Customer Reviews

Mythology

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The newest release by Derek Sherinian is yet another treat for not only the fan of Progressive music but also those that enjoy a most creative use of the keyboards. Derek seems to have taken them into the 21st Century even further with rich colors and experimentation in his music. He also makes sure to have a cast of talented players joining him on each CD. People participating this time around are Zakk Wylde, John Sykes, Allan Holdsworth, Simon Phillips, Brian Tichy, Tony Franklin, Marco Mendoza and others. This cast of musical luminaries assures you that the music while fun at time plays no games. It is intelligent and well composed. It also is a progression from his last release and that is what one expects from a professional like Sherinian.

"Day Of The Dead" is no-nonsense and perhaps my favorite track on the entire CD. Zakk lays down some killer guitar riffs and I admit reaching for my air-guitar for this one in particular. When you combine this with the magic of Allan Holdsworth you can see why it rocks so much. It is also the most epic of the pieces on the recording running a full 8 minutes plus. The Prog-head might enjoy that there is a lot more difference on this piece than the straight-forward heaviness of the last CD "Black Utopia" (also on InsideOut Music). Songs that try a little difference are most apparent in "El Flamingo Suave" and "Goin To Church". "Flamingo" employs a lot of Latin flavors while "Church" could almost pass for a slow Steve Vai tune. People don't always realize that sometimes where seems to be a guitar, it is actually Derek on the keyboards.

"One Way Or Another" is interesting in its use of violin by Jerry Goodman. There are also some fast movers as well like "God Of War" and "Trojan Horse". Overall the CD does not disappoint and the booklet has a nice little Derek Sherinian "Bandology". You can trace his career from this point with no difficulty. I look forward to Derek's future since the past has become a memory. One that can be reflected upon with pride and inspiration.

Sherinians new CD Mythology is very, very impressive. Just having Allan Holdsworth playing alongside him is rare and unique, let alone pairing him alongside Zak Wylde has unbelievable results! I'm a long time fan of Holdsworth and have seen him play live about four times and he is still one of the most gifted original guitarists of the 20th and 21st century. The other guitarists (Steve Lukather, Steve Stevens, etc.) also give amazing performances that rock with precision and feeling to blow us away! Excellent CD for fans of great musicianship and instrumental rock/fusion/metal.

Derek once again proves himself. The arrangements and complexities of the songs are amazing. Such type of music has been made for intelligent people. The musicians who collaborated in this project are outstanding. Each shine in their own way. Buy this. you will not be dissapointed.

Very refreshing to hear some originality through out this CD. A lot of fine musicianship going on here. My only gripe is that some of the songs seem to just fade away and end almost like he ran out of thoughts for the music. You expect that it's going to keep going but it just fades away. Too bad. Rather short on time too. 45 minutes or so. Much too short for this good of music in the age of CD's. Quite well engineered too which is more than I can say for his previous Black Utopia. A great CD too but with poor engineering.

The Good
Clocking in at eight minutes, "Day of the Dead" mixes the chugga-chugga riffs of jazz fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth with the signature guitar wails of Zakk Wylde. Sherinian's keyboard tones fit in nicely. Zakk lays down one of his trademark pentatonic runs and Sherinian matches it on the keyboard. There's a slow melodic breakdown that builds to a frenzied conclusion. "Alpha Burst" is loaded with cosmic keyboard tones and guitar licks that go back and forth like dueling banjos. The track gives off a warm, empowering feeling. "God of War" has Zakk and Derek teaming up with John Sykes. It has some chunky guitar riffs, but not much of that bluesy sound that Sykes is known for.

Steve Stevens lays down some of that flamenco style guitar work that he's be favoring lately with Billy Idol on "El Flamingo Suave". The drum beat helps give the track its Latino feel. "Going to Church" sounds off with organ music similar to "Lean on Me". Steve Lukather nails some piercing blues licks that sure to make you testify. The track is passionate and soulful. Sherinian helps the violin gain rock cred on "One Way or the Other". "Trojan Horse" is a tribute to Eddie Van Halen, but I don't think Eddie has ever played a riff that heavy. The shredding on the other hand is quite comparable.

The Bad
I fail to see how the music fits in with the whole Roman mythology theme.

The Verdict
Sherinian's past solo efforts have never impressed me. I've always found them too progressive. The Planet X project was really out there, and I found Black Utopia to be kind of boring. On Mythology, Sherinian has finally found his hard rock edge.

As one of the other reviewers said, for a keyboardist's solo album, you would swear it is a guitar album. Guitar greats Zakk Wylde, Allan Holdsworth, and Steve Lukather all shred and Derek Sherinian manages to fit in, often in the background. As when he was with Dream Theater, many of Derek's solos have guitar tones and sound like guitar solos.
A good shred fest. Going from Zakk to Allan Holdsworth in one song was masterful. My favorite track is Going to Church, which has the most tasteful Steve Lukather solo and tone around. And don't forget the prog song with the shredding violin that doesn't sound quite like a violin.

