Dream Theater - Dream Theater (26/03/2014)
Formed all the way back in 1985 Dream Theater have done a lot of things in their time as a band. Played thousands of shows, sold millions of records across the world, been nominated for a Grammy award and released eleven (twelve including this one) studio albums. Yet their new album is their first ever self titled album, a decision not made lightly by the band. This also marks the first time that drummer Mike Mangini has been wholly involved in the creative process of an album from the start since joining the band three years ago.
The album kicks off with a three part instrumental track called False Awakening Suite (broken down to Sleep Paralysis, Night Terrors and Lucid Dream). This marks their first instrumental on an album in ten years. I've never quite understood the interest in starting an album with an instrumental song so for me, it wasn't the greatest of starts. Not taking anything away from the talent on offer from the band but it just wasn't that attention grabbing track that the album needed to start with.
First single The Enemy Inside is up next and after about a minute of very technical guitar playing and drums we finally hear vocalist James LaBrie for the first time. His power metal type vocals are something done by a lot of metal bands but ultimately, having never really been a fan of the band, they fall flat. The guitar work in this song by John Petrucci however, is phenomenal.
Enigma Machine is another instrumental track, this one more than twice as long as the opening track. There's a few more tracks that ultimately don't stand out to me before new single Along For The Ride. This mellow track is a nice change from the tempo of the rest of the album and is the only track I really enjoyed.
The album comes to an end after the ridiculously long final track Illumination Theory. Clocking in at an insane 22 minutes (which isn't even the longest song they've ever done!)
Basically if you're a fan of the band I'm sure you'll soak this up, if not, then don't bother.
Matt Barton
The album kicks off with a three part instrumental track called False Awakening Suite (broken down to Sleep Paralysis, Night Terrors and Lucid Dream). This marks their first instrumental on an album in ten years. I've never quite understood the interest in starting an album with an instrumental song so for me, it wasn't the greatest of starts. Not taking anything away from the talent on offer from the band but it just wasn't that attention grabbing track that the album needed to start with.
First single The Enemy Inside is up next and after about a minute of very technical guitar playing and drums we finally hear vocalist James LaBrie for the first time. His power metal type vocals are something done by a lot of metal bands but ultimately, having never really been a fan of the band, they fall flat. The guitar work in this song by John Petrucci however, is phenomenal.
Enigma Machine is another instrumental track, this one more than twice as long as the opening track. There's a few more tracks that ultimately don't stand out to me before new single Along For The Ride. This mellow track is a nice change from the tempo of the rest of the album and is the only track I really enjoyed.
The album comes to an end after the ridiculously long final track Illumination Theory. Clocking in at an insane 22 minutes (which isn't even the longest song they've ever done!)
Basically if you're a fan of the band I'm sure you'll soak this up, if not, then don't bother.
Matt Barton