Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Planet X
Label: Inside Out Records
Release: 2007
There’s probably no progressive metal fan who hasn’t heard the name Derek Sherinian. Derek is a brilliant keyboardist who lent his magic fingers to progressive metal champions Dream Theater from 1994, when he replaced Kevin Moore, until 1999, when Jordan Rudess replaced Derek. After leaving Dream Theater, Derek worked with nothing but music giants, from Al DiMeola, Yngwie Malmsteen and Zakk Wylde to Steve Lukather… Then in 1999, Derek teamed up with the excellent Australian drummer Virgil Donati to form a new band called Planet X.
Derek’s goal with Planet X from the very start was to play their instruments so ferociously that they’d strike fear into the bones of every other musician out there. And with a style Derek describes as “metal fusion on steroids,” they probably pull it off. We waited a solid five years for the band’s third studio album, since it got pushed back quite a few times. Derek joked about it, saying “at least we’ll get the album before Chinese Democracy…” Well, Quantum is finally here.
The five-year break did the band a world of good. The previous album Moon Babies (2002) was excellent, but at times it bowed too much to technique and “shred.” On Quantum, though, the genius trio shows up with brilliant compositions where not a single unnecessary note or solo sticks out. Melody matters to Planet X, and despite all the sophistication and complexity, the melodies are totally accessible. Sure, here and there you’ll hear some improvisation and even jam sessions, but it’s all so listenable and infectious that the melodies lodge themselves in your ears in no time. The tracks are long, the longest running past seven minutes, with plenty of tempo and rhythm changes and countless variations. The songs are so complex and “unstructured” that it’s downright incredible how listenable they are. This time around, too, Derek and Virgil surrounded themselves with heavy hitters, and the biggest catch is without a doubt the legendary guitarist Allan Holdsworth, who shows up on two tracks (Desert Girl and The Thinking Stone). The original idea was for Allan to play on the whole album, but sadly, with all his commitments, that wasn’t possible. But no worries, there’s still Brett Garsed, an excellent guitarist who filled the album with crazy “chops” and unique legato runs. Garsed already played on the band’s first album, Universe (2000), and on Quantum, together with Holdsworth, he delivers playing that plenty of guitarists would envy.
Both Holdsworth tracks, Desert Girl and The Thinking Stone, are real lessons in improvisation. Desert Girl starts with symphonic keyboards and a gorgeous piano melody, then picks up the pace with Donati’s “funky” drumming. It tips over into a phenomenal improvised passage that shows off Holdsworth’s talent in full. Desert Girl is a very welcome change of pace, since Allan’s solo career is nowhere near as “heavy.” The Thinking Stone brings almost “tribal” drumming and, once again, breathtaking guitars. On Matrix Gate the guys show their heavier side, and the track is at the same time one of the most complex on the album – never the same rhythm twice, groovy drumming and a real salvo of bass guitar and drums. Garsed steps into the spotlight mainly on Space Foam, where he gets interrupted by bombastic keyboards and rumbling bass guitar. Garsed is surely an underrated and underappreciated guitarist who’s just waiting to be discovered. The atmospheric Snuff and the playful Kingdom of Dreams prove that even such complex masterpieces can be totally listenable. The bass guitars of Jimmy Johnson and Rufus Philbot (Al DiMeola) sit up front for most of the album, topping off and rounding out the tracks superbly. There’s no need to waste words on Donati, just listen to the drum solo on Quantum Factor.
Quantum isn’t progressive fusion as we know it, it’s the progressive fusion we’ll be hearing in the future… It’s just that Planet Earth is catching up with the aliens from Planet X. Quantum will be one of the best instrumental albums of this year!
Lineup
Derek Sherinian – keyboards
Virgil Donati – drums
Rufus Philpot – bass guitar
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Brett Garsed – guitar
Allan Holdsworth – guitar
Jimmy Johnson – bass guitar
Production
Planet X
Track list
1. Alien Hip-Hop 07:11
2. Desert Girl 06:04
3. Matrix Gate 04:08
4. The Thinking Stone 04:11
5. Space Foam 04:45
6. Poland 05:22
7. Snuff 04:57
8. Kingdom of Dreams 06:48
9. Quantum Factor 07:09
