Planet X (band)

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Virgil Donati, Tony MacAlpine and Derek Sherinian

Planet X is an evolution of keyboardist Derek Sherinian's 1999 solo album Planet X. Sherinian has stated in several interviews that his intention when forming Planet X was to create a band that "played their instruments so fiercely, that they would strike fear in the hearts of all musicians". Sherinian has gone on to lay claim to Planet X being the world's first "Metal Fusion" band, and is based in Southern California.

1 Background
2 Discography
3 Members
4 Web Resources

[edit] Background

MoonBabies (2002)

After recording an eponymous solo album, Derek Sherinian (formerly of the progressive metal band Dream Theater) expanded the album's line-up to full time duty in conjunction with drummer Virgil Donati. To date they have released two studio albums and one live CD. On the recorded albums, the band works with multiple guest bassists. (Tony MacAlpine is the guitarist on the first three Planet X albums - in 2004 he left to tour with Steve Vai).

Planet X's sound is far removed from standard radio fare - Virgil Donati once remarked, "Our least common time is four." In any one composition, it is not uncommon to hear dozens of time changes. The music is marked by Sherinian's eerie synthesizer arrangements full of strange chords. The compositions are strictly instrumental, except for occasional rare spoken words. Songs such as "Clonus" from Universe showcase the range of talents in the band, MacAlpine laying down devastating riffs over Sherinian's eerie backdrop. Taking a page from jazz, most of the songs are extended solo sections punctuated by breakdowns or choruses. However, sonically they bear almost nothing in common with all but the most avant-garde jazz fusion.

Live From Oz (2002)

Following Universe, Planet X released Live From Oz recorded during their Australian tour in 2002. A full version of the track "Atlantis : Apocalypse 1470 BC" from the CD and the Planet X Web site can be heard here[1]. The next studio release, MoonBabies, was released later that same year. The record was mixed and co-produced by drummer Simon Phillips. Guest bassists featured on the release were Jimmy Johnson and Billy Sheehan.

Planet X has toured worldwide including Japan, Australia, Holland, USA, Canada, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania.

An upcoming CD scheduled to be released in early 2007 is expected to continue to showcase the virtuoso talents of Planet X, and will feature legendary fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth, as well as tracks from guitarist Brett Garsed, who appeared on Sherinian's 1999 solo album Planet X