Progressive metal act Symphony X has set "Paradise Lost" as the title of the follow-up to 2002's "The Odyssey", tentatively due before the end of the year. The band expects to return to the road shortly after the release of the new album.

Source:	blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Symphony X

Michael LePond, the bassist from Power/Progressive/Symphonic Metal band Symphony X has fully recovered from Crohn's Disease. The bassist was diagnosed with the bowel disorder earlier this year, and the band was forced to cancel some European tours. He was discharged from hospital a couple of months ago, but he still wasn't 100% well. He's made a full recovery now though, and he says he feels "...strong as ever."

Here is a statement from LePond, taken from Symphony X's official website: "Hello everybody!! First of all, I want to let you that I am now fully recovered. I have gained all of my weight back and feel as strong as ever. My bass chops are back up to speed, just in time for the recording of the new CD.

Secondly, I want to give my deepest thanks to all of you for your sympathy and support during my illness. I read every single e-mail that was sent to me. It was better than any medicine I could have taken. I will never forget the kindness you guys have shown me.
I love all of you.."

Source:	symphonyx.com
Band profile:	Symphony X

Posted under the news section on the band's official website by Jax:

"Just spoke to MJR & got caught up on things. He reports that they will start recording in the beginning of July; they're currently finishing up one song and putting final touches on a couple of others. Mike said that since writing has taken this long, they've chosen to fine tune the songs before entering the studio; they've put a lot of time into pre-production on this one."

Source:	symphonyx.com
Band profile:	Symphony X

Michael LePond, the Bassist from Power/Progressive band Symphony X has now been released from hospital. He was diagnosed with Crohn's disease which is a bowel disorder. The disorder hospitalised him, and the band was forced to cancel some European tours. He has made a recovery however, and he has now been released from hospital.

Here is a message from LePond on Symphony X's offical website:

"Hello to Everyone !!!
I want you all to know that I had my surgery and have been released from the hospital. I am feeling so much better now. I am eating normally and getting stronger with each passing day. I should be fully recovered in about 3 weeks. I want to thank all of the fans who sent get well wishes to me. I will read every single one of them. I will never forget how kind and caring you are. I love you all."

The band will now resume work on a new album, which will be due out toward the end of this year. They will also tour once the new album is released.

Source:	symphonyx.com
Band profile:	Symphony X

The following message by Mike LePond has been delievered via newsletter:

"Hello to Everyone !!!
I want you all to know that I had my surgery and have been released from
the hospital. I am feeling so much better now. I am eating normally and
getting stronger with each passing day. I should be fully recovered in
about 3 weeks. I want to thank all of the fans who sent get well wishes
to me. I will read every single one of them. I will never forget how
kind and caring you are. I love you all.................

Mike L"

Source:	- Symphony X Newsletter -
Band profile:	Symphony X

World Management and Symphony X would like to announce that the European Festivals for June in Sweden and Spain will unfortunately have to be cancelled due to severe illness. We Hope that Michael Lepond's surgery will go well and wish him a speedy and full recovery. We would like to let all the fans know that we will be back on tour fall 2006 around release of the band's next record.

Please read the post below from Michael Lepond:

"To whom it may concern. I have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease (an Inflammatory Bowel disorder) This has caused an obstruction in my small intestine, making it impossible to digest solid foods.Currently, I am hospitalized where they can feed me through an I.V. unit supplemented with a liquid diet. But, there is some good news The doctors tell me, that with a surgical procedure, they will have me back to 100% in about 6 weeks. And, although it is a chronic disease, this procedure will make it much easier to control its effects in the future. I want to thank the band, the crew, the fans and everyone else involved for your understanding and support during this tough time. You will all make my healing process much easier and I'll be back on the bass in no time.

Michael Lepond

Source:	swedenrock.com
Band profile:	Symphony X

The web site of New Jersey prog-metallers SYMPHONY X has been updated with the following message:

"They're working at a good pace on writing the new CD, they have parts of songs put together at this point that are equal to about half of the new CD, and have lots of ideas that they're working with. They're being very critical with this CD, wanting to kick it up a notch from 'The Odyssey' and make it the best stuff yet; thus far they're working with material from Michael Romeo , Michael Pinnella and Michael LePond . Mike sounded really intent on cranking out some excellent music; he's in 'the writing zone', and only good things come of it when he's in that mindset.

"When informed that some fans feared that Mike's comment in an earlier studio report about the new CD being 'darker' than 'The Odyssey' would result in Russ doing death metal growls or the like, Mike said that wasn't going to happen.

"Also, 'the dungeon' (the band's studio) has recently been gutted and totally revamped and is at its best ever acoustically, which should help contribute to some excellent sound on the new CD."

SYMPHONY X's follow-up to 2002's "The Odyssey" is tentatively due later in the year via InsideOut Music.

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Source:	www.blabbermouth.net
Band profile:	Symphony X

As Russ' solo cd was taking quite a bit longer than anticipated, & Mike Romeo was anxious to get going full force on the new Symphony X cd, they both agreed that Russ would take his solo effort to another studio to complete the mixing. Russ is looking for a certain sound & said that Mike "made the music sound too good"; Russ should be finishing up the final mix in the following week or so. In the meantime, MJR has begun working in earnest on the new Symphony X cd with help from the other band members; we'll have more information here as it becomes available.

http://www.symphonyx.com

Band profile:

Symphony X

Prog-metallers SYMPHONY X are preparing to enter the studio to write their next CD, according to a posting on the group's official web site. The band "will be giving bi-weekly (or so) studio reports with news and pictures as the writing process progresses."

Besides, SYMPHONY X guitarist Michael Romeo will be sharing his knowledge and skills this summer (July 26-30) with the students at the National Guitar Workshop in New Milford, CT. Located in various cities throughout the country, this intense summer music program is geared to students of virtually all ages and offers courses in guitar, drums, keyboard, bass, vocals and more. For more information visit www.guitarworkshop.com

Band profile:

Symphony X