I love Derek’s solo albums because they are always loaded up with killer guitar players to compliment and dual with his keyboard virtuosity. This album is no exception as we have spanking the plank, Zakk Wylde, Bumblefoot, Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa, and Kiko Loureiro. If you love heavy instrumental music with a hint of Prog and a dose of fusion, then you should be all over this release.
The title track opens up the record with Derek doing his best EVH impression on the keys and Zakk giving it the beans on geetar. Empyrean Sky has an evil low end grunt and groove that sounds killer. The vibe is very 70’s fusion. Clouds Of Ganymede let’s Steve Vai loose with a slowed down groove and feel that only he can do. Dragonfly is a cool fusion piano piece with a killer drum and bass accompaniment from Simon Phillips and Ernest Tibbs.
Side 2 blows open with Temple Of Helios. Again, a fusion groove with a cool keyboard riff and Bumblefoot trading licks. Them Changes sees Derek joined by his BCC bandmate Joe Bo on the axe with some heavy R’n’B vocals. Octopus Pedigree again has Bumblefoot on guitar and it’s a return for the deep low end groove. The album ends with Pesadelo, the heaviest tune on the record and my favourite. It has a killer off time groove with Kiko really flying, with some awesome playing.
As usual, Derek does not disappoint and delivers a top notch release.
9.5/10 from The Grooveman.
