Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)

[ytserush]

That... would... actually be kind of a cool tour. Billy's last album was actually quite good.

When I saw Cheap Trick and Peter Frampton out at a casino conference room ballroom in the middle of Nowhere, Minnesota, it was actually a really cool and intimate show.

I saw Asia - all original members - for free at Mohegan Sun, in what equates to a small(er) club setting.  Can't beat that.

Saw Rush in a casino once. (Poster is hanging on the wall actually.)

Strange experience that was. Great seats, small venue, but the crowd was pretty indifferent because I'm convinced most of the tickets were comps.

[ytserush]

Speaking as a keyboard player... You can't play keyboards and be cool. You just can't. Derek is coming across like a guy who wishes his parents had pushed him to be a guitarist

He was trying to be Eddie Van Halen when he was in Dream Theater.(Another reason Why I never thought it was a good fit.)

[?]

My review is online!

Waiting for Mike and Derek to start dissing me in 3, 2, 1...

[RodrigoAltaf]

My review is online!

Waiting for Mike and Derek to start dissing me in 3, 2, 1...

Hey, good call on the Haken influence on Labyrinth! That but does remind me of 1985 as well!

[noxon]

Pretty sure I called out Labyrinth for the 1985 ripoff in my review as well

[MirrorMask]

Derek: Jeff Scott Soto wrote the majority of the lyrics, and I came up with a couple of the titles of the songs. Jeff did all the heavy lifting of the lyrics. I did a lot of the vocal melodies, and Mike also did both. Between the three of us, we really wanted to make sure that the vocals and the melody lines were as strong as the music tracks that we had recorded earlier

If that will be true, I'll be very happy! prog music caters obviously to a lot of people interested in instruments, but there are also many people for whose the vocals are still the primary point of interest in a song!

[Madman Shepherd]

Pretty sure I called out Labyrinth for the 1985 ripoff in my review as well

If they are indeed intentional ‘nuggets’, then I guess that’s a pretty cool idea… However, if they were desperate attempts of secretly re-writing the past…hmm, maybe not so much… I guess only they will know the real reason for it….

[Elite]

My review is online!

Waiting for Mike and Derek to start dissing me in 3, 2, 1...

Wow, that was a very good review, very well written

I'll reserve my own thoughts until I hear the full album!

[Hourglass Prison]

Pretty sure I called out Labyrinth for the 1985 ripoff in my review as well

If they are indeed intentional ‘nuggets’, then I guess that’s a pretty cool idea… However, if they were desperate attempts of secretly re-writing the past…hmm, maybe not so much… I guess only they will know the real reason for it….

 

[devieira73]

Pretty sure I called out Labyrinth for the 1985 ripoff in my review as well

Well, I guess it's only the tone and ELP used it before those bands...

[Lowdz]

My review is online!

Waiting for Mike and Derek to start dissing me in 3, 2, 1...

Wow, that was a very good review, very well written

I'll reserve my own thoughts until I hear the full album!

Hmm, not sure I can agree that JSS is just a competent hard rock AOR singer. He’s a damn sight better than that.

And although it’s a well written review I don’t imagine it’s going to get shared on the SoA social media 😀

[ChuckSteak]

So many interviews, videos, reviews, posts and masturbation about the band and the upcoming album. I've never seen a band who's about to release its first album receive so much attention.

I just wish they would record and stop all this DAILY update.

I won't be surprised if Portnoy or Sherinian post some update about what color underwear they are wearing.

OMG OMG SONS OF APOLLO

It seems like they have been around for 50 years and the new album is eagerly awaited.

[KevShmev]

Even funnier is that if you look at the Cruise to the Edge 2018 banner, they are listed as one of the top acts alongside Steve Hackett and Marillion (just below Yes). How does a band with ZERO PEDIGREE get equal billing as those proven (over numerous DECADES) acts? 

Many would argue that Haken has been the top prog act of the 10s, yet they are billed underneath a band that has no proven track record, never done a full length show, etc. 

It's almost comical.

[MirrorMask]

Even funnier is that if you look at the Cruise to the Edge 2018 banner, they are listed as one of the top acts alongside Steve Hackett and Marillion (just below Yes). How does a band with ZERO PEDIGREE get equal billing as those proven (over numerous DECADES) acts? 

