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REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: dream theater (Page 4 of 4)

DREAM THEATER – Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory

May 15, 2021 /

This whole album is a concept piece and a sequel to Metropolis Pt. 1 that appeared on the Images and Words album. To try and explain this quicklyL it’s about a man called Nicholas who goes into regression therapy, and while he is under hypnosis he sees a girl named Victoria Page. He learns that she was murdered and she is now haunting him to reveal the truth about her murder. This also the first appearance on record of Jordan Rudess on keys – after the departure of Derek Sherinian.

This is one of the best albums of the Prog rock genre, and is rightly regarded as a masterpiece. I am lucky enough to have seen this performed in its entirety (with the original recording line up) on various occasions – and you felt like you were seeing something special. I won’t bother to dissect each song as it is one whole piece that is split into sections. The highlights for me (and there are many) are: Overture 1928 and Dance Of Eternity/One Last Time – they are just other worldly and supremely written and composed pieces that I never tire of hearing. If you don’t shed a tear with The Spirit Carries On then you are not human. In my opinion, the band miss the creativity of Mike Portnoy. There is that spark missing from the albums recorded after his departure. If you are a fan of this genre, then you know how good this record is. If you are are somewhat curious, then you should buy this at the earliest your wallet allows.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

DREAM THEATER – Black Clouds & Silver Linings

January 9, 2021 /

So here we have Dream Theater’s 10th studio album, and unbeknownst to everyone at the time, this would be Mike Portnoy’s last with the band. The band that he started at college, the band his father named, the band he near enough single handedly controlled he would no longer be part of. In my opinion DT have definitely missed his presence in the band as none of the albums they have released after have been up to their high standards.

So we kick things off with the absolutely epic (which DT song isn’t epic😜?) A Nightmare to Remember. Up there with the very bast DT songs. Great riffs, massive hooks, unreal solo sections and a fantastic melody – plus some unreal drumming from MP. Let me get my breath!!!!!

Next up the more straight (for DT) ahead Rites of Passage, quite Metallica-ish in places. Then we have another absolute monster, the final part of the 12 steps suite, The Shattered Fortress, which has documented MP’s battle with alcoholism. So that’s the 1st record done and only 3 songs in.

Record 2 starts with the obligatory ballad Wither and then into The Best Of Times, which MP had written about his father who was battling cancer at the time and ultimately would be taken by the disease. Final track, The Count Of Tuscany, takes up the whole of Side 4, and again in true DT style, is an absolute monster of a tune.

Hindsight being a wonderful thing, I can see why MP wanted the band to take a break after the touring cycle of this album as there was obviously a lot of personal turmoil in his life at the time. I’m sure you all know what Dream Theater are all about by now, and if you don’t own this album, the last great DT album, then you probably should.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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