The 5th solo release of keyboard wizard Derek Sherinian is a spectacular treat for progressive metal fans. Working with countless acts over the years Derek has managed to gain the respect of formidable artists of various genres many of which have joined him on his previous solo endeavours. Al Di Meola, Allan Holdsworth, Virgil Donati, Steve Lukather, Billy Sheehan are some of the names that have made contributions in the past. For ‘Blood of The Snake,’ Billy Idol, Slash, Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde are amongst the guest appearances. Derek also experimented with Armenian instruments the Oud and the Duduk. 

Track Analysis:

(1) CZAR OF STEEL

JOHN PETRUCCI – GUITAR      TONY FRANKLIN – FRETLESS BASS
SIMON PHILIPS –DRUMS 

This tune is gonna stick to your head long after hearing it. This is the only track that Pertucci plays on. Watch out for his insane solos while dueling it out with his former Dream Theater band mate. This one is a complete shred fest with John cutting loose at the end of the song.

(2) MAN WITH NO NAME 

ZAKK WYLDE – GUITAR, VOCALS    
TONY FRANKLIN – FRETLESS BASS
BRIAN TICHY – DRUMS          JERRY GOODMAN – VIOLIN

Don’t get confused, you’re not listening to Ozzy. To be honest I was never a fan of Zakk’s vocals.  Love the dives that Derek performs replicating the standard whammy bar dives on guitars. Zakk rips it up on the fret board but one wishes he wasn’t quite so liberal with the harmonics. 

(3) PHANTOM SHUFFLE

BRANDON FIELDS – ALTO SAX           JIMMY JOHNSON – BASS
SIMON PHILIPS – DRUMS

Derek’s jazz fusion influence is evident here. Field’s leisurely comebacks to Derek’s lightning solos sound heavenly against the heavy distorted bass.

(4) BEEN HERE BEFORE

BRAD GILLIS – GUITAR            TONY FRANKLIN – FRETLESS BASS
SIMON PHILPS – DRUMS           JERRY GOODMAN – VIOLIN

Brad Gillis displays excellent command of the instrument on this Jeff Beck style track all while refraining from hitting the gas. It’s a tragedy that the Night Ranger guitarist rarely gets mentioned as a guitar hero and often is overlooked.

(5) BLOOD OF THE SNAKE

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN – GUITAR               ZAKK WYLDE – GUITAR 
TONY FRANKLIN – FRETLESS BASS           BRIAN TICHY– DRUMS 

The title track falls a bit flat lacking the punch in spite of the team work of Wylde & Malmsteen.  

(6) ON THE MOON

BRAD GILLIS – GUITAR        BRANDON FIELDS – ALTO SAX
TONY FRANKLIN – FRETLESS BASS       SIMON PHILIPS – DRUMS

Brad Gillis is back with a brilliant solo. Brandon Fields’s Sax sounds magical. Derek takes it easy. 

(7) THE MONSOON 

ZAKK WYLDE – GUITAR          YNGWIE MALMSTEEN – GUITAR 
JOHN DESERVIO – BASS           BRIAN TICHY – DRUMS    
DIMITRIS MAHLIS –  OUD

One for the head bangers. The screaching riff is pure evil. Dimitris Mahlis on the Oud pitches in with a haunting intro/outro. Zakk’s solo provides a nice bluesy mix against the eastern background. 

(8) PRELUDE TO BATTLE

JIVAN GASPARYAN – DUDUK      YNGWIE MALMSTEEM – GUITAR 
TONY FRANKLIN – FRETLESS BASS       DIMITRIS MAHLIS – OUD
MIKE SHAPIRO – PERCUSSION 

A slow build up to the next track which will send you back a couple of centuries. The Duduk, the Oud & the percussion of Mike Shapiro has a trance like affect against Malmsteen’s guitar lines.

(9) VIKING MASSACRE

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN – GUITAR     BRIAN TICHY – BASS , DRUMS

Picking up where the previous track left off. The song uses different tempos while Malmsteen does his rounds of the Harmonic Minor and Derek adds a jazzy solo. 

(10) IN THE SUMMERTIME

BILLY IDOL – VOCALS     SLASH – LEAD  GUITAR     
TONY FRANKLIN – BASS      BRIAN TICHY – DRUMS , GUITAR 

Billy Idol & Slash join the party for the Mungo Jerry cover while adding star value to the album. Derek opts for the Piano. A nice fun song to wind up the party.

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Rishi Agarwal is a student of finance and is a multi genre guitarist. He likes playing with his dog, christened Elvis after The King. He lives off the likes of Hendrix and Clapton , and aspires to one day jam with John Mclaughlin of The Mahavishnu Orchestra.