Customer Reviews

Blood of the Snake

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Reviewgium - Volume I, issue X

Here is the latest offering from keyboardist Derek Sherinian, known primarily for his work with Dream Theater, and also for his work with such acts as KISS, Billy Idol, and Alice Cooper, as well as many side projects including Platypus and Planet X. This album, as his previous albums, features an impressive lineup of guest musicians. This time he has called upon the assistance of the ever-present Zakk Wylde, as well as Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, and interestingly Billy Idol and x-GN'R guitarist Slash.

Frankly, I think this album sounds really great, but is nothing genuinely spectacular. It is not too entirely different from anything else Sherinian has offered in the past, but it is still interesting, and has a certain level of diversity. The album starts off pretty formulaic, with the Sherinian-Petrucci duel of "Czar of Steel." (Before I read the liners, I actually thought it was Yngwie playing this track.) Atypical to his past endeavors, this album features some vocals, particularly "Man With No Name," sung by Zakk Wylde, and the cover of "In the Summertime," sung by Billy Idol with guitars by Slash. The former could easily be a Black Label Society song, and the latter is, well, odd: an unusual song to cover, and seems almost misplaced on the album. It is obviously a tongue-in-cheek addition to the album, with an old-timey-ragtime sound to it, and a bit of voice box thrown in, but it just does not seem to work, and I think the album would have been better off without the song. It seems to me to be a mere excuse to give Idol and Slash something to do since they are really not suited for Sherinian's usual brand of prog metal. Of course you get your typical shredding from Yngwie and Wylde on most tracks, but they still manage to keep things interesting throughout. A bit of sax-laden jazz fusion sneaks into the album on "Phantom Shuffle" and the mellow, groovy "On the Moon," the latter of which probably wins my vote for album highlight, though both of these songs are very good. "The Monsoon" is kind of a downer. It has an unusual and uncomfortable sound to it that I just cannot seem to appreciate. "Viking Massacre" makes up for it though: another album highlight, featuring a pounding rhythm section and a shredtacular Yngwie performance. Also on the album is the song "Been Here Before," an "alternate version" of the Dream Theater song "Anna Lee." Interesting.

As for my recommendation, if you are buying this album just for Billy Idol and/or Slash, one word: no. They only perform on "In the Summertime," and it's not even really a good song. If you are interested in a good instrumental album, well honestly, there is much better stuff to be found out there. On the other hand, if you like Sherinian's previous works, you will probably like this album. Black Utopia is probably still my favorite of his solo albums, but this one is not without its charm. Oh and also, the album cover is hot.

While it is undeniable that Derek Sherinian has an incredibly impressive career as a keyboardist, with stints that include KISS, Alice Cooper, and Dream Theater, what truly puts his talents in display has always been his solo material. Albums like Planet X, Inertia and Black Utopia are all masterpieces of instrumental music with rapid-fire guitar riffs, mind-bending solos, and excellent songwriting. Blood of the Snake, his fifth release, also sees Sherinian teaming up with some of the greatest guitar players in the world, while it also allows him to explore the depths of world music, including his Armenian roots.

New to the fold is Dream Theater's John Petrucci, playing on the opening song "Czar of Steel". One of the best cuts on the disc, it has a cool Jeff Beck vibe to it, utilising husky bass work and groovy guitar riffs, and a memorable main melody. Petrucci and Sherinian trade off insane solos, as Tony Franklin's fretless bass and Simon Phillips' drumming form the rhythmic backbone of the piece. "Man With No Name" features Zakk Wylde both on guitars and lead vocals, something uncommon for Derek Sherinian. Wylde does a great job building a thick, Sabbath-style atmosphere as he also sings almost identical to Ozzy Osbourne on the first couple of Sabbath releases. The song could be a perfect tribute to their influences had it not been for the middle part featuring a nice synth hook (which is later repeated by Wylde's vocals) and a smooth piano solo. Add to this this great violin courtesy of Jerry Goodman of Mahavishnu Orchestra fame and "Man With No Name" turns into a cool Derek Sherinian number.

