There’s a new gang in town. They’re tough and tight-knit, and they’re not taking any prisoners. Bringing together acclaimed Symphony X singer Russell Allen, former Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold drum virtuoso Mike Portnoy, and Sonic Stomp shred extraordinaire Mike Orlando, Adrenaline Mob is a musical mafia of the highest order.
On their full-length debut, Omertà, the group cranks out one bruising hard rock anthem after another. Songs like the first single “Undaunted” and “Hit the Wall” hijack the right level of instrumental intricacy and taut technicality while grooving and moving fluidly. At the same time, “Angel Sky” takes flight on a massive lead and heavenly refrain. Given the band members’ respective pedigrees selling millions of albums and performing for sold out crowds globally, fans everywhere will soon be taking the vow of Omertà in their honor.
For years, Allen and Portnoy knew that they’d eventually work together. After Portnoy handpicked Symphony X to play on Megadeth’s Gigantour in 2005, the two became fast friends. Then, Portnoy insisted that Symphony X tour Europe with Dream Theater in 2007. During that jaunt, the idea of jamming percolated.
“In the back of my mind, I always knew I’d love to be in a rock band with Portnoy because neither of us had done that previously,” reveals Allen with a smile. “I watched Dream Theater every night, and I thought, ’This guy is a rock drummer in a prog band!’ He never failed to steal the show, and his energy was infectious. I was inspired by it.”
Similarly, Portnoy was watching Allen closely while they were on the road. “Doing something together was inevitable,” he affirms. “This is better than I ever imagined though.”
In 2010, Allen was recording his second solo outing with Orlando. However, the guitarist had an entire arsenal of songs he’d been working on for years. He shared them with Allen, and it proved to be a perfect fit for the vocalist. They needed a drummer though, so Allen sent Portnoy an email with some of the tracks. After 30 seconds of listening, he was in.
“This is a new band with a new sound and a new beginning,” declares Portnoy. “Forget what everyone has done in the past. I’ll cherish and look back on my 25 years in Dream Theater with great pride, but it’s time for me to begin this next chapter. It’s similar to how Foo Fighters gave Dave Grohl a fresh start. That’s how I look at it.”
[Show More]
Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media
There’s a new gang in town. They’re tough and tight-knit, and they’re not taking any prisoners. Bringing together acclaimed Symphony X singer Russell Allen, former Dream Theater and Avenged Sevenfold drum virtuoso Mike Portnoy, and Sonic Stomp shred extraordinaire Mike Orlando, Adrenaline Mob is a musical mafia of the highest order.
On their full-length debut, Omertà, the group cranks out one bruising hard rock anthem after another. Songs like the first single “Undaunted” and “Hit the Wall” hijack the right level of instrumental intricacy and taut technicality while grooving and moving fluidly. At the same time, “Angel Sky” takes flight on a massive lead and heavenly refrain. Given the band members’ respective pedigrees selling millions of albums and performing for sold out crowds globally, fans everywhere will soon be taking the vow of Omertà in their honor.
For years, Allen and Portnoy knew that they’d eventually work together. After Portnoy handpicked Symphony X to play on Megadeth’s Gigantour in 2005, the two became fast friends. Then, Portnoy insisted that Symphony X tour Europe with Dream Theater in 2007. During that jaunt, the idea of jamming percolated.
“In the back of my mind, I always knew I’d love to be in a rock band with Portnoy because neither of us had done that previously,” reveals Allen with a smile. “I watched Dream Theater every night, and I thought, ’This guy is a rock drummer in a prog band!’ He never failed to steal the show, and his energy was infectious. I was inspired by it.”
Similarly, Portnoy was watching Allen closely while they were on the road. “Doing something together was inevitable,” he affirms. “This is better than I ever imagined though.”
In 2010, Allen was recording his second solo outing with Orlando. However, the guitarist had an entire arsenal of songs he’d been working on for years. He shared them with Allen, and it proved to be a perfect fit for the vocalist. They needed a drummer though, so Allen sent Portnoy an email with some of the tracks. After 30 seconds of listening, he was in.
“This is a new band with a new sound and a new beginning,” declares Portnoy. “Forget what everyone has done in the past. I’ll cherish and look back on my 25 years in Dream Theater with great pride, but it’s time for me to begin this next chapter. It’s similar to how Foo Fighters gave Dave Grohl a fresh start. That’s how I look at it.”
[Show Less]
Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media
DISCOVER EVENTS
BUZZING
CRITICS' PICK
FRIENDS' PICK
MY PICKS
Website
Twitter
Facebook
iTunes
COMMENTS