Sons Of Apollo: Psychotic Symphony

We've heard this tale before, haven't we? A collection of great musos coming together amidst much hype and hyperbole to form what the media label a 'supergroup'. The latest band bestowed that often cursed mantle being Sons Of Apollo, who, as if you didn't already know, comprise two ex-Dream Theater men in the shape of, he's here, he's there, he's absolutely every-blinking-where, drummer Mike Portnoy and current Black Country Communion keyboard man Derek Sherinian. Bringing Portnoy's Winery Dogs mate Billy Sheehan (also of Mr. Big, David Lee Roth, Tallas…….) in on bass, the trio have teamed up with Guns N' Roses guitarist (although, to be fair, most people have held down that position for at least a day or two) Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal and Talisman, Yngwie Malmsteen, Trans Siberian Orchestra singer Jeff Scott Soto. Even having already name-checked a whole host of bands that these guys have performed in or with, it would probably be possible to fill the rest of this review with others. Fair to suggest then that in the supergroup league, we're talking A-list, top division, no mucking about stuff. Obviously it's destined for failure, right?

Psychotic Symphony has other ideas, the band's debut (hopefully they'll be more… please let there be more!) side stepping comparisons with anything these guys have done before, even if it does neatly fold into the drawer marked progressive metal. With five stellar contributors there's no secret weapon here, after all it's no shock whatsoever that Portnoy and Sheehan have an almost mental rhythmical link, or that Sherinian locks in with that duo quite stunningly. To be fair, if you've previously thought that Bumblefoot was only good for knocking out covers of "Paradise City" and "Sweet Child O' Mine", then his blistering lead work, thunderous riff mastery and all round technical excellence may be something of a knock me sideways discovery. JSS on the other hand is already known as a vocal chameleon, belting out AOR anthems, grandiose symphonic rock and balls out metal with ease. Let's simply add prog rock to that list of genres ruled over and nod approvingly. His contribution bringing power, accessibility and so much more to this feast.

Harder, heavier and more, well, genuine than a huge swathe of what we often expect from prog metal, where the strength of Psychotic Symphony truly lies is the tightness of its songwriting. Don't get me wrong, the technical wizardry of opener "God Of The Sun" or throbbing metal mass of "Signs Of The Time" offer up numerous instrumental sections that have you shaking your head in disbelief, swap time signatures at will, and provide copious multi-instrumental battles. However, that's not the point here. Instead, as you have your eardrums singed by the stinging lead lines or dumbfounded by the percussive trickery, so the groove picks you up and carries you away, just as the choruses have you singing along. These are songs, not 'pieces'. That they're unashamedly presented by a group of musicians of the highest calibre simply allows it all to sound natural, unforced and organic in a way that little prog metal does, or even wants to.

Impressively the same can be said throughout, "Labyrinth" reminding of a more brutish Kip Winger solo cut, as various ethnic influences are built into the sort of eastern groove Jimmy Page would have given his violin bow for, while "Divine Addiction" and its Hammond habit give mind to what Uriah Heep might have sounded like had they formed 25 years later. Sherinian does get a chance to show off on the short instrumental "Figaro's Whore" (who said Emerson Lake and Palmer???) and Bumblefoot likewise on the long voiceless closer "Opus Maximus", but even these more indulgent moments never leave you hanging around too long for a killer riff, glinting hook or way in to this band's way of thinking.

I could go on (and on and on…) but you're getting the message here. Sons Of Apollo are the real deal. They'll cut whatever mustard you have to hand and they have their climbing gear ready to scale any musical heights you care mention. And yet, you'll remember this album most because the songs it contains have been cannily crafted and cared for well beyond the stroking of egos, or desire to showcase talent. With the schedules these guys keep, it would be a huge surprise if the quintet assembled decide to fully concentrate on Sons Of Apollo. We can only hope, pray and dream that they do.

See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!

Track Listing
1. God of the Sun
2. Coming Home
3. Signs of the Time
4. Labyrinth
5. Alive
6. Lost in Oblivion
7. Figaro's Whore
8. Divine Addiction
9. Opus Maximus

Added: November 27th 2017
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Sons Of Apollo online
Hits: 4962
Language: english

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