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.
Early this year, veteran virtuoso guitarist Joe Satriani started building the hype for his latest album, The Elephants of Mars. As time passed, Satriani released three singles from the record, and then this week, a fourth, the record’s title track. All four songs are excellent representations of the new record, and just a sampling of how much this record has to offer. The 14-song record offers a wide range of sounds and musical styles from beginning to end. Case in point is the late entry, ‘Dance of the Spores,’ which will be discussed shortly. ‘Blue Foot Groovy,’ which comes early in the album’s one hour, four minute run time, is another way in which the noted variety is exhibited. It will be examined a little later. ‘Sailing The Seas of Ganymede’ is yet another example of the diversity in the record’s arrangements and will also be examined later. When it and the other songs noted here are considered alongside the album’s singles and the rest of the record’s works, the whole makes The Elephants of Mars easily one of the best of this year’s new rock albums so far.
Joe Satriani’s brand new album, The Elephants of Mars, is another clear example of why he is one of the most respected and revered figures in the rock community today. From the album’s opening to its end, Satriani and his fellow musicians paint one rich sonic canvas after another. the four singles that the record has already produced already do well to make that clear. They are just a sample of what makes the record so strong. As noted, the rest of the record is loaded with engaging and entertaining content, too, not the least of which is ‘Dance of the Spores.’ This six minute-plus composition is a truly unique work. The use of the electronics and subtle keyboards alongside the rich guitar and less is more approach from the drums makes the song everything that audiences have come to expect from Satriani and company while also boasting its own identity. The quirky carnival style sounds that make up the song’s mid-section, what with the choral backing, adds even more to the musical picture here. One can almost see the tiny spores of various plants “dancing” in the air, the wind currents blowing them in various directions and ways. The energy that builds up until the song’s end paints a picture of them being blown all around. The whole of the song proves itself a fully engaging and entertaining work and just one more of the songs that makes the album so enjoyable.
‘Blue Foot Groovy’ is another example of the diversity exhibited in the record’s arrangements. Coming early in the album’s run, it clocks in at five minutes, 10 seconds. The opening bars throw back to the R&B sounds of the 1960s before Satch’s familiar guitar work kicks in with the layering. What is interesting is how the guitar lines were in fact layered. The verses show at least three layers, each complimenting one another so well. The choruses, meanwhile, display more of a pop sensibility. From there, it gradually builds into a more rock-oriented sound, the transition made so smoothly along the way. The whole makes the song yet another wonderful, fully immersive presentation that paints its own picture. It certainly is not the last of the record’s standout entries. ‘Sailing The Seas of Ganymede’ is yet another notable entry in the record.
‘Sailing The Seas of Ganymede,’ which comes in at just under six minutes, stands out because it is just unlike the other songs examined here as they are from it and from the rest of the album’s entries. The song is a bass-driven composition in reality. Satriani just adds to the unique sense that the bass line establishes alongside the drums. The addition of the electronics and keyboards adds to the song’s sci-fi sense and in turn makes the song even more unique from its counterparts. The string arrangements that enter into the mix as the song progresses adds even more to the engagement and entertainment. Not having liner notes for this record, it is difficult to know the inspiration for any of the record’s songs, but regardless, the song still ensures audiences will develop their own pictures from this composition, too. To that end, it is yet another solid example of how much the album in whole gets right. When it is considered alongside the other songs examined here and with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes The Elephants of Mars another successful offering from Joe Satriani.
The Elephants of Mars is a successful new offering from veteran guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani. Its success was already clearly shown, leading up to its release Friday, through each of its singles. Those songs are just part of what makes the record enjoyable. The album is loaded with diverse sounds and styles, as has been evidenced here. When the songs examined here are considered along with the rest of the record’s entries, the whole makes The Elephants of Mars, one more of the year’s top new rock albums so far.
The Elephants of Mars is available now through earMusic. More information on the album is available along with all of Joe Satriani’s latest news at:
Joe Satriani premiered the latest single from his forthcoming album this weekend.
Satriani debuted his new single, ‘Pumpin’‘ Friday. The song is the third single from his forthcoming album, The Elephants of Mars, which is scheduled for release April 8 through a partnership between Satriani’s own new independent label and earMusic. Pre-orders are open. The album has also produced the singles, ‘Faceless‘ and ‘Sahara.’
