Dream Theater - Dream Theater (2013) 320kbps [Gorgatz]

Dream Theater - Dream Theater (2013) 320kbps [Gorgatz]



INFO:

Born as Majesty in 1985, Dream Theater has been one of the most consistent concept-rock bands of its generation. In fact, somewhere in South Dakota, the DT logo is probably very precisely carved in the “Rushmore of Prog.” After 2010’s much-publicized breakup with founding drummer Mike Portnoy—a huge creative force in the band since its inception—the group's 12th studio album is aptly self-titled, as it revisits DT's roots and offers the first listen to the band's writing with new drummer and rhythm heavyweight Mike Mangini.
Dream Theater> delivers a menagerie of soaring melodies, crushing riffs, and musical prowess. John Petrucci (guitars), John Myung (bass), Jordan Rudess (keys), and newcomer Mangini provide a sonic buffet of classic forms. Petrucci’s meticulous, ultra-tight tone is flawless throughout, matched by Myung’s usual inventive fingerings. A whirlwind of heavy, arpeggiated duals and time-signature changes drives the mesmerizing “The Enemy Inside” and “Enigma Machine.” And James LaBrie’s vocals and the tight melodic rock on the radio-ready “The Looking Glass” will have early DT fans dreaming of 1992’s Images and Words. The acoustic-guitar-driven middle section in “Surrender to Reason” recalls 1997’s Falling into Infinity, and Rudess’ virtuosic piano arrangements are as stunning as ever in “The Bigger Picture.”

Throw in the multi-movement opening and closing tracks that venture from padded-out synths and strings to thrashing metal, as well as the 22-minute epic “Illumination Theory,” and you’ve got all the makings of an archetypal Dream Theater album. Oh, and for those who feared Mangini couldn’t fill Portnoy’s big shoes, rest easy: Throughout Dream Theater, he displays formidable technique, while also adding a new flavor that promises to help keep faithful fans headbanging for years to come. —Luke Viertel

Must-hear tracks: “The Looking Glass,” “Illumination Theory”

A Dramatic Turn of Events was only superficially spectacular. It sounded like a Dream Theater album, but little else. It felt like they were going through the motions somewhat and as they were adapting to a new drummer in Mike Mangini, having written the bulk of his drum lines before he joined, it wasn’t surprising that a little of the dynamism that comes from the ease of familiarity was lost.

This is the first Dream Theater album the (five-time) World’s Fastest Drummer has had a chance to fully sink his teeth into, but is that even newsworthy any more? Is it really worth further discussion? It’s clear that Mike Portnoy isn’t going to be welcomed back into the fold. They’ve moved on and have quite pointedly self-titled their twelfth album. They feel this is their definitive work. It might be.

Starting with the short, instrumental ‘False Awakening Suite’, the album captures that famously galloping sense of progressive metal melodrama that their previous effort never quite managed to. That they then jump straight into the Megadeth-oriented razorblade riffage that was so distinct on Systematic Chaos with lead single, ‘The Enemy Inside’ is a statement of intent. Portnoy’s departure has certainly allowed Jordan Rudess’ personality to shine across Dream Theater – so evident in this huge song with his even huger keyboard solos.

‘The Looking Glass’ is another huge song, this time with enormous, poppy guitars that hark to their heroes, Rush as well as their own biggest-selling album, Images and Words. Of course DT have arranged the album so that a big sing-along hit-in-waiting is placed directly next to a jaunty instrumental. ‘Enigma Machine’ indeed, but Rudess is back in driving seat with ‘The Bigger Picture’ as he tinkles the ivories before James LaBrie’s gentle vocals – which are somehow less cheesy on this album – glide in and then gain power in this heartstring-tugging power ballad.

They leave the five-part 22-minute epic, ‘Illumination Theory’ til the very end but, as ever, it’s worth it. Flowing from grand bombast into bass-driven metal arpeggios before slowing through a percussive section and building back up to LaBrie’s familiar wail. There are strings, effects, numerous solos and a full gamut of exhausting prog metal excellence. If kitchen sinks made songs… hang on. You get it.

With nine tracks clocking in at 68 minutes, it looks like a Dream Theater album, but does it sound like the Dream Theater album? Yes and no. While it doesn’t (and could never) have the same surprise of innovation that those aforementioned pioneering albums had within them, there are tracks that are reminiscent of Dream Theater’s very, very best moments. The album is certainly up there in terms of execution, variety and balance and they sound like a band again. They sound like a great band again. It’s simply a return to normal, excellent form from the prog metal powerhouse that is Dream Theater. They’re back and they’re going absolutely nowhere, but they’ll tell you that in as unwieldy a manner as is possible. Celebrate it.

T R A C K L I S T :

1. False Awakening Suite 2:42
2. The Enemy inside 6:17
3. The Looking Glass 4:53
4. Enigma Machine 6:01
5. The Bigger Picture 7:40
6. Behind the Veil 6:52
7. Surrender to Reason 6:34
8. Along for the Ride 4:45
9. Illumination Theory 22:17

Bitrate: 320 k
Genre: Progressive
Subgenre: Progressive Metal
Size: 155.87 MB