One of the most diverse Derek Sherinian albums, Blood of the Snake contains a wide range of material. Songs like "Been Here Before" and "On the Moon" are among the slower, more emotional pieces. Both of them feature Brad Gillis on guitar, duelling with Zakk Wylde on the former and exchanging melodies with Sherinian on the latter, which is all round a cool jazz piece complete with saxophone, synth effects, and elaborate piano. On the heavier front, Yngwie Malmsteen and Zakk Wylde appear on the ambitious title track, starting with a fuzzy synth patch and building to Wylde's trademark riffs and Malmsteen's super fast lead solo, arguably the best on this disc. Not only is the lead work frenetic, it also boasts a lot of melody before Sherinian chimes in to create a desolate, almost doomy ending. The duo also tear it up on "The Monsoon", where Wylde's mercilessly heavy riffs contrast Malmsteen's fluid neoclassical playing. This song also has excellent drumming and begins and closes with a beautiful oriental melody. As if that's not enough, the Swedish guitar virtuoso also appears on the appropriately titled "Viking Massacre", which, except for the amazing symphonic backdrop and 70's-styled analog keys, would feel at home on any Malmsteen album.

The two most interesting songs, on the other hand, are the fusion jazz of "Phantom Shuffle", driven entirely by a wicked sax lead, funky bass, and improvised guitar and synth licks; and the almost Night Ark-like Armenian ethnic fusion of "Prelude to Battle", highlighted by the instruments of the region, weird effects, and piano. You must check out Ara Dinkjian's albums with Night Ark if you are interested in ethnic fusion with more laidback melodies and regional instrumentation.

The album is closed with the classic Mungo Jerry cover "In the Summertime", featuring special guests Billy Idol with whom Sherinian has been touring as of late and former Guns N' Roses axeman Slash. While it's a fun song, performed successfully, I am not sure it fits with the rest of the material. Maybe it's because Sherinian has always put out more serious songs before, but this one comes across a bit cheesy I'm afraid. There is a two-minute silence at the end before you hear the band drinking and laughing and someone angrily pounding at the door. The guy, who's supposedly Sherinian's neighbour, asks them to keep it down, but Sherinian simply says, "Take it easy, dude. We just finished Blood of the Snake". Given this context, I can see why they chose to end the album with this cover.

Overall, a very good collection of virtuoso performances, great melodies, and solid production.

Derek Sherinian - 'Blood Of The Snake'
Released in 2006 on Inside Out Records
THE BAND:
Derek Sherinian - keyboards
**See Track By Track**


TRACK BY TRACK:
1.) "Czar Of Steel" - (John Petrucci - guitar, Tony Franklin - fretless bass, Simon Phillips - drums) -Instrumental
2.) "Man With No Name - (Zakk Wylde - vocals & guitars, Jerry Goodman - violin, Tony Franklin - fretless bass, Brian Tichy - bass & drums) - From the opening guitar lick of this intro section there is absolutely no mistaking who is playing lead guitar. The intro kicks off with a Zakk lead guitar effect. There is a small lead guitar riff that leads into the verse from the intro section. Zakk used the same rhythm guitar arrangement for the verse as the intro arrangement. Brian used an open hi-hat for the intro then closes it for the pre-verse, this changes the dynamics of the song just enough to give the pre-verse a different feel. About halfway through the verse Derek kicks in with a very subtle keyboard arrangement. There is a musical rhythm change for the chorus. Over the top of this rhythm change Zakk sings a few vocal accents. At times through the musical chorus there is what sounds like an electric violin arrangement. The violin really troughs you for a second because you don't expect it. Underneath the second verse Zakk added a couple lead guitar licks to the rhythm guitar arrangement. This changes the arrangement just enough to keep the song fresh sounding. For the last lyric line of the second chorus there was a small vocal effect added to Zakk's vocals. After the second chorus there is a huge breakdown section that consisted of a small keyboard solo. You can really hear Tony's fretless bass line at the tail end of the keyboard solo. Tony's fretless bass line was very reminiscent of the stuff he played when he was with 'Blue Murder'. Tony even goes as far as incorporating a few bass harmonics! Zakk's vocal sound at the end of the breakdown section had a very older Black Sabbath sound to it. Brian leads into the major keyboard solo with a double bass drum pattern. I never thought I would say this...but this is one of the most intense keyboard solos I have ever heard. The second half of the solo was done by Zakk on guitar. I didn't dawn on me until typing this out, but outside of the fretless bass line of the breakdown section you can not hear the bass line. This is because the bass was either turned down or because there was so much else going on that it was drowned out. There is a second minor keyboard solo that leads into the outro section of the song. There are a couple Zakk vocal accents over the top of the short outro.
3.) "Phantom Shuffle - (Brandon Fields - sax, Jimmy Johnson - bass, Simon Philips - drums) - Instrumental
4.) "Been Here Before" - (Brad Gillis - guitar, Jerry Goodman - violin, Tony Franklin - fretless bass, Simon Philips - drums) - Instrumental
5.) "Blood On The Snake" - (Yngwie Malmsteen - guitar, Zakk Wylde - guitar, Tony Franklin - fretless bass, Brian Tichy - drums) - Instrumental
6.) "On The Moon - (Brad Gillis - guitar, Tony Franklin - fretless bass - Simon Philips - drums) - Instrumental
7.) "The Monsoon" - (Zakk Wylde - guitar, Yngwie Malmsteen - guitar, John 'JD' Deservio - bass, Brian Tichy - drums, Dimitris Mahlis - ovd) - Instrumental
8.) "Prelude To Battle" - (Divan Gasparyan - duduk & vocals, Tony Franklin - fretless bass, Jerry Goodman - violin, Dimitris Mahlis - ovd, Mike Shapiro - percussion, Brian Tichy - acoustic guitar) -This track consists of a duduk. The duduk pronounced as (du'duk) is a traditional woodwind instrument popular in the Caucasus region. A kind of blocked-end flute, which in some part of Macedonia is also called kaval or kavalce. Made of barberry, maple or other wood. More or less an instrumental with vocal accents over the top of the musical arrangements.
9.) "Viking Massacre" - (Yngwie Malmsteen - guitar, Brian Tichy - drums) - Instrumental
10.) "In The Summertime" - (Billy Idol - vocals, Slash - lead guitar, Tony Franklin - bass, Brian Tichy - drums & guitar) - A very cool cover of the Mungo Jerry hit.

