Derek Sherinian - 'Molecular Heinosity'

Keyboard virtuoso Derek Sherinian has another go with synth-splashed prog metal, even if by-and-large this one’s a mega-guitar fest.

Derek Sherinian may be synonymous with the keys, yet his name commands respect amongst the guitar and bass set. In the past, Sherinian has recruited Yngwie Malmsteen, Slash, John Petrucci, Tony Franklin, Billy Sheehan, Steve Lukather, Rusty Cooley and of course, Zakk Wylde to his ventures.

As the latter two play a prominent role (along with Franklin returning on bass) on Sherinian’s latest instrumental odyssey Molecular Heinosity, expect this album to be a spectacular fret display. Save for a handful of moments including the synth-drenched “Primal Eleven,” Molecular Heinosity is perhaps the most guitar-suckled album Sherinian has done to-date.

This begs to question whether or not Molecular Heinosity shouldn’t have been recorded under a separate all-star-teemed moniker since Sherinian frequently delegates himself in a supplementary manner. On the title track he coats beneath his cohorts’ fierce shredding and shoots out a few Ian Lord-esque pipe strikes; however, he does wail random solos that are nearly guitar themselves they’re frightening.

Sherinian leads “The Lone Spaniard” with a quixotic piano melody before subordinating to the vigorous slap shot guitar solos, which time quicker than the core flow; the emotive desire guiding the piece is thus given unnecessary anxiety. While “Frozen by Fire” is a chugging and rhythmic beast of a song, Sherinian nonetheless slips into a near-blatant Jens Johannson homage it would be cased snugly on a vintage Yngwie album.

Molecular Heinosity dazzles and entertains all over the place, however you’ve heard much of this album before, save for the opportunity to hear Zakk Wylde take lead vocals in mid-seventies Ozzy fashion on one of Sherinian’s rarely-sung tunes with “So Far Gone.” Goes to show you Derek Sherinian may come off as a keyboard dweeb but at the core is a rocker first and foremost.