Somehow, Mike Portnoy has found the time for yet another band. The drummer has an exhaustive work ethic and has joined forces with a number of notable rock and metal musicians to form Sons of Apollo, who will release their debut, Psychotic Symphony, on Oct. 20 through Inside Out/Sony Music.

Sons of Apollo are rounded out by Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal (guitar, ex-Guns N’ Roses, Art of Anarchy), Derek Sherinian (keyboards, ex-Dream Theater) Billy Sheehan (bass, The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big) and Jeff Scott Soto (vocals, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, ex-Journey). The band was spurred by Portnoy’s collaborative instrumental work with Sherinian, Sheehan and Tony MacAlpine shortly after his split with Dream Theater. After completing a tour, Sherinian had urged the drummer to pursue a full-time band with him and now the timing has finally allowed for this to happen.

The band’s name was chosen after Portnoy, who keeps a running list of potential band names on his phone, plucked “Apollo” from the tab. Both Portnoy and the keyboardist agreed on using the word, especially since Apollo is the Greek god of music, and after Sherinian tossed in the prefix, the name was settled.

Speaking about the group’s sound, Sherinian explained, “The music is modern, but we have an old school soul. What is unique about Sons of Apollo is that we have true rock ‘n’ roll swagger along with the virtuosity — a lethal combination!” To sample what’s to come, check out the album teaser in the video below.

For those assuming this is another one of Portnoy’s side projects, that’s an error in judgement. The drummer asserted, “This is a real band. This is going to pick up for me and Billy where The Winery Dogs left off, in terms of this being the next logical full-time thing for us. I’m not saying The Winery Dogs have broken up, because we haven’t, we’re just on a break. Sons of Apollo is absolutely going to be a full-time band and we plan on touring all over the world all throughout 2018 and, honestly, it is the priority for all five of us.”

Since parting ways with Dream Theater, Portnoy has been incredibly active both on the road and in the studio. His name will always be tied with the legendary prog band he was an integral part of for so long, but in a recent interview he stated he’s content with his current work and is not longing for a reunion with Dream Theater.


Read More: Mike Portnoy Forms New Supergroup Sons of Apollo, Debut Album Announced | http://loudwire.com/sons-of-apollo-mike ... ck=tsmclip

And will make their live debut on the Cruise To The Edge 2018. Can't wait to meet Bumblefoot (Ron Thal) on the ship! And Billy Sheehan.

First song "Signs of the Time"

Bump: Details have been added to the opening post.

We also have a video for "Coming Home":

Any idea if the DVD content is video or just better audio?

I've looked into this and updated the opening post with more details. It's actually an audio disc of instrumentals. There is no DVD for this release.

Thank you.

Don't forget that this, one of the releases of the year, comes out this Friday!

Even better -- Amazon has reduced the 2CD Deluxe Edition to just $7.99:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0751QJM73/?tag=imwan-20

Win!

"Lost In Oblivion":

My copy just arrived!

The double CD deluxe set is really nice.

What an excellent album! It has everything a hard rocker would want. Even some great prog flourishes that really make this a cut above your great metal band.

As John says, you need this!

PS I strongly recommend this even that I didn't even play the second disc as of yet.

I would imagine our sail away from Tampa next February will be the debut of Sons Of Apollo on the main stage as I enjoy my first pina coloda of the cruise under the Florida sun!

John, you are tempting me big time on getting a ticket for this voyage.

This happened over the New Year's holiday, two old friends getting together.

This song, the lead track is just killer! In 2 days I will finally get to see Sons Of Apollo live for the first time on the CTTE 2018.

I really like this disc. To me the only weak leak is Sherinian - and that's just because he never seems to use any different sounds with his keyboards. He seems to have found a certain sound when he was with DT and stuck with it all these years, which kind of defeats the purpose of an instrument that uses samples.

Quick update from the ship at sea, the debut went well last night, big turnout at 11PM to see the debut of a new supergroup. Introduced by the one and only Eddie Trunk (of course), they sounded epic, big powerful classic rock!

Only bummer is we learned that lead singer Jeff Scott Soto’s brother had passed away earlier in the day so he was very emotional. Prayers to him.