Derek Sherinian will join Joe Satriani’s touring band for a pair of live shows this summer.
The famed keyboardist will join Satriani’s touring band for concerts on July 1 at Jones Beach Amphitheater in Wantagh, NY and July 2 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY.
Sherinian said in a prepared statement, he is looking forward to joining the band, which also features Kenny Aronoff on drums and Mark Menghi on bass.
“I am honored to have been personally invited by Joe play these shows with him,” Sherinian said. “He is one of the greats, and I knew I was destined to play with him sooner or later.”
Courtesy: InsideOut MUsic
Derek Sherinian released his latest album, Vortex, last year through InsideOut Music. According to the announcement of Sherinian’s special appearances with Satriani and company, a new live recording from Sherinian and drummer Simon Phillips is expected for release later this year.
More information on Derek Sherinian’s upcoming performances with Joe Satriania’s live band and new album is available along with all of his latest news at:
As the final hours of 2022 tick away and all eyes and hopes look forward to 2023, there is still a little bit of time to look back on the year that is now ending in regards to the year’s top new albums. This year produced so many impressive new albums across the musical universe, from rock to rap to jazz, blues, classical, world, and even family music, as Phil’s Picks has shown. Looking at all of those genres, many of them have produced records that are clearly among the best of the best, and they are presented here in the last of this year’s new music lists.
This year’s list of the year’s top new albums includes Machine Head’s new album, Of Kingdom and Crown, percussionist Tom Collier’s new album, The Color of Wood, and even Pimps of Joytime’s new album, Reachin’ Up among so many others. Between these and all of the other albums included in this final music list for the year, it is clear that this year’s overall field of new music was rich with enjoyable content. It made creating this list so difficult, but the list was created, nonetheless.
As with each Phil’s Picks list, this one consists of the year’s top 10 new albums and five additional honorable mentions for a total of 15 titles. The top 10 records are the best of the best and the honorable mentions are records that are appealing in their own right and deserving of attention, too, thus their inclusion here. Without any further ado, here is Phil’s Picks’ 2022 Top 10 New Albums of the Year.
PHIL’S PICKS 2022 TOP 10 NEW ALBUMS
Bloodywood – Rakshak
Danilo Perez – Crisalida
Derek Sherinian – Vortex
Machine Head – Of Kingdom and Crown
Mickey Leigh’s Mutated Music – Variants of Vibe
Devin Townsend – Light Work
Joe Satriani – Elephants of Mars
Sabaton – The Symphony to End All Wars
Pimps of Joytime – Reachin’ Up
Tom Collier – The Color of Wood
The Jorgensens – Americana Soul
Mark Tremonti – Tremonti Sings Sinatra
Playing For Change Band – The Real Revolution
Old Crow Medicine Show – Paint The Town
Bobby Watson – Back Home in Kansas City
That’s it for this year’s new music year-enders. There is still time for at least a couple of TV pieces to go through before the year officially ends, so stay tuned!
This year was quite the interesting time for the rock community. That’s because of the wide range of acts who produced new albums throughout the year. Queensryche, Skid Row, and Joe Satriani all released their latest albums this year, all of which proved quite successful. Rock super group Motor Sister also released their debut album, to its own acclaim, as did Slash, Scorpions, and Collective Soul. Between all of these and so many others, the rock albums released this year gave audiences plenty to appreciate, thus the call for a list of the year’s top new rock albums.
This year’s list of top new rock albums serves as a reminder of all that is so good with the rock industry, proving yet again that as much as certain corporate entities would have people believe, rock is not dead. Rather it is as alive as ever and as healthy, too. As in years past, Phil’s Picks presents the top 10 records of the given category and five honorable mention titles for a total of 15 albums. Those five honorable mentions are no less engaging and entertaining as the other 10. They just happen to be of their own note.
To that end here for your consideration is Phil’s Picks’ 2022 Top 10 New Rock Albums.
PHIL’S PICKS 2022 TOP 10 NEW ROCK ALBUMS
Joe Satriani – Elephants of Mars
Mickey Leigh’s Mutated Music – Variants of Vibe
Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy & The conspirators – 4
Motor Sister – Get Off
Derek Sherinian – Vortex
Skid Row – The Gang’s All Here
Michael Schenker Group – Universal
Fozzy – Boombox
Ginger Wildheart and The Sinners – Ginger Wildheart & The Sinners
Soraia – Bloom
Queensryche – Digital Noise Alliance
The Dead Daisies – Radiance
Ty Tabor – Shades
Jizzy Pearl’s Love/Hate – Hell, CA
Cleanbreak – Coming Home
That is all for this list, but there is still plenty to come including the year’s top new hard rock and metal albums list. That list is coming tomorrow, so stay tuned.
