The Phoenix
Derek Sherinian · 2020
42 min · 8 tracks · new wave
A vibrant fusion of progressive metal and new wave, filled with intricate melodies and dynamic instrumental prowess.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Phoenix — The title track opens the album with an explosive blend of melodic hooks and complex rhythms, setting the tone for the entire record.
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Empyrean Sky — This track features ethereal soundscapes juxtaposed with powerful solos, showcasing Sherinian's ability to create atmospheric yet technically demanding music.
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Them Changes — A reimagining of a classic song, this rendition highlights Sherinian's versatility and adaptability, adding a fresh progressive twist to the original.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends progressive metal with new wave influences, showcasing technical skill but with some uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a high energy level, while the latter half introduces more atmospheric and melodic elements.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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 peaks and valleys
- intricate melodies for deep listening
- intense focus during instrumental passages
- journey through vivid soundscapes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek immediate gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2020, The Phoenix marks Derek Sherinian's return to solo work after a seven-year hiatus since his previous album, Oceana. This album showcases his evolution as a musician while building on his established reputation for blending rock and jazz elements within the progressive metal genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jordan Rudess· Liquid Tension Experiment· Joe Satriani
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Dragonfly
The song shifts from a serene melody to an intense instrumental climax reflects the duality of nature.
This transition emphasizes the thematic exploration of transformation and rebirth that underpins much of the album.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Phoenix 5:24
- 2 Empyrean Sky 3:56
- 3 Clouds of Ganymede 6:02
- 4 Dragonfly 3:44
- 5 Temple of Helios 6:03
- 6 Them Changes 5:28
- 7 Octopus Pedigree 5:04
- 8 Pesadelo 6:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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