Russell Allen of Symphony X has shared updates on the band's next album, following their 2015 release 'Underworld'. In an interview, he explained the challenges of their creative process and the impact of tours. The band plans to complete recording by year's end after a Latin American tour.
Symphony X, known for extended intervals between albums, is making progress on material for their follow-up to 2015's 'Underworld'. Vocalist Russell Allen discussed this in a recent interview with Uruguay's The Dark Melody, as reported by Blabbermouth and Chaoszine. He noted that gaps between releases have always existed but have widened over time due to the band's self-production approach.
Allen highlighted guitarist Michael Romeo's central role as the primary composer. 'Mike’s [Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo] been working on this stuff for years,' Allen said. He described Romeo as a 'mad scientist, genius guy' whose process is disrupted by interruptions like tours. 'When we stop, it really messes up with Mike’s creative process,' Allen explained. Romeo has provided about 10 hours of material for what will be a roughly 55-minute album, creating a 'monumental task' to refine it.
Despite the delays, Allen emphasized their commitment to quality. 'It’s all about the quality of what the fans are gonna hear, and that’s our legacy,' he stated. The band has excess material that could shorten the wait for the subsequent release. 'There’s so much good material. We both feel that there’s a lot to pull on for the next one,' Allen added, though he cautioned against promises.
Allen made no apologies for the timeline. 'I’m not gonna apologize to you guys for taking the time. It’s just how we create this stuff,' he said, while assuring fans it is not a slight. The album is expected to be finished by the end of 2026, or possibly fall, depending on momentum.
This update coincides with Symphony X's 30th anniversary Latin American tour, starting March 11, 2026, in Guadalajara, Mexico. Stops include Monterrey, Mexico; Ciudad de México, Mexico; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; São Paulo and Curitiba, Brazil; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Bogotá, Colombia; and Heredia, Costa Rica. Post-tour, the band has no other bookings to prioritize recording.
