Whom Gods Destroy, a supergroup formed by keyboardist Derek Sherinian, guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal and vocalist Dino Jelusick, a solid and elaborate rhythm section with bassist Yas Nomura and drummer Bruno Valverde. The debut album “Insanium” was released on March 15, 2024 via InsideOut Music and contains nine medium-length tracks. Opener “In the Name of War” immediately plunges us into the band’s rocky Progressive Metal with heavy riffs intertwined with keyboards, a solid and elaborate rhythm section and an incisive vocal. The continuous tempo changes allow the song to develop with complex textures that enhance the compositional and performing technique of all artists. The vocal parts alternate with intense instrumental sections in which first the guitar and then the keyboards offer beautifully crafted solo inserts. A track that was also extracted as a single with an official video before the release of the album, leaving me wanting to listen to the other tracks on this work. An interweaving guitar and powerful keyboards open “Over Again,” elaborate, heavy and with a vocal that adds an aggressive touch to the track. Very incisive both in the vocal parts and leaving room for an extended instrumental section where both guitar and keyboards perform virtuosities that fit nicely into the musical context. A track that keeps the intensity high, both in the sung and heavy parts and in the more elaborate instrumental passages. “The Decision” opens with massive guitar riffs and a rocky rhythm section. The more melodic vocal parts offer choral refrains, which increase in intensity as the song progresses, incorporating a more heavy sound. The mixture of softer, melodic sounds, technical passages with even virtuosity explores the different facets that make up the band’s sound.A powerful and incisive chorus characterises “Crawl,” energetic and engaging between more heavy and technical moments and melodic openings. Elaborate and full of tempo changes, the rhythm section is an added value in the structure of this track, allowing in the long instrumental section the talents of the Sherinian-Bumblefoot duo on keyboards and guitar, before returning to the vocal that with the last verses takes us to the finale. The following “Find My Way Back” is a softer, well-constructed and emotional track, which softens the tone after the two previous dumps. It flows nicely with excellent vocal evidence, dynamic and engaging until the following one. A blast of power between Progressive and Metal, aggressive and elaborate at the same time characterises “Crucifier.” The vocals are dynamic and incisive, alternating with virtuoso guitar solo inserts. The band shows a more heavy side at times, at others darker atmospheres with heavy guitar riffs, always emphasising the individual technique of each artist. Over four minutes of fine workmanship in both composition and performance. Following in the sonic footsteps of the previous “Keeper of the Gate,” it continues the discourse by offering more heavy and more melodic passages. The vocals are dynamic and expressive and intertwine with the guitar and keyboards, accompanying us until the finale. The solo inserts enhance the song. The album’s shortest track “Hypernova 158,” is characterised by a fast and very technical rhythm and guitar and keyboard phrasing. The technique of the artists involved is emphasised, creating a sound that is refined and refined, but with heavy elements that blend with prog quality. The album ends with the title track “Insanium,” which is also the longest track on the album, exceeding eight minutes, featuring massive guitar riffs and a granitic and elaborate rhythm section. A rush of power to which is added an incisive vocal that interprets the song’s lyrics with pathos. Very interesting are the solo inserts in the instrumental sections, perfectly alternating with the sung ones. An intense track, which incorporates all the nuances that make up the band’s style, concluding and leaving us wanting to listen to this album again. An album of very high quality, both in terms of composition and performance, for this supergroup that has created its own personal and original sound from the outset. The tracklist is very engaging, keeping the intensity high from start to finish, creating a perfect blend of Progressive, Metal and a modern, fresh and original touch that makes this release one of the best of 2024. An absolutely recommended listen, confirming the talent of the artists involved expressed at the highest level, a masterpiece and one of the best releases of 2024 so far.
Tracklist
01. In the Name Of War (06:38)
02. Over Again (05:01)
03. The Decision (07:08)
0.4 Crawl (06:36)
05. Find My Way Back (05:46)
06. Crucifier (04:43)
07. Keeper of the Gate (04:54)
08. Hypernova 158 (03:24)
09. Insanium (08:37)
Lineup
Bruno Valverde / Drums
Yas Nomura / Bass
Dino Jelusick / Vocals
Derek Sherinian / Keyboards
Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal / Guitars