Planet X Derek Sherinian
Derek Sherinian · 1999
47 min · 10 tracks · new wave
A cosmic fusion of progressive metal and avant-garde jazz, pulsing with intricate rhythms and soaring keyboard melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Atlantis, Part 1: Apocalypse 1470 B.C. — This track sets the tone for the album with its dramatic themes and complex arrangements, featuring both heavy guitar riffs and intricate keyboard solos that showcase Sherinian's virtuosity.
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Crab Nebulae — With its spacey soundscapes and rapid tempo changes, this piece exemplifies the album's adventurous spirit and highlights the interplay between different instruments, particularly the keyboards and drums.
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Day in the Sun — This track stands out with its melodic richness and emotional depth, providing a contrasting moment of introspection amidst the album’s more aggressive compositions while demonstrating Sherinian's lyrical keyboard playing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends progressive metal and jazz with intricate compositions and strong performances, establishing its distinct sound.
What we noticed
- The album features extended instrumental tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for complex musical explorations.
- The first three tracks form a continuous suite, thematically connected through motifs and melodic ideas.
- The use of varied instrumentation, including synthesizers and traditional rock elements, creates a layered soundscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with peaks
- intricate rhythms that engage
- cosmic escapism for the mind
- immersive headphone detail exploration
Maybe skip if you
- seeking straightforward song structures
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1999, Planet X is Derek Sherinian's debut solo album after his departure from Dream Theater. At this point in his career, he was establishing himself as a prominent keyboardist in the progressive metal scene, showcasing his unique style and musical vision.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jordan Rudess· Liquid Tension Experiment· Joe Satriani
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Atlantis, Part 1: Apocalypse 1470 B.C. 6:59
- 2 Atlantis, Part 2: Sea of Antiquity 4:18
- 3 Atlantis, Part 3: Lost Island 5:38
- 4 Crab Nebulae 4:07
- 5 Box 5:05
- 6 Money Shot 4:26
- 7 Day in the Sun 4:58
- 8 State of Delirium 2:48
- 9 Space Martini 3:47
- 10 Brunei Babylon 5:39
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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