‘Pumpin” is as unlike the album’s existing singles as they are from one another and from ‘Pumpin”. This single takes Satriani in a funky direction. The use of the keyboard line alongside Satriani’s performance on the guitar gives the song something of a disco approach and a touch of funk, taking listeners back to the 70s. The work on the drums adds even more to that sense of vintage funk. It is a song that will engage and entertain audiences just as much as the album’s other singles.
The track listing for The Elephants of Mars is noted below.
THE ELEPHANTS OF MARS Track Listing 1. Sahara 8. E 104th St NYC 2. The Elephants of Mars 9. Pumpin’ 3. Faceless 10. Dance of the Spores 4. Blue Foot Groovy 11. Night Scene 5. Tension and Release 12. Through a Mother’s Day Darkly 6. Sailing the Seas of Ganymede 13. 22 Memory Lane 7. Doors of Perception 14. Desolation
The Elephants of Mars will be Satriani’s 19th album and will come less than two years after the release of his most recent album, Shapeshifting, which was released April 10, 2020 through Sony Music.
Joe Satriani released the third issue of his limited edition graphic novel, Crystal Planet in August. The graphic novel series is based on his 1998 album by the same name.
More information on Joe Satriani’s new album is available along with his latest news at:
Famed guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani unveiled the visualizer for his new single this week.
Satriani debuted the video for his new single, ‘Faceless’ Friday. ‘Faceless’ is the second single from Satriani’s forthcoming album, The Elephants of Mars, which is scheduled for release April 8 through a partnership between Satriani’s own new independent label and earMusic. Pre-orders are open. Satriani premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Sahara‘ last month.
‘Faceless’ is vastly different from ‘Sahara.’ Where ‘Sahara’ boasts an infectious groove along the lines of works from his 2004 album, Is There Love In Space?, ‘Faceless’ is more reserved and subtle. The controlled use of the piano line, bass, and drums alongside Satriani’s performance on guitar proves that less really is more.
The track listing for The Elephants of Mars is noted below.
THE ELEPHANTS OF MARS Track Listing 1. Sahara 8. E 104th St NYC 2. The Elephants of Mars 9. Pumpin’ 3. Faceless 10. Dance of the Spores 4. Blue Foot Groovy 11. Night Scene 5. Tension and Release 12. Through a Mother’s Day Darkly 6. Sailing the Seas of Ganymede 13. 22 Memory Lane 7. Doors of Perception 14. Desolation
Joe Satriani released the third issue of his limited edition graphic novel, Crystal Planet in August. The graphic novel series is based on his 1998 album by the same name. The Elephants of Mars will be Satriani’s 19th album and will come less than two years after the release of his most recent album, Shapeshifting, which was released April 10, 2020 through Sony Music.
More information on Joe Satriani’s new album is available along with his latest news at:
Joe Satriani is scheduled to release his new album this year.
The famed guitarist is scheduled to release his new album, The Elephants of Mars April 8 through a partnership between Satriani’s own new independent label and earMusic. Pre-orders are open.
Said Satriani of the album’s creative process, “We did everything. We tried the craziest ideas. And we entertained every notion we had about turning something backwards, upside down, seeing what could happen.”
The track listing for The Elephants of Mars is noted below.
THE ELEPHANTS OF MARS Track Listing 1. Sahara 8. E 104th St NYC 2. The Elephants of Mars 9. Pumpin’ 3. Faceless 10. Dance of the Spores 4. Blue Foot Groovy 11. Night Scene 5. Tension and Release 12. Through a Mother’s Day Darkly 6. Sailing the Seas of Ganymede 13. 22 Memory Lane 7. Doors of Perception 14. Desolation
Joe Satriani released the third issue of his limited edition graphic novel, Crystal Planet in August. The graphic novel series is based on his 1998 album by the same name. The Elephants of Mars will be Satriani’s 19th album and will come less than two years after the release of his most recent album, Shapeshifting, which was released April 10, 2020 through Sony Music.
