''Universe'' is the first studio album by the

instrumental rock Instrumental rock is rock music that emphasizes musical instruments and features very little or no singing. Examples of instrumental rock can be found in practically every subgenre of rock, often from musicians who specialize in the style. Instru ...

/ progressive metal band

Planet X Following the discovery of the planet Neptune in 1846, there was considerable speculation that another planet might exist beyond its orbit. The search began in the mid-19th century and continued at the start of the 20th with Percival Lowell's ...

, released on June 6, 2000 through Inside Out Music."Discography"
. xplanetx.com. Retrieved 2015-01-30. The album is essentially a continuation of keyboardist

Derek Sherinian Derek Sherinian (born August 25, 1966) is an American keyboardist who has toured and recorded for Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, and Joe Bonamassa, among others. He was also a member of Dream Theater from 1994 to 1999, is the founder of Planet X and ...

's 1999 debut solo release ''

'', but this time as a full band effort featuring guitarist Tony MacAlpine and drummer Virgil Donati.

Critical reception

Glenn Astarita at All About Jazz gave ''Universe'' a positive review, recommending it for both "technically inclined prog-heads" and "those who feel that they've heard it all." He praised each musician for their technical prowess, but remarked that it was sometimes difficult to differentiate between MacAlpine's guitar and Sherinian's keyboard. Robert Taylor at

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

gave ''Universe'' four stars out of five, saying that "Some of the selections tend to sound the same, but the inventive soloing of each player more than makes up it" and calling it "A fine effort by a very powerful trio".

Track listing

Personnel

* Tony MacAlpine –

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...

production Production may refer to: Economics and business * Production (economics) * Production, the act of manufacturing goods * Production, in the outline of industrial organization, the act of making products (goods and services) * Production as a stati ...

–

keyboard Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

, production * Virgil Donati –

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

, production *Tom Kennedy –

bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range: ** Bass (instrument), including: ** Acoustic bass gui ...

* Dick Smothers Jr. – spoken vocals (track 5) *Albert Law –

engineering Engineering is the use of scientific method, scientific principles to design and build machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad rang ...

T. J. Helmerich T. J. Helmerich is an American musician and audio engineer. Helmerich is known for developing a unique 8-finger style of playing his guitar, a technique he taught to a young Joel Hoekstra as one of his first guitar teachers. He has produced/eng ...

– engineering *

Greg D'Angelo Greg D'Angelo, (born December 18, 1963) is an American drummer most famous for his work in the band White Lion. Career Early career (1981–1984) Between 1981 and 1983, D'Angelo was a member of Anthrax. After leaving Anthrax, D’Angelo joine ...

– engineering *Tom Fletcher – mixing *Gene Grimaldi – mastering

References

External links

In Review: Planet X "Universe"
at Guitar Nine Records {{Authority control Planet X (band) albums 2000 debut albums Inside Out Music albums