After playing over 80 shows together to support the debut album, Derek Sherinian, Mike Portnoy and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal joined up at Mike’s studio and started working on the new album. The three gelled and wrote the album in around 3 weeks. Of course, after that, the songs need lyrics and that is were lead singer Jeff Scott Soto comes in as he wrote all the lyrics for the album (with minor exceptions of help from Mr. Sherinian on some of the melodies). And the songs were ready to record. Writing and recording happened over 8 months and each member of the band, including bassist Billy Sheehan, able to work in their own studios for their parts.

The album was called MMXX which is 2020 in Roman Numerals and the time when it was released which was on January 17, 2020. The album’s sound changed a little from the last album which had a lot of sounds from the past as it had some Dream Theater elements as well as some classic rock. This time around, they went for a more modern sound and a much more polished feel which is why the cover with the band’s crest seems more polished. The prior songs were more mythical and now they are more futuristic. Is the change in a sound a good thing or is it a bad thing? I guess we need to go through the tracks and find out.

The opening song and first single (came out on November 15, 2019), “Goodbye Divinity”, brings the prog right out of the gate as it goes on for about 2 minutes before Soto gets his pipes in the mix. After that happens it becomes a solid rock song with ample time for each musician to show what they can do. With not just hints of Dream Theater’s sound, but obvious stamps that show their roots are front and center. Honestly, it is a good song, but not as strong as the opener “God of the Sun” from the debut in my opinion. The working title on this one was called “Blood Orchid” which was inspired by a riff by Derek that he did during one of his live solos (thanks wiki for that one).

Next up is “Wither to Black” which is more of a metal song which starts off with a killer riff from Mr. Thal as it is the main point of focus. You get some Hammond organ from Mr. Sherinian and the solo is the highlight as you get double duty from Bumblefoot and Derek each getting to shine. Soto’s vocals are top notch here and this could easily be on one of his albums. I like this one more than the proggy opening track honestly. Another fun fact is that the song was based on a riff from Bumblefoot called “RushGarden” as it is a mix of Rush and Soundgarden and I can hear that on the song.

“Asphyxiation” comes out of the gate swinging with an industrial metal sound. I love when the drums match beat for beat and note for note with Derek’s keys. A pretty cool sound. Soto attacks this one with a cool swagger that only Jeff can do. Such confidence shines through and there is a cool vocal part with a lot of efffect as he spits out lyrics that I think is different in a really good way. When they keep the songs shorter and just rock out, this is where I could spend all day. Musically this one kicks some ass for me as it is a brutal beast of a track.

“Desolate July” is a more somber and darker track as it is about the passing of David Z who was in Jeff’s band SOTO and Portnoy’s band Adrenaline Mob. It opens with church bell’s and then a heartfelt piano with some cool synth effects thrown in for good measure. There is an overall sadness throughout, but when that chorus hits in the band explodes and the song gets heavier, but those lyrics are the focus as it talks about not being able to say goodbye as he died suddenly in a tour bus accident. Each July, when the death occurred it is a hard time for them without David. I think this might be my favorite track on the album.

The band goes full prog with “King of Delusion” at over 8 minutes, it opens with a piano/keyboard solo with Derek Sherinian that gives him a moment to shine (which he always shines), then the bad boys come in hard and heavy with Mike pounding on the drums, Billy’s bass a thumping and Ron’s riffs blasting. Soto comes in about 2 minutes and does another stellar job, but the song is long and though the musicians are masters, I love watching this stuff to see these guys play because seeing their talent for me is more exciting. So, this one loses me as there isn’t a strong chorus, no real good melodies for me. But the guys can play, no denying that at all it is just that his isn’t my cup of tea.

“Fall to Ascend” is the saving grace to me as it comes out swinging with a quick drum barrage by Portnoy. Another metal track and Soto’s shows restraint in the opening verse, but when that chorus hits he lets loose and shows what those pipes can do as we get to one of the best choruses on the album and easily makes this another favorite track for me. And when Derek and Ron battle it out in the solo, holy shit, just sit back and listen to these two masters at work. It is totally awesome and mindblowing.

