Sons of Apollo (feat. Portnoy & Sherinian)

[Anguyen92]

I can think of many bands they could open for.
Alter Bridge is one.

Yeah, I can see that working, but Alter Bridge doesn't really play the bigger rooms that modern bands like Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed, Halestorm , etc. do for their own (single headliner) shows.  They only play up to like 1,500 people at a time in North America.  Europe is a different story.  Also, a reference point here is a few bands that opened for AB in the last few years in the states (some of you guys probably don't know these bands): Monster Truck, Adelitas' Way, Nonpoint, All That Remains, and soon to be Clint Lowery of Sevendust.

I don't think it would benefit all that much Sons of Apollo playing venues that holds 1,500 people in comparison to what they were playing in their run in 2018.  Getting festival spots in Europe in festivals like Download, Rock AM Ring, Graspop, Hellfest, etc. would benefit them big though.

[Max Kuehnau]

Desolate July will be the next single. IO teased it on YT just now and so I would guess that (by their usual logic) that it will be released this Friday. The album will be released next Friday as we know.

[bosk1]

Desolate July is fantastic.  It's kind of its own thing, so I hate to pigeonhole it.  But if I had to draw a comparison from the last album, I would say it is probably most similar to Labrynth. 

[Stadler]

I can think of many bands they could open for.
Alter Bridge is one.

Hey stranger. 

[Stadler]

Look, I totally get that if they DID get an opening slot, it's not to win over guys like me (who are happy to see them in a 1,500 seat place with 700 of my closest friends), but there is zero shot of me seeing them open for Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, Halestorm, etc.

[cramx3]

I can think of many bands they could open for.
Alter Bridge is one.

Yeah, I can see that working, but Alter Bridge doesn't really play the bigger rooms that modern bands like Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed, Halestorm , etc. do for their own (single headliner) shows.  They only play up to like 1,500 people at a time in North America.  Europe is a different story.  Also, a reference point here is a few bands that opened for AB in the last few years in the states (some of you guys probably don't know these bands): Monster Truck, Adelitas' Way, Nonpoint, All That Remains, and soon to be Clint Lowery of Sevendust.

I don't think it would benefit all that much Sons of Apollo playing venues that holds 1,500 people in comparison to what they were playing in their run in 2018.  Getting festival spots in Europe in festivals like Download, Rock AM Ring, Graspop, Hellfest, etc. would benefit them big though.

I agree about those European festivals, get on the bill!  Also agree that maybe opening for a 1.5k crowd isn't the best, but I do think if they got it just a little further at 2-3k it would help.  The first run of shows locally were at 1k capacity and half empty, this next tour is playing a 500 capcaity NYC venue.  If they can't pack that place, then maybe the 1.5k opening slots would really be attractive for them afterall.

Look, I totally get that if they DID get an opening slot, it's not to win over guys like me (who are happy to see them in a 1,500 seat place with 700 of my closest friends), but there is zero shot of me seeing them open for Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, Halestorm, etc.

Understandable, but you already recognize that wouldn't be the point of doing the opening slot.  It's the 1500 who never heard of them.  Also, you are missing out on not seeing those bands.  Just my opinion but I saw all three of those you mentioned in 2019 and all are fantastic live.  Hatestorm maybe the most impressive as I didn't think I'd really like them, but I saw them because they opened for Alice Cooper.  Now I'm a Halestorm fan and might see them this winter.  See that's how opening for a band works especially when you are as talented as Lzzy Hale or the members of SOA.  You're musical chops and great performance WILL win some people over.  But you never get that opportunity to win over new fans playing only to your current fanbase.

Funny to, the first time I saw Disturbed like 3 or so years ago, they had Breaking Benjamin and Alterbridge as the openers.  I don't see why SOA can't sneak into a line up like that and find some success.

[Stadler]

You're right, because it happened with Ghost when you and I saw Maiden that time. I went in thinking "wtf?" and even though I made fun of it a little (the stage patter), I actually like most of the music I've heard from them so far.   

I think of all of those I'd like to give Disturbed a shot; I really enjoyed that video of the vocal coach commenting on Draiman singing "The Sound Of Silence".  That was killer.

[TAC]

Might not had ever become a Dream Theater fan had I not seen them in an opening slot. It literally changed my life.

[Stadler]

That was how I got into Maiden.  45 minutes that - like you - changed my life. 

[TAC]

That was how I got into Maiden.  45 minutes that - like you - changed my life.

I was already a big fan. I just wasn't old enough for my parents to let me go.

[Architeuthis]

Might not had ever become a Dream Theater fan had I not seen them in an opening slot. It literally changed my life.

That is so awesome! 
 I became a Maiden fan in 2010 when Dream Theater opened for them in Seattle. I was there to see DT more-so than Maiden, but Maiden was great too and I have been hooked ever since.  I still think DT had a better mix and sound that night, which is unusual for an opening act..   

[cramx3]

I discovered Avatar this year when Devin Townsend opened for them.  Fell in love with that band right away, some bands can just bring it live.  All of the other people I was hanging with that night also became Avatar fans.  I really do think SOA's best ability besides their individual name recognition of the band members is their tight live performance. It's what really won me over two years ago as I was lukeworm on the album, but seeing them live, I became a legit fan. 

[emtee]

I can think of many bands they could open for.
Alter Bridge is one.

