May 19, 2018

​

Sons Of Apollo is a super-group.  Although the band may not like that moniker, I have to call it what it is.  Each band member has been a part of other groups (Dream Theater, Guns N Roses, David Lee Roth, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Mr. Big to name a few) and each one has sold millions of albums and played in front of sold-out crowds all around the world.

​

The band consists of Billy Sheehan, Mike Portnoy, Derek Sherinian , Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, and Jeff Scott Soto.  They are out supporting their debut album Psychotic Symphony and made a stop at the House Of Blues on Tuesday to an enthusiastic crowd.

​

The musicianship of this band is second to none and Jeff Scott Soto's vocals are perfect for this progressive style of hard rock.

​

Kicking off the show with "God Of The Sun," the band was firing on all cylinders from the start.  

​

After a couple of tunes Soto remarked, "I'm sorry we're playing at the same time as game two!," referencing the Cavs' match up against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Eastern Finals.  He continued, "Don't worry, it's on my phone.  Go Cavs!"  The frontman ended up giving update throughout the performance.

​

Dream Theater's "Just Let Me Breathe" was played early in the set, however most of setlist consisted of songs from their new album, including "Labyrinth" and "Lost In Oblivion."

​

At one point, Mike Portnoy pointed out a female fan in the front and said, "One way not to get a stick is to make a sign asking for a stick!"  Soto went over to the fan and grabbed the sign and told Mike, "It says Mike for President" and proceeded to put the homemade sign on his drum set.  Portnoy said, "Since she didn't ask for a stick, give that bitch a stick!" as Jeff handed the the fan one of Mike's drum sticks.

​

Pretty cool.

​

Each member of the band got to play an extended solo, either as part of a song or an individual solo piece.

​

A few other covers were played.  Soto got to show off his vocals on Queen's "The Prophet's Song" and "Save Me."  Bumblefoot's solo included "The Pink Panther Theme," and Derek Sherinian's keyboard solo had part's of Van Halen's "Eruption." The band ended their set with Dream Theater's "Lines In The Sand."

​

Earlier in the show, the band pointed out that Oz Fox from Stryper was in the audience.  For the encore, they brought up Oz and he proceeded to sing lead on Van Halen's "And The Cradle Will Rock." The place went nuts. 

​

The two-hour set came to a close with "Coming Home" which left the prog-rock fans satisfied.  

 

Review and Photos by Greg Drugan

​