Black Utopia
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Black Utopia | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 29, 2003 | |||
Genre | Instrumental rock | |||
Length | 45:02 | |||
Label | Inside Out Music | |||
Producer | Derek Sherinian, Simon Phillips | |||
Derek Sherinian chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
Black Utopia is the third solo album by keyboard player Derek Sherinian. In addition to the returning members Zakk Wylde, Simon Phillips and Steve Lukather, three new musicians joined Sherinian: bass guitarist Billy Sheehan and guitarists Yngwie Malmsteen – with whom Sherinian had toured in 2001 – and Al Di Meola. "One of the highlights of my career was flying to Miami to produce Yngwie, and the next day Al Di Meola - all for my record!" The song "Axis Of Evil", (co-written with KISS drummer Eric Singer), has Zakk Wylde and Yngwie Malmsteen in a guitar duel. Black Utopia was the beginning of an ongoing collaboration with drummer Brian Tichy, and album cover artist . Black Utopia is Sherinian's best selling solo record to date.
In Japan, the cover of Black Utopia was altered to remove the cross in the title; Derek Sherinian commented that the cross "meant nothing" and was added for aesthetic purposes.[2]
The title of the track "Nightmare Cinema" comes from an alternate name used by Dream Theater during the period when Sherinian was a member of the band. Dream Theater would occasionally perform encores under that name, with each band member playing a different instrument then their primary one.
Track listing[]
- "The Fury" – 0:52 (Sherinian)
- "The Sons of Anu" – 7:10 (Sherinian/Tichy)
- I. For the Glory of Enki
- II. Of the Ashes of Ur
- III. Return of the Nephilim
- "Nightmare Cinema" – 5:25 (Sherinian/Tichy)
- "Stony Days" – 6:17 (Sherinian/Franklin/Phillips)
- "Starcycle" – 5:04 (Hammer) (Jeff Beck cover)
- "Axis of Evil" – 6:09 (Sherinian/Singer)
- "Gypsy Moth" – 1:59 (Sherinian)
- "Sweet Lament" – 3:14 (Sherinian)
- "Black Utopia" – 8:50 (Sherinian/Tichy)
Musicians[]
- Derek Sherinian - keyboards
- Yngwie Malmsteen - guitar on tracks 1, 2 and 6
- Al Di Meola - nylon guitar on tracks 2 and 7, lead guitar on track 2
- Zakk Wylde - guitar on tracks 3, 6 and 9
- Steve Lukather - guitar on tracks 4, 5 and 8
- Brian Tichy - additional guitars on tracks 2, 3, 6 and 9
- Billy Sheehan - bass guitar on tracks 2, 6 and 9
- Tony Franklin - fretless bass guitar on tracks 2-9
- Jerry Goodman - violin on tracks 2, 3, 6-9
- Simon Phillips - drums on tracks 2-6, 8 and 9
- Mike Shapiro - percussion on track 7
References[]
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ "Interview - Derek Sherinian". RevelationZ Magazine. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
- Derek Sherinian albums
- 2003 albums
- Albums produced by Simon Phillips (drummer)
- Inside Out Music albums