Planet X Takes a Quantum Leap

Planet X, the premier instrumental band of the century, takes their new CD, ‘Quantum’, to a new dimension. With the original core of Derek Sherinian (keyboards) and Virgil Donati (drums), the mixture of rock, jazz fusion and metal in this complex CD will make most musicians start taking acting classes. With Sherinian and Donati at the song writing helm, they seem to push their ability to level ten playing, while creating enough space for their guitarists to let loose with a myriad of rhythm and lead playing that makes each song sound like the ‘jam of the century’.

The rhythm section was pushed real hard by bassist Jimmy Johnson and Rufus Philpot. Both played extremely well adding a heavy sound that complimented Donati’s mass attack on the drum kit. On two tracks, Planet X had a guest appearance by guitar great Alan Holdsworth (Soft Machine, UK). Holdsworth plays the guitar so smooth you could almost mistake it for a programmed machine. His electrifying playing on tracks “Desert Girl” and “The Thinking Stone” make you wonder how someone could get that good. The other seven tracks showcased another great guitarist, Brett Garsed, who played on Sherinian’s first solo album. Garsed added the heavy rock groove to each song and did the most brilliant job with both rhythm and lead. He seems to be able to play with the unorthodox and extremely complex drumming of Virgil Donati but still maintaining that cool sound that is needed for record sales. This being the fourth Planet X CD, I believe Garsed added the necessary aggression needed for a broader audience. I never thought they could top their best CD to date, ‘MoonBabies’.

Quantum starts off with a complex ‘Alien Hip Hop’ that seems to prepare the listener for a CD that is like no other. Each song has its’ own unique complex groove that makes you wonder how they could ever duplicate these songs live. Donati’s use of subdivisions and complex beats creates an atmosphere of ‘hanging on for dear life’. Any musician who plays with Donati will have no other choice but to play their best as it would only take one mistake to loose control of their part. Donati’s exceptional playing on each tune seems to let him be the driving force behind these songs. Throughout the album, you will hear Virgil Donati at his best. I would truly call this album a drummer’s masterpiece. On track nine, Quantum Factor, I thought the fillings in my teeth were going to fall out after hearing Donati torture his drum kit.

The colorful atmosphere of ‘Quantum’ came from keyboard great Derek Sherinian (Alice Cooper, Kiss, Dream Theatre). Sherinian’s playing is what makes this band truly from the ‘Planet X’. Without his contribution, one may think this is an ensemble of great musicians trying to outdo each other. He is the creative glue that never seems to form. Like a fluid substance that holds in place complexity without compromising ultimate sound. Just like Sherinian’s last CD, Blood of the Snake, he seems to bring out the best in these players and controls the overall atmosphere of each song. A master of punishment, Derek Sherinian is one of the few remaining progressive players that pushes himself rather than relying on past performances.

The most amazing thing about this album is that every time you listen to it, you hear something you did not remember from before. Each piece has so many parts you can only imagine how many sheets of music it took to compose this masterpiece. Hottest track on this album is ‘Space Foam’. Don’t leave home without it.