WHOM GODS DESTROY: Insanium (PROGRESSIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

“Insanium” is the debut album from Whom Gods Destroy, the new project from Derek Sherinian and Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal, Sons of Apollo having been sidelined by Mike Portnoy's return to Dream Theater.

The single released to promote the album, 'In the Name of War', was promising, with its enigmatic intro, catchy riff and flights to the fringes of progressive, but the album was in fact rather uneven. The arrival of Dino Jelusick at the microphone doesn't bring much originality to the melodies, which are unfortunately sometimes conventional and a little obvious. This is all the more unfortunate given that responsibility for the melodies lies with the usually particularly creative musicians. Only here, in all likelihood, it's a question of fulfilling a set of specifications. Admittedly, there are touches of Bumblefoot genius and some fine exchanges with Derek Sherinian here and there, but it's anecdotal and certainly not up to the standard they've accustomed us to in the past.

In a world with so much music on offer, it's hard to stand out from the crowd. Early Bumblefoot fans often find it hard to understand the trajectory of the guitar hero's career, and this album doesn't make it any clearer. And yet, a few years ago, Bumblefoot hinted that he was preparing a solo album, more in keeping with his personal tastes. The artist is eclectic, and it's hard to fault him for that, but he does so at the risk of losing his audience.

Hypernova 158' is an exception. The Bumblefoot spirit is present, with technique, humor and humility. Alas, this is the only original incursion on this opus, the rest being déjà-entendu. It's not a throwaway album, and of course there's some good stuff here, with interesting riffs and melodies, but the whole thing is sadly lacking in homogeneity and, above all, originality. In any case, Whom Gods Destroy's future already seems very uncertain. - Official website

WHOM GODS DESTROY

INSANIUM

INSIDEOUT MUSIC

PROGRESSIVE METAL