Back in 2000 Demons & Wizards, a side project by Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer and Blind Guardian singer Hansi Kurch, got second bill at a local festival only behind the mighty Iron Maiden. The sum of the famous components of the band guarantee a big spot, even if the band itself is technically a newcomer.

[Elite]

Even funnier is that if you look at the Cruise to the Edge 2018 banner, they are listed as one of the top acts alongside Steve Hackett and Marillion (just below Yes). How does a band with ZERO PEDIGREE get equal billing as those proven (over numerous DECADES) acts? 

Many would argue that Haken has been the top prog act of the 10s, yet they are billed underneath a band that has no proven track record, never done a full length show, etc. 

It's almost comical.

I've made this point before, but then it was about MP's Shattered Fortress, this time it's even more ridiculous indeed.

Be Prog, My Friend! (annual prog festival in Barcelona with very good line-ups every year so far) announced SoA together with Pain of Salvation as their first two acts. SoA currently occupies the largest spot (by far) in their Facebook banner.

It boils down to the indiviual band members being well known enough to warrant such publicity. What I think sucks is that this band doesn't even need to prove itself (same thing went for Shattered Fortress, or even his son's band Next to None, who just 'happened' to join Haken on their NA and Europe tours), while all bands started out anew take years or even decades to get to that spot. That said, obviously all the guys in the band have paid their dues. They all started out as smaller artists as well. Having Portnoy/Sherinian be an opening act on a prog festival would be equally flawed. It's a tough tightrope.

[The Walrus]

But then you'd have prog acts playing mighty prog early in the billing and then SoA with Coming Home during the peak 

[Skeever]

Even funnier is that if you look at the Cruise to the Edge 2018 banner, they are listed as one of the top acts alongside Steve Hackett and Marillion (just below Yes). How does a band with ZERO PEDIGREE get equal billing as those proven (over numerous DECADES) acts? 

Many would argue that Haken has been the top prog act of the 10s, yet they are billed underneath a band that has no proven track record, never done a full length show, etc. 

It's almost comical.

To be quite honest, even if the whole is not good, the individual members of SoA amount to far more notoriety than a band like Haken ever will. I really don't think Haken will ever achieve great success than they have right now, because they are simply not that good.

[Anguyen92]

Even funnier is that if you look at the Cruise to the Edge 2018 banner, they are listed as one of the top acts alongside Steve Hackett and Marillion (just below Yes). How does a band with ZERO PEDIGREE get equal billing as those proven (over numerous DECADES) acts? 

Many would argue that Haken has been the top prog act of the 10s, yet they are billed underneath a band that has no proven track record, never done a full length show, etc. 

It's almost comical.

Funny that you should state that they have Zero Pedigree when Derek claims that they have in fact Octopus Pedigree.  Whatever that means.

[Architeuthis]

I just ordered the cd for release day.  I think the biggest thing they will have working against them is the band name. They have all those high caliber musicians and all they could come up with is Sons of Apollo?? 

[nattmorker]

Even funnier is that if you look at the Cruise to the Edge 2018 banner, they are listed as one of the top acts alongside Steve Hackett and Marillion (just below Yes). How does a band with ZERO PEDIGREE get equal billing as those proven (over numerous DECADES) acts? 

Many would argue that Haken has been the top prog act of the 10s, yet they are billed underneath a band that has no proven track record, never done a full length show, etc. 

It's almost comical.

I've made this point before, but then it was about MP's Shattered Fortress, this time it's even more ridiculous indeed.

Be Prog, My Friend! (annual prog festival in Barcelona with very good line-ups every year so far) announced SoA together with Pain of Salvation as their first two acts. SoA currently occupies the largest spot (by far) in their Facebook banner.

It boils down to the indiviual band members being well known enough to warrant such publicity. What I think sucks is that this band doesn't even need to prove itself (same thing went for Shattered Fortress, or even his son's band Next to None, who just 'happened' to join Haken on their NA and Europe tours), while all bands started out anew take years or even decades to get to that spot. That said, obviously all the guys in the band have paid their dues. They all started out as smaller artists as well. Having Portnoy/Sherinian be an opening act on a prog festival would be equally flawed. It's a tough tightrope.

I've always thought the same about Next to None, they played in Mexico a month ago with TSF and Haken. There are many excellent bands that have never been able to come to Mexico. I know that in the "real world" it's not just about the music but it's also about who do you know (and not just talking about the music business), but it still sucks for new/not-so-known bands that this happens. Not everybody has the same chance.