“Resurrection Day” comes out with some nasty guitar playing and then Derek jumps in with his own flair. But vocally, Jeff doesn’t feel comfortable here as it isn’t exciting or thrilling in any way (sorry Jeff, still love you though). Feels like going through the motions. Musically, the song is stellar as I could sit here and listen to Bumblefoot and Sherinian all day long, but in the end this song is a little dull and uninteresting when the vocals are included (again, sorry Jeff). Now, Billy gets a great little solo, followed by Ron and then Derek and then all over again. This is at least a cool part of the song.

The final track is the epic, over 15 minute prog song “New World Today” and it has a lot of everyone in it, but not sure they are all playing the same song. Maybe they told everyone to play a song and they all played a different one and pieced it together That is harsh, but that is what prog is to me sometimes and why I don’t enjoy it. Plus, I have a little ADHD and it is hard for me to focus for that long on a song. Enough of that, the song starts off slow, almost ballad realm and then goes all sci-fi like with its sound and I’m already bored just over 2 minutes in as nothing has really happened yet. At about 3 minutes, it kicks it up a notch and still nothing…you can see where I’m going. Jeff does come in on vocals at just over 3 minutes and still nothing for me. Hey, only 12 minutes to go…yeah…no.

Track Listing:

1. Goodbye Divinity – Keeper (1/2 Point)
2. Wither to Black – Keeper
3. Asphyxiation – Keeper
4. Desolate July – Keeper
5. King of Delusion – Delete
6. Fall to Ascend – Keeper
7. Resurrection – Delete
8. New World Today – Delete

The Track Listing is 4.5 out of 8 Tracks or 56%.  Now, the album isn’t as bad as the track score, because the songs that are good, are really good and I would happily play this again to get to those songs.  There is no denying these guys no how to play as they are on full display with their talent overflowing. Jeff’s vocals on this one don’t get to shine like they did on the debut for me as I though that album was stellar.  This one is only good.  Too much prog, not enough straight-up rock for my taste. If you like prog, then this will be for you. My Overall Score is a 3.0 out of 5.0 Stars as it doesn’t hold up to the debut for me or even the live disc.  Hopefully one day, we will get more from these guys as I’d hate to think this was the last one.

BONUS DISC:

The album copy I have has a bonus disc that contains all the song again, but a little differently. The first part of the disc is all instrumental mixes of the songs. No vocals, so if you want to hear these guys let loose with no vocal distraction (and be known Jeff is no vocal distraction), then this disc will be right up your alley as it is cool hearing it this way. And the second part is the a cappella mix which is only Jeff’s vocals and it cuts out all the instruments. You get to hear all the echo, the layers of vocals on vocals and here Jeff in all his glory. This is a neat idea, but not sure something I would go back and listen to again and again. In fact, I only listened to this disc once, which is enough for me.

And that is all. Thanks for hanging around so long.

UP NEXT: TALISMAN – “NEVER DIE (A SONG FOR MARCEL)” (2020)

THE JEFF SCOTT SOTO SERIES:

