MMXX

The second studio instalment of Sons of Apollo, the Portnoy/Sherinian-led supergroup, came in 2020 and with the news of the group's disbandment coming soon after, we might as well consider this sophomore release the project's final one. Much like the debut album 'Psychotic Symphony', this record is a collection of really fine, polished prog metal tracks with a strong influence from hard rock to an extent making up for a musical entity whose output distantly reminisces Dream Theater in terms of technicality and density of the composition, as well as Deep Purple or Uriah Heep or even Van Halen in terms of raw, organic power, sound and swagger. And with the experience of their debut album as well as some time on the road touring their music, the chemistry between the members must have consolidated, eventually strengthening their writing and invigorating their creativity.

Yet being familiar with the discographies of both Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian, with the bands they have been involved in and the general impression left on by 'Psychotic Symphony', the 2020 release titled 'MMXX' is quite similar to its predecessor and offers a fine reiteration of the music presented by the band some three years earlier. Once again playing around with both shorter and longer tracks as well as with an arsenal of technical riffs, versatile and virtuosic playing, Portnoy & Co. offer a melodic album full of blazing guitars, heated keyboards and a jarring rhythm section that are elevated by the powerful, rocking vocals of Jeff Scott Soto, responsible for all the lyrics on the album. Stylistically comparable to its predecessor, 'MMXX' is exactly what it offers and exactly what one might expect from this band of veteran players ' all the technicality mixed up with great melodies is in here, and while the writing seems generally tighter, the debut album is just a tad bit more memorable.