Michael James Romeo (born March 6, 1968) is an American musician, best known as the guitarist, founding member, and main songwriter of the progressive metal group Symphony X.

[2][5] Through lessons, Romeo was introduced to a number of classical composers that would become a source of inspiration throughout his career, such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard Wagner, Gustav Holst and Igor Stravinsky.

[5] He became serious about the guitar around the age of 12, after listening to the albums Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne, and would subsequently be heavily influenced by the neoclassical technique and style of Randy Rhoads.

[5] In a 2022 interview with Sea of Tranquility, Romeo would recall practicing daily at that point in his life, by playing along to the Ozzy Osbourne albums and others.

[2][5] In terms of bands, Romeo has listed Rush, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Kansas as sources of inspiration.

[7] In the studio Romeo has used Mesa Boogie Triaxis amplifiers, before switching to the ENGL Fireball around the time of Symphony X's The Odyssey.

In 1995, Long Island Records of Germany released the self-titled debut Phantom's Opera album featuring Romeo on lead guitar, Colie Brice on vocals, Bob Nelson on drums, Eric Walz on bass, and founding member Jack Young on keyboard and piano.

[15] In 1999, Romeo provided all guitar and bass parts on The Last Viking, the third studio album from Johansson brothers Jens and Anders.

[19] In 2005, Romeo provided guitar, bass and orchestration for eight songs from Symphony X bandmate Russell Allen's solo debut, Atomic Soul.

In 2009, Romeo composed and recorded orchestral parts for "The Discovery" and "Gaia (The Vultures)" on God Forbid's album Earthsblood.

In 2013, Romeo recorded some solos and guitar work for the self-titled debut album of Michael Kaplan's progressive rock project Flaud Logic.