Metal Reviews

I've been on a bit of a Dream Theater kick lately, so I guess I'll make a thread for their new album. Thoughts? Predictions? What do you want to hear?

Obviously it sounds pretty ambitious with Portnoy saying it's gonna have 50 epics or some dumb shit, but Portnoy can say some pretty dumb shit. Besides that, Rudess said that it'll venture into more Gothic territory.

At this point all I want is for them to get someone else to do their fucking covers. Honestly, that's some pretty horrible artwork.

I'm not sure what to think. I have not been on a DT kick, so the thought of a new DT does nothing for me right now. However, when I'm back on a DT kick, I'll probably pick it up and probably be disappointed all over again. If it sounds anything like their last one I'm going to barf on my wood floors.

I don't see what's so bad about that artwork, personally.

The sampler they put out was pretty shit... But I'll wait and see, I don't think that one represents the album at all

After listening to their first three albums a lot, I realize that I really really miss the Jazzy sound they had back then. It provided for some absolutely insane musicality that can basically beat the pants off of any other Progressive Metal band, then and now. It seems that now they're more concerned with being a Progressive METAL band. It worked from Scenes From A Memory through Train Of Thought, but now it seems like they're trying too hard to write heavy stuff, and it just doesn't work for them.

No one listens to Dream Theater because they're heavy (I don't, at least). I don't want them writing limp songs to just show off their chops for the sake of it, I want them to use their chops as a means to an end, like they used to. They should go back to Berklee and come back when they can deliver the goods again.

Ooh, a new Dream Theater album.

I would make a drinking game out of how many moments from it could have fit on previous albums, but I fear that I would succumb to alcohol poisoning by the second song.

I couldn't disagree with you more.

In what way?

I love my Dream Theater!! The new CD "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" is being released June 23rd. Track Listing:

1. A Nightmare to Remember
2. A Rite of Passage
3. Wither
4. The Shattered Fortress
5. The Best of Times
6. The Count of Tuscany



DT is definitely within my top 3 bands of all time and I can't wait to hear the new material.

I really hope it's good.

Well, lets see.

1. I haven't been listening to their first 3 albums a lot.
2. I do not miss their Jazzy sound they had back then
3. I don't think they're trying too hard to write heavy stuff.
4. I much prefer the heavier sound
5. I think its working just fine for them
6. I listen to Dream Theater because they're heavy (among other things)
7. I don't think they're writing limp songs
8. I don't think they should go back to berkley
9. I think they are delivering the goods currently.

So...like I said.

So you like boring uninspired music... I get it.

Hey there NESS! Long time no type

I don't know if I would call the latest offerings from DT "uninspired" however, I have felt that they've been concentrating on more complicated Yes sort of passages throughout the newer material just for the sake of including them. Particularly on "Systematic Chaos". I still love DT and I've really loved listening to the last 3 CD's a lot. Train of Thought, Octavarium, and Systematic Chaos are great albums, their just not Images and Words, which some DT fans have trouble getting past, I guess.

Personally, I love everything they do.

Train Of Thought was very awesome. I also like Octavarium a lot more than I remember, but there are still some meh moments on it. I still should give a proper listen to Systematic Chaos, but from what I have heard, I wasn't too wild about it.

Still, their first 3 albums are some of the best Prog Metal albums ever, Images & Words probably being the best. As long as this album is reasonably good, I'll be happy.

Youre doing it wrong

Hey man! Long time no type indeed.

Legacy said exactly what I was going to say in response to your post. Except I also dig Octovarium. I think they can still write good music, but they are progressively getting worse. I guess you can still consider them prog for that reason. OHHHHHHH!!!

I guess my least favorite of those mentioned has to be Octavarium even though it has got some killer songs. Systematic Chaos has grown on me huge since it came out. Train of Thought is also great, although some of the shred stuff is rather pointless. I need to be in the right mood for that.

Have you guys heard the first two tracks yet? Someone leaked them on youtube. They aren't necessarily comparable to Images and Words or Awake, but there are some old school moments. It's mostly the same sound as Systematic Chaos, though: heavy, de-tuned with varying vocal styles. Still, I am really liking what I hear. I think A Nightmare To Remember is an epic masterpiece, as it's growing on me with each listen. And the middle section of A Rite Of Passage has perhaps one of Petrucci's best solos ever. Great stuff in my opinion.

Oh, and I do NOT listen to Dream Theater for heaviness.

I will not listen to the leaked album when it comes out, though, as to respect the band. 2 songs is plenty, and more than enough to convince me to buy the album. Rock on Dream Theater!