Famed keyboardist Derek Sherinian released his latest album, Vortex last week. Released July 1 through InsideOut Music, the eight-song record came less than two years after the release of his then latest album, The Phoenix, which was released Sept. 18, 2020 through InsideOut Music. The 46-minute record is another strong offering from Sherinian, who has etched out his own place in the music community through his work with the likes of Dream Theater, Alice Cooper, Sons of Apollo, and Platypus. Its latest single, ‘Scorpion,’ is just one of the songs that serves to support that statement. It will be discussed shortly. ‘Key Lime Blues,’ which comes just past the record’s midpoint, is another prime example of what makes this new album so engaging and entertaining. It will be discussed a little later. ‘Nomad’s Land,’ the album’s penultimate entry, is yet another example of what makes Vortex so enjoyable. It will be discussed later, too. All three songs noted here do their own share to make Vortex engaging and entertaining. When they are considered along with the rest of the record’s works, the whole makes the album in full one of the year’s top new albums overall.
Vortex, the latest album from Derek Sherinian (and his second in less than two years) is another strong offering from the renowned keyboardist. One of the songs featured in the record that serves to make that clear is its latest single, ‘Scorpion.’ Much as with ‘Dragonfly,’ which was featured in this album’s predecessor, The Phoenix, the song easily lends itself stylistically to comparison to works from Trioscapes. It is a moving, fusion-style composition that features Sherinian on keyboard, Tony Franklin on bass, and Simon Phillips on drums. Sherinian does not miss a beat as he works his way through the polyrhythmic patterns. Phillips and Williams meanwhile keep steady as they partner, keeping time and providing the song’s low-end. William’s subtlety when he gets the spotlight adds such a nice touch to the whole, giving him the ability to really display his talent.
That ‘Scorpion’ is just as comparable to works from Trioscapes as ‘Dragonfly’ is no coincidence. Sherinian said in a recent interview about the single, the response to ‘Dragonfly’ led him and Phillips to craft this composition.
“Don’t be surprised if you see me going more in this direction in the future,” Sherinian said as he talked about ‘Scorpion.’
‘Scorpion’ is just one of the notable additions to the album. ‘Key Lime Blues,’ which comes just past the album’s midpoint, is another standout addition to the record. The funky beat that Phillips lays down right from the song’s introduction pairs with Sherinian’s work on the keyboard and the addition of the bass and guitar is so similar in sound and style to works from the likes of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. The light, positive vibe that the whole presents is so infectious throughout the course of its nearly five-minute run time. The little driving guitar lines in the song’s “chorus” sections adds its own punch to the whole while the more playful “verse” sections are just as light and fun. The whole is completely unlike anything else on the album, just as ‘Scorpion’ is, too. The positive energy and variance that the composition in whole presents is certain to make it a fan favorite and easily shows even more why the album in whole is so successful. It is just one more of the songs that shows how much the album has to offer, too. ‘Nomad’s Land’ is yet another prime example of what makes Vortex so enjoyable.
The penultimate entry in Vortex, ‘Nomad’s Land’ is just as unique as the other compositions examined here and as the rest of the album’s entries. Sherinian’s performance on the keyboard’s serves as the song’s foundation. Again, the polyrhythmic patterns that he turns out present a sense of some odd time signatures. Even with that being the case, he and Phillips easily keep the song moving steadily from beginning to end without missing a step. What is really interesting about the sound and style presented in this case is that it seems to throw back to some of the fusion-rock sounds of the late 70s yet still manages to do so in a modern sense. That ability of Sherinian and company to create that vintage sound and still balance it with a touch of modern style and sound makes the song all the more engaging and entertaining for certain. When it is considered along with the other songs examined here and with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole leaves no doubt that Vortex is another strong, successful offering from Derek Sherinian.
