Sons of Apollo Fuse Hard Rock and Prog-Rock With Godly Results

In Greek and Roman mythology Apollo is the God of music. Similarly, the band Sons of Apollo consists of five musicians who are worshipped by music fans the world over that have come together to create incredibly compelling songs that inspire on both a virtuosic and visceral level.

Sons of Apollo boasts a world-class lineup featuring drum guru Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater), keyboardist extraordinaire Derek Sherinian (ex-Dream Theater), bass icon Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth), guitar maestro Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses) and vocal idol Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen).

The band, whose debut album “Psychotic Symphony” was released last fall, performs on Friday, May 18, at the Playstation Theater in Manhattan.

Given its band members’ pedigrees, Sons of Apollo might appear to be a solidly prog-rock endeavor. But while “Psychotic Symphony” does trade in dynamic, at times dizzying tempo and time signature shifts, the band also bring a classic rock groove and swagger to their music that makes this band truly special.

For instance, on epic album opener “God of the Sun” and the superb “Divine Addiction,” Sons of Apollo channel Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple respectively while staying true to their prog roots. Another album highlight, “Coming Home,” is the perfect amalgamation of powerful vocal melodies and infectious distorted guitar riffs played against a backdrop of virtuosic rhythms and keyboard licks.

The band is the brainchild of Portnoy and Sherinian, who played together in Dream Theater as well as an instrumental project that also included Sheehan. Sherinian shreds throughout the disc, attacking his keyboard as if it was a guitar. His solo showcase “Figaro’s Whore” has rightfully been cast as the keyboard equivalent to Eddie Van Halen instrumental classic, “Eruption.” At points throughout the album it can be hard to tell whether it’s Sherinian or Thal taking a solo.

In addition to having performed with Dream Theater, Sherinian is a feted solo artist and has played with Black Country Communion, Alice Cooper, Kiss and Billy Idol, among many others. We recently spoke with Derek Sherinian.

Q. You play in so many bands and projects. How do you keep your energy level and focus?
I have it pretty focused down to Sons of Apollo right now. The only other thing I do on the side is Black Country Communion and that’s very sporadic so right now all of my energy is focused on Sons of Apollo.

Q. How did Sons of Apollo come into being?
Mike and I played together 25 years ago in Dream Theater and we reunited six years ago on an instrumental project. Afterward we realized that we enjoyed playing together and that we should do a band with a singer and take it up to the next level. Fast forward to 2017 we formed Sons of Apollo and made our record. It’s been an amazing ride so far. We're having a lot of fun taking this music to the people for the first time.

Q. I’ve read that you and Mike Portnoy initially thought Sons of Apollo would be more in the realm of Dream Theater. But the band has gone beyond prog-rock by incorporating aspects of classic rock.
I just started writing and the music went in that direction. A lot of my hard rock roots came out and Mike was into it. I think we did a great job of keeping it rocking and memorable but at the same time interjecting the virtuosity and more progressive moments.

Q. What’s so impressive about Sons of Apollo is that you incorporate hard rock groove and swagger into the prog-rock foundation. You can hear bits of Zeppelin, Purple and Van Halen in your music. That’s not easy to pull off.
We don't think about it. We just play naturally and the fusion of those two styles is the way I play and Bumblefoot and Billy and Mike play. It isn’t calculated. It’s just natural.

Q. Can you talk about the bond you have with Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan?
I’ve played a lot of shows with Mike throughout the years and we connect musically and personally. The first rock concert I ever went to was Billy Sheehan’s band Talas opening up for Van Halen, so to actually be in a band with him is really cool.

Q. You’ve achieved so much and have been doing this for so long. What are you looking to improve upon or experience that you haven’t done yet?
Just continually writing better songs. I think we made a really great album but there’s one song we play every time and people go crazy. It’s “Coming Home.” So if we could write 10 songs like that, that would be an improvement.

Q. Do you see Sons of Apollo as a full-time band or a one-off project?
Absolutely a band. We’re going to go into the studio by the end of the year to start the next album.

IF YOU GO
WHO: Sons of Apollo, Felix Martin and Sifting.
WHAT: Progressive and hard rock.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday May 18.
WHERE: Playstation Theater, 1515 Broadway at W. 44th St., Manhattan. www.playstationtheater.com
HOW MUCH: $35.
MORE INFO: www.sonsofapollo.com