Review: Whom Gods Destroy – Insanium

InsideOut Music (March 15^th 2024)

Reviewer: David Mark Pearce

So then, hands up all those who are missing Sons Of Apollo? Well, I am for one as they were a fantastic band who put out two amazing studio albums as well as a live one and a DVD as well! ……. And then Dream Theater got Portnoy back! So we move on and in its place is the phoenix that has risen from the ashes in the form of Whom Gods Destroy, and destroy they most certainly do!

Sadly Jeff Scot Soto is not involved in this, which I’m disappointed about, and that also goes for Sheehan and the aforementioned Portnoy. But not to worry, because as well as the remaining guys from SOA, Derek Sherinian (keys) and Bumblefoot (Guitar), in their place we have the amazing Dino Jelusić on vocals, Yas Nomura on bass (who’s a killer guitarist as well by the way) and Bruno Valverde on drums, one killer rhythm section!

Anything the departed guys in the other band could do, well so can these guys! New single ‘Crawl‘ is the latest, and I presume last, single from the album following ‘In The Name Of War’ and ‘Over Again‘. So I would say if these aforementioned songs aren’t your bag then maybe this band isn’t your thing. But, if like me you absolutely love them, then trust me when I say you will love the rest of it!

For me, based on what I’ve heard from him, this is Dino’s finest work to date. I hope this band goes on for a long time as I truly believe he’s found his home here. This just suits him down to the ground and when he sings ‘Find My Way Back’ then you will know exactly what I mean, as he really gets to stretch his legs on this one and show a softer side of his voice over Derek Sherinian‘s beautiful Hammond organ. This is probably my favourite song on the album. Only just mind you because I really like everything on offer here.

Anyway, I won’t bore you with what or who each song sounds like, or reminds me of, as that’s your job as the listener! So when it’s released go buy it! I won’t tell you to turn it up loud either because I won’t need to! ‘Insanium’, is released on the 15th March by Inside Out/Sony Music and has 9 tracks, 10 if you get the 2CD version which has an instrumental version of the album and a bonus track (Requiem).

Tracklist:

01 In the Name of War

02 Over Again

03 The Decision

04 Crawl

05 Find My Way Back

06 Crucifier

07 Keeper of the Gate

08 Hypernova 158

09 Insanium

10 Requiem