Vortex, the latest solo album from Derek Sherinian, is another impressive offering from the renowned veteran keyboardist. From start to end, the diversity in the record’s compositions and the creativity in each work gives audiences plenty to appreciate. The songs examined here each do well to support the noted statements. When they are considered along with the rest of the album’s offerings, the whole makes the album overall easily one of the year’s top new albums overall.
Vortex is available now through InsideOut Music. More information on Derek Sherinian’s new album is available along with all of his latest news at:
Derek Sherinian gave audiences another preview of his new album this week.
The preview came in the form of Sherinian’s new single, ‘Scorpion.’ The piano-driven composition is the second single from Sherinian’s forthcoming album, Vortex. Sherinian premiered the album’s lead single, its title track, April 29.
Scorpion is a moving fusion style composition that features Sherinian on a full-size piano, Simon Phillips on drums, and Tony Franklin on bass. Each musician gets his own moment in the sun so to speak. The group’s collective work easily lends the whole to comparison to works from Trioscapes.
Sherinian talked about the song in a prepared statement.
“After the great response to “Dragonfly” on my last album, Simon and I wanted to do another piano trio song,” Sherinian said. “Don’t be surprised if you see me going more in this direction in the future.”
The track listing for Vortex is noted below.
Tracklisting: 1 The Vortex feat. Steve Stevens 2 Fire Horse feat. Nuno Bettencourt 3 Scorpion 4 Seven Seas feat. Steve Stevens 5 Key Lime Blues feat. Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather 6 Die Kobra feat. Michael Schenker, Zakk Wylde 7 Nomad’s Land feat. Mike Stern 8 Aurora Australis feat. Bumblefoot
More information on Derek Sherinian’s new album is available along with all of his latest news at:
Derek Sherinian offered audiences their first taste of his new album to open the weekend.
Sherinian premiered his new single, ‘The Vortex‘ Friday. The song is the title track from his forthcoming album, Vortex, which is scheduled for release July 1 through InsideOut Music. The record’s release will come more than two years after the release of his then latest album, The Phoenix. That album produced the singles, ‘Empyrean Sky,’ ‘Dragonfly,’ and ‘Them Changes‘ (a cover of the Buddy Miles classic).
The arrangement in this full-on instrumental track is everything that audiences have come to expect from Sherinian, who has made quite the name for himself throughout his career, working with the likes of Alice Cooper, Dream Theater, and currently Sons of Apollo. The frenetic energy exhibited throughout the arrangement does well to illustrate what one thinks of when one thinks of a tornado.
Sherinian announced last March, that he had started work on Vortex. He said at the time, drummer Simon Phillips would return for the album, which has been confirmed for this album. Also making guest appearances at Steve Stevens, Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne band, Black Label Society), and Michael Schenker (Temple of Rock, Michael Schenker Group, Michael Schenker Fest), all of whom he has worked previously.
Sherinian made a guest appearance on Schenker’s latest Micheal Schenker Group record, Immortal, last year, while Wylde has previously appeared on some of Sherinian’s early solo releases. Also making appearances this time out are the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather (Toto), and his Sons of Apollo band mate Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal.
The track listing for Vortex is noted below.
Tracklisting: 1 The Vortex feat. Steve Stevens 2 Fire Horse feat. Nuno Bettencourt 3 Scorpion 4 Seven Seas feat. Steve Stevens 5 Key Lime Blues feat. Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather 6 Die Kobra feat. Michael Schenker, Zakk Wylde 7 Nomad’s Land feat. Mike Stern 8 Aurora Australis feat. Bumblefoot
More information on Derek Sherinian’s new album is available along with all of his latest news at:
Famed keyboardist Derek Sherinian is scheduled to release his new album, Vortex, this summer.
The album is scheduled for release July 1 through InsideOut Music. The record’s release will come more than two years after the release of his then latest album, The Phoenix. That album produced the singles, ‘Empyrean Sky,’ ‘Dragonfly,’ and ‘Them Changes‘ (a cover of the Buddy Miles classic).
Sherinian announced last March, that he had started work on the album. He said at the time, drummer Simon Phillips would return for the album, which has been confirmed for this album. Also making guest appearances at Steve Stevens, Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne band, Black Label Society), and Michael Schenker (Temple of Rock, Michael Schenker Group, Michael Schenker Fest), all of whom he has worked previously.
Sherinian made a guest appearance on Schenker’s latest Micheal Schenker Group record, Immortal, last year, while Wylde has previously appeared on some of Sherinian’s early solo releases. Also making appearances this time out are the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather (Toto), and his Sons of Apollo band mate Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal.
