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 [guitar], Michael Pinnella [keyboards] and Michael LePond [bass]. 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 [Allen] 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.

Source:blabbermouth.net