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Sons Of Apollo - MMXX CD (album) cover

MMXX

Sons Of Apollo

Progressive Metal

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kayd_mon
3 stars Short version - the album is firmly mediocre. It does not suck; neither is it remarkable. If you're a fan of the lineup, it's worth checking out. If you liked the first album, to me it's indistinguishable from it. I'll be honest, six straight-through listens, and nothing really sticks as memorable. One thing that is worth mentioning, especially on this site, is that this is not very progressive. In fact, I would expect more than a few prog fans to label this arena rock with shreddy solos. For comparison, Portnoy's other flashy rock outfit with Sheehan, Winery Dogs (which isn't on this site) has far more interesting guitar and bass work.

Portnoy is Portnoy. You already knew that. Sherinian is, too. Sheehan is phoning it in (Portnoy said in interviews that he records his parts last and doesn't participate in songwriting). Bumblefoot sure shreds his solos, but disappointingly, none of the base riffs are interesting. He pretty much does the chuggachugga thing while Soto gruffs his way through. If you dig the sound, you get it in spades. But there's nothing really surprising or progressive. For some, that's not really a negative. For others, that's a deal breaker.

If you like big, arena rock played with skill, this is it. Check it out. If you're really into progressive or very technical stuff, you might be disappointed. My review might sound harsher than I mean, but to me, a lineup like this should wow you, and this album doesn't do that.

Report this review (#2312527)
Posted Monday, February 3, 2020 | Review Permalink
A Crimson Mellotron
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars The second studio instalment of Sons of Apollo, the Portnoy/Sherinian-led supergroup, came in 2020 and with the news of the group's disbandment coming soon after, we might as well consider this sophomore release the project's final one. Much like the debut album 'Psychotic Symphony', this record is a collection of really fine, polished prog metal tracks with a strong influence from hard rock to an extent making up for a musical entity whose output distantly reminisces Dream Theater in terms of technicality and density of the composition, as well as Deep Purple or Uriah Heep or even Van Halen in terms of raw, organic power, sound and swagger. And with the experience of their debut album as well as some time on the road touring their music, the chemistry between the members must have consolidated, eventually strengthening their writing and invigorating their creativity.

Yet being familiar with the discographies of both Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian, with the bands they have been involved in and the general impression left on by 'Psychotic Symphony', the 2020 release titled 'MMXX' is quite similar to its predecessor and offers a fine reiteration of the music presented by the band some three years earlier. Once again playing around with both shorter and longer tracks as well as with an arsenal of technical riffs, versatile and virtuosic playing, Portnoy & Co. offer a melodic album full of blazing guitars, heated keyboards and a jarring rhythm section that are elevated by the powerful, rocking vocals of Jeff Scott Soto, responsible for all the lyrics on the album. Stylistically comparable to its predecessor, 'MMXX' is exactly what it offers and exactly what one might expect from this band of veteran players ' all the technicality mixed up with great melodies is in here, and while the writing seems generally tighter, the debut album is just a tad bit more memorable.

Report this review (#3145263)
Posted Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | Review Permalink

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