The track listing for Vortex is noted below.
Tracklisting: 1 The Vortex feat. Steve Stevens 2 Fire Horse feat. Nuno Bettencourt 3 Scorpion 4 Seven Seas feat. Steve Stevens 5 Key Lime Blues feat. Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather 6 Die Kobra feat. Michael Schenker, Zakk Wylde 7 Nomad’s Land feat. Mike Stern 8 Aurora Australis feat. Bumblefoot
More information on Derek Sherinian’s new album is available along with all of his latest news at:
Aholiday standard is getting a prog update courtesy of wonderkind drummer Thomas Thunder and three very well known and respected musicians.
Thunder has partnered again with Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Derek Sherinian, and Tony Franklin for a new cover of the holiday standard, ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas.’ The quartet debuted the cover Thursday. Most recently, the group joined forces to release Thunder’s debut album, The Pharaoh’s Temple.
The group’s take on the holiday standard stays true to the source material. Though the addition of Sherinian’s keyboard line, Franklin’s bass work, and Thal’s performance on guitar gives the song an interesting amped up new take. Thunder’s work behind the kit adds its own touch to the presentation, too. The collective’s overall performance echoes all the work that it presented in Thunder’s recently released album.
It goes without saying that Derek Sherinian, Tony Franklin, and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal are well respected by their peers in the music community. The trio’s collective resume reads like a who’s who of rock. From Sons of Apollo, to Dream Theater, to Alice Cooper, to Guns N’ Roses and more, the trio has worked with many of the industry’s top names. So for the group to join up-and-coming prog wunderkind Thomas Thunder for his debut album, The Pharaoh’s Temple – released today – was an interesting step for the musicians. It says a lot that these accomplished individuals would join forces with a 15 year-old (yes, 15 year-old) in his dream for music stardom. It says that they saw something special in the young drummer. Needless to say that in listening to Thunder’s work with the famed trio on his debut album, his work is impressive in its own right. The record’s already released singles have already proven that true. They are just a sample of what makes his work and that of his more seasoned counterparts so impressive throughout the album, too. ‘Iridescence,’ which serves technically as part of the album’s midpoint (the record consists of nine songs), is another way in which the collective’s work makes the album worth hearing. It will be discussed shortly. ‘King Chronos,’ the record’s penultimate entry, is another key addition to the album and will be discussed a little later. ‘The Voyage,’ which closes out the album, is one more way in which The Pharaoh’s Temple shows its success. When it and the other songs noted here are considered along with the rest of the record’s entries, the whole becomes a strong start for Thomas Thunder and another equally impressive outing for Sherinian, Franklin, and Thal that will appeal to most prog fans.
Thomas Thunder’s debut album, The Pharaoh’s Temple is a positive start for the young, up-and-coming drummer. It is additionally, another enjoyable offering from his more well-known counterparts, Derek Sherinian, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and Tony Franklin. The record’s current singles make the clear. So do many of the album’s other songs, not the least of which is ‘Iridescence. While the album’s current singles are pure prog, showing influence of Dream Theater and Sons of Apollo, ‘Iridescence’ stands out because it incorporates other influences. The nearly four-minute opus opens with a drum fill by Thunder, brooding keyboard and equally steady bass and guitar from Franklin and Thal that takes audiences back to the 80s. Speaking of Thunder, at only 15, his talents on the drums are clear. His fills, his ability to keep time, and add just the right flare at all of the right moments is impressive. It is enough to put even some older drummers (this drummer included) to shame. The collective’s work points to a bit of the big hair ballads of that age before taking on more of a pure prog approach as the song progresses. From there, the group takes another even more dramatic turn, opting instead for a blues-based rock approach a la Deep Purple. It makes for such a stark contrast to the other influences. Yet at the same time the contrast is well-balanced. It makes the song all the more interesting. By the song’s end, it will leave listeners fulfilled through that display of well-balanced influences. It is just one of the songs that serves to show the album’s strength. ‘King Chronos’ does its own part to show the impact of Thunder and company’s work.