After reading the first reviewers thoughts I feared Derek had'nt delivered the goods this time around.After all it would be prettty hard to top Black Utopia.
But Derek has come up with another stellar album.Continuing in the same vein.This has some great guest musicians.Zakk Wylde appears again and just tears it up on the opening song Day Of The Dead.Jon Sykes,Steve Stevens,Steve Lukatrher,Marco Mendoza and more join Derek to make an awesome sounding and diversified instrumental Rock album.With the exception of The River Song sung by Zakk.
I've followed Derek since Dream Theater and thought his style on Keyboards had a real rock/metal feel,almost more like a guitarist.I love how he can show his chops and still keep it rocking and interesting.Something alot of Progressive acts don't do.
God Of War features Zakk Wylde & Jon Sykes.Now there's a guitar duo! A great heavy track too.As is Trojan Horse an Eddie Van Halen Inspired track Derek says.Kind of a Roth era Halen vibe to it.
Alpha Burst is a cool quirky rocker with Steve Stevens handling guitars.Steve also puts on a Flamingo clinic with El Flamigo Suave.
The River Song sounds like it could be Black Label Society.With an old school Sabbath feel.I dig it.
Anyone who liked Black Utopia will enjoy this album as well.World class all the way.

This is going to be short, since everything i could possibly want to say has already been said. My two cents are:
-finally someone has reach a degree to put up a fight against Dream Theater/ Liquid Tension Experiment
-UTTERLY AMAZING
Nough Said!

Having been familiar with and owning his 3 prior albums, I was perhaps somewhat prepared for what he brings on Mythology. It is quite plainly a follow-up and natural progression of Black Utopia. While not as stark and surprising as BU, it is still a solid and well conceived effort. Beginning with a sinister key-riff straight from a George A. Romero nightmare, Derek embarks on another roller-coaster of memorable licks and diverse settings. While disappointed at the absence of Malmsteen, and DeMiola, I was appeased by the appearance of Holdsworth and the return of Lukather and Wylde. Zack Wylde is beyond doubt the most talented mteal-blues whaler with a southern hangover, and Derek seems to inspire a hidden facet in the man. God of War is pure nosebleed metal, that doesn't try to impress any prog snobs or fusion dweebs (both of which I consider myself) and just rocks. Goin to Church conveys the precise feel of it's title. I can envision Zack hungover in a back pew, repenting... yeah right. River Song is probably my least favorite track. No big surprise that it's stashed away at the end.

My two favorite tracks are both with Holdsworth. Day of the Dead is just a catchy driving song, until Allan drops the tempo and the mood, shading all the rough edges with his otherworldly style. Trojan Horse makes a single and very clear statement: THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH VIOLINS IN HEAVY MUSIC. Goodman and his violin always outshone McLaughlin IMHO. It's like the refreshing splash of diversity you get when you hear Ian Anderson's flute. All in all the disc is peppered with some great moments... and strung along with very standard Sherinian moments. I would place this disc only second to Black Utopia in it's quality and importance in Derek's legacy.

I think Sherinian is among the most driven and spirited musicians on the scene today (this from a guy who prefers Rudess in Dream Theater). Mythology along with Black Utopia stand as monuments to what can be done with music in the 21st century. Seeing as he is able to bring out the best in some of my favorite guitarists, I would be thrilled to see him team up with the likes of Chris Poland... or Buckethead... perhaps in an interstellar time warp cut a few tracks with Stevie Ray Vaughan... well a guy can dream anyway...

After reading the first reviewers thoughts I feared Derek had'nt delivered the goods this time around.After all it would be prettty hard to top Black Utopia.
But Derek has come up with another stellar album.Continuing in the same vein.This has some great guest musicians.Zakk Wylde appears again and just tears it up on the opening song Day Of The Dead.Jon Sykes,Steve Stevens,Steve Lukatrher,Marco Mendoza and more join Derek to make an awesome sounding and diversified instrumental Rock album.With the exception of The River Song sung by Zakk.
I've followed Derek since Dream Theater and thought his style on Keyboards had a real rock/metal feel,almost more like a guitarist.I love how he can show his chops and still keep it rocking and interesting.Something alot of Progressive acts don't do.
God Of War features Zakk Wylde & Jon Sykes.Now there's a guitar duo! A great heavy track too.As is Trojan Horse an Eddie Van Halen Inspired track Derek says.Kind of a Roth era Halen vibe to it.
Alpha Burst is a cool quirky rocker with Steve Stevens handling guitars.Steve also puts on a Flamingo clinic with El Flamigo Suave.
The River Song sounds like it could be Black Label Society.With an old school Sabbath feel.I dig it.
Anyone who liked Black Utopia will enjoy this album as well.World class all the way.