Let's look at the two tracks with vocals first. Track two features the amazing Zakk Wylde on guitar and vocals. If did not know this was a Derek Sherinian CD a person could argue the point that "Man With No Man" was a Zakk Wylde solo song. It is not just the fact that Zakk is singing lead vocals on this song but musically he puts his stamp on it. Of course it does not hurt that he did help in the writing of it. The only other track that has vocals is the Mungo Jerry cover featuring Billy Idol on vocals. I don't know why but it is very difficult to imagine a group of hard rockers recording this song. It is just one of those covers that you don't expect. Either way the guys drill it! The rest of the eight tracks are instrumentals. In the almost ten years Blast Magazine has been in existence I bet I have said this one-thousand times, "If you are a young musician and really want to learn to play study a instrumentalist." 'Blood On The Snake' is without a doubt no exception except one or two points. The first point is, unlike most instrumentalist like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai who play all instruments themselves, use studio musicians, or electronic devices for the other musical arrangements, Derek went out and hired actual talent to play on his release. An how can you go wrong with the likes of, Zakk Wylde, Brad Gillis (who is one of the top 5 underrated guitarist of all time), Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony Franklin, and Simon Philips. The second point is, with most instrumental CD all the songs sound the same. But outside of "Man With No Name" every song sounds like someone else. An one might say well the reason that is is because it's different back-up band on each song. But you not only hear, Brad Gillis & Yngwie Malmsteen but you can also hear Jimmy Page & David Gilmore just to name a few. An that takes talent! If you are a young keyboard player, young guitarist, into progressive metal, or if your into instrumental music then you should really check Derek Sherinian's 'Blood Of The Snake'. Though this release is probably very deserving of a Blast Magazine Diamond Award I can only give it gold record status because this is the first release I have heard from the artist an have nothing to compare it to.

Derek Sherinian's latest "Blood Of The Snake" is an extremely enjoyable listen if you like guitar, keyboards, drums and bass. I am a huge fan of drummer Simon Phillips and I'm continuously amazed that after decades of playing with all the best musicians he still plays with such amazing punch and energy. He is an excellent jazz drummer and a powerful and complex rock drummer. My favorite track is "Man With No Name" where Zakk Wylde displays intense guitar work. I also enjoyed hearing Derek and John Petrucci perform together on the first track - man! that track rocks ferosciously! The entire CD is top-notch performances by everyone involved. Maybe not as great as "Mythology" which I consider to be his best work, but every bit well-worth owning and listening to. Enjoy the best!

