MYTHOLOGY

Much like "Black Utopia" there is a lot of variety on this one, but certainly the heavier tracks are in the majority. A lot of the guests who were on "Black Utopia" are back including Zakk Wilde, Steve Lukather, Jerry Goodman,Tony Franklin, Simon Phillips and others. Some of the new guys are Steve Stevens who I knew as Billy Idol's lead guitarist in the eighties, but gained a whole new respect for him with his work on the Bozzio, Levin, Stevens cd I have. John Sykes is another guitarist I was very familiar with, having a BLUE MURDER cd from the eighties and knowing he also played lead guitar with WHITE SNAKE. Allan Holdsworth who needs no introduction also guests on this record.

"Day Of The Dead" contrasts Holdsworth fluid, fusion style with Wilde's heavy riffs. As Sherinian mentions in the liner notes Holdsworth has never been involved in something so heavy before. Check out Holdsworth after 3 minutes. Goodman adds some violin on this one as well. This is heavy and uptempo out of the gate, and it closes even heavier. "Alpha Bust" is a Stevens composition and it has such an amazing beat to it as synths and guitar(Stevens) rip it up. Stevens is clearly influenced by Beck on this one, he's incredible. "God Of War" features Sykes and Wilde on lead guitars. This one has a thunderous soundscape with outstanding guitar solos. "El Flamenco Suave" again features Steve Stevens this time on his nylon string guitar. This one is very latin sounding with these beautiful intricate sounds that are so impressive. "Goin' To Church" has Lukather on guitar. Before he comes in with his soaring melodies we get some organ to give it a gospel flavour. My least favourite tune.

"One Way Or The Other" is the Jerry Goodman show. He plays almost in a country style at first before he settles into a fusion style 2 minutes in and even gives a nod to MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA 3 1/2 minutes in. Holdsworth is on lead guitar. I have to mention the drumming of Simon Phillips which is a real highlight of this song. "Trojan Horse" is a tribute to Eddie Van Halen. It is very heavy early but lightens somewhat after 2 minutes but then it only becomes more furious. Brian Tichy does his best Van Halen impression. "A View From The Sky" is another Stevens composition and again a tribute of sorts to Jeff Beck. This song is mellow but it does get fuller to the point of passionate. Beautiful song. "The River Song" is the first vocal song on a Sherinian album. The vocals come courtesy of Zakk who brought along a vest that was worn in the past by Randy Rhodes, he also used his whammy bar that he very rarely touches. Sherinian put up a collage of his of Rhodes and Eddie Van Halen pictures and they just let Zakk play and sing. This was the result, a very BLACK SABBATH / ALICE IN CHAINS doom-like track. It's freaking amazing !

So yes i'm once again I am impressed with what Sherinian has come up with, although I prefer "Black Utopia" more.