There are few international keyboardists/composers who enjoy as brilliant a reputation as Derek Sherinian. The American has played with acts such as Kiss, Billy Idol and Alice Cooper and was a member of elite prog metal stars Dream Theater. Since his 1999 solo debut, Planet X, he has released albums under his own name at frequent intervals. His latest Sherinian release – the sixth to date – is called Molecular Heinosity and presents, along with haunting prog metal compositions, another series of illustrious guests, among them Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne), Virgil Donati (Steve Vai, Steve Walsh, among others) and Tony Franklin (Blue Murder, Jimmy Page). “Why scratch with the turkeys when you can soar with the eagles,” Sherinian laughs. “I hand-pick musicians for my albums like a casting agent picks actors for a movie – they are each ideally suited for the role. I write material that is true to my influences and from the perspective of a listener. Once I come up with the structure or vibe of a song, I then try to imagine who the ultimate team of players would be for it. If I know in advance who will be on the track, I always try to compose with them in mind. I put tremendous effort into writing and arranging my music; it deserves only the world’s best musicians to make it come alive.”