Mike Portnoy's "Prog Metal" supergroup: Sons of Apollo

[King Postwhore]

I do not get calling Casey's vocals as "forced".

Not one bit.

[KevShmev]

Having heard the entire album - Well....

Don't expect much different songs than what you've already heard in te teasers and the two songs already out there

Yikes.

Sounds like this will be a pass for me.  I don't care how proggy it is - good music is good music - but jeez, this kind of generic hard rock is just so unappealing.

I thought the first song was okay, but this second one was about as bland as you can get. Just more proof that having all of that talent doesn't mean squat if you don't have the songs, and so far, they don't have 'em.

[JayOctavarium]

**

[Lethean]

Having heard the entire album - Well....

Don't expect much different songs than what you've already heard in te teasers and the two songs already out there

Really?   I was hoping this would at least be like Flying Colors, where some songs on each album do nothing for me, but then you have Infinite Fire, which I loved...

[The Silent Cody]

Having heard the entire album - Well....

Don't expect much different songs than what you've already heard in te teasers and the two songs already out there

Yikes.

Sounds like this will be a pass for me.  I don't care how proggy it is - good music is good music - but jeez, this kind of generic hard rock is just so unappealing.

I thought the first song was okay, but this second one was about as bland as you can get. Just more proof that having all of that talent doesn't mean squat if you don't have the songs, and so far, they don't have 'em.

This is very well said. Totally agree. And one thing more... IMO JSS performance in Coming Home is so much weaker than in Signs Of The Times... I even like his voice, but here just as You said, it's so generic...

[ariich]

Decent song, but yeah not very interesting stylistically. Unlike most people, though, I'm not pre-judging the album at all as it sounds like this is the simplest song.

Bit of a strange choice for single, though - I get if they want to appeal to a wider audience, but this doesn't fit well with the prog metal pitch that they're also trying to make. Not that a single song can possibly define something as "prog" or "not prog", but I still think it gives the wrong impression.

[w_marano]

Having heard the entire album - Well....

Don't expect much different songs than what you've already heard in te teasers and the two songs already out there

I thought the first song was okay, but this second one was about as bland as you can get. Just more proof that having all of that talent doesn't mean squat if you don't have the songs, and so far, they don't have 'em.

Totally agree. At the end I'll wait for the full album hoping to be surprised with at least a good proggy song... Fingers crossed.

[noxon]

I'm sure a lot of people will love the album. It's got plenty of the stuff that loads of fans of the heavier DT album LOVE. And it'll make it very apparent just how integral MP was to the song construction on the last few DT album he was on. This is what I imagine a DT album would sound like if everyone in the band was just into heavier music... The core audience for this album is probably diametrically opposed to the core audience for The Astonishing...

[bill1971]

Having heard the entire album - Well....

Don't expect much different songs than what you've already heard in te teasers and the two songs already out there

That's not very encouraging but also not surprising. Where did you hear it?

[noxon]

If your definition of proggy song is "long intro, heavy riffs, chorus, refrain, chorus,  into shred sections that trade solos for a few minutes and back to heavy riffs, return to chorus to end the song", sure, there are plenty of that here.

[gzarruk]

I liked Sings of the Time much more than this one. Like almost every post here says, we were told this was going to be a prog metal supergroup, and we got just some generic hard rock instead. If that's the kind of music they wanted to make, that's totally cool, but you just can't proclaim you're "the kings of prog metal" and then release songs that aren't prog or even too metal.

My opinion on the performances:

- Drums: meh
- Guitar: meh
- Keys: liked the intro, then meh
- Vocals: not for me
- Bass: what Sheehan does on every record he's in, nonsense playing and awful tone

Not liking this, so far. Expected much more from MP and DS, to be honest. Hope they (specially Mike) don't start another social media rant if the album isn't received as well as they expect it to be.

[bosk1]

This is what I imagine a DT album would sound like if everyone in the band was just into heavier music... The core audience for this album is probably diametrically opposed to the core audience for The Astonishing...

Wow, really?  I'm not getting that from the two songs I've heard so far.  They aren't really all that heavy at all to me.  And that's fine--they don't necessarily need to be.  I'm just saying that, based on what I've heard so far, your description is surprising. 

I also don't get the AMob comparisons some are making.  To me, this sounds very little like AMob.  And to me, that's a very good thing.  Aside from the VERY cool Mob Rules cover, that band did absolutely nothing for me. 