I was both a little surprised and delighted that Blood of the Snake is primarily an instrumental album, with Sherinian seeming to have a powerful talent for interweaving and moving through genre's as diverse as metal and jazz ie. the "progressive metal fusion" genre label for "Blood Of The Snake". Not easy to accomplish and much better than
many of Hiroshima and other jazz fusion groups attempts at "fusing" jazz and rock, often coming up with very jagged
and disharmonious tracks.

The compositions are lovely, powerful, passionate and evocative, with tight songcrafting and lyrics (where applicable.) and the musicianship is as virtuoso as any I've ever heard! Someone spent many hours at the keyboards or on guitar or sax with musical virtuosity as probably their most important life goal. That I deeply respect because I think any musician who truly loves music is never satisfied until they have gotten all they can out of their loved discipline (ie. music).

Much of the music begs for lyrics ala the Doors or Metallica, to add to the metal style. I would be happy to see Derek Sherinian's next release contain more "songs" with lyrics and vocals.

1) Czar Of Steel
Passionate composition, excellent musicianship. Thoroughly enjoyable.

2) Man With No Name
I rocked with this one. Pathos & despair lyrics with a soulful minor melody (I guess metal). Tight song, lean & mean. Zakk Wylde is an excellent guitar player ala Steve Stevens but a little more furious. Vocalist unknown...I assume Derek Sherinian. I like his singing, well formed rock singing style with no frills. I feel like Zakk Wylde is almost the star here, competing with the singer who should be the main attraction.

3) Phanton Shuffle
I like this composition, very jazzy...good fusion with the metal guitar in the background and the Brubeck style keys(Sherinian, I assume) and horn section. Gradually escalating into straight hot jazz with the sax and then chromatic keyboard solos. Now your gettin' into my schtick! LOVE IT! Should do well on the jazz station.

4) Been Here Before
An 80's, Billy Idol style composition with the synth pads in the background. A pretty melody that works well with the slide guitar of Brad Gillis.

5) Blood Of The Snake
This is a wonderful Speed-Metal composition with soaring melodies combined new age, Trekkie stylings! I could hear this composition as a soundtrack for the next Heavy Metal FAQ movie or the next Armageddon movie. Again, the virtuosity of these musicians is superb....incredibly talented musicians and composing.

6) On The Moon
This is a pure jazz fusion ballad composition, beautiful and passionate, yet lyrical and Brandon Fields reminds me of, even more than Kenny G; the young Branford Marsailes (who was always my favorite over Wnyton) circa 1984, when Billy Idol's Rebel Yell was at the top of the 80's charts; or some of Gato Barbieri's material. Brad Gillis displays some Pat Metheny influences and Derek Sherinian shows he is a master of jazz keyboard stylings. What impresses me most about these jazz compositions is again, that they do straddle the line between jazz and rock (ie. "fusion") in completely harmonious ways.

7) The Monsoon
A dark, furious metal composition. I find Zakk Wylde's guitar playing on this track to be the most inspired so far. I think he is in his medium with the predominantly metal theme of this composition, able to slip into more jazzy, chromatic playing while keeping the straight metal melody going. Yngwee Malmsteen's guitar riffs make a nice foil for Wylde's more fusion stylings.

8) Prelude To Battle
A mournful ballad composition with in phrygian mode ie. "snake charmer" sound, very pretty yet seemed to be cut short. Movie soundtrack maybe?

9) Viking Massacre
Continuance of the snake charmer melodic theme into thrash! Masterfully done, seamless in transition, which seems to be one of Sherinian's strongest suits. Also an interweaving of ballad intervals with frenzied instrumental attacks which in my opinion didn't work as well as in some of the other compositions. But the movements from one genre style to another is still an impressive jump on this track.

10) In The Summertime
Thank you Billy Idol for singing and scatting this light hearted tune:)

Alas...there are so many over-indulgent progressive solo acts that believe in coming out with albums that showcase a very narrow perspective on music. You know, those guys who make people who play their instrument want to jack-off and everyone else want to shut it off... For once there is actually a guy in the industry who understands how to balance both his instrument and laying back for music's sake (or should I say "God sakes").

