Michael LePond

Michael Anthony LePond III (born 1966), is an American musician from Newark, New Jersey. LePond has recorded over 40 albums with various bands and has appeared on over 20 other albums in a guest capacity.

Best known as the current bassist of the progressive metal band Symphony X, LePond joined the band in 1999 Upon seeing the performances of Gene Simmons, LePond decided "that's what I wanna do!" LePond's father soon bought him a Univox bass guitar and a 150 watt amplifier. LePond required surgery, causing Symphony X to cancel festival appearances in Spain and Sweden.

In 2012, LePond formed progressive metal supergroup Affector with drummer Collin Leijenaar, vocalist Ted Leonard and guitarist Daniel Fries. The band's first album, Harmagedon, was released on May 21. The album includes guest keyboard players Jordan Rudess, Derek Sherinian, Neal Morse and Alex Argento.

On August 21, 2014, it was announced that LePond would be releasing his first solo album, Mike LePond's Silent Assassins. The album was released on September 26, featuring LePond on bass and rhythm guitar. The instrument was used on tour with Symphony X up to 2002 and was later auctioned off by the band. Since 2007, LePond's primary bass has been a Caparison Dellinger 4-string. He also plays Fender Jazz Bass and an 8-string John Galagher Oktober bass.

Discography

With Symphony X

V: The New Mythology Suite (2000) The Odyssey (2002) Paradise Lost (2007) Iconoclast (2011) Underworld (2015)

With Mike LePond's Silent Assassins

Mike LePond's Silent Assassins (2014) Pawn And Prophecy (2018) Whore of Babylon (2020)