[Lethean]

I'm sure a lot of people will love the album. It's got plenty of the stuff that loads of fans of the heavier DT album LOVE. And it'll make it very apparent just how integral MP was to the song construction on the last few DT album he was on. This is what I imagine a DT album would sound like if everyone in the band was just into heavier music... The core audience for this album is probably diametrically opposed to the core audience for The Astonishing...

If your definition of proggy song is "long intro, heavy riffs, chorus, refrain, chorus,  into shred sections that trade solos for a few minutes and back to heavy riffs, return to chorus to end the song", sure, there are plenty of that here.

Hmm, not sure what to think.  I prefer the 3 albums since Mike left over SC and probably Black Clouds, and I love the Astonishing.  But I do like all of DT's albums including both SC and Black Clouds, and Train of Thought as well, which arguably could be described in your quote above.  What bothered me most about those later MP-DT albums was Mike's singing, but I was fine with most of the songs.  I guess I'll have to wait for one of the longer songs and see.

[NoseofNicko]

Generic hard rock song. But it's not like the other song was much more original.

[Mebert78]

Aside from the VERY cool Mob Rules cover, that band did absolutely nothing for me.

In addition to that cover, I just had to say that I also LOVE the A-Mob song, "All on the Line": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAkmZs3SnMU

As for the new Sons of Apollo song, it was a solid tune for me.  I'm particularly enjoying seeing how much fun the band seems to be having.

[MinistroRaven]

I finished listening (thrice) all the album a couple minutes ago, and if you guys are looking something really different in the rest of the album...well...
I am not saying that the rest of the album it's bad, in fact I liked CH for what it is, I am just saying that it is nothing groundbreaking, at least to me there's nothing in the album that stands to the #WeAreTheKingsOfProgMetal #TheThroneHasBeenReclaimed or some of the other similars #s posted on social media.
Take it from someone who has MP tattooed on his calf, just look at the tshirt I am wearing on my avatar. I do love MP but the album is far overhyped.

[Madman Shepherd]

I'm sure a lot of people will love the album. It's got plenty of the stuff that loads of fans of the heavier DT album LOVE. And it'll make it very apparent just how integral MP was to the song construction on the last few DT album he was on. This is what I imagine a DT album would sound like if everyone in the band was just into heavier music... The core audience for this album is probably diametrically opposed to the core audience for The Astonishing...

Hmmm, I don't know if that will be accurate.  I pretty much hated The Astonishing (although a few tracks were awesome) and so far I have not been impressed with the two SoA tracks.  The latest was just "there" as someone earlier said.  First track released was a tad better.  DT12 wasn't my favorite DT album but I'll take that any day over The Astonishing or the 2 SoA tracks I've heard. 

[bill1971]

MP is becoming the Ralph Kramden of starting musical bands.

[The Walrus]

MP is becoming the Ralph Kramden of starting musical bands.

 

[TAC]

Coming Home video, just posted by MP on Facebook:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_1N8kVYfkE

Double bass drum
Double neck bass guitar
Double neck guitar
Double keyboard stacks




Double disappointed.

[rumborak]

Needed double the songwriting.

[The Walrus]

"And then there was Apollo Two Times, who got that nickname because he did everything twice, like double the necks, double the necks."

Sorry... it's on right now 

[Ben_Jamin]

Still sounds like The Winery Dogs with Keys. 

Velvet Revolver...thats the band that this sounds like to me.

[KevShmev]

If your definition of proggy song is "long intro, heavy riffs, chorus, refrain, chorus,  into shred sections that trade solos for a few minutes and back to heavy riffs, return to chorus to end the song", sure, there are plenty of that here.

Not to start the "what is prog?" debate, but while that might be the modern day stereotypical definition of proggy, it sure ain't progressive.

[TAC]

I think the problem is that this song seems a bit under their collective talents.

[portnoy311]

If you mute the video it looks like a bunch of middle aged guys who playing instruments causes them to be in great pain. I'll never understand how over the top grimace faces and theatrics makes for a good showman. Add in spirit fingers and this is definitely not for me. At least we know what they meant by "swagger."


Musically it sounds about how I expected. When they posted those videos talking about how talented everyone is I was worried they were going to consider just being in a band together as their great accomplishment. I'm still not unconvinced. I don't really hear anything original or like there's any great writing chemistry going on.

I wish them well, but hard pass from me.

[Dave_Manchester]

Musically it sounds about how I expected. When they posted those videos talking about how talented everyone is I was worried they were going to consider just being in a band together as their great accomplishment.

