"

Michael: "I don't know." (laughter)

Jason: "'The Damnation Board Game'... that's a tough one. (pause) A game with no end, that's what it would be." (laughter)

Michael: "I think you've finally stumped us."

Yes!!! (laughter) Alright, do you find that Progressive Metal, as a genre, has grown a bit stagnant in the last few years?

Jason: "I don't know. I mean, it's weird because I don't really listen to a lot of the Progressive bands that are out now. I mean, a lot of it kind of sounds the same to me. Bands like DREAM THEATER, obviously, they've weathered the storm, you know, and continued to play and have good gigs. For us, we don't really label ourselves as Progressive or just Metal - we're just music, you know; that's the way we really look at it at this point - either you enjoy it or you don't. What seems to be happening now is it seems to be all coming back - we're getting a lot of kids at these shows, you know, young teenagers; they've got their IRON MAIDEN shirts and stuff like that and so they're going back and discovering this classic Metal and stuff like that, so it definitely slowed down for awhile there, it seemed like, but the last couple years it really seems like it's picking up again. There's definitely a resurgence and, again, it's evident in our shows, getting this younger crowd. The demographic's really changed, actually, since the last time we've been out. A lot more young kids and stuff."

There Won't be any kids here tonight - the show's 21 and over.

Jason: "21 and over, yeah... so there won't be any people here." (laughter)

Michael: "21 and over? That stinks!"

And there's really no reason it should be 21 and over, 'cause there's plenty of all ages venues that are comparable in size and have better sound.

Jason: (laughs) "Yeah, we just discovered the sound system, so we know what you're talking about."

Yeah. Don't worry - they usually fix it about five songs in. (laughter) Okay, what does the band listen to on the bus?

Jason: "Oh man, all kinds of stuff. I was just listening to LED ZEPPELIN before I came out. We all like so many different things and it just depends on the mood, could be anything from ZEPPELIN, RUSH and KANSAS... what else? What else has been on the bus? That CLUTCH CD."

Michael: "Somebody was listening to a PINK FLOYD DVD last night, I don't know who or where, but I heard it."

Jason: "We've got a whole range of styles, you know - you never know what you're going to hear. Mostly old classic stuff."

Do you have any interesting tour stories, either from this tour or maybe one from the DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND tour?

Jason: "Let's see... I don't know if I'm allowed to tell. (laughter) The one that always comes to mind when you talk about Devin Townsend is the classic air conditioner getting ripped off the roof there. They were pulling away from a gig and they ran into an awning and the whole A.C. got ripped off and they had to drive around the whole rest of the tour with a big hole in their roof. That was bad. That was the year of the Colorado Flu and a couple of the guys got really sick, almost went home, but they toughed it out."

Just one last question - who inspired you to learn to play the drums?

Jason: "I'd have to say Alex Van Halen, probably, in the beginning, the biggest influence, and Neil Peart of course, John Bonham. Yeah, those were the first guys that really caught my eye and made me realize I really wanted to play drums."

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Jason: "No. Just thanks to the fans for coming out to the shows and supporting the band. We really appreciate and we're getting into some areas... we were just discussing, we don't know if we've ever played Portland... maybe once?"

No, you guys played Seattle on the BLIND GUARDIAN tour, but that was the closest you've come.

Jason: "Okay, yeah, so we're getting into some new cities and stuff, so that's cool. Thanks for enabling us to get out here and we appreciate it." [FIN]