Molecular Heinosity
Before listening to this, there's not a lot I could say about Derek Sherinian, other than he’s my third favourite Dream Theater keyboardist (So they’ve only had three I hear you say!) That doesn’t make him bad, it’s just that I never really felt he fitted in like the others. He was part Jordan Rudess, part Liberace, part Elton John, (complete with feather boa and Elton John glasses!!). Thankfully though he’s not adopted the Elton John Rug. However, on the plus side, he did join forces with John Myung in the much favoured Platypus albums, Jughead with Ty Tabor, and his first solo effort Planet X which morphed into a band of the same name featuring guitar virtuoso Tony McAlpine. Derek knows how to pick a talented performer or three, in the past, Sherinian has recruited Malmsteen, Slash, John Petrucci, Tony Franklin, Billy Sheehan, Steve Lukather, Rusty Cooley and now, Zakk Wylde to his proggy, widdle-fest venture.
One thing’s for sure, after departing Dream Theater, the bloke’s not one for sitting around doing nothing. Six solo efforts, numerous projects, and touring keyboardist for Billy Idol and Malmsteen to name two.
Trouble with a metal proggy instrumental album, it’s hard to tell when one track ends and another begins, 'Molecular Heinosity' is no different. It does have all the signature progressive trademarks, very technical, time changes and plenty of widdle, diddle, diddle, de diddle diddle-dee, diddle-diddle, de-durrrr. Singers of Dream Theater instrumental parts will know what I mean. It’s all pretty decent stuff, very fret orientated, with the guitars playing much more of a prominent part than Derek’s keys. The balance of the two makes for a good listening experience. It can be a bit heavy going in parts, but the more listens you give it, the more it rewards you.
'Ascension' has undertones of the Bill and Ted Wild Stallyns quick venture into the future, with is Stevie Salas atmospheric vibe. The lengthy ‘Primal Eleven’ is one of the main highlights on ‘..Heinosity’, and the good sign is that it feels like a single, as the enjoyment makes time fly by. ‘Wings of Insanity’ has a great opening riff, which is a really heavy and aggressive number. ‘Frozen By Fire’ is a neo-classical affair with new recruit Rusty Cooley showing his chops.
Title track ‘Molecular Heinosity’ dazzles with its complexities, and is worthy of being the title track, air guitars and air synths at the ready....
‘So Far Gone’ features guest, Zakk Wylde, who even adds his vocals to the very early, very Ozzy sounding track. Special mentions are also due to the excellent cohesive qualities of Virgil Donati and Brian Tichy. It’s not for everyone, but those fans of Dereks previous work won’t be disappointed.