Alice Cooper contributed a foreword of sorts to "Derek Sherinian's" debut solo album, "Planet X." In it, he calls Sherinian, ". . .the pompous king of rock" and ". . .arrogance personified." Just listen to a few seconds of the opening track, "Atlantis," and it's not hard to imagine where those descriptions came from. The disc begins with massive keyboard chords just reeking of attitude, providing an appropriate introduction to the 47-minute feast which follows.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting very much from this album. Sherinian's career took off with keyboard duties for "KISS" and "Alice Cooper" tours (you can catch a fleeting glimpse of Sherinian in the movie "Wayne's World"). His recently ended tenure with the band "Dream Theater" didn't work out all that well, possibly due to differing musical visions, or the fact that his flamboyant personality didn't mesh too well with the other guys in the band.

Whatever the reason, I was almost expecting a showy rock album, with a circus atmosphere more associated with those bands he started out with.

I was wrong.

Far from a made-for-the-media spectacle, Sherinian's created a surprisingly aggressive, keyboard-driven, progressive-fusionistic killer of an instrumental album. The CD begins with a 17-minute, three part suite called "Atlantis." The first segment, "Apocalypse 1470 BC," opens the proceedings in an almost angry manner, with Sherinian employing an all-pervasive synth sound that fills the headphones right up. Trading between guitar/keyboard runs with Brett Garsed, and his own solos, he sets the stage for the tranquil "Sea of Antiquity," segment. Touches of new age influences creep into this track, what with faint ocean-sounds crackling in the background.

One slight note of confusion creeps into the works when listening to a track like "Crab Nebulae." Among Sherinian's arsenal is a lead synth that sounds a lot like a guitar, and when employed as on this track, it makes it kind of hard to figure out what parts Garsed is playing. As all but one song were written by Sherinian and drummer Virgil Donati, Garsed does tend to fade into the mix a bit.

The trend is also apparent on one of my favorite tracks, "Box." Beginning with an effects laden opening segment (reminding me of the "King Crimson" song "Elephant Talk," and you'll know exactly why when you hear it), the track is constructed with multiple keyboard tracks layed over a rumbling bassline from Tony Franklin. In fact, I'm can't be sure that Garsed plays anything until the "chorus" (or the part that would be the chorus if the song had any lyrics.)

Despite Sherinian's dominance, and newly expressed exuberance on this disc, the real find on this planet is Virgil Donati. Recently featured on the cover of Modern Drummer magazine - the first step on the road to "drumgod" status - the Australian nearly steals the show with a wickedly challenging rhythmic performance. The best Donati track may be "Space Martini," which features a pair of mini-solos and a near constant bass pedal workout. To date, he's only appeared on a few obscure projects down under, but I'm guessing this guy will be a big name in the drum world before too long, and I can't wait to hear him perform on other albums.

Finally letting Garsed out of the bag, the album ends with the frenetic "Brunei Babylon." Garsed co-wrote this last track, guaranteeing him a voice in the final product. It's definitely a case of saving the best for last, as the band lays it all on the line, featuring the Sherinian runs and Donati precision apparent throughout the disc, and adding to the mix a chugging bassline and some menacing, chunky fretwork by Garsed in an evil middle section. The song fades out in a way that always leaves me wanting more, the way all albums should end.

Overall, "Planet X" is a wild, flamboyant ride with progressive, jazzy and fusion elements (think Allan Holdsworth or the band UK), churned together by a guy "born with the rock star charisma" (Cooper's words again), and one hell of a great drummer. Definitely check this one out. I think you'll be glad you did.