Derek Sherinian "The Phoenix (USA, InsideOut Music, 19739783232)"

The Phoenix is the eighth studio album by keyboardist Derek Sherinian, released on 18 September 2020. It is Sherinian's first solo studio album since Oceana, which was released in 2011.

The Phoenix has been critically well received. Bosco Aguilar of Prog Report stated that "when I finished listening to the album for the first time, I found myself excited for everyone to listen to it. Fantastic production, catchy and powerful songs, each guitarist's personality shined across the album, and of course a Derek Sherinian who shows again why he is one of the greatest prog keyboardists". Rodrigo Altaf Sonic Perspectives stated that "true to their vision, Derek and Simon achieved what is seemingly impossible for an album with so many guests: a unified sound and a clear direction. Perhaps inadvertently, they created THE guitar album of 2020, even though keyboards and drums are the main driving force throughout the compositions". Steph Warren stated that "the riffs and melodies on these tracks are very reminiscent of early Led Zeppelin with great rolling waves of guitar and keyboard, the mix of different inputs create a wide space of sound". Laurence Todd stated that the album will "have a definite appeal to prog fans, given when Sherinian made his name, but it should also appeal to anyone with a fondness for exceptional musicianship of a modern fusion persuasion with some crunching guitar included just for good measure". David Pearce of Rock Poser stated that the album "cements the already high reputation of Derek Sherinian and confirms him as one of the foremost keyboardists of this or any other era".

Track listing

1. "The Phoenix" – 5:24 (Sherinian)
2. "Empyrean Sky" – 3:56 (Sherinian/Phillips)
3. "Clouds of Ganymede" – 6:02 (Sherinian)
4. "Dragonfly" – 3:46 (Sherinian/Phillips)
5. "Temple of Helios" – 6:01 (Sherinian/Phillips)
6. "Them Changes" – 5:28 (Buddy Miles)
7. "Octopus Pedigree" – 5:04 (Sherinian/Phillips)
8. "Pesadelo" – 6:55 (Sherinian/Loureiro/Phillips)

Time:  42:33

Recording information:

Mixed at Phantom Recordings, Ojai, California.

Mastered at Red Mastering.

Simon Philips, Joe Bonamassa and Ernest Tibbs recorded at Carbonite Sound, Ojai, California.

Steve Vai recorded at Harmony Hut.

Ron Thal recorded at Bumblefoot Studios, Princeton, New Jersey.

Kiko Loureiro recorded at his house in Helsinki, Finland.

Billy Sheehan recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.

Zakk Wylde recorded at The Black Vatican.

Derek Sherinian recorded at Beachwood Manor Studios, Burbank, California.

Various Artists "'80s Metal Tribute To Van Halen (US, Deadline Music, CLP 1639-2)"

'80s Metal Tribute To Van Halen is a tribute album, released in 2006.

Tracklist:

1. Paul DiAnno  –  Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love 3:50
2. Jack Russell, Dweezil Zappa, Marco Mendoza & Eric Singer  –  Unchained 3:23
3. Mark Slaughter, Doug Aldrich, Tim Bogert & Frankie Banali  –  I'm The One 3:39
4. Jani Lane, George Lynch, Tony Franklin & Gregg Bissonette  –  Panama 3:25
5. Colby, Gilby Clarke, Frankie Wilsey & Fred Coury  –  Ice Cream Man 3:26
6. Fee Waybill, Brad Gillis, Tim Bogert & Frankie Banali  –  Atomic Punk 3:37
7. John Corabi, Bruce Kulick, Tony Franklin & Gregg Bissonette  –  Hot For Teacher 4:43
8. Stephen Pearcy, Jake E. Lee, Tim Bogert & Frankie Banali  –  Runnin' With The Devil 3:42
9. Joe Lynn Turner, Reb Beach, Marco Mendoza & Gregg Bissonette  –  Dance The Night Away 3:21
10. Enuff Z'nuff : Donnie Vie, Johnny Monaco, Chip Z'nuff & Ricky Parent  –  Yankee Rose 4:21
11. Jeff Scott Soto, Blues Saraceno, Tony Franklin & Eric Singer  –  So This Is Love? 3:12
12. Doug Pinnick, Yngwie Malmsteen, Billy Sheehan & Vinnie Colaiuta  –  Light Up The Sky 3:48

Talas "Talas"

Billy Sheehan's first full-time band was Talas, a power trio with Dave Constantino on guitar and Paul Varga on drums. The band played a mixture of cover songs and original material, and all three instrumentalists alternated on lead vocals.

