MIKE LEPOND from SYMPHONY X and SILENT ASSASSINS appeared on Neckbreaker Podcast this week for a full-length interview. Topics include:
– criticism for Kickstarter as an album medium
– why he decided to start a heavy metal side project
– the setlist selection process for the Symphony X / Overkill tour
– thoughts on Spotify and other streaming services in 2015
– best/worst show experiences and much more.
The free, full-length episode is available for download via iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher Radio, the Shining Wizards Network, The Blast Syndicate, or you can stream/download the episode right from the direct link at this location.
NECKBREAKER is a pro wrestling and heavy metal themed show. Hosts Brian Thompson, John Aubrey, and Chris Kessaris sit down with guests from both worlds, drink alcohol, and have casual, laid-back conversations.
Brazilian prog metallers MR.EGO are set to release their new album, entitled “Se7en” still this autumn. The album is featuring as special guests Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X, SILENT ASSASSINS) and Carolina L.Miranda. “Se7en” was produced and mixed by the band, mastered by Alessandro Del Vecchio at Ivory Tears Music Works Studios.
“Se7en” Tracklist.:
1 – (16:2)
2 – Fall On Our Knees
3 – Broken Walls
4 – 1917
5 – Deceived
6 – For The Last Time
8 – IN Justice
9 – Black Gold
10 -End Of Times
11 -Tears Of An Angel
12 -Silence Of The Lambs Part.I Future Of Illusions
13 -Silence Of The Lambs Part.II Chain Of Events
14 -Silence Of The Lambs Part.III 7ogerM
Check out below recently unveiled singles “1917” and “Black Gold”, taken from “Se7en”:
MR.EGO are:
André Anheiser Ferrari (Vocals)
Paulo André (Bass)
Iuri Nogueira (Guitars)
Igor Nogueira (Keyboards)
Ricardo Longhi (Drums)
STARBYNARY is a Power/Progressive Metal trio founded by some of the most talented musicians in the scene. ‘Dark Passenger’, the band’s debut album, is an exciting concept inspired by Jeff Lindsay’s ‘Darkly Dreaming Dexter’ (as the highly successful tv series ‘Dexter’), a musical journey of rare intensity, powerful and melodic at the same time, with a modern touch and outstanding technical abilities displayed throughout the record.
‘Dark Passenger’ was produced by Peter Pahor in Trieste, Italy, and features a very special guest appearance by Mike LePond (Symphony X) on bass.
The beautiful artwork was handled by renowned artist Felipe Machado Franco (Blind Guardian, Rage, Secret Sphere). ‘Dark Passenger’ will be available starting from December 1st, 2014 on Bakerteam Records.
American progressive metal veterans SYMPHONY X will enter the studio this week to begin recording the follow-up to 2011’s “Iconoclast” for an early 2015 release, reports Blabbermouth.
“We’re gonna start the drums on Tuesday [September 9], and with all the recording and then the promotion, we hope to have a new album out for the spring,” SYMPHONY X bassist Michael LePond told United Rock Nations last week (see below). He continued: “The songs are ready to go. We have ten songs. We may record nine or ten; we’ll see how it goes.”
Regarding the musical direction of the new SYMPHONY X material, LePond said: “Stylistically, it’s not as heavy as ‘Iconoclast’ was. If I had to compare, I would say that it’s a combination of [2002’s] ‘The Odyssey’ and [2007’s] ‘Paradise Lost’ — something in there. It has a lot of classic SYMPHONY X elements in it, which I think a lot of our fans were missing for a few years. So I think our fans will really like this one. It really just focuses on solid songwriting.”
Asked if SYMPHONY X has come up with a title for the new album yet, LePond said: “We don’t have the name of the album yet. Right now we have all the music and we have all the lyrics written down, but we still need to put the lyrics to the songs.”
On the topic of the time table for the completion of the new SYMPHONY X album, LePond said: “I think we would like to have the album recorded by the end of the year, finished. And then we give it to the record company and then they need three months to promote [it]. So that’s the plan right now.”
UDR/Warner has set a September 26 release date for the first-ever solo album from LePond.
“Mike LePond’s Silent Assassins” is described in a press release as “a fantastic heavy, power metal album that combines all influences of Mike LePond’s favorite bands from the past and present. This album is packed with kick-ass vocals, scorching riffs and epic styling; there’s something in there for any style of metalhead!”
“Mike LePond’s Silent Assassins” features guest performances by guitarist “Metal” Mike Chlasciak (HALFORD, TESTAMENT), lead guitarist and drum producer Michael Romeo (SYMPHONY X), vocalist Alan Tecchio (HADES, WATCHTOWER), and, of course, mainman Mike LePond on bass and rhythm guitar.
Introducing, for the first time, Mike LePond’s SILENT ASSASSINS, a fantastic heavy, power metal album that combines all influences of Mike LePond’s favorite bands from the past and present. This album is packed with kick ass vocals, scorching riffs and epic styling – there’s something in there for any style of metal head!
The name of the album is “Mike LePond’s Assassins”, set to be released on September 29, via UDR/Warner. The album features guest performances by guitarist Metal Mike (Halford, Testament), lead guitarist and drum producer Michael Romeo (Symphony X), vocalist Alan Tecchio ( Hades, Watchtower), and, of course, main man Mike LePond on bass and rhythm guitar.
Mike LePond, well known as the bass player of the US progressive metal band Symphony X, steps out for the first time to bring you his first solo effort. Heavily influenced by a variety of his contemporaries, Gene Simmons ( Kiss), his first concert experience, and later further influenced by Geddy Lee ( Rush) and Geezer Butler.
Mike LePond states: ‘This CD is all me. I wrote all the music, and all the lyrics. It’s one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever done and I can’t wait to share it with my fans’.
Metal Mike remarks: ‘Superbly crafted songs! Highly recommended to fans who like their metal true and hard’ and Alan Tecchio adds: ’The themes Mike wrote about lyrically and the energy of full throttle riffage was a welcomed back to my power metal roots.’.
Mike LePond: Join me as we celebrate the glory of heavy metal with my first ever, solo release!
Track listing:
1 Apocalypse Rider
2 Red Death
3 The Quest
4 The Outsider
5 Masada
6 Silent Assassins
7 Ragnarok
8 The Progeny
9 Oath Of Honor
Symphony X bassist Mike LePond has launched a new musical project: SILENT ASSASSINS. Donate now to breathe life into the recordings, production and whatever is needed to make it big. Let us procure more money to make it big and to make it a success without being reliable on a record label. It is Mike`s baby so let Mike`s dream come true. Donate now! Any amount is welcome! Thank you in advance for your time and donation.
The name of the project and the album will be called “Mike LePond’s SILENT ASSASSINS”. It is a heavy metal/power metal record that combines all the influences of Mike`s favorite bands from the past and present. It is a full hour of headbanging riffs, kick ass vocals, and epic tales. There is something in there for any style of metal you enjoy! Metal Mike (Halford, Testament) is on lead guitar and Alan Tecchio (Autumn Hour, Watchtower) is on vocals.
