Customer Reviews

Black Utopia

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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).

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.

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.

I just had to throw my two cents in on this cd.I really liked Derek in Dream Theater.Falling Into Infinity is maybe my second favorite Dream disc.I did listen to Derek's first solo type effort Planet X and was very disapointed,poor production and just nothing special.Did'nt buy anything else from Planet X.But when I saw the guests that were appearing on this cd,I figured it was time to see if Mr.Sherinian had finally got it together.And you know what,he has! This is one great cd! From the opening track The Fury into The Sons of Anu you'll know you've struck gold.Yngwie shreds like a man possessed on this track! Then Zakk Wylde takes over on Nightmare Cinema.A dark and heavy song that again is a shred fest.My favorite song on this disc is Axis of Evil featuting dualing leads between Derek,Yngwie & Zakk.A very heavy track that has a break in the middle that slows down and lets the musicians let lose some emotionally charged stuff.Black Euphoria is another great song featuring Zakk.Of course Derek tears up the keys as usual.But as mentioned in a few previous reviews he's kinda pushed back in the mix.Kinda funny considering it's his solo cd and he produced it.But that's alright.He's still a central part of the songs.What's really great about this cd is that it will appeal to everyone,as each song stands on its own.Not your typical instrumental disc of boringness.This one is a great listen all the way through.The production is stellar and the performances are too.I like this so much I've decided to back track and give Planet X's Universe & Moon Babies a try.I'll be happy if they're anywhere near as great as this album is.

Fans and musicians are sometimes aggrieved that metal isn't taken seriously by those outside the faith -- after all, the virtuoso performances of drummers, keyboardists and guitarists are often dazzling. One problem is that so much metal is repetitious. Every hemidemisemiquaver that Yngwie Malmsteen plays is utterly predictable and pat. Many metal fans like that. The astonishing thing about Sherinian is his endless inventiveness. True musicality never ceases to progress and surprise the listener. A lot of reviewers who don't like Sherinian have just been left behind by him, or are unable to tell that the whirlwind playing is not simply the usual arpeggios and dreary riffs, but something creative and thrilling.

Derek Sherinian is a wonderful performer and a very serious musician, and this album deserves a listening from everyone who loves to hear new music.

If you could choose your band, who would you pick? Well, Derek Sherinian answers this question on Black Utopia and does a pretty smart job of it. He also put his guitar players up front of the keyboards as if this were indeed a band rather than a "solo album" which kind of surprised me I must say. The end result though works pretty well because there is some good music here. You can read who the guest musicians are in some of the other reviews and check if any of your favorites are included. I am fond of Steve Lukather and Simon Phillips (TOTO) and enjoyed their contributions immensely! Derek is a very talented keyboard player and I hope he gets the attention he rightfully deserves. This CD should be heard so spread the word. - Ciao

I stopped by Derek's web site back in March and heard some clips from this LP. I was impressed and decided to shoot him an email. Low and behold, he replied within 4 hours and offered to send a pre-release version (with autograph) to me. I never took him up on it, and now feel stupid!
Axis of Evil and the Sons of Anu are two standout tracks (check out Al Dimeola's blistering solo on the acoustic guitar). Add Yngwie, Steve Lukather (thought it was Pertucci playing for a second) and Zakk Wylde, and you have a guitarist's wet dream. Top it off with Derek's awesome chops and melodic lines, and you have a underground classic.

Derek is a talented player. This album features an all-star line up with the likes of Al Demiola, etc. The recording is tight, the playing is fluent and the line work writing is good... it is just that they is nothing unusually fantastic with the pieces on this record. This record sits next to Planet X, "Universe" very well, but takes a back seat to "Moonbabies". This is just my opinion. You give a listen and decide for our self.

It is an intense ride and good spin.

Althought i am not a big fan of Dream Theater since Kevin Moore left the band, I've listened to every Planet-X and Derek Sherinian solo album he's released (up to 2009) and Black Utopia is without a doubt his finest effort.

I think this has to be the only album featuring guitar gods Al DiMeola and Yngwie Malmsteen playing together in the same track, and if we include Steve Lukather and Zakk Wilde, you know this album, despite being lead by a keyboardist, is one of the most interesting guitar fusion albums ever made.

The great thing about Derek Sherinian is that he is a lot more than just a fast keyboard technician.. he is a great songwriter, and the songs he writes always come first and foremost before any flashy solos. He knows that great instrumental music is a collaborative effort and not a bunch of guys soloing mindlessly.

After listening to Black Utopia one can tell that he took the time to carefully write each tune (except the cover song Star Cycle) catered specifically for each guitarist to solo on, so for example, the second part of Sons of Anu where Al DiMeola plays on, is highly reminiscent of DiMeola's first solo Album "Land of the Midnight Sun" and the slower fusion songs are written for Steve Lukather.

Despite having so many brilliant soloists, this album is a lot more than a shred-fest, it features real songs that any fan of rock fusion can appreciate and has plenty of burning solos and intense songs that fans of heavier prog-rock that are just ear candy.

It is no secret that Derek is a huge fan of Jan Hammer.. so it is no surprise his solos are full of guitar-like note bends and overdriven tones... his solos sometimes are so guitar-like, that it is hard to distinguish him tone-wise from the guitarists.

This is Derek's best solo record and i hope that in the future he decides to outdo himself by creating another fantastic instrumental masterpiece.

Althought i am not a big fan of Dream Theater since Kevin Moore left the band, I've listened to every Planet-X and Derek Sherinian solo album he's released (up to 2009) and Black Utopia is without a doubt his finest effort.

I think this has to be the only album featuring guitar gods Al DiMeola and Yngwie Malmsteen playing together in the same track, and if we include Steve Lukather and Zakk Wilde, you know this album, despite being lead by a keyboardist, is one of the most interesting guitar fusion albums ever made.

The great thing about Derek Sherinian is that he is a lot more than just a fast keyboard technician.. he is a great songwriter, and the songs he writes always come first and foremost before any flashy solos. He knows that great instrumental music is a collaborative effort and not a bunch of guys soloing mindlessly.

After listening to Black Utopia one can tell that he took the time to carefully write each tune (except the cover song Star Cycle) catered specifically for each guitarist to solo on, so for example, the second part of Sons of Anu where Al DiMeola plays on, is highly reminiscent of DiMeola's first solo Album "Land of the Midnight Sun" and the slower fusion songs are written for Steve Lukather.

Despite having so many brilliant soloists, this album is a lot more than a shred-fest, it features real songs that any fan of rock fusion can appreciate and has plenty of burning solos and intense songs that are just ear candy.

It is no secret that Derek is a huge fan of Jan Hammer.. so it is no surprise his solos are full of guitar-like note bends and overdriven tones... his solos sometimes are so guitar-like, that it is hard to distinguish him tone-wise from the guitarists.

This is Derek's best solo record and i hope that in the future he decides to outdo himself by creating another fantastic instrumental masterpiece.