Listening a bit to the second album by Next to None. It's called "Phases". This is a young band featuring Mike Portnoy's son Max Portnoy on drums. There are some clunky/cheesy/bad lyrics (they are still teenagers), some questionable choices (ie. scratching) and some obvious influences musically (Dream Theater of course and Lamb of God) but I think they show some promise as the move forward and mature. I will say this I do think the vocalist is the weak link. His clean singing isn't up to par and his growls are merely passable. He'll need to get better in a hurry for them to progress.
Not promoting it as a must have as it's a middling album but it's a new band with some interesting pieces. They just need to figure out how to put the pieces together better.
Speaking of the ever arrogant Mike Portnoy he has yet another new band, Sons of Apollo, releasing an album in the near future. Along with Portnoy the band features:
- Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, ex-David Lee Roth, Winery Dogs) - bass
- Jeff Scott Soto (Trans Siberian Orchestra, ex-Malmsteen, ex-Journey) - vocals
- Derek Sherinian (ex-Dream Theater and a bunch of others) - keyboards
- Bumblefoot (Art of Anarchy, ex-Axl and Friends) - guitar