Well, I guess after 22 years it would be about time to record the follow up to the second album. The groundwork for this album was made when Portnoy joined Petrucci on the recording of his last solo album, Terminal Velocity. That would be the first recording the ex-Dream Theater band mates would make together after Portnoy leaving the band to pursue challenges new – with his 17,000 projects he has been a part of since leaving. Also appearing here is the other member of DT, Jordan Rudess, keyboardist extraordinaire, and stick bass legend, Tony Levin.
If Portnoy was proving a point in regards to whether he still had the chops to play complex and strength sapping pieces anymore, I think with the first track Hyoersonic, those fears are simply put to rest as his playing here is other worldly. A jazz/Prog/metal masterpiece describes it perfectly. Second track, Beating The Odds, is more of a straight ahead track – well for these guys it is – and it does feel like a DT track. Keyboards are featured more on this piece and its full on widdly overload.
Side 2 starts with Liquid Evolution, and I’m guessing it’s describing musically how they have evolved over the last 22 years. A very fusion vibe for this relatively short piece. Back to the heaviness with the opening exchanges for The Passage Of Time, and this feels like an older Liquid Tension piece – my favourite so far. Petrucci, as well as being a shredder par excellence, can also play the most beautiful emotive runs. The weirdly named Chris & Kevin’s Amazing Odyssey is next, and starts with a very strange opening bass section and evolves as it continues for the whole track. Then it’s cover time for an over the top rendition of Rhapsody in Blue. Awesome! The very ballad-esque guitar piece Shades Of Hope is next, and then it’s onto the showstopper, Key To The Imagination, which is an incredible piece of music.
So the 22 years hasn’t changed them one bit, and they are still pushing boundaries.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