Sorry if I'm derailing the thread even more.

[ErHaO]

Even funnier is that if you look at the Cruise to the Edge 2018 banner, they are listed as one of the top acts alongside Steve Hackett and Marillion (just below Yes). How does a band with ZERO PEDIGREE get equal billing as those proven (over numerous DECADES) acts? 

Many would argue that Haken has been the top prog act of the 10s, yet they are billed underneath a band that has no proven track record, never done a full length show, etc. 

It's almost comical.

To be quite honest, even if the whole is not good, the individual members of SoA amount to far more notoriety than a band like Haken ever will. I really don't think Haken will ever achieve great success than they have right now, because they are simply not that good.

While I do think Haken is a great band (while personally not enjoying them due to the vocals), I think their appeal is limited, even amongst prog metal fans. I honestly don't think they will ever come close to Opeth, let alone Steven Wilson in terms of prog crowd sizes or record sales in European countries.

Sons of Apollo is listed higher because of the reputation of it's individual members, and in my opinion rightfully so. Each of these guys has delivered fantastic performances over the decades for many different types of crowds (spanning many different artists). I don't think it is baffling SoA is listed high to be honest. It is because of the artists and each has gained a (loyal) fanbase over the many years.

[Elite]

Yes, BUT

While I get that the individual member have earned a reputation of creating music (I'm leaving subjective opinions on quality aside), we're dealing with a band that has no music (apart from the two singles they released) out yet. These festivals are booking them merely on the merit of their previous reputation and not on the quality of their new music and that's what's bothering me.

[ErHaO]

Yes, BUT

While I get that the individual member have earned a reputation of creating music (I'm leaving subjective opinions on quality aside), we're dealing with a band that has no music (apart from the two singles they released) out yet. These festivals are booking them merely on the merit of their previous reputation and not on the quality of their new music and that's what's bothering me.

I have seen plenty of bands that played setlists consisting almost of entirely new music from their latest album that were booked way in advance (also on festivals, though that happens less). And then some well known songs here and there in the setlist. Assuming Sons of Apollo plays some material of DT and of the other solo artists, there could be enough "proven" songs. And who knows what the band communicated when they were booked.

Furthermore, Coming Home has about as much youtube views as any official Haken clip I can find, in like one month. Take that as you will, but festivals are business and I think Sons of Apollo is a band that will get enough interest from the types of crowds attracted to these festivals. As do the organizers, otherwise they wouldn't book them and bill them as high as they did.

I am not talking about quality either. Some of my favorite artists ever hardly get any recognition, as bothering as that may be.

[Madman Shepherd]

I just ordered the cd for release day.  I think the biggest thing they will have working against them is the band name. They have all those high caliber musicians and all they could come up with is Sons of Apollo?? 

As someone that has no remaining interest in the band, I can say that I personally find nothing wrong with the name.  It's not great but it's not terrible.  I mean, I never thought Dream Theater was a great name either.

Even funnier is that if you look at the Cruise to the Edge 2018 banner, they are listed as one of the top acts alongside Steve Hackett and Marillion (just below Yes). How does a band with ZERO PEDIGREE get equal billing as those proven (over numerous DECADES) acts? 

Many would argue that Haken has been the top prog act of the 10s, yet they are billed underneath a band that has no proven track record, never done a full length show, etc. 

It's almost comical.

I've made this point before, but then it was about MP's Shattered Fortress, this time it's even more ridiculous indeed.

Be Prog, My Friend! (annual prog festival in Barcelona with very good line-ups every year so far) announced SoA together with Pain of Salvation as their first two acts. SoA currently occupies the largest spot (by far) in their Facebook banner.

It boils down to the indiviual band members being well known enough to warrant such publicity. What I think sucks is that this band doesn't even need to prove itself (same thing went for Shattered Fortress, or even his son's band Next to None, who just 'happened' to join Haken on their NA and Europe tours), while all bands started out anew take years or even decades to get to that spot. That said, obviously all the guys in the band have paid their dues. They all started out as smaller artists as well. Having Portnoy/Sherinian be an opening act on a prog festival would be equally flawed. It's a tough tightrope.