Talas was a popular local band in Buffalo for over a decade, attaining a cult status which spread into the northeast US and into Canada. In 1979, Talas released their eponymous debut album, which generated the regional hit single, "See Saw". It was during this time that Sheehan wrote "Shy Boy" (later re-recorded with David Lee Roth), and "Addicted to that Rush" (later re-recorded with Mr Big).

Talas' first national exposure happened in 1980, when they opened thirty shows for Van Halen. However, success was elusive, and even as their brand of what came to be known as "glam metal" gained popularity over the next few years, Talas remained an unsigned act, partly due to poor management. They independently released their debut "Talas" LP on Evenfall Records (reissued by Metal Blade), and then "Sink Your Teeth into That" on Relativity Records.

Seeking to take Talas further than just regional success, Sheehan reformed Talas with another drummer (Mark Miller), guitarist (Mitch Perry, also later of Heaven), and a dedicated vocalist, Phil Naro, with whom in the late 1970s Sheehan had previously worked in his side project (the Billy Sheehan Band). Talas would release only one more album, Live Speed on Ice. After Mitch Perry left the band, he was replaced by Johnny Angel, who played guitar with them for their 1985/86 US tour opening for Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force. There was a fourth Talas record, tentatively titled "Lights, Camera, Action" to be issued on Gold Mountain/A&M, but it never got past the demo stage due to Sheehan leaving to join David Lee Roth's solo band. Talas did briefly continue on under Phil Naro sans Sheehan, enlisting Jimmy DeGrasso on drums, Al Pitrelli on guitar, Bruno Ravel on bass and Gary Bivona on keyboards but by this time Talas was dead and Ravel formed Danger Danger. Sheehan also auditioned for Toronto based rock band Max Webster, being a long time friend of Max Webster singer/guitarist Kim Mitchell.

Tracklist:

1. See Saw   Constantino  4:50
2. Stop! In The Name Of Love   Holland/Dozier/Holland  3:10
3. Most People    Sheehan   2:50
4. She Don't Know    Sheehan/Constantino   3:25
5. Any Other Day   Constantino/Varga   4:20
6. My Little Girl    Varga    2:55
7. Thick Head    Constantino/Varga   3:40
8. You     Constantino   4:00
9. Expert On Me   Sheehan/Constantino   3:00
10. Baby It Sure Looks Great    Constantino    4:25

Issued in standard jewel case with black tray and a 6-page fold-out booklet.

Various Artists "Numbers From The Beast - An All Star Salute To Iron Maiden "

Numbers from the Beast is a tribute album to Iron Maiden that was released in 2005. It celebrated the band's 25th anniversary of the release of their debut album. The songs are performed by some of the leading names in heavy metal. The album is produced by Bob Kulick and Brett Chassen. The cover-art was made by Derek Riggs, creator of Maiden's mascot Eddie. Track three features former Iron Maiden lead vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who sang on the original version of the song. It used the "All-Star" Formation after the release of Roadrunner Records's "Roadrunner United", with the same premise.