Hey stranger.

Hi Stads. Hope you are well.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I discovered Avatar this year when Devin Townsend opened for them.  Fell in love with that band right away, some bands can just bring it live.  All of the other people I was hanging with that night also became Avatar fans.  I really do think SOA's best ability besides their individual name recognition of the band members is their tight live performance. It's what really won me over two years ago as I was lukeworm on the album, but seeing them live, I became a legit fan.

Avatar is another band I discovered after being offered a chance to interview. I had no idea what to expect, and when I started listening to them and seeing their live videos, I fell in love with this band!!!

[cramx3]

I checked videos out online before seeing the show, it didn't do them justice.  The singles were fine but not really what snagged me as a fan.  That live show was just wild, I never seen a band pull a show off like that at that venue.  It inspired me to see them again when they opened for Babymetal later in the year.

[emtee]

The Desolate July teaser sounds cool.
I hear notes that remind me of ACOS.

[bosk1]

I had not made a connection to ACOS.  But having said that, I don't think it's a stretch.

[Stadler]

That was how I got into Maiden.  45 minutes that - like you - changed my life.

I was already a big fan. I just wasn't old enough for my parents to let me go.

Well I was a "fan" already too, but to that point music was just sound coming out of a speaker.  Watching Bruce run around like a maniac, and Dave actually playing that shit live, and seeing Eddie teeter around the stage... it was crazy shit. 

[gmillerdrake]

I had not made a connection to ACOS.  But having said that, I don't think it's a stretch.

Honestly there's a few sections of music in the first album that heavily 'call back' to the DS era of DT. It's not surprising to see/hear it'd continue on this album.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I had not made a connection to ACOS.  But having said that, I don't think it's a stretch.

I made the connection instantly, but had already mentioned DT three times in my review of the new album, and felt that mentioning them too much would be repetitive. But once you hear it, you can't deny it!

[Max Kuehnau]

I had not made a connection to ACOS.  But having said that, I don't think it's a stretch.

I made the connection instantly, but had already mentioned DT three times in my review of the new album, and felt that mentioning them too much would be repetitive. But once you hear it, you can't deny it!

Three is a party, according to Warhol, so no pressure Rodrigo.

[MinistroRaven]

One more week until release date! Pre-save/add MMXX on Spotify or Apple Music for a chance to 𝐖𝐈𝐍 𝐀 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐙𝐄 from Modern Drummer Magazine, Bass Player Magazine, Guitar World, Remo, and more! For U.S. Only.
https://forms.sonymusicfans.com/campaign/sons-of-apollo-mmxx-2/

[devieira73]

The piano melody of Desolate July indeed has a bit of the feel of aCoS intro and there are parts that reminded me Planet X and DS solo stuff, so, very nice song! Something that I’m liking a lot on these 3 songs released is that there is a lot more layers from the keyboard and guitars than the first album.

[Bentower]

I thought it was merely okay and yet the best of the three singles. I'm still in no hurry to re-listen to this one either.

Heartfelt as it may be, that's a bit of an iffy rhyme scheme in the chorus.

[Art]

Desolate July sounds good, probably my favorite performance from JSS of the three songs that are out.

[Anxiety35]

I didn't care for the song at all. Kind of boring to me.

Just not feeling Sons of Apollo.

[cramx3]

Least interesting song of the three, felt a bit bored as well.  Then Fall to Descend played next and I really do like that one. 

[emtee]

Decent song. No big feels but played solidly.
I expected something different based on the
cool intro.

[Grappler]

Desolate July is one of my favorite tracks from the record.  It's just so dark and moody, and a great way to pay tribute to Dave Z.

[MinistroRaven]

Desolate July is one of my favorite tracks from the record.  It's just so dark and moody, and a great way to pay tribute to Dave Z.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TARWOs8h7Hw

[jadiggerdt]

Naah. Listen to the whole album today. Its quite boring and thats quite sad. Mike its to much involved and he hasnt progressed in years. He fits better in FC and with Neal.

[bosk1]

Listen to the whole album today.

Ok, I will then.  Thanks.

Its quite boring and thats quite sad.

Wait, it is?  Then how come you want me to listen to it?  I'm confused. 

Mike its to much involved and he hasnt progressed in years.

Is that even English?  What?

He fits better in FC and with Neal.

Okay.

[Max Kuehnau]

Listen to the whole album today.

Ok, I will then.  Thanks.

Its quite boring and thats quite sad.

Wait, it is?  Then how come you want me to listen to it?  I'm confused. 

Mike its to much involved and he hasnt progressed in years.

Is that even English?  What?

He fits better in FC and with Neal.

Okay.

loved the way you interacted here, bosk. Very reminiscent of John Cleese.

[Adami]

So three songs released and I have liked none of them enough to buy.

Guess I'll be skipping this release.

[Madman Shepherd]

Of the three songs, this one is in 2nd place. (GD in 1st). I dig the groove, the melodies, but the lyrics are kind of... off.

"So tell me 'cause I don't really want to know"

So do you want to be told or not?

But the beginning sounds strikingly like ACOS. For a guy that ripped on Dream Theater for desperately trying to recapture their past or whatever, it's kind of bold/dumb to have a song about loss so closely resemble one of his best known songs about loss.

Looking past that, it's a pretty cool songs.