Derek Sherinian has been ripping up the keyboard for over a decade in Dream Theater, Kiss, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen, and as a solo artist. With his first real solo excursion--Planet X, he struggled to find the happy balance between good music and ridiculous time signatures. With this new album he has truly come into his own. "Black Utopia," was definitely the first step in this direction, but I encourage anyone who likes powerful instrumental work, great playing, and sonic textures to check this out.

The problem with many solo keyboard albums is that they all end up sounding like Vince DiCola and the Transformer's soundtrack. Layers and layers of ridiculous keyboards that sound like Nintendo on acid and can only really be appreciated by those who attend Berklee school of music or watch perpetual Japaneese anime. Derek has gone back to the roots and done something most people should do...find musicians as good, if not better than him, and have them throw their funk on it. What you get is some unbelievable playing, but also some good musical discretion. So, if you are looking for the next Jason Becker does keyboard album...I recommend you go check out Jordan Rudess. If you're looking for simply amazing music with keyboards, guitars, drums, and bass all having their turn to shine, you have found a collection that throws forth the likes of Simon Phillips, Zakk Wylde, John Petrucci, Yngwie Malmsteen, and loads of other people that know how to rock a tune.

I could go on and on about how sick Yngwie and Zakk's duelings are, or how cool it is to hear Petrucci and Sherinian again, or how awesome just hearing Billy Idol and Slash do a truly authentic and organically done "In the Summertime," but I won't. I imagine if you have good enough taste to even be reading this that you should just look at the people that are ON this album and ask yourself...why don't I have this yet? Thank God there are no over-indulgent keyboards. This is the closest band setup to Frank Zappa I have seen. You wanted the best...well you got the best. So check it out! And if you want more keyboard ripping--go back and put on your leg warmers and jam out to Europe on 11. If you want a great balance of shredding (all instruments) and a true sense of great song-writing, Pink Floyd-like dynamics, and true instrument to instrument interplay, give Mr. Sherinian a call. I think your the audience he's playing for...

Derek Sherinian has managed to create what many us could only wish for: a "I wonder what 'x' and 'y' (and even 'z') would sound like playing..." Furthermore, we are finally BLESSED to listen to Yngwie play slightly different, but NEW (and amazing) licks! That right there is a dream come true. Blood of the Snake is an energetic and kick-butt album. Everyone on here: Zakk Wylde, Slash, Yngwie, Petrucci, Phillips, Billy Idol and the rest of the (long) crew sound pumped, resulting in an album with a Dream Team Band(s)! I Highly recommend it if you listen to these great musicians; or even as a taste tester!

What's the deal with all the whining about this record? Why complain about this kind of music? Anybody that has been lucky enough to discover Derek's music should be thankful. Think of what a sorry shape mainstream music is in these days then think of the greatest keyboard player on the planet who hires the best guitar players to be had to play on his records then ask yourself WHAT AM I COMPLAINING ABOUT? Man this guy rocks! Every cd he has recorded is a must for people that want to have their brainwaves stimulated. I Highly recommend Blood Of The Snake. I have to ask myself have any of these negative reviewers ever heard Black Sabbath, Jeff Beck, or Dream Theatre? Will the real Heavy Music lovers please stand up? I have!

This album again showcases this keyboardist's talents. What makes this recording different is the help he recruited. The likes of Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, former band mate John Petrucci, and the legendary Billy Idol are just the icing on the cake. This was the first time I have ever heard his recordings and I was BLOWN AWAY !!! The back-up artists embrace his talent( just listen to Track #8 where Wylde and Malmsteen trade licks). Even though Derek Sherinian is not a household name, the talent for playng the instrument should definetly be appreciated with this album.

I'm curious what the initial concept for this album actually was. I popped it in to my CD player expecting to be blown away by blistering keyboard leads (ala Jordan Rudess and Kevin Moore) but instead was greeted by a VERY guitar heavy album devoid of any real direction and loaded with half- hearted improvisational solos. The fact that Derek refuses to take center stage on his own album is absolutely dumbfounding and profoundly disappointing.

To make matters worse, a large portion of the songs sound as if they were the rejects from a BLS or Malmsteen recoding session and were probably written mostly by the guitarists themselves rather than Sherinian. The final song "In The Summertime" does not belong on the CD at all (except maybe as a hidden track) and fails to bring an appropriate ending to an already sub- par album. Derek, if you don't like taking the lead on your own song's than don't bother to put out a solo album.