‘King Chronos’ presents its own unique arrangement separate from those featured in the rest of the album. Its opening bars present a solemn sound, anchored by Sherinian’s work on the keyboards. On a completely random note that likely only some will get, those opening bars are reminiscent of the music bed used for a certain scene from the little-known PC game, “The Journeyman Project 3.” Audiences who are familiar with that game will immediately catch that clearly unintentional similarity in sound. It only lasts briefly, though. It very quickly gives way to a full-on symphonic sound and stylistic approach that to a point, is one part prog and one part vintage Ozzy Osbourne. The Ozzy comparison (more specifically the Randy Rhoades comparison) comes through Thal’s work on guitar. The prog eventually wins out, with the more vintage guitar rock sound playing more of a companion role, but a solid role nonetheless. Again, Thunder’s abilities are on full display here. He shows with his timekeeping ability and his ability to effectively use his whole kit that he could become one of the next big names in the prog drumming community. The production that went into this song adds its own touch, as it adds certain aesthetic effects that enhance the song even more. The eventual chaos that closes out the song is worth its own interest, too. It makes for its own unique contrast to the whole. When everything within this song is considered together, the whole makes the song yet another powerful addition to the album and another example of what the record has to offer. It is just one more example of what the record has to offer, too. ‘The Voyage,’ the record’s finale, is one more example of the album’s strength.
‘The Voyage’ is important to examine because once again, it offers up a clear 80s-influenced arrangement. It is an arrangement that is also unlike any of the album’s other works. In this case, the duality in Sherinian’s performance, alongside that of Thunder, Thal, and Franklin hints ever so lightly at perhaps some Def Leppard leanings. As with the record’s other works though, that influence also soon becomes more secondary as the group’s prog leanings come more into play as the song progresses. Thal’s heavy guitars, alongside Sherinian’s work on keyboard and Franklin’s bass work creates such a rich, heavy composition. Thunder meanwhile adds just the right flare to the whole to complete the rich picture painted by this composition. The juxtaposition of that heavier prog sound and style to the more 80s hair rock sounds here makes the whole yet another unique addition to the album. It shows yet again, the variety offered throughout the record. It also does just as well to put each musician’s talents on display, including those of the young noisemaker himself, Thunder. When this composition is considered along with the other songs examined here, the album’s current singles and the rest of its entries, the whole proves itself to be another impressive offering from the veterans, Sherinian, Thal, and Franklin. It additionally proves itself a strong start for Mr. Thunder.
Thomas Thunder’s debut album, The Pharaoh’s Temple is a positive offering from the up-and-coming drummer. That is due to the talent shown by himself on the drums, and that of his fellow musicians. The singles that the record has already produced go a long way toward supporting the noted statements. Much the same can be said of the songs examined here. All of those songs do their own part to display the group’s talents. They prove Thunder could easily become one of the next big names in the prog community as he ages. They also continue to cement the reputation of his more seasoned counterparts from one to the next. When they are considered with the album’s remaining songs, the whole makes The Pharaoh’s Temple a presentation that will appeal to most prog rock and metal fans.
The Pharaoh’s Temple is available now. More information on Thomas Thunder’s new album is available along with all of his latest news at https://thomasthundermusic.com.
Audiences are getting another preview of Thomas Thunder’s new album.
The up-and-coming prog metal artist premiered his new single, ‘The Pharaoh’s Temple‘ Thursday. The song — which is available to stream and download through all major digital outlets — features guest appearances by Derek Sherinian (Platypus, Sons of Apollo, ex-Dream Theater), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Sons of Apollo, ex-Guns ‘N Roses) and Tony Franklin (The Firm, Jimmy Page).
‘The Pharaoh’s Temple’ is the title track and second single from Thunder’s forthcoming album, which is scheduled for release in September. An exact release date is under consideration. The premiere of ‘The Pharaoh’s Temple’ comes less than a month after Thunder premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Crystal Illusion.’
The musical arrangement featured in ‘The Pharaoh’s Temple’ is similar stylistically to that of ‘Crystal Illusion,’ but still boasts its own identity. Sherinian’s work on keyboard once again leads the way, showing his influence from his solo career and his work with Dream Theater and Sons of Apollo. Thal’s expertise on the guitar line cuts thought just as much while Thunder’s own performance on the drums proves once again that the teen drummer could easily be the next Mike Portnoy. Franklin’s work on bass adds its own touch with its fullness.
More information on Thomas Thunder’s new single is available along with all of his latest news at https://thomasthundermusic.com.
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