Metal Reviews

Prophets of war is definitely one of the highlights of Systematic Chaos

Exactly. Actually, TOT is probably DT's heaviest and darkest album. The only thing even remotely resembling a nu-metal influence is the way James raps for may be a 20 seconds in Honor Thy Father. Again, a lot of metal fans will hear may be a two second rap bit in a metal song and automatically cry "Sellout!!!" You can probably blame Metallica for this narrowmindedness/elitism.

None taken. I liked As I Am, but I'd heard the rest of the album was trying too hard to be all "edgy"

I listened to this album just three days ago. Overall, typical DT and very good. I do, however, wish the songs were a little less same-sounding.

I have to agree. I just haven't had any of the songs really "jump off the CD" at me. In fact ( I say this with much trepidation) I find "Systematic Chaos" kind of uninspired. Don't get me wrong I love Dream Theater, it's just the material on SC is material that you've heard plenty before on previous DT CD's. I know that technically they're incredible but it's kind of the same 'ole DT. I hope that doesn't sound terrible because it's not meant to be.

I agree with others here that "Train Of Thought" by far, has been the best of the last 3 DT releases but I liked "Octovarium" as well. In fact I like Octovarium more than SC.

For me, Systematic Chaos has a lot more to offer than Octavarium.
Forsaken, Prophets of war and In the prescence of enemis part 2: Heretic/The slaughter of the damned are clearly the outstanding tracks on this new release.

I have to admit to this album lacking long term appeal for me compared to some of their others but still a great cd.

Yeah, that's what I'm finding...I listened the hell out of it for about a week but now it's pretty much fallen out of my rotation. That might not be fair, though, because then I got The Jester Race, which is absolutely godly...

But yeah, it's not as good as ToT or SFAM, but I think it's still one hell of a CD that blows Octavarium away.

I have a feeling this album may suffer in the future from what I like to call the "Octavarium effect". At the moment most fans are hailing it as one of DT's best, but in time, they may grow to dislike it, just like what happened with Octavarium. I'm still really enjoying the album at the moment, but I tend not to play anyone album too much, because I tend to get sick of stuff real easy.

Well, I never really thought Octavarium was that good, so I don't know...

All I know is that it's going to be tough for DT to continue to put out killer albums without repeating themselves. I don't know, I must be the only one that think SC is quite different from all of their other stuff...like a proggier Octavarium with the heaviness of ToT.

I think it's quite a departure from their other stuff, especially when you compare it to something like Images and Words. It'll be interesting to see where they go with their next album.

Listening to TOT quite a bit lately, Endless Sacrifice is so fucking good. The new album is OK but I've only heard the first half cause my cd player is fucked.

Endless Sacrifice has an awesome instrumental section one of their best love it. This new cd has lost it's shine with me liked it a lot at first but still enjoying other recent releases more . For me they hit their peak with SFAM then they started releasing tracks sounding like Tool,Muse,Megadeth,Metallica etc. amongst their own style.

SFAM is awesome, but I don't know if I can place it above IAW.

They came out with a video for Constant Motion...not anything amazing, but a pretty good video--there is some cool animation and stuff. Here is the link:

http://www.dreamtheater.net/news_dreamt ... hp#cmvideo

They shouldn't have cut the bridge to the instrumental section--it's really awkward now. But, still cool.

S'alright. James Labrie looks really weird though.

i happen to like this one quite a bit, in the presence of enemies part I and dark eternal night is my favourites...but i listened to images & words just afterwards, and BAH! i love images and words..

I completely understand. We actually get to play IAW at work.

Speaking of great prog albums I was listening to Shadow Gallery's Tyranny today for first time in years. It's still an awesome cd one of the best they could release it today and would still be better than most.