Search - Derek Sherinian :: Black Utopia

Cool instrumental prog

Chris 'raging bill' Burton | either Kent or Manchester, United Kingdom | 10/06/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to admit that I find instrumental or mostly instrumental albums to be quite hit and miss. Regardless of the musicians playing on them or the direction being taken, the tracks seem to lack direction, and come off as nothing other than music for music's sake .....Not so much here. Of course, with these musicians and not a vocalist in sight, its impossible to avoid any sort of over playing. However, these songs have structure. What's interesting to note is that none of the guitarists wrote any music here (aside from their own solos). Derek wrote all the songs, occasionally alongside the rhythm players, other times by himself. I think its important to stress this so that its clear this is not a self-indulgent jam session (cough*LiquidTensionExperiment*cough).As others have said, guitar dominates this. All of these guitarists are better on the strings than Derek is on the keys in my opinion, and Derek himself is regularly pushed back in the mix. Now, for Derek fans this is a huge disappointment. If, like me, you appreciate his writing more than his actual playing, then this isn't a bad thing. One reviewer complained that he did not expect "this 'joint venture' to be entitled 'Derek Sherinian'". A fair enough comment for sure, but if you listen to the music that is on offer here (especially if you're a guitar fan like me) then you can't help but be impressed.What I also noticed about the musicians I was already familiar with (Wylde and Malmsteen - admitedly I've heard little, if any, of the others) is how unique their style was. Despite never hearing Al DiMeola before, I could tell when it was him and not Malmsteen playing on Sons Of Anu. Zakk Wylde is also very identifiable. His rythm and tone is different to any other guitarist I've heard, and he solos like a madman.Lastly, there is also quite a mixture of styles here. Sons Of Anu, Nightmare Cinema and Axis Of Evil are all metal/heavy rock tracks, while Stoney Days and Starcycle are a lot more cheery. Also note The Fury and Gypsy Moth, two very atmospheric tracks.What I will say is that this isn't the best prog album out there, or one that really makes you want to listen to it over and over again. It does however have a fair amount of repeated listening and if you like it technical and prog, then it is one worth getting. Just don't consider it an absolute essential (or form opinions on it based on your initial impression)."

Sherinian Rocks!!!

U2 MAN | Layton, UT USA | 06/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite playing the keyboards, Sherinian knows how to make music that rocks. He always allows his guest musicians to take center stage, which is really cool. Axis of Evil alone is worth the price of the CD. This piece starts out menacing, then transitions into a beautiful keyboard melody, which leads to a crescendo of what I can only describe as showering guitars. Absolutely amazing! Fury is unbelievable as well. I don't understand the luke warm reviews. This is Sherinian's best."

Words Cannot Describe

Mike | Maryland | 10/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While this is released as a Derek Sherinian solo album, don't be fooled into thinking this will be similar to a Jordan Rudess album, because it's not. This is an all-instrumental album with his backing band being Billy Sheehan on bass and Simon Philips on drums. The greatest part of the album is the inclusion of Jerry Goodman on electric violin, formerly of Mahavishnu Orchestra, as well as guitar gods Steve Lukather, Zakk Wylde, and even Yngwie Malmsteen.

Derek Sherinian is smart enough to know that his keyboard work cannot carry this album alone, even though his chops are amazing throughout. Instead he gives way to the guitar gods as well as Goodman to incorperate many solos into their songs and they are phenominal. Lukather's songs are all jazz sounding, which are decent but not my favorite part of the album. The best parts come when Goodman and Sherinian trade off solos with either Wylde or Malmsteen (On "Axis of Evil" both Wylde and Malmsteen play together!). Sherinian has gotten Malmsteen to play his solos with passion, and that arrogance that usually comes with Malmsteen is gone, which makes his work even more impressive.

"The Fury" is a 0:51 intro to the amazing "Sons of Anu" which is a three part song with great solos by Goodman, Malmsteen, and Sherinian. "Nightmare Cinema" isn't as good as "Anu" but Wylde is still impressive. "Axis of Evil" combines Goodman, Wylde, Sherinian, and Malmsteen all in the same song! Solo after solo after solo, yet it is never repetitive and self-indulgent, truly a masterpiece. "Black Utopia" is arguably the best song (even at 8:51 long!) with Wylde as lead guitaist. Sherinian has his best solos here, as does Wylde. The songs that I did not mention are all of the jazz-influenced which were impressive, with great chops by Sherinian and Lukather, they just don't measure up to the Progressive Metal influenced ones.

Not only do I love to hear Malmsteen minus his pompous sound, it's great to hear that Wylde can still be outstanding with his fret-burning solos (I got scared after his terrible solo albums and his last two albums with Ozzy). I play no instruments yet this might be one of my top-5 albums of all time, even if it is instrumental. Let us all pray that Sherinian continues with albums like this."