More information on Joe Satriani’s new album is available along with his latest news at:
Firewind founder and guitarist Gus G. is quoted from a recent interview as saying of his new album, Quantum Leap, that he “didn’t make it with the intention of it being the next one in the cycle of solo albums. It was more of a case of, ‘What else is there?’ I needed the creative outlet.” One of so many albums created during the downtime forced on acts by the COVID-19 pandemic, audiences will be glad that he crafted the album regardless. That is due in large part to its general presentation, which will be discussed shortly. While the album’s general presentation makes the record a strong new offering, the recording is not perfect. The production in the live content detracts from the presentation to a point. This will be discussed a little later. Speaking of production, the production of the album’s first half offsets the impact of the production in the album’s second half and makes the album that much more enjoyable. The end result of this is that the album in whole proves to be one more of the year’s top new rock and hard rock/metal albums.
Gus G.’s new solo album, Quantum Leap is a mostly successful new presentation from the veteran guitarist. That is due in large part to its general presentation. The general presentation finds the 18-song record divided into two separate discs. The first disc is composed of 11 original new songs that the guitarist (formally known as Konstantinos Karamitroudis) crafted during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The second disc is composed of seven live tracks, at least two of which are covers (one a Thin Lizzy cover, the other a Dire Straits work). The live songs were all from a concert that Karamitroudis held in 2018 in Budapest. Two of the songs – ‘Fearless’ and ‘Cold Sweat’ – were featured in his 2019 digital-only EP, Live in Budapest. The other five songs are other performances featured in the concert, but just not in the EP. Ironically, the other two songs from the EP are not featured among the live songs in this bonus live material. Sure, it would have been nice for audiences to have had those songs, for a total count of nine live performances, but at least audiences get seven. To that end, audiences cannot complain too much.
Getting back to the topic of the main record, the material that makes up its body is both new and archived material that Karamitroudis had stored away unfinished from however long ago. Karamitroudis composed and recorded most of the instrumentation in this record, save for the drums. He was joined by drummer Vincent Velasco for the recording. Velasco’s work is solid throughout and offers just the right musical “spice,” too. Just as interesting is that Karamitroudis was quoted during an interview promoting the album, that he had to step back from his typical approach (IE lots of extensive guitar solos and work, really in-depth arrangements). Instead, he allowed himself to write and create more freely. The result is wonderful. There are songs that fit just as well here on any Firewind album (E.g. ‘Demon Stomp,’ and ‘Enigma of Life’) as would fit on one of Joe Satriani’s albums. The more Satriani work comes in the form of the album’s opener, ‘Leap Into The Unknown’ and ‘Not Forgotten.’ There is even some hint of influence from fellow guitar virtuoso Marty Friedman peppered in through songs, such as ‘Force Majure’ and ‘Exosphere.’ As if all of that is not enough, the sort of “new agey” approach and sound of ‘Night Driver’ with its keyboards, is a throwback to that familiar hair metal sound of the 80s. It will appeal to specific audiences in its own right. Simply put, the works crafted for the album’s main body are diverse and unique from one another throughout its run. The wide appeal that it will certainly generate couples with the appeal from the record’s companion live material to make for even more engagement and entertainment. In other words, audiences get the best of both worlds here in the best way possible. They get a new, impressive studio recording, and a healthy compliment of live material in lien of a live performance, since the COVID-19 pandemic put Karamitroudis’ live plans on hold. Keeping all of this in mind, the album’s general presentation creates a strong, solid foundation for the record. Of course while the album’s general presentation is undeniably important to its appeal, the album is not perfect. There is a slight issue raised as a result of the live material’s production.
The production is slightly problematic because of the lack of balance in the instrumentation and vocals. The vocals in the live show were performed by Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Unisonic). Maybe it is just this critic’s own hearing, but it seems throughout the songs with vocals, Ward’s performance is washed out by Gus G.’s work and that of drummer Johan Nunez (Firewind, ex-Kamelot). Ward’s vocals sound so distant, as if his mic was not turned on. Whether that was accidental is anyone’s guess. Regardless, it forces audiences to turn up the volume and listen closely to be able to hear Ward. This is disappointing, but is not enough of a dent to make the live material a failure. That is because not every song has vocals. To that end, the album’s live material still helps play into the album’s success, despite the one noted concern.
