Unfortunately stupendous act Sons Of Apollo disbanded – but don’t worry, now you have WHOM GODS DESTROY. Part of the melodic core of that group remains the same, with Derek Sherinian (Planet X, ex-Dream Theater) and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Art of Anarchy, ex-Guns n’ Roses) returning on flamboyant keys and virtuosic fretted and fretless guitar madness, respectively, to helm the adventures of Whom Gods Destroy.
But rather than reach for older dogs to round out the pile, these prog stalwarts packed in the much younger limbs of Bruno Valverde (Angra) on kit, Yas Nomura on bass, and powerhouse vocalist Dino Jelusić (Jelusić, Whitesnake, ex- Michael Romeo).
Do you like Sons Of Apollo’s grandiose prog insanity and power? Do yo like Dino Jelusić impressive voice? Just get “Insanium“, the huge album debut from WHOM GODS DESTROY.
Whom Gods Destroy’s lineage too represents a choice concoction of progressive eras, with Sherinian’s warm and theatrical synth choices harkening to rock forebears – standard fare like YES and Hammond-leaning Deep Purple moments – and Thal’s low-tuned, grooving riff choices feeling in line with the scope of modern progressive metal.
Jelusić at the front of it all ensures a Jorn-chested power and pomp, adding a necessary arena fist-pump to slower numbers like “Find My Way Back” and the swinging Rainbow-tinged cut “Requiem.” With such well-worn influences and decades of experience, Whom Gods Destroy is incapable of making a bad song.
Thal displays a creative aggression in his twisting of chugging riffs, both fretless and fretted. In a lineup like this, sometimes a key player like Sherinian may provide extra low-end oomph with a distorted presence. But throughout Insanium’s most throbbing numbers (“Over Again,” “Crucifier,” “Keeper of the Gate”) Thal and Nomura thump a powerful low-end that snakes about hissing and screeching synth choices that create and full and frantic atmosphere that shows Whom Gods Destroy at their most potent.
Sure these tracks detour too into blinding, multi-bar madness, but their powerful grip on groove makes everything that much more palatable.
WHOM GODS DESTROY will remind you Sons Of Apollo at places, but this project is much more heavier, darker, progressive. This initial Whom Gods Destroy outing displays practiced, pulsing performances — so ever-present in proficiency — wild, progressive ideas that change form in attempt to capture a technically-mystified audience from a different angle. For the most part they succeeded.
Highly Recommended
1. In The Name Of War 6:38
2. Over Again 5:01
3. The Decision 7:08
4. Crawl 6:36
5. Find My Way Back 5:46
6. Crucifier 4:43
7. Keeper Of The Gate 4:54
8. Hypernova 158 3:24
9. Insanium 8:37
Whom Gods Destroy – Insanium 2024 + FLAC CD
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