Explaining how the band came about, Portnoy said: “Derek and I reunited shortly after I left Dream Theater in 2010 and we put together an all-instrumental touring band with he and I, Billy Sheehan, and Tony MacAlpine.

“That was my first time working with Derek since the ‘90s when he was in Dream Theater and it was just great to be working with him again. Ever since that tour, which was really just a one-off live thing, he has been nudging me to start a real, original, full-time band.

“The timing just had never been right, because I had too many other things on my plate. Long story short, the time was finally right to take the bait and put together a band.”

Derek Sherinian, who also announced a new record with Black Country Communion on Monday, added: “Mike and I work at a relentless pace in the studio. The music is modern, but we have an old school soul. What is unique about Sons of Apollo is that we have true rock n’ roll swagger along with the virtuosity – a lethal combination!”

Insisting that Sons of Apollo isn’t just another side project, Portnoy adds: “This is a real band. This is going to pick up for me and Billy where The Winery Dogs left off, in terms of this being the next logical full-time thing for us.

“I’m not saying The Winery Dogs have broken up, because we haven’t, we’re just on a break. Sons of Apollo is absolutely going to be a full-time band and we plan on touring all over the world all throughout 2018 and, honestly, it is the priority for all five of us.”

Concurring, Sherinian comments: “We will go on a worldwide crusade in 2018 to bring Sons of Apollo to as many people as possible. Apollo was the God of Music, and we are his mighty offspring!”

As a taster of what to expect from ‘Psychotic Symphony’, Sons of Apollo have released a two-minute album teaser which you can cast your cochleas on here: