In a new interview with Heavy Mextal (YouTube), SYMPHONY X bassist Mike LePond discussed progress on the band’s long-awaited follow-up to 2015’s Underworld.

Speaking to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, LePond said the band has been writing for years but has struggled to find the time to fully assemble the material:

“We’ve been writing music for years now… we just haven’t had enough time to put it together yet, but we’re getting closer and closer. I’ve heard all the new music and I think it’s amazing sounding. Once we put out our next record, I really believe our fans will think it was worth the wait.”

LePond echoed similar sentiments last August in an interview with Rev. Tom Brice of Sportzwire Radio (YouTube):

“It’s been 10 years. The fans are clamoring for a new album, and I can’t blame them. We’ve been writing it, most of the parts are together. Now it’s really just a matter of recording it. If things stay on track, we’re thinking next year.”

On the musical direction, LePond said the new material builds on the band’s legacy:

“Underworld covered a lot of SYMPHONY X styles. The new record feels even more like a summary of our career and musical directions.”

Addressing the long gap between releases, he added:

“There’s tremendous pressure on us to consistently do great records. Our fans are diehard and expect excellence from us.”