Tag: dream theater (Page 2 of 3)

This was Dream Theater’s ninth album, and the first for Roadrunner after their split from East West. They went out with a bang after the release of Octavrium, which is one of their best albums. This album doesn’t get mentioned a lot as peoples’ favourite and often gets overlooked, but the quality of the tunes is very high indeed.

In The Presence Of Enemies Part 1 is a monster tune, and one of their best. The intro is superb, and it goes on for like three minutes before the vocals kick in. There is all the usual DT widdleisms and Metallica-esque riffage. On Constant Motion, you get both in the same track. The Dark Eternal Night however, is my personal favourite track. Right from the low end riffage at the intro, to the killer instrumental section, this track just melts your face and has the jaw dropping in awe. When they are on boy they are ON!

The band have lost that spark somewhat, and they need a reinvigoration. But, this gets…

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Album number seven sees the band continuing with, and increasing, the heaviness and taking the band in that more metal direction, but still having those trademark hooks and harmonies. It’s hard to believe it’s nearly twenty years since the release of this monster. I clearly remember being at Manchester for the first night. I love this album in all of its magnificence. D-tuned riffage and killer grooves and songs make this one of my favourite DT albums.

What a freaking opening with As I Am. It has a massive massive riff and it doesn’t get any better than that kiddies. Well actually, the opening to This Dying Soul is equally as awesome and huge. Portnoy is really pounding at the kit. If this doesn’t get the goosebumps up on your arms nothing will. Endless Sacrifice starts with this big power ballad that builds into this huge monster tune. The Honour Thy Father intro is just insane, what a killer riff with that odd time groove from Portnoy. Vacant is one of those slow mood pieces that La Brie is so good at with that breathy style he has. The album closes with two massive numbers. Stream Of Consciousness and In The Name Of God, which is such a poignant tune with the state of the world today. My favourite on this album changes but today it’s This Dying Soul. At this point they could do no wrong.

10/10  from The Grooveman.

A very pivotal album for Dream Theater as a lot changed after this album, culminating in the departure of Mike Portnoy a couple of albums later. This was the last album on their major deal before they relocated to Roadrunner, and the sound beefed as well.

This album and Falling Into Infinity are my two favourite DT albums. I got to witness the band on this tour at Hammersmith Odeon for two nights. On the first, this album was played in its entirety, and on the second night they played Dark Side Of The Moon in full. Not much will ever beat those two shows and I think they plateaued after this.

This is such an incredible album, both in the writing and execution, it doesn’t get better than this in DT world. Take my word for it, this album should live in your home and you should play it often. Every track is epic. From the heavy riff and groove of The Root Of All Evil, to the delicate and beautiful The Answer Lies Within. My favourite track on this album, and possibly my fav DT track of all time, is the 24 minutes of utter Prog metal brilliance on the title track, Octavarium. Words cannot express how I’m affected by this track. From emotional feelings of euphoria and joy, to melancholic sadness at its ending. The band suffered with the departure of MP, as he was a huge part of the creative process, but life goes on as they say.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

Whereas the previous album Images And Words was the one that brought them to worldwide attention (mainly due to the single Pull Me Under), this – their second album – was the one that cemented their status as Prog metal kings. This album is truly a superb record where they pulled out all of the stops as they knew this was their big chance – and boy did they deliver.

Everything about this album is pure class. From the intricate arrangements, wonderful melodies, and unbelievable playing, this is the album that laid down a template for every Prog metal band that came after. 6.00 is such a killer opening and contains everything I love about this era of the band. The opening to Caught In A Web is jaw droppingly amazing and has a great D-tuned riff and groove. The musicianship is just off the charts. If this was some jazz fusion supergroup the critics would be moistening themselves. I remember reading some very average reviews about this record at the time, which just blew my mind. Side 3 opens with The Mirror and Lie is as good as it gets, absolute epic stuff, and boy do I wish Mike Portnoy was still in the band.

I could go on and on about why and how awesome this record is, but you should get the message by now – and yes – every home should have one.

10/10 from The Grooveman.