Track listing

"Run to the Hills" 4:05

Personnel:

Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group, Survivor) – lead vocals

Michael Schenker (Scorpions, UFO, M.S.G) – lead guitar

Pete Fletcher – rhythm guitar

Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder, Whitesnake) – bass

Brian Tichy (Billy Idol, Foreigner, Whitesnake) – drums

"Wasted Years" 5:32

Personnel:

Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) – lead vocals

George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob) – lead guitar

Bob Kulick (Balance, Blackthorne) – rhythm guitar

Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Dio, Foreigner) – bass

Jason Bonham (Bonham, Foreigner, UFO, Black Country Communion) – drums

 "Wrathchild"  3:17

Personnel:

Paul Di'Anno (Iron Maiden) – lead vocals

Alex Skolnick (Testament) – lead guitar

Chris Traynor (Orange 9mm, Helmet) – rhythm guitar

Frank Bello (Anthrax) – bass

John Tempesta (Exodus, Testament, The Cult, White Zombie, Rob Zombie) – drums

"Flight of Icarus"  4:10

Personnel:

Tim "Ripper" Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth) – lead vocals

Doug Aldrich (Lion, Burning Rain, Dio, Whitesnake) – guitar

Jimmy Bain (Rainbow, Wild Horses, Dio) – bass

Simon Wright (AC/DC, Dio) – drums

"Fear of the Dark"  8:30

Personnel:

Chuck Billy (Testament) – lead vocals

Craig Goldy (Rough Cutt, Giuffria, Dio) – guitar

Ricky Phillips (The Babys, Angel, Bad English, Styx) – bass

Mikkey Dee (King Diamond, Motörhead) – drums

"The Trooper"   4:06

Personnel:

Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister (Motörhead) – lead vocals

Phil Campbell (Persian Risk, Motörhead) – guitar

Rocky George (Suicidal Tendencies, Cro-Mags) – guitar

Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot, Giuffria, House of Lords, Impellitteri) – bass

Chris Slade (The Firm, AC/DC, Asia, Tom Jones) – drums

"Aces High"   4:58

Personnel: 

Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman, Journey) – lead vocals

Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) – guitar

Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Niacin) – bass

Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio) – drums

"2 Minutes to Midnight" 6:22

Personnel:

Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen, Deep Purple) – lead vocals

Richie Kotzen (Poison, Mr. Big)– guitar

Bob Kulick – rhythm guitar

Tony Franklin – bass

Chris Slade – drums

"Can I Play with Madness" 4:16

Personnel:

Mark Slaughter (Vinnie Vincent Invasion, Slaughter) – lead vocals

Bruce Kulick (Blackjack, KISS) – guitar

Marco Mendoza (Blue Murder, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy) – bass

Aynsley Dunbar (The Jeff Beck Group, Frank Zappa, Journey, Whitesnake) – drums

"The Evil That Men Do" 5:27

Personnel:

Chris Jericho (Fozzy) – lead vocals

Paul Gilbert (Racer X, Mr. Big) – guitar

Bob Kulick – rhythm guitar

Mike Inez (Alice in Chains, Slash's Snakepit, Heart) – bass

Brent Fitz (Union, Slash) – drums

"The Wicker Man" 5:10

Personnel:

John Bush (Armored Saint, Anthrax) – lead vocals

Jeff Duncan (Armored Saint) – lead guitar

Scott Ian (Anthrax) – guitar

Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie) – bass

Ben Graves (Murderdolls) - drums

Jason C. Miller (Godhead) – backing vocals

Derek Sherinian "Black Utopia"

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 Mattias Noren. 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.

The track "Nightmare Cinema" is named after an alternate ego used during encore performances by Dream Theater, of which Sherinian is a former member.

Track listing

1.-"The Fury" – 0:52 (Sherinian)
2.-"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
3.-"Nightmare Cinema" – 5:25 (Sherinian/Tichy)
4.-"Stony Days" – 6:17 (Sherinian/Franklin/Phillips)
5.-"Starcycle" – 5:04 (Hammer) (Jeff Beck cover)
6.-"Axis of Evil" – 6:09 (Sherinian/Singer)
7.-"Gypsy Moth" – 1:59 (Sherinian)
8.-"Sweet Lament" – 3:14 (Sherinian)
9.-"Black Utopia" – 8:50 (Sherinian/Tichy)

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

Recording information:

Recorded at Leopardroom, Hollywood Hills, CA.

Yngwie Malmsteen recorded at Studio 308, Miami, FL.

Al Di Meola recorded at Bogart Studios, Miami, FL.

Steve Lukather and Simon Phillips recorded at Coy Sound Studios, Hollywood Hills, CA.