“The debut from teen progsters Next To None features, Max Portnoy, doing what his dad does best-providing the fire and chops to progressive metal music.”

“The younger Portnoy takes a logical yet advanced approach when it comes to his drumming.”

“Winner of "BEST NEW DRUMMER OF 2015" Max Portnoy: Little did we know that Max 'son of Mike" Portnoy would be such a chip of the old block. earlier this year his band Next To None released the fantastic "A Light In The Dark" with many hailing the young star's drum talents. We can't wait to see how his playing grows from here.”

"...whichever side of the fence that you sit on musically or in terms of age, I would recommend that you give this album a listen if prog or prog metal is you thing."

"...a more than respectable debut from a promising new act, who are keeping the progressive flag flying for a whole new generation."

“The technical mastery of their respective instruments is clearly there for to hear.”

“It's no surprise that their debut is is not only something of substance but a staggeringly mature-before-their-years approach to progressive metal.”

“They include plenty of chunky hooks and addictive riffs.”

“Their music ability is extraordinary, they sing about what they know.”

“They obviously have the talent and, for teenagers, their skill level is frightening.”

“Portnoy Jr. has played drums half his life and learned those lessons well. though the four members of Pennsylvania-based outfit are all in their mid-teens, they're by no means novices and this full-length debut is sufficiently accomplished!”

“One has to admire the talent and proficiency of a bunch of school kids (because that's what they are) who produce music of this quality. Machine mistake, these guys are very good musicians (make that exceptional)”

“Being hyped as "prog prodigies" could be tempting fate let alone cynical reviews, but Pennsylvanian quartet Next To None's individual and collective instrumental abilities are remarkable and they are not yet out of high school.”

“With the members still in their teens, Next To None has been touted as the first progressive prodigy band.”

“Introducing NEXT TO NONE, Max Portnoy is a chip off the old prog rock!”

“Joining the band on the Destination (Almost) East Coast tour is teen prodigy progressive metallers, Next To None, who will be direct support.”

“Please note, this isn’t your average “I’m in a band because my dad is” project– these kids are legitimately SUPER talented, stand tall on their own, and have truly put together a progressive metal record beyond their years.”

“Their mix of classic prog jams, heavy riffs, and even some dirty vocals makes for an interesting sound. Add to that their outstanding musicianship, playing at a skill level that far exceeds their years and you have something truly special.”

“It’s not hard to imagine this band playing to crowds even farther beyond its home base and their sound catching on to a wider audience.”

“The reason behind that is that Next To None's drummer is Portnoy's son, Max. But while the elder Portnoy has opened doors for the combo, its music has helped them walk through.”

“The Lehigh Valley has a band destined to become a big name in progressive metal. Next to None has been getting a lot of press for the release of its first CD, "A Light In The Dark," on the InsideOut record label. It is an impressive debut, especially since the four band members are 16 and 17 years old. They have been writing and performing since they were 12 and 13 years old and have played at many clubs in the Lehigh Valley. The band has opened for the Winery Dogs, another of Mike's groups; Adrenaline Mob; Haken, and Virgil Donati, and has played the Vans Warped Tour. The band performed all the music on "A Light In The Dark," except for guest spots on the song "A Lonely Walk" by Bumblefoot of Guns and Roses and Neal Morse, co-founder of Spock's Beard.”

“As they delivered uncommonly complex time signatures and confusing chord progressions that are commonly familiar to the balding and aged progressive-rock aficionados (like me), one would assume these four musically accomplished artists had endured years of classical instruction. While all four members boast extraordinary musicianship (for any age), all eyes appear to be focused on the wizardly drumming skills of Max Portnoy.”

“It’s nine minutes and forty seconds long, but all I can say about this first impression introduction is ‘welcome to the crazy train of immense talent’. This track demonstrates each of the four members’ tremendous individual talents. All the tracks are instrumentally and musically executed incredibly. It will be interesting to see how these young men evolve and how their sound matures because they are already light years ahead of most musicians in their age range and could blow away bands with much older members.”

“[A Light In The Dark] established Next To None as a next generation prog band. Going into A Light In The Dark thinking of them that way is a huge mistake, as many people have discovered over the last few months. For all the prog the band serves up they've also harnessed a full-on modern day metal approach, complete with in-the-now growling vocals.”

“And I assure you—the songs they’re putting out don’t sound like they were written by kids”

“Listening to the music, with its tricky time signatures, hard rocking riffs, and expansive moods, you would think the members were veterans of the prog rock scene, building up their musical skills through the years, waiting for a record label to say, “Hey guys, we really like what you have to offer. Let’s make a record.””

“Next To None not only has a record deal, but has been steadily gigging over the past few years. Beyond playing shows on the Vans Warped Tour, they have opened for The Winery Dogs, Adrenaline Mob and Planet X’s Virgil Donati. Currently signed to Inside Out Music – which has worked with progressive-rock favorites like Kansas, Yes guitarist Steve Howe andKing’s X – Next To None’s debut album, A Light In The Dark, was released over the summer.”

"A Light in the Dark" is a stunning display of prog-rock and metal dexterity from a band of musical wunderkinds. In addition to Max's complex, hard-hitting beats and rhythms, Next to None features mesmerizing performances from guitarist Ryland Holland (17), singer-keyboardist Thomas Cuce (17) and bassist Kris Rank (16).