Considering that the production in the album’s live material is not enough to doom the record, there is at least one more item to note here to the record’s positive. That item is the production of the album’s primary content. As noted already, Karamitroudis admitted in an interview promoting his new album, that he had to take a new, unfamiliar approach to composing and performing in Quantum Leap. That approach included not only taking different approaches in the songs, but also making sure that each part works well with each other. That is because so much is still going on in each song. Ward, who also mixed and mastered the album, deserves his own share of applause. He clearly paid painstaking attention to each instrument’s place within each arrangement. He made sure that every part complimented the others and balanced each song in whole. That work and that of Karamistroudis came together and made the album in whole just as successful for its aesthetics as for its content. When this and the album’s content are considered together, the whole makes Quantum Leap another impressive offering from Gus G. that is among the best of not only the year’s new rock albums, but hard rock and metal albums, too.
Gus G.’s recently released album, Quantum Leap is an impressive presentation that will appeal equally to his fans, those of Firewind, and rock and hard rock fans alike. The record’s success is due in large part to its general presentation. The general presentation gives audiences the best of both worlds with a new studio album and live recording in one. The studio recording gives audiences a new studio presentation while the new live recording gives audiences a nice concert experience in lieu of a live, in-person show from Gus G. as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The general presentation gives the record a strong start, but the production in the live recording detracts from the presentation to a point. The production proves problematic because there is an obvious problem with the balance between the instrumentation and vocals in the tracks that feature vocals. Thankfully it is not enough to make the record in whole a failure or even the record’s live half. The production of the record’s primary body makes up for the concerns raised through the production of the live content. It ensures every instrument balances expertly with one another. The result is that the studio content is fully engaging and entertaining from start to end. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s overall presentation. All things considered, the album proves a mostly successful presentation.
Quantum Leap is available now through AFM Records. More information on the album is available along with all of Gus G.’s latest news at:
The guitarist (a.k.a. John Lowery) is scheduled to release his new album, Sinner, Oct. 29. Pre-orders are open.
In anticipation of the album’s release, Lowery premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Que Pasa,’ and its companion video Friday. The song features a guest appearance by Megadeth front man Dave Mustaine. It features a musical arrangement that is easily comparable to works from fellow guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani.
The video for ‘Que Pasa’ features Lowery and his fellow musicians on stage in order to give audiences a look at what a live John 5 show looks like. Mustaine shows up on video singing the song’s only lyrics, “Que pasa, people/Que pasa.” Yes, it is that simple.
Lowery spoke highly of Mustaine during a recent interview.
“I have such an appreciation for Dave, and I love his voice, guitar playing and songwriting. And he kills it on ‘Que Pasa,'” he said. “It was such a joy to have him on this track.”
Lowery also discussed new album.
“When people hear this record, I want them to say, ‘Oh, that’s John 5,’” he said. “What you get with Sinner is the best of me. I just want to write memorable riffs that people will enjoy. When I sit on my couch and play my guitar, I play the same things you hear on the instrumental records. It’s honest. It’s real. It’s not a façade. This is how I play. This is what I love to do.”
The track listing for Sinner is noted below.
JOHN 5 | SINNER
Tracklisting
01. Welcome To The Island
02. For I Have Sinned
03. Euphoria (feat. Carla Harvey)
04. Que Pasa (feat. Dave Mustaine)
05. How High The Moon
06. Creepshow
07. Land Of The Misfit Toys
08. Crazy Little Thing Called Love
09. This Is How I Do It
10. Georgia On My Mind (feat. Peter Criss)
More information on John 5’s new album, single, and video is available along with all of his latest news at:
The third issue of Joe Satriani’s Crystal Planet comic book series will release this fall.
According to information in a news release distributed Tuesday, the series’ third issue is scheduled to release in November through Heavy Metal magazine and Incendium’s Opus imprint. Pre-orders are open. A limited quantity of issues #1 and #2 is also available. Additionally, a very limited quantity of bundles — 250 total — featuring copies of issue #1 signed by Joe Satriani, sublimated hat, an art print of issue #2’s cover and an enamel pin is available here.
Along with the new issue of Crystal Planet, an accompanying action figure of Joe Satriani is also available to pre-order for $29.95. The action figure features Satriani in a Tri-Diver suit from the Crystal Planet comic book, complete with his signature Ibanez guitar.
The credits for Crystal Planet are noted below.
CREDITS: CREATED BY: Joe Satriani, Ned Evett SCRIPT: Tony Lee PENCILS/INKS: Richard Friend COLOR: Carlos Cabrera LETTERS: Jacob Bascle EDITOR: Llexi Leon
More information on Crystal Planet is available online now along with all of Satriani’s tour dates in support of Shapeshifting is available online now at:
philspicks 