DEREK SHERINIAN
Mythology
Inside out Music 2004
www.dereksherinian.com

What’s the 4-1-1?
5th solo release from the former Dream Theater keyboardist.

Genre
Hard rock / progressive rock

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.

Did You Know?
Gene Simmons, upon meeting Derek in 1991, told him that he looked like the love child of Paul Stanley and Cher.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne