Metal Reviews

Before the review happens, let's talk a bit about this album.

IMO, this is the best thing they've done since ToT. I'm really falling in love with this album. It's making me so fucking happy right now. I had more or less written them off after BC&SL as being past their prime, but this totally shattered that notion. Portny quitting was the best thing that's happened to them for a long time, it seems.

Basically, this is my face right now:

All the reactions I've seen have been good. I might even check this out, though I haven't really given a shit about DT for years.

Sad, they used to be my favorite band. More a matter of my tastes changing than them getting shitty, since I could always still listen to their old stuff.

Maybe this'll rekindle my interest.

I might check it out, out of curiosity only.
I think I'll never be able to stand Labrie's goatlike singing so I'll probably find it unlistenable... We'll see.

If anyone wants to pm me a link for this album to download it would be bad fucking ass! I can't find a download and the album doesn't come out til the 13th but I really really want to hear it!!!!

Been listening to it all day and I agree word for word with Legacy. I'll also add Breaking All Illusions is one of the best songs I've ever heard. I think there is a huge Images and Words sound to it.

Edit - also, The Flower Kings come to mind...

Looking forward to picking this up in two days, haven't heard much but I'm hoping it will be the best DT in years. The positive reviews are promising and with MM now on drums I'm excited.

I'm looking forward to it. I'll probably give it a listen in a week or 2.
I don't get all the "I'm so excited about Mangini on the drums" though. I thought most of the drum parts were already written before he joined? So I'm guessing the next album is where he'll get the chance to display his real talent.

I'm sure they would have given MM a guide of what they required but it's still him playing and surely putting his spin on things. He needs to be able play his way and show what a capable replacement he is.

Though with the next album he would have been in the band longer and probably more involved with creating new material, so it will be interesting to compare the two.

This. The album would be much better without LaBrie.
Spin #2 right now, and no, I'm not feeling anything but sadness, because I used to love DT and I don't anymore.

Been listening to it for a week now, I am satisfied. 5 years ago they were among my favourites but I skipped the last two, don`t know why.

Now they sound fresh, 10 listens in and I aint even a little bit bored with it. But I understand if some of you will find it uninspired.
It`s 80+ for me for now...

Alright, I've changed my mind (yeah, already. Sod off.) Enjoyable album. LaBrie is almost not annoying.

LaBrie's voice is what made me ignore Dream Theater for years. Now I got used to him but I can't say I love his voice. I saw them live for the first time in July and to my surprise he sings even higher in real life which became a bit tiresome.

Heard a few songs. Seems fairly solid but nothing knockout.

There's a lot less Metal in it, which is a great move imo. I've had it up to here with Portnoy's tough-guy vocals killing the mood, and some limp Metal riff being shoehorned into all the songs. That's just not what DT is good at. Granted, there are some more Metallic moments on this album, but they're rather few and far between, and therefore are a lot more tasteful. There are a ton of tasty Prog moments, and the instrumental breaks are to die for.

I think the whole album feels a lot more tasteful than the past couple albums, and there are so many more pretty and beautiful moments here. Some of the choruses just make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Plus, no more goofy 12 minute A.A. advertisments.

Heard the whole thing now. Really? That's it? Think I enjoyed Black Clouds more, very underwhelming. Hope it's a grower.

Oh yes it is my dear forum readers, yes it is.

I loved it on first listen. Maybe it's different for other people, I dunno.

This is a mix og Images & Words and Octavarium as far song-writing goes for me. It sounds incredibly fresh, which is impressive after years of shit. Mangini is not as good as Portnoy though. Petrucci soloing is lovely as well, and LaBrie sounds as average as ever. Somehow DT wouldn't be DT without him..

How could you? BC&SL was really really bland. Count of Tuscany is amazing, but that's about it. I know I rated it fairly high, but that one has stooped fairly low since then for me.

I think Mangini is as good as portnoy, portnoy just has a style that says, HEY I'M MIKE PORTNOY and you can always tell it's his drumming and it really fit Dream Theater well and made them stand apart because his drumming is very unique. Their are some good drum parts on this though, but yeah, you can tell it's not Mike Portnoy behind the kit anymore.

I'll listen to it a few times over the next couple days before I judge it though.