1. Panther – ‘Panther’ (1986) – recorded in 1984
2. Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force – ‘Rising Force’ (1984)
3. Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force – ‘Marching Out’ (1985)
4. Kuni – ‘Lookin’ For Action’ (1988)
5. Kryst the Conqueror – ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ (1989) / ‘Soldiers of Light: The Complete Recordings (2019)
6. Eyes – ‘Eyes’ (1990)
7. Eyes – “Nobody Said It Was Easy” (1990) – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition
8. Talisman – ‘Talisman’ (1990)
9. Talisman – “I’ll Be Waiting” (1990) – 7″ Single – Bonus Edition
10. Skrapp Mettle – ‘Sensitive’ (1991)
11. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Eternal Prisoner’ (1992)
12. Bakteria – ‘Deficate! Suffocate! Mutilate! Masturbate!’ (1992 / 2009)
13. Eyes – ‘Windows of the Soul’ (1993)
14. Talisman – ‘Genesis’ (1993)
15. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘The Ballads’ (1993)
16. Biker Mice From Mars – ‘Biker Mice From Mars (Soundtrack)’ (1993)
17. Takara – ‘Eternal Faith’ (1993)
18. Talisman – ‘5 Out Of 5 (Live in Japan)’ (1994)
19. Talisman – ‘Humanimal’ (1994)
20. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Between the Walls’ (1994)
21. Gary Schutt – ‘Sentimetal’ (1994)
22. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Love Parade’ (1994)
23. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Made in Germany (Live)’ (1995)
24. Takara – ‘Taste of Heaven’ (1995)
25. Talisman – ‘Life’ (1995)
26. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Black Moon Pyramid’ (1996)
27. Human Clay – ‘Human Clay’ (1996)
28. Talisman – ‘Best of’ (1996)
29. Axel Rudi Pell – ‘Magic’ (1997)
30. Human Clay – ‘U4IA’ (1997)
31. Boogie Knights – ‘Welcome to the Jungle Boogie’ (1997)
32. Takara – ‘Blind in Paradise’ (1998)
33. Talisman – ‘Truth’ (1998)
34. ‘Rock Star: Music from the Motion Picture (Soundtrack)’ – Various Artists (2001)
35. Humanimal – ‘Humanimal’ (2002)
36. Humanimal – Find My Way Home: Limited Edition E.P. (2002)
37. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Holding On E.P.’ (2002)
38. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Prism’ (2002)
39. Talisman – ‘Live at Sweden Rock Festival’ (2002)
40. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘JSS Live at the Gods 2002’ (2003)
41. Talisman – ‘Cats & Dogs’ (2003)
42. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Believe in Me E.P.’ (2004
43. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Lost in the Translation’ (2004)
44. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at the Queen Convention 2003’ (2004)
45. Soul SirkUS – ‘World Play’ (2004/2005)
46. Talisman – ‘Five Men Live’ (2005)
47. Talisman – ‘World’s Best Kept Secret DVD (2005)
48. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Essential Ballads’ (2006)
49. Journey – ‘Live from Atlanta (Bootleg)’ (2006)
50. Talisman – ‘7’ (2006)
51. Talisman – The Albums Ranked Worst to First
52. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘B-Sides’ (2006)
53. Redlist – ‘Ignorance’ (2007)
54. Jeff Scott Soto – LA Rocks Demo / Vinnie Vincent Demo 1988 (2008)
55. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Beautiful Mess’ (2009)
56. Jeff Scott Soto – “21st Century” / “Gin & Tonic Sky” CD Single (2009) – Bonus Edition
57. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘One Night in Madrid’ (2009)
58. Trans-Siberian Orchestra – ‘Night Castle’ (2009)
59. W.E.T. – ‘W.E.T.’ (2009)
60. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live at Firefest 2008’ (2010)
61. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Damage Control’ (2012)
62. W.E.T. – ‘Rise Up’ (2013)
63. W.E.T. – ‘One Live in Stockholm’ (2014)
64. Jeff Scott Soto – The Authorized Biography (2014)
65. SOTO – ‘Inside the Vertigo’ (2015)
66. Joel Hoekstra’s 13 – Dying to Live (2015)
67. SOTO – ‘Divak’ (2016)
68. Sons of Apollo – ‘Psychotic Symphony’ (2017)
69. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Retribution’ (2017)
70. W.E.T. – ‘Earthrage’ (2018)
71. SOTO – ‘Origami’ (2019)
72. Sons of Apollo – ‘Live With the Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony’ (2019)
73. Sons of Apollo – ‘MMXX’ (2020)
74. Talisman – “Never Die (A Song For Marcel)” – 7″ Single (2020)
75. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Live and Loud in Milan 2019’ (2020)
76. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)’ (2020)
77. SOTO – ‘Revision’ (2020)
78. W.E.T. – ‘Retransmission’ (2021)
79. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘The Duets Collection, Vol. 1’ (2021)
80. Jeff Scott Soto – ‘Complicated’ (2022)
81. Ellefson/Soto – ‘Vacation in the Underworld’ (2022)
82. Slam – Slam (2023)
83. Jeff Scott Soto / Jason Bieler – Live In Concert (2022) – Bonus Edition
84. Jeff Scott Soto / Jason Bieler – Live in Concert (2023) – Bonus Edition