:: Derek Sherinian - Molecular Heinosity

Derek Sherinian

Two years after his third studio outing with progressive metal outfit Planet X, keyboardist Derek Sherinian has returned with his sixth solo offering ‘Molecular Heinosity’, and the highly anticipated follow-up to the well received ‘Blood Of The Snake’ from 2006. Once again surrounded by an all-star cast of exceptional musician friends such as guitarist/drummer Brian Tichy, guitarist Rusty Cooley, guitarist/vocalist Zakk Wylde, bassist Tony Franklin and drummer Virgil Donati, ‘Molecular Heinosity’ is another progressive rock/metal album that has all the familiar traits of Sherinian’s former works, and one that’s sure to please fans of instrumental progressive metal/rock. The opening trilogy of ‘Antarctica’, ‘Ascension’ and ‘Primal Eleven’ are definite highlights, with the songs bringing to mind the sound and style that Donati and Sherinian create that’s commonly found on their collaborative efforts under the moniker of Planet X. While the keyboards definitely take centre stage throughout the songs, there’s a great progressive chop and change of tempos and general ebb and flow of instruments with the mix of drums and guitar (provided in part by Brett Garsed) that definitely works in Sherinian’s favour. The fast paced ‘Wings Of Insanity’ is another highlight with its metallic and driving sound, sounding like the next logical step up on the heavy front following the conclusion of ‘Primal Eleven’, while the neo-classical ‘Frozen By Fire’ sounds heavily influenced by the time Sherinian has spent alongside guitarist Yngwie J. Malmsteen in recent times. But while the bulk of ‘Molecular Heinosity’ is solid, not everything on the album works. The dramatic and sparse sounding ‘The Lone Spaniard’ is an interesting effort, and provides a good change of tempo after a couple of speedier numbers, but seems to lack that something special to really make it stand out as exceptional. Sadly, the inconsistency flows through to the two part title track ‘Molecular Heinosity’ and the Zakk Wylde led ‘So Far Gone’. Although the former does have its moments, it’s a pretty stock standard effort that’s rather safe and familiar sounding for Sherinian. The latter however is just plain painful, with the doom like atmosphere and Wylde’s vocals sounding uninspired, predictable and strained over its seven and a half minutes. And while there’s a little speed injected around the middle, and a hint of Middle Eastern influences in the keyboards throughout the song, it just isn’t enough to make the song interesting as a whole. Sherinian’s latest effort doesn’t break into any new territory, and is let down to some extent with the last three songs, but fans of Sherinian’s previous efforts should still find plenty to enjoy on ‘Molecular Heinosity’.