This touches on a point I've been trying to articulate by PM with someone, about how redundant a so-called 'super group' is if there isn't a gifted song-writer among them. You could throw the likes of Ringo Starr, John McVie and Elvis into a studio (dammit can someone give me an example of a legendary guitarist who doesn't write music, because I've been struggling to complete my hypothetical super group of non-composers), it looks like an immense 'super group' on paper, but none of them write tunes, and so what is the musical worth? Technical pyrotechnics? Who has cared about that since the late 80s?  I'm waiting for the full album to come out before making my conclusion about the music of this band (I was indifferent to the first song, and I liked the second a lot), but I'm generally not impressed by 'super group' labels (especially as it applies these days, i.e. d-list rockers who hardly anyone outside the genre has heard of). Amazing players are ten a penny, YouTube is full of technical freaks of nature, but truly great song-writers are a very rare breed, and without one, you're just a bunch of very talented guys going through the motions. Will Sons of Apollo have a Neal Morse or a John Petrucci among them? We'll see.

[Zook]

So basically what Derek has been telling us in his tweets is that Sons of Apollo is going to lack anything that would make it interesting.

[Madman Shepherd]

So basically what Derek has been telling us in his tweets is that Sons of Apollo is going to lack anything that would make it interesting.

Yup. Honestly it could use some breathy vocals.

Not joking.

[portnoy311]

Dave - I agree with that, and it almost seems like the music is secondary. Get supposedly great musicians together, let them record whatever the hell comes out for the whole 2 weeks they write, and talk about your swagger. Rinse and repeat with other musicians if it doesn't become huge. That is a recipe to get really bland, well, music like this.

I look forward to hearing how this was always supposed to br temporary and the next project that is thrown together without a single consideration of forming a songwriting identity.

[ReaperKK]

I'm really liking Bumblefoot's playing.  When forced into more traditional song structures, he can really play to the song.  And given his work in GnR, I was pretty confident that would be the case, but it's good to see/hear it confirmed in the music.  Looking forward to release day.

I agree with this. I feel BUmblefoot is a bit like Guthrie Govan and his work with Steve Wilson. With SW Guthrie had to work within the limitations that were given to him and he came up with some of the best guitar playing I've ever heard.

I'm interested to see what bumblefoot has up his sleeve. 

[Grappler]

I think it's some groovy shit - loving the backup vocals on this song. 

Really, sometimes you just need to let go of everything that's in the last 20 pages of this thread and jam.      There's nothing wrong with a 4 minute song that lacks 15 minutes of useless widdly widdly.

Also:


https://bravewords.com/news/sons-of-apollo-featuring-past-present-members-of-dream-theater-guns-n-roses-journey-mr-big-debut-coming-home-music-video

"I assume most people's expectations of the band from its lineup is for SOA to be a self-indulgent 'wank-fest' (and granted, there are three 10-minute prog epics on the album!), but ‘Coming Home’ is an example that we are just as much a rock band cut from the cloth of classic bands like Van Halen as well."

[rumborak]

Maybe the problem here is that MP associates being progressive with 10 minute wank-fests.

[WheyWaffles]

I suppose there could be individuals who can wholly separate things, but they are far from neurotypical and are probably severely cognitively impaired.

This is where ariich and I have a problem with. You recognize that there may be some people that can separate the behaviour of a person from the music he makes but they are "probably severely cognitively impaired"

Really? Just because someone has a different opinion or experience on that matter he has probably some kind of brain damage? You have either constructed your post in a way that it can be easily misunderstood or you are just outright insulting.

Neither of you are understanding what I'm saying. I don't feel I've been unclear about it, either. Had I been more concise, I could have been even more easily misinterpreted. Please get off the defensive for a moment and listen.

A person is often the world's leading expert on their own self in many ways, but not all ways. If a person posting in this thread claims they can separate entirely their knowledge of a musician from the way they experience said musician's output, I believe strongly that they are mistaken. They're not lying--they're just wrong. When challenged, I speculated that while there may be someone on the planet who is capable of doing that, they're likely severely cognitively impaired. That observation is not a passive aggressive dig at anyone on this site who claims to be able to separate these things, because the sort of individual I'm talking about would not be reading this forum. Again, people here who claim to be able to do this are not cognitively impaired or dishonest--they just don't understand certain aspects of the subjective human experience. Reading me say this for the eleventh time is probably going to piss some of them off, but I'm in the bizarre position of having to defend myself for stating what seems obvious.

None of what I'm saying is the least bit controversial and no one should be taking it personally. It's just how stuff works. If it's still unclear, then I cannot help you and I won't defend myself further.

[nobloodyname]

Do what?