Sons of Apollo Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Progressive rock Progressive metal Metal Hard rock Alternative metal Heavy metal neo classical metal

Members

Select a Sons of Apollo band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Billy Sheehan

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Groups:

UFO Mr. Big The Winery Dogs Explorers Club Niacin Amazing Journey Talas

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Mike Portnoy

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Avenged Sevenfold Dream Theater Twisted Sister Liquid Tension Experiment The Winery Dogs Metal Allegiance Flying Colors Cygnus and The Sea Monsters OSI Transatlantic Hail! Nightmare Cinema Hammer of the Gods Amazing Journey Yellow Matter Custard The Prog World Orchestra Adrenaline Mob BPMD

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Ron Thal

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Guns N' Roses Asia Art of Anarchy Beatrazr

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Derek Sherinian

Roles:

Keyboardist

Groups:

Alice Cooper Dream Theater Billy Idol Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force Black Country Communion Generation Axe Explorers Club Nightmare Cinema Platypus Jughead

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Jeff Scott Soto

Roles:

Singer Keyboardist

Groups:

Journey Trans-Siberian Orchestra Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force SOTO Art of Anarchy Steel Dragon Axel Rudi Pell (band) W.E.T. Talisman Human Clay Soul SirkUS Ellefson-Soto Eyes Soto/Bieler Humanimal Takara

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About

Sons of Apollo is an American supergroup formed in 2017, known for their dynamic blend of progressive rock and metal. The band boasts a lineup of celebrated musicians, including Mike Portnoy (drums) and Derek Sherinian (keyboards), both former members of Dream Theater. They are joined by Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (guitar), a former member of Guns N' Roses, Billy Sheehan (bass) from Mr. Big and The Winery Dogs, and Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), who has worked with Journey and Yngwie Malmsteen. Together, they create a sound that fuses technical prowess with melodic intensity, drawing from their rich musical backgrounds to craft intricate compositions.

How to Sound Like Sons of Apollo

Sons of Apollo's sonic character is both aggressive and melodic, with a profound emphasis on technical skill and complex arrangements. The guitar work of Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal is characterized by virtuosic solos and intricate riffs, often utilizing Vigier Excalibur guitars to achieve a rich, articulate tone. The rhythm section, driven by Billy Sheehan's thunderous bass lines through gear like the Hartke LH1000 Bass Amplifier, provides a powerful foundation that complements Mike Portnoy's dynamic drumming. Derek Sherinian's use of synthesizers such as the Roland Fantom-X7 adds an orchestral layer to the music, enhancing the band's expansive sound. This fusion of elements results in a sonically rich, high-energy experience that balances complexity with accessibility.

Discography

Psychotic Symphony

2017

Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony

2019

MMXX

2020

Get the Sons of Apollo Sound

Want to sound like Sons of Apollo? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.