{"id":80029,"date":"2020-02-24T00:00:12","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T00:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/?p=80029"},"modified":"2020-02-24T15:20:13","modified_gmt":"2020-02-24T15:20:13","slug":"news-sons-of-apollo-release-second-studio-album-mmxx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/news-sons-of-apollo-release-second-studio-album-mmxx\/","title":{"rendered":"SONS OF APOLLO Release Official Lyric Video For \u2018Asphyxiation\u2019 Track (February 24th, 2020) | News @ Metal Forces Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"

SONS OF APOLLO Release Official Lyric Video For \u2018Asphyxiation\u2019 Track<\/strong><\/span>
\nFebruary 24th, 2020<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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American progressive metal supergroup Sons Of Apollo have released an official lyric video for the track \u2018Asphyxiation\u2019, which can be viewed below.<\/p>\n

Sons Of Apollo issued second full-length studio album MMXX<\/em> (pronounced: 20\/20) on January 17th, 2020 through InsideOut Music \/ SonyMusic.<\/p>\n

\u201cStylistically, we have followed the same path as the debut,\u201d outlined drummer Mike Portnoy. \u201cBut we feel that it has come out stronger, simply because we know one another better. Psychotic Symphony<\/em> was the first time the five of us had worked together, so there was bound to be an air of experimentation happening. Now, we can draw on having the experience not only of recording that album, but also of touring together a lot. And now there is clearly a lot more obvious chemistry going on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did 83 shows on the last tour,\u201d added keyboardist Derek Sherinian. \u201cAnd it was so worthwhile, because we came out of it with a stronger bond, and that is certainly reflected in what we wrote.\u201d<\/p>\n

The writing process began at the start of the year, as Portnoy, Sherinian and guitarist Ron \u201cBumblefoot\u201d Thal got together. \u201cThe three of us were at my home studio in Pennsylvania,\u201d explained Portnoy. \u201cAnd it took about three weeks to get all the music written. That was a very smooth process. The last time, it certainly must have felt a little weird for Bumblefoot to be writing with Derek and me, because we were strangers to him. Now, we know one another better and that helped things push along.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause we all have our home studios, it meant everyone could record there as and when they had opportunity,\u201d continued Sherinian. \u201cWe all had the luxury of being able to take our time to get all the parts done, which was a huge help in the way the album\u2019s come out. I suppose in all, it took about eight months to record everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lyrics were written by frontman Jeff Scott Soto, who also came up with the melody lines with input from Sherinian. \u201cWhile Jeff was left to come up with the words on his own, as the melody lines are part of the music, it made sense for me to be involved with that part,\u201d said the keyboard player.<\/p>\n

There are eight tracks on MMXX<\/em>, with variations in length totalling 60 minutes. \u201cThe final song is \u2018New World Today\u2019, which is 16 minutes long,\u201d said Portnoy. \u201cThis one has elements similar to \u2018Opus Maximus\u2019 and \u2018Labyrinth\u2019 on the previous album. It has some insane, brilliant instrumental moments, which I am sure the fans will love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to do something epic here, as we did with \u2018Opus Maximus\u2019 last time around,\u201d added Sherinian. \u201cYou have to remember that Mike and I come from Dream Theater, where we never bothered about how long a song was. So, for us doing a 16 minute track is not a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

The album title was inspired by a simple chronological fact. \u201cThis will be released in mid-January 2020,\u201d said Portnoy. \u201cThat means it will be one of the first releases in what is a new decade. So I came up with the idea of calling it \u20182020\u2019, except having it written in the Latin form of \u2018MMXX\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the album\u2019s artwork has been created by Thomas Ewerhard (who was responsible for the cover design of Psychotic Symphony<\/em>), which inevitably reflects the title. As Portnoy explained: \u201cFor the first record, we had a mythological feel. This time around though, there\u2019s a much more futuristic style to what we\u2019ve got. It has a very 21st century appeal. And the band crest is more polished, cleaned up and a lot more modern than last time, when it had an old fashioned look.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEach member of this band has their own signature sound on their instrument,\u201d added Sherinian. \u201cAnd when you put all of this together what you get is a wonderful five-headed beast. It makes this a sonically special band, which is definitely what comes across on MMXX<\/em>. You can hear odd time signatures and amazingly crazy performances here. Overall, we\u2019ve been satisfyingly more adventurous this time than we were before, and I know people are sure to love what we’ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sons Of Apollo have dedicated the song \u2018Desolate July\u2019 to bassist David \u201cZ\u201d Zablidowsky (Trans-Siberian Orchestra \/ SOTO \/ Adrenaline Mob), who tragically died<\/a> in a vehicle accident on July 14th, 2017. \u201cFrom the few seconds of hearing this song, it guided me to write the lyrics about our dear friend and colleague, David Z,\u201d revealed Soto. \u201cDavid was one of the greatest, funniest and kindest humans I have ever known, he had friendships with most all of us in Sons Of Apollo, but Mike and I were certainly the closest. I thought it fitting to include this tribute to him from us in this haunting, incredible body of music.\u201d<\/p>\n

MMXX<\/em> was produced by The Del Fuvio Brothers (Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian).<\/p>\n

A 14 minute video interview in which the band members discuss the album can also be viewed below.<\/p>\n

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Cover artwork was once again created by Thomas Ewerhard.<\/p>\n

The track listing is as follows:<\/p>\n

01. \u2018Goodbye Divinity\u2019
\n02. \u2018Wither To Black\u2019
\n03. \u2018Asphyxiation\u2019
\n04. \u2018Desolate July\u2019
\n05. \u2018King Of Delusion\u2019
\n06. \u2018Fall To Ascend\u2019
\n07. \u2018Resurrection Day\u2019
\n08. \u2018New World Today\u2019<\/p>\n

Sons Of Apollo\u2019s line-up is as follows:<\/p>\n

Jeff Scott Soto (vocals, SOTO \/ W.E.T. \/ ex-Talisman \/ ex-Journey)
\nRon \u201cBumblefoot\u201d Thal (guitar, Art Of Anarchy \/ ex-Guns N\u2019 Roses)
\nBilly Sheehan (bass, The Winery Dogs \/ Mr. Big)
\nMike Portnoy (drums, The Winery Dogs \/ ex-Dream Theater \/ ex-Adrenaline Mob)
\nDerek Sherinian (keyboards, Black Country Communion \/ ex-Dream Theater)<\/p>\n

MMXX<\/em> was made available as a standard CD, limited edition 2CD package (which includes instrumental mixes and a cappella excerpts), 2LP and CD package, and on all digital formats.<\/p>\n

Music videos were filmed for the tracks \u2018Goodbye Divinity\u2019 and \u2018Fall To Ascend\u2019. In addition, an official lyric video was created for the song \u2018Desolate July\u2019. All three clips can also be viewed below.<\/p>\n

Debut studio record Psychotic Symphony<\/em> was released<\/a> in October 2017 via InsideOut Music \/ SonyMusic.<\/p>\n

Promotional photograph by Hristo Shindov.<\/em><\/p>\n