Classic Rock Start Page Album Review
DEREK SHERINIAN - Mythology
1. Day Of The Dead 8:20
2. Alpha Burst 4:55
3. God Of War 5:16
4. Goin' To Church 4:54
5. El Flamingo Suave 4:46
6. Trojan Horse 4:56
7. One Way Or The Other 3:55
8. A View From The Sky 4:55
9. The River Song 3:51
© 2004 InsideOut Music
DEREK SHERINIAN e-mail: dsherinian@aol.com
DEREK SHERINIAN website: www.dereksherinian.com
I didn't know anything of Derek Sherinian's music until now. Of course I knew his name as a technical keyboardplayer in the progressive rock/metalband Dream Theater, but that was just about it. Until I received this album, and what a surprise it was! With so many fantastic musicians it couldn't be anything else than a topalbum! Guys like Allan Holdsworth (U.K.), Steve Lukather (TOTO), Simon Phillips (TOTO), Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osborne, Black Society Label) and John Sykes (Blue Murder, Whitesnake) to name a few, give the album additional power, although Sherinian's keys get the worst of it! According to Derek he's "strongly influenced by the guitar players. They have left their mark on my own style in one way or another. I'm definitely convinced that my love for the great guitarists has helped me to deal with my instrument in a very special way, something that makes me absolutely different from other keyboard players."
For me that's a little bit of a shame because in my opinion his keyboards may be heard more! The man's got so much talent that he's allowed to show it, but instead of that he gives most of the musical credits to the 6 strings-soloists who, of course, know how to deal with that. And yes, they give the album its extra class, and I must say that it's daring that Derek Sherinian plays like this on Mythology, but come on, Derek, "let's hear ya"!
Open up the volume! Like a rumbling subway Mythology opens with "Day Of The Dead". Zakk Wylde and Allan Holdsworth play their own styles of guitar, and it's really astonishing to hear Holdsworth in such a heavy-metal song. His unique jazzrocklike style fits surprisingly in the song! I can't recall if Holdsworth has played in such a heavy song ever before! Also in this song violinist Jerry Goodman of Mahavishnu Orchestra who manages to keep his head above water in the musical violence.
We hear Holdsworth again in "Trojan Horse", in which he's "duelling" with Goodman. Fantastic solo's as well as playing unisono by both topmusicians are carried by Sherinian's functional keyboardparts which makes this song my absolute favourite. It reminds me of the first U.K.-album, one of the greatest symphonic rockalbums of all times.
Another highlight is "El Flamengo Suave", and the listener recognizes Steve Lukather at once. This great guy also has a unique guitarsound, really "fat", and it makes the song a pearl in 6/8. Great song!
In "Alpha Burst" Steve Stevens is leading the guitars. This guy from Billy Idol's band knows how to deal with the instrument, and together with Sherinian's synthesizers he gives his visiting-card in his way to the album. Great guitarist, and luckily he plays on 2 tracks more: "Goin' To Church", on which he plays a sort of flamenco-style, which gives the song a South-American mood, and "A View From The Sky", a beautiful build up ballad, that gives a little bit of quietude to the album.
In "God Of War", a real heavy metalsong that blows up your speakers (pump up the volume!!), John Sykes shows his talents. A fantastic guitarist, with, again, a unique style. Sherinian gives here a nice piece of organwork, but alas only functional. "One Way Or The Other" is one piece of metal, in which I assume Brian Tichy plays as well drums as heavy guitar.
The last one, "The River Song", is the only sung song. Vocals by Zakk Wylde, heavy as usual on this album, but refresing with a vocal performance. It'll do future albums no harm to add some vocals, and there lies the next challenge for Derek Sherinian: guestsingers who can cope with the heavy songs like on Mythology.
A very good album from Derek Sherinian and his companions! Top-musicians lift up this one, but again I say that Sherinian's keyboards may sound more prominent! Very highly recommended!!
Review by: Clemens Steenweg, November 2004