Inside Out [Release date 17.01.20]
Second studio outing from the prog metal supergroup Sons Of Apollo who consist of vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, bassist Billy Sheenan, guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, drummer Mike Portnoy and on keyboards Derek Sherinian.
Sons Of Apollo have been playing live since the release of their debut album 2017’s ‘Psychotic Symphony’ and this has further strengthened their ability to spark musical ideas off each other.
One thing that strikes the listener is the increased intensity of riffing and overall metal sound, be it on the colossal stomping opener ‘Goodbye Divinity’ (hints of Rush in the keys at times) or ‘Asphyxiation’. That one will pummel your senses, albeit in a melodic way as with Sons Of Apollo, despite the numerous solos from each band member, they never lose sight of a song’s melodic heart.
‘Desolate July’ is dedicated to bass player David Z who died in a tour bus crash in 2017. He was a former band mate of Mike Portnoy and toured in Soto’s band and as part of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. A deeply moving and personal lyric, with Soto giving possibly his best vocal performance on the album.
Those who love an extended prog metal workout that allows each band member to strut their stuff will delight in the fifteen minutes plus of ‘New World Today’. The sounds that Bumblefoot gets out of his guitar sounding otherworldly at times, whilst Sheenan’s fluid bass lines are always an aural treat.
It takes a little longer to get into some of the songs, but it is worth it and Sons Of Apollo have an album likely to feature in year-end ‘best of’ lists. No second album stumbles for this band, where they have matched their excellent debut and upped the metal that’s for sure. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 19 March 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 1 April 2024
NESTOR Victorious (Napalm)
CADET CARTER Strangers (SBAM Records)
ARENA What’s Your Damage (indie)
ONLAP Never Too Late (AFM Records)
BLACK SONIC PEARLS Black Butterfly (indie)
RENDEZVOUS POINT Don’t Look Up (Long Branch Records)
WILDSTREET Come Down (Golden Robot Records)
Featured Albums w/c 1 April 2024
09:00-12:00 CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Cherokee Moon (Escape Music)
12:00-13:00 MYRATH Karma (earMUSIC)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
