Michael began playing guitar at age 14 and takes his influences from a wide of range sources including Randy Rhoads, Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, Al DiMeola, J.S. Bach, John Williams and Frank Zappa, although he draws most heavily from a neo-classical style reminiscent of Yngwie Malmsteen. Despite this, Michael manages to maintain an identifiable signature that sets him apart from other players in this genre by fusing exotic scales and arpeggios (such as the half-diminished, whole tone and Egyptian scale), non-standard rhythms, time signatures and a raw neo-classical edge. An element of jazz is also present in his music.
Although Michael has received coverage in many guitar magazines around the world, he is best known for his role as lead guitarist in the progressive metal band Symphony X which he founded in 1994 after a request by a Japanese record label who were impressed by Michael's demo tape, The Dark Chapter.
An incredibly technical player, Michael is most famous for lightning-fast sweep picking and tapping though he also has great alternate picking technique, despite the fact that his style relies more on a softer legato attack and his trademark sweep-tapping licks. Michael is regarded as not only an exceptional soloist but also for his complex rhythm guitar parts that make heavy use of artificial harmonics for impact. These playing effects are greatly demonstrated on his demonstartional guitar video, called, The Guitar Chapter. Michael is often compared with the lead guitarist of Dream Theater, John Petrucci.
Michael usually uses a custom ESP guitar and Line6 amplification for live performances and Mesa Boogie amplification for studio recording, although he recently played Caparison guitars on the recent Gigantour tour.
Michael also loves Star Wars as shown by his performance of the Star Wars Suite on the Symphony X Rarities and Demos fanclub CD. He has also stated that his favorite Star Wars character is Darth Vader.
Djinn
Michael Romeo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heaven or Hell?
The majority ain't always right
'Round and 'round it goes
And pray for the power
To kill all of those who oppose
Wishes come in three, choose carefully
Right or wrong, make the call
Here we stand, here we fall
Don't pretend to know
Just 'cause it is written in stone
It doesn't make it so
March with spite, unite
A vengeful machine exploiting
Some God-given right
Now paired side by side
Deadly worlds collide A
ll the same, friend or foe
Kill to your last breath
A dance of death
Find the strength, let it go
One last wish remains
Cast off these chains
Take a breath, take control
Just embrace your hate
Evil incarnate
Free your mind, free your soul
The lyrics to Michael Romeo’s Djinn evoke deep thoughts and philosophical reflections within the listener about the duality of good and evil and the greater picture of life beyond what we see. He contemplates whether it is possible to see the light from Heaven or Hell, implying that it is impossible to accurately know what is good or evil. It seems he advocates against blindly following the majority as they cannot always be right in their perspectives.
The song also touches on the power that drives people to do great things, and the consequences of the choices we make. The line, “Wishes come in three, choose carefully,” reinforces the cautionary tale about the importance of making careful choices in our lives, as these choices can ultimately define our fate. The lyrics argue that despite the existence of alternative points of view, we can only pick one decision, one perspective, and must live with the outcome we produce.
The song ultimately advises people to embrace the strength and the hate that lies within them to free their minds and souls. It is a call to pick your stand, embrace your convictions and stand by them with all your strength. It is a powerful and deep message that the lyrics conjure and deliver to listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you see the light from Heaven or Hell?
Asking whether one can differentiate between good and evil.
The majority ain't always right
The majority's perspectives and beliefs are not always correct or morally upright.
'Round and 'round it goes
Cyclical nature of life, constantly going in circles.
And pray for the power, to kill all of those who oppose
Desiring strength to eliminate anyone who resists or opposes.
Wishes come in three, choose carefully
Be selective while making wishes, especially when given only three chances.
Right or wrong, make the call
Deciding between good or bad, making the best possible judgement in the given circumstances.
Different points of view, choose one, not two
Having to choose only one perspective, from the many available choices.
Here we stand, here we fall
Life is unpredictable, sometimes one succeeds, sometimes one fails.
Don't pretend to know, just cause it is written in stone
Anything written down or stated by others must always be questioned for authenticity or accuracy, instead of blindly accepting it.
It doesn't make it so
Just because something is written or spoken, it’s not necessarily true.
March with spite, unite
Moving forward with anger and hatred joined together.
A vengeful machine exploiting, some God-given right
Taking revenge on others with a sense of entitlement, thinking it is approved by divine power.
Now paired side by side, deadly worlds collide
Two opposing ideologies or beliefs, confronting each other with lethal repercussions.
All the same, friend, or foe
In the end, we are all equal, regardless of being friends or enemies.
Kill to your last breath, a dance of death
Viewing violence as a continuous, fatalistic performance where there is no end other than death.
Find the strength, let it go
Fostering inner strength to detach from unresolved issues or challenges.
One last wish remains, cast off these chains
Having one final opportunity to liberate oneself from burdensome limitations and shackles.
Take a breath, take control
Taking action to combat overwhelming situations with composure and control.
Just embrace your hate, evil incarnate
Fully accepting one's dark or negative emotions that may fuel harmful and corrupt behavior.
Free your mind, free your soul
Liberating oneself from malicious thoughts and actions, allowing internal growth and healing.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michael Romeo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@guitarclockwork
only metalheads can arguing about singers and stuff instead of supporting their favourite Artist and the fantastic musicians he play with. Just shut up and listen to the epicness.
@nikolaikolev4310
Архангел в прогресив метъла, един от най любимите ми китаристи!
@fab5175
Hooray for John Macaluso on drums everybody! What a BADASS!!
@algornbass
4:21 you can hardly hear the tubes otherwise majestic in Macaluso's Djinn playthrough. Pity...
@JohnMacalusoDrums
@@algornbass What the Hell are tubes?
@algornbass
Maybe I got it wrong, thought it was an octoban tube ^_^" was it a Darabouka?
@JohnMacalusoDrums
@@algornbass Oh the Indian style sound? That is an electric drum where I programmed kind of a tabla, dumbek world music sound. It is an electric drum from Italian drum company Mark Drum, very cool stuff. I lost my Octoban after I recorded ARK Burn The Sun album. I miss that thing. Got stolen from my car. That octoban is on the song Heal The Waters. Thanks, J. Mac
@algornbass
Namaste :-)
@saeedkhabaz4761
4:53 "احط نفسک بالاشخاص الذین یحبون صحبتک" glowing on the djinn's chest. I think it means, surround yourself with people who like your company. I'm Persian but I think that's the right translation.
@faridh2125
I noticed the arabic writings too .. will see it in depth and respond.