Check out Italy's own, Alex Argento's 'EGO' album. I just picked it up. Some seriously killer fusion going on here. Very much like Planet X / Dreamtheater. Excellent performances and production all around. I would expect to hear more from Alex for some time to come.

Take a look at his myspace site: http://www.myspace.com/alexargento 

If you like the samples, then you'll definitely enjoy the CD.

I tried looking around for it when you told me about it awhile ago. Where can I pick it up?

He's got it for sale on his site, try http://www.alexargento.com  Paypal.  Got here pretty quick (under 7 days).

You will dig

Thanks for the link, man! Yeah, Planet X's new album "Quantum" rocked me all summer so I know I'll dig this!

Interesting. Anything Planet X related = instant win.

I'd also recommend Derek Sherinian's Solo Projects. Some good stuff on there. Check out the song "Day of the Dead" from his "Mythology" album. You won't regret it!

Might I add...Planet X and Derek's solo cd's are the PERFECT background music for Resistance PS3 4 player battles.

I had "Quantum" and the Dodonpachi Dai-Ou-Jou/ Ke-Tsu-I ost, amongst other albums, on shuffle for Command & Conquer 3 on the 360 and it was pure bliss. The military sound of the Ke-Tsu-I ost, in particular, fit really well with C&C3. I wish I could get into Derek's solo albums but after a couple of listens they usually go on my cd shelf to stay. I do love his first one, however.

I haven't heard Dai-Qu-Jou/Ke-Tsu.  In your custom shuffle, was it the 'yang' to Quantum's 'Yin'.  That is a great album, and one of X's best. 

Inertia was the first time I heard of Derek. I had only heard of him because I followed the band Toto.  Steve Lukather (guitar) and Simon Phillips (drums) were featured on his first album.  Simon has played on all his albums since, though not the exclusive drummer after Black Utopia.   I like all of Sherinian's stuff though (post Dreamtheater, never really listened to Dream Theater). Some more than others.  There's at least 2 to 3 terrific cuts on every release.  Kind of like T-Square.