I've always thought the same about Next to None, they played in Mexico a month ago with TSF and Haken. There are many excellent bands that have never been able to come to Mexico. I know that in the "real world" it's not just about the music but it's also about who do you know (and not just talking about the music business), but it still sucks for new/not-so-known bands that this happens. Not everybody has the same chance.

Sorry if I'm derailing the thread even more.

I hate to say it but almost all tours have an opening act that has more to do with what the label wants or whether the label has someone whose cousin is in the band or whatever.  It's like that in every facet of life including jobs, contracts, etc.  Cronyism, nepotism...it rarely has anything to do with who is best for the job.  So this is nothing new and in no way unique to Mike Portnoy. 

On that same token, he always bragged about handpicking the opening bands and giving up and comers an opportunity so one would think he would chill out with Next to None.  I mean, I fault him in no way at all for having his son open for one or maybe two or three tours.  Probably time to give someone else a shot now. 

[ReaperKK]

I just ordered the cd for release day.  I think the biggest thing they will have working against them is the band name. They have all those high caliber musicians and all they could come up with is Sons of Apollo?? 

I have to agree with you. I think I dislike the album name more than the band name. It seems like the laziest, put together title out there. I know they say it's from a lyric in one of the songs but surely there are better lines to take from.

[ariich]

Yes, BUT

While I get that the individual member have earned a reputation of creating music (I'm leaving subjective opinions on quality aside), we're dealing with a band that has no music (apart from the two singles they released) out yet. These festivals are booking them merely on the merit of their previous reputation and not on the quality of their new music and that's what's bothering me.

Festival billing is based on who will draw a crowd, rather than quality of music.

[?]

Pretty sure I called out Labyrinth for the 1985 ripoff in my review as well

Oh yeah, looks like you did indeed! I like your review btw, it's closest to my thoughts out of the ones I've read.

My review is online!

Waiting for Mike and Derek to start dissing me in 3, 2, 1...

Wow, that was a very good review, very well written

I'll reserve my own thoughts until I hear the full album!

My review is online!

Waiting for Mike and Derek to start dissing me in 3, 2, 1...

Wow, that was a very good review, very well written

I'll reserve my own thoughts until I hear the full album!

Hmm, not sure I can agree that JSS is just a competent hard rock AOR singer. He’s a damn sight better than that.

And although it’s a well written review I don’t imagine it’s going to get shared on the SoA social media

Thanks guys! I tried to be fair and judge the album purely on its own merits despite the childish social media antics. I doubt they'll share it, but after reading Rodrigo's interview with Derek I got the impression that at least he reads every review he can find. And yeah, I'm sure Soto is a great singer in his own right, but I don't think he's totally at home in the prog metal genre.

[Enigmachine]

Assuming Sons of Apollo plays some material of DT

I don't think that would be a very good move. At this point, Mike needs to show that he's over the band. I get the Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress thing, as that was a one-off act that he had to get out of his system, but Sons of Apollo should be Sons of Apollo, not 'Mike Portnoy's Dream Theater' like some sort of Rhapsody thing. I think they'd just play the whole album plus a few covers to close the set (like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8JprfyQ_XM). Add in some improvisation and you've easily got a 90 min set.

Also, is it just me or does the name of the band sound like something that a country rock band would have?

[MirrorMask]

They basically confirmed that they were gonna play Lines in the Sand, probably that's gonna be the only DT song in the set, if not, there will be another one maxium I guess. It's not gonna be 1/3 of DT covers for sure.

[RodrigoAltaf]

Pretty sure I called out Labyrinth for the 1985 ripoff in my review as well

Oh yeah, looks like you did indeed! I like your review btw, it's closest to my thoughts out of the ones I've read.

My review is online!

Waiting for Mike and Derek to start dissing me in 3, 2, 1...

Wow, that was a very good review, very well written

I'll reserve my own thoughts until I hear the full album!

My review is online!

Waiting for Mike and Derek to start dissing me in 3, 2, 1...

Wow, that was a very good review, very well written

I'll reserve my own thoughts until I hear the full album!

Hmm, not sure I can agree that JSS is just a competent hard rock AOR singer. He’s a damn sight better than that.

And although it’s a well written review I don’t imagine it’s going to get shared on the SoA social media

Thanks guys! I tried to be fair and judge the album purely on its own merits despite the childish social media antics. I doubt they'll share it, but after reading Rodrigo's interview with Derek I got the impression that at least he reads every review he can find. And yeah, I'm sure Soto is a great singer in his own right, but I don't think he's totally at home in the prog metal genre.