“Next To None released their debut album, A Light In The Dark, on June 30th in North America and June 29th in Europe, via InsideOut.”

“The album combines those contemporary influences with the typical hallmarks of progressive metal.”

“NEXT TO NONE play at a level surpassing their ages and even some of their more established peers. If they stick together, NEXT TO NONE stands to be pretty freaking awesome in the future.”

“Dude, these little motherfuckers are 15 years old! What’s maybe even more impressive than their age is how they say they’re going to do “a little bit of every genre” and they, uh, actually do!”

“Without a doubt this is one of the best if not the best album that can be expected to debut in this musical genre for a group so young and that is perhaps the embryo of the evolution of the genre for decades to come.”

“Overall, this is a fun debut from a very young band who no doubt have a bright future ahead of them.”

“This is a good album, a solid start to their career, and I definitely recommend checking it out.”

“As befits a band with a staggering amount of talent, it hops all over the place. “You Are Not Me” is shorter and to the point, “Runaway” slams and has a magnificent hook, as well as the tight, angular bass of something close to Prong. “A Lonely Walk” is different again, as frontman and keyboard player Thomas Cruce stretches out over a lilting piano, and doesn’t half sound like James LaBrie while he’s doing it, and “Control” is ten minutes of something close to perfect. Then just when you think you’ve got them sussed, along comes “Social Anxiety” which shows Stone Sour a clean pair of heels. The bottom line is quite simple here: it’s more or less impossible to pick fault with “A Light In The Dark.” It’s not brilliant because of someone having a famous father. It’s brilliant because it’s just about the best prog metal album released so far this year, and on so many levels that is incredible.”

“It is on the long epic tracks where Next To None shine, because they are very skilled at creating long instrumental sections, a skill Max must have learned from listening to his dad. The ten minute centerpiece track “Control” and the epic closer “Blood on my Hands” are both highly impressive. This is very solid debut album and we expect big things from the band in the future.”

“A LIGHT IN THE DARK is an album that clearly displays a wealth of talent and surprising maturity.”

“The album’s debut single, “You Are Not Me” blends solid progressive grooves with modern metal elements, ala Slipknot, into a heavy yet accessible track”

“If there’s one thing that A Light in the Dark proves, it’s that these four burgeoning players can match the schizophrenic technicality of just about any of their older peers/influences (at just sixteen-years-old, Portnoy is likely as good as his father, and the rest of the band is equally gifted).”

“The album is what a Dream Theater comprising 16-year olds would sound like, except with harsh vocals this time around. However, this does not mean the band doesn’t sound good. In fact, the album features some really interesting tracks like “You Are Not Me” and the slower “A Lonely Walk”, both of which make good use of some superb keyboard-playing by Thomas Cuce.”

“This time, we were proud to welcome the UK’s Haken on their very own run in a good handful of cities. Alongside, the New York youths in Next to None were there to delight crowds with their carefree and boyish charms. Not only are they extremely talented for being 16 to 17 years old, former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy can proudly say his son, Max Portnoy, drums for the band.”

“I was actually pretty impressed with the bands entire presentation and music. They seemed distinctly aware of their own limitations and managed to play some very solid metalcore that had a couple unique twists of its own. Max Portnoy's drumming is fucking phenomenal too, even if Next To None doesn't work out, he certainly already has a career lined up for himself as a session musician if nothing else. The band had a fun youthful stage presence and it was hard not to be charmed by their youth, as they closed out, I couldn't help but smile at this next generation act who threaten to one day break the mainstream.”

“These guys have fantastic stage presence for their age. On top of that, their musicianship is outstanding! Max Portnoy definitely inherited his father’s chops, and the rest of the band play like musicians twice their age. Vocally, Thomas Cucé ranges from regular singing to full on metal screaming, and he does both exceptionally well. Keep in mind, this was also the band’s first performance of their first official tour. Amazing. These guys will go far in rock, and I believe they are the future of the genre. Way to go guys!”

“The group, despite their age are able to convey a mesmerizing range of skill, dexterity and technical ability throughout the 9 tracks on offer. It is staggering to think that the group, at their tender age of 15/16 are accomplished enough musicians to be able to work collectively and combine their talents to produce this.”

“The bottom line is quite simple here: it’s more or less impossible to pick fault with “A Light In The Dark.” It’s not brilliant because of someone having a famous father. It’s brilliant because it’s just about the best prog metal album released so far this year, and on so many levels that is incredible.”

“Welcome teen prodigy progressive band Next To None to the Inside Out family! Their debut album "A Light In The Dark" will be released in summer of 2015.”

““I’m blown away that a group of 15 and 16-year-olds can make music this mature, intense and diverse at the age they are. "”

“Drummer Max Portnoy had this to say about the track: “”You Are Not Me” is one of our heavier songs that shows more of a modern metal side, it is also probably one of the first songs in prog metal history to feature a beer keg being hit with a bat!"”

“Drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-DREAM THEATER): "I've been blessed with so many unforgettable moments in my career, but watching my son open for me the last two nights (of the tour) has been the proudest! That's my boy! So proud of Max and NEXT TO NONE..."”