- PLANET X
- Universe
- ( ©INSIDEOUT Music 2000 )
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- Clonus 4:14 Her Animal 4:46 Dog Boots
3:35 Bitch 5:20 King of the Universe 8:15 Inside
Black 5:11
- Europa 4:20 Warfinger 5:38 Chocalate
5:52 Pods of Trance 4:48 2116 4:39
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- This is something of a super-group, a ensemble of musicians in a instrumental trio that
is more likely to have been released on MAGNA CARTA Records, which is known for its output
of extraordinary and once-in-a-lifetime projects. Well, apparently INSIDEOUT Music is
taking a step into that particular direction with the release of Universe
by PLANET X. This band project is featuring three relatively well-known
persons from the world of progressive music. I guess Tony MaCalpine is the best
known, most familiar as the guitar hero everyone knows - he is present on the
guitar scene for over a decade now and is responsible for such classic albums as The
Edge of Sanity. The other guy is keyboarder Derek Sherinian mostly known for
his work with DREAM THEATER. Derek is responsible for putting this
project together because of the things he has learned during his DREAM THEATER sessions,
' that there's a definite world-wide market for virtuoso-based music.' The third guy is
Virgil Donati, the session-drummer from Australia who has among others worked with jazz
cat Branford Marsalis and guitar-wiz Scott Henderson's unique band TRIBAL TECH.
- The album strongly leans on the more dark and heavy side with the music being pure heavy
progressive metal full of powerful and loud arrangements, shredding and virtuoso guitars,
dominant keyboards that are both playful and intricate, and the drum work that is simply
astounding. Music full of hard chops, time changes, unexpected twists and turns. Songs
vary from fast and uncompromising Clonus, Inside Black and 2116 to more
mid-tempo yet equally powerful Dog Boots, Europa and Warfinger. The best
song on the album is the title track, King of the Universe, a kind of a gem that
balances Derek's mastery of keyboards and Tony's legendary guitar work with unbelievable
Virgil pounding on the skins..
- Music with the definite edge and without sentiment, music that is emotionally detached
yet it replaces any lack of that with bold musical bravado, musicianship and devotion to
heavy metal. Derek says: ' I wanted to assemble a band that was so fierce that it would
strike fear in the hearts of other musicians.' Well, I don't know about other people,
especially musicians, but PLANET X has certainly scared me shitless as I
really completely forgot how heavy metal can still be what it is supposed to be - heavy
metal!
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