Black Utopia

Infobox Album
Name = Black Utopia
Type = studio
Artist = Derek Sherinian


Released = April 29, 2003
Genre = Instrumental rock
Length = 45:02
Label = InsideOut Music
Producer = Derek Sherinian, Simon Phillips
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:ypdjyl74xpbb link]
Last album = "Inertia"
(2001)
This album = "Black Utopia"
(2003)
Next album = "Mythology"
(2004)

"Black Utopia" is the third solo album by keyboardist Derek Sherinian. In addition to the returning members Zakk Wylde, Simon Phillips, and Steve Lukather, three new faces joined Sherinian’s all-star team: bassist Billy Sheehan and legendary guitarists Yngwie Malmsteen – with whom Sherinian 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) showcases Zakk Wylde and Yngwie Malmsteen in a guitar duel. Black Utopia marks the first of ongoing collaborations with drummer Brian Tichy, and album cover artist Mattias Noren. Black Utopia is Derek'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. [cite web
url=http://www.revelationz.net/index.asp?ID=721
title=Interview - Derek Sherinian
publisher=RevelationZ Magazine
accessdate=2007-08-26]

Track listing

#"The Fury" – 0:52 (Sherinian)
#"The Sons of Anu" – 7:10 (Sherinian/Tichy)
#"Nightmare Cinema" – 5:25 (Sherinian/Tichy)
#"Stony Days" – 6:17 (Franklin/Phillips/Sherinian)
#"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)

Musicians

*Derek Sherinian - keyboards
*Brian Tichy - drums, additional guitars on tracks 2, 3, 6, and 9
*Billy Sheehan - Bass on tracks 2, 6, and 9
*Tony Franklin - Fretless Bass on tracks 2-9
*Jerry Goodman - Violins
*Simon Phillips - drums
*Al Di Meola - Guitar on tracks 2, and 7
*Yngwie Malmsteen - Guitar on tracks 1, 2, and 6
*Steve Lukather - Guitar on tracks 4, 5, and 8
*Zakk Wylde - Guitar on tracks 3, 6, and 9

References