I really liked the album, but it would be silly of me to ignore the reasons why other reviewers graded it 7/10. I totally see the points you guys made, and although personally they didn't prevent me from enjoying (and grading) the album as much as I did, I understand why you didn't like it as much as I did. But yeah, the band clearly cares about the not-so-flattering reviews. Honestly I was not expecting that answer from Derek, I was quite surprised when he singled out that 7/10.

Hey, both Derek and MP posted links to my interview... major fanboy moment for me!!!!

[Enigmachine]

They basically confirmed that they were gonna play Lines in the Sand, probably that's gonna be the only DT song in the set, if not, there will be another one maxium I guess. It's not gonna be 1/3 of DT covers for sure.

Fair enough then. I think it's probably okay to do that song, considering the line-up. Just so long as there are no more, or that they are kept to FII. Coming to think of it, that song would really fit Jeff's voice.

[max_security]

And yeah, I'm sure Soto is a great singer in his own right, but I don't think he's totally at home in the prog metal genre.

There was a time where he was perfectly at home in what we were calling " progressive heavy metal " at the time. His vocals on the first two Yngwie albums were awesome to say the least . I have not kept up with his musical endeavors in the past 32 years and I'm sure he has lost a step or two , but I would bet on other factors ( direction or production ) before I would doubt Jeff's abilities.

The whole DS twitter events will have everything picked apart on this album good grief. Should have been Tony MacAlpine or Jens Johanasson , both are at least as good and a lot less bs.   

[Fritzinger]

Even funnier is that if you look at the Cruise to the Edge 2018 banner, they are listed as one of the top acts alongside Steve Hackett and Marillion (just below Yes). How does a band with ZERO PEDIGREE get equal billing as those proven (over numerous DECADES) acts? 

Many would argue that Haken has been the top prog act of the 10s, yet they are billed underneath a band that has no proven track record, never done a full length show, etc. 

It's almost comical.

To be quite honest, even if the whole is not good, the individual members of SoA amount to far more notoriety than a band like Haken ever will. I really don't think Haken will ever achieve great success than they have right now, because they are simply not that good.

While I do think Haken is a great band (while personally not enjoying them due to the vocals), I think their appeal is limited, even amongst prog metal fans. I honestly don't think they will ever come close to Opeth, let alone Steven Wilson in terms of prog crowd sizes or record sales in European countries.

I think that's really not fair. They are a band that is changing their sound and influences with every album, and still gaining more and more fans. I have turned on friends of mine to Haken who used to listen to nothin but Bonobo and Mac Demarco, and now they love them not only because their music is fantastic (and btw has a strong pop-appeal next to the technical and metal side), but also because they're young, cool and nice guys. They have a good marketing strategy, they make good jokes, they have a close relationship to their fans (for gods sake, I drank beer with the guys on the center place in Dresden) - AND YES! They are SIMPLY THAT GOOD, and I am sorry but I get angry when someone says that Haken are "simply not that good". Please give me another band that has influenced the prog metal scene that well in the last 8 years.

[KevShmev]

Yes, BUT

While I get that the individual member have earned a reputation of creating music (I'm leaving subjective opinions on quality aside), we're dealing with a band that has no music (apart from the two singles they released) out yet. These festivals are booking them merely on the merit of their previous reputation and not on the quality of their new music and that's what's bothering me.

Festival billing is based on who will draw a crowd, rather than quality of music.

And Sons of Apollo has a history of being a good draw?

Oh wait, they have Mike Portnoy, whose name is guaranteed to draw big crowds, right?  Shoot, look at those big crowds Adrenaline Mob drew...oh wait.

[Elite]

I think that's really not fair. They are a band that is changing their sound and influences with every album

Sorry, but as much as I enjoy Haken (and I've been with them since Aquarius and have seen them a dozen times), to say they are changing their sound on every album is simply not true. Although the sound may have gotten more refined on their latter records, it's still very much based on 'traditional' progressive metal, whatever that may mean.

Please give me another band that has influenced the prog metal scene that well in the last 8 years.

Leprous & Steven Wilson, both bands that have actually changed their sound on every album they released.

---

Sorry for derailing the thread.