Derek Sherinian k; Tony MacAlpine g; Tom Kennedy eb; Virgil Donati d.
Planet X, a short-lived band of progressive metal extremists led by keyboardist Derek Sherinian and drummer Virgil Donati, released four albums from 2000 to 2007, Universe being the first. Lacking vocals, and uncompromising in its choice of musical materials, it was not a band destined for popularity, but its fans are devoted aficionados of virtuosity, and can be found in corners of the interwebz insisting on the godlike stature of the various musicians to have performed and recorded under its rubric. This should not be taken to suggest that Universe is a parade of empty technique, however—this isn’t shred. The compositions integrate a strong influence of jazz fusion, in the slick, 90s form purveyed by acts like Tribal Tech. The harmonies are astringent, the guitar and keyboard melodies oblique, the rhythms sophisticated, and there are bass solos… It’s all still built on crunching riffs and mordant distortions, and it puts a grin on my face about once a bar. I’m honestly not a big prog-metal fan, as for me its most famous proponents like Dream Theatre tend to fall between the stools of excessive pomp and insufficient musical complexity. If you’re going to found a style on complexity, you should go all in, and stop playing to the crowd in my opinion – but my opinion is not widely shared, and the members of Dream Theatre are extremely rich, while Planet X is almost forgotten. With its continual changes of direction, and its joyfully difficult passagework, this is music that demands the listener’s attention, but if given it is fulsomely rewarded. No player ever phones it in, and no opportunity is ever wasted to refine a compositional or textural detail. Take some preternaturally gifted musicians; get them to work at full stretch on every beat of every bar; press record. However often or closely I listen I find new and exciting details every time, and I expect I’ll continue to as long as I keep listening to this brilliant record.
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