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CD
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having bought this with a slightly sceptical mind after the disappointing Octavarium, I was blown away! The last few DT albums have divided the fans' opinions - some loved the heaviness of Train of Thought, while others liked the slightly smoother sound on Octavarium. BUT - DT are a prog band after all, so it would disappointing if all albums sounded the same.
With that in mind, I think the guys have outdone themselves with this record - combining the best elements of their previous albums into something which is heavy, ballsy (as MP wanted it to be!) and ROCKIN' yet also intricate and proggy with real thought behind the song structures and themes. The lighter moments on the record are more atmospheric and involving, rather than just sounding weak in the context of the others.
As always, the individual performances are absolutely outstanding. Every solo on this record is well placed, appropriate and adds something to the song, rather than just being a showcase for their talents. It's easy not to noticed the genius in the guys' playing as everything fits so well. But genius it is!
I won't go into a breakdown of the songs - others have done that. But for me, both parts of In The Presence Of Enemies stand out. This is what Dream Theater is about! Powerful songs with a mixture of complex musical themes that combine together to form a balls-out, rockin' blast of a record! These guys continue to be top of bill for me. AWESOME!
With that in mind, I think the guys have outdone themselves with this record - combining the best elements of their previous albums into something which is heavy, ballsy (as MP wanted it to be!) and ROCKIN' yet also intricate and proggy with real thought behind the song structures and themes. The lighter moments on the record are more atmospheric and involving, rather than just sounding weak in the context of the others.
As always, the individual performances are absolutely outstanding. Every solo on this record is well placed, appropriate and adds something to the song, rather than just being a showcase for their talents. It's easy not to noticed the genius in the guys' playing as everything fits so well. But genius it is!
I won't go into a breakdown of the songs - others have done that. But for me, both parts of In The Presence Of Enemies stand out. This is what Dream Theater is about! Powerful songs with a mixture of complex musical themes that combine together to form a balls-out, rockin' blast of a record! These guys continue to be top of bill for me. AWESOME!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By I. Lehnert
Format:Audio CD
So, Dream Theater in 2007; no line-up changes for over 8 years, new record label with enough marketing gusto to get the band over to a whole new set of fans, and another new album; their 4th in a very creatively proficient decade for the band. So where is Dream Theater musically in 2007? The answer seems to be 'bridging the gap', in their reliable progtastic fashion.
Some of the band's fans seem to have made a habit of finding a perceived fatal flaw with each of Dream Theater's albums these days. For instance, 2003's 'Train Of Thought' was 'too heavy' whilst 2005's 'Ocvatarium' wasnt 'heavy enough'. 'Systematic Chaos', the band's first album on Roadrunner Records, finds the band presenting a healthy balance between their heavy, light and traditional musical sides, and could ultimately prove to be a Dream Theater album that might just manage to please almost everyone.
Because there is a great level of variety on this record, make no mistake. Take two of the album's centre pieces; 'The Dark Eternal Night' lumbers about with such a menacing and brutal edge, and could almost be considered the heaviest song of this band's career. It's also here that drummer and main band spokesperson Mike Portnoy shows off his ever impressive skills with some great fast double bass breaks, and guitarist John Petrucci, shows again why he's one of the best electric guitarists alive by pulling of an enviously brilliant solo, one of many on the album. The song that follows, 'Repentance', is a quiet, moody and reflective number, part 4 in Portnoy's AA series, and features some of the bands friends talking about past failures as its outro.... Read more ›
Some of the band's fans seem to have made a habit of finding a perceived fatal flaw with each of Dream Theater's albums these days. For instance, 2003's 'Train Of Thought' was 'too heavy' whilst 2005's 'Ocvatarium' wasnt 'heavy enough'. 'Systematic Chaos', the band's first album on Roadrunner Records, finds the band presenting a healthy balance between their heavy, light and traditional musical sides, and could ultimately prove to be a Dream Theater album that might just manage to please almost everyone.
Because there is a great level of variety on this record, make no mistake. Take two of the album's centre pieces; 'The Dark Eternal Night' lumbers about with such a menacing and brutal edge, and could almost be considered the heaviest song of this band's career. It's also here that drummer and main band spokesperson Mike Portnoy shows off his ever impressive skills with some great fast double bass breaks, and guitarist John Petrucci, shows again why he's one of the best electric guitarists alive by pulling of an enviously brilliant solo, one of many on the album. The song that follows, 'Repentance', is a quiet, moody and reflective number, part 4 in Portnoy's AA series, and features some of the bands friends talking about past failures as its outro.... Read more ›
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Spence
Format:Audio CD
Like many of the reviewers so far, I have been a DT fan for many (10 + years). I guess we each look for something different from them. To me Train of Thought ( which I was honoured to be at THE first gig on the world tour to promote) was the last GREAT DT album. It followed a wave of peerless releases starting with Awake ( still my favourite for the diversity, confidence, melodies and musicianship).
I have only managed 3/4 listens so far so temper my views with that.
The songs aren't great on the whole - there is a feel of a formula about some of the longer ones - almost like the guys said " We are DT so we better add another 5 minutes of noodling and time changes" without thinking about where the song or melody is going. We know they can be self indulgent ( I wish I had 10% of JP's ability) but sometimes less is more.
The highlights for me,so far, are Forsaken ( a great DT song - great vocal performance as well) and Repentance.Weakest is Prophets of War - very poor lyrics - on the whole just below the , admittedly very high, standards DT have set for themselves over the years.
I am , and remain a massive DT fan. I can't wait to see them tour to support the album.I hope that Octavarium and now SC don't indicate that the bands creativity is on the wane. I must emphasise, putting this into perspective that it's good and I will listen my ears off over the next few weeks but TOT, 6DOIT, SFOAM grabbed you right away, no escaping the magnitude of them as classics - this doesn't seem to make it into the same bracket.
Don't shoot me - I'm just a fan with an opinion.
I have only managed 3/4 listens so far so temper my views with that.
The songs aren't great on the whole - there is a feel of a formula about some of the longer ones - almost like the guys said " We are DT so we better add another 5 minutes of noodling and time changes" without thinking about where the song or melody is going. We know they can be self indulgent ( I wish I had 10% of JP's ability) but sometimes less is more.
The highlights for me,so far, are Forsaken ( a great DT song - great vocal performance as well) and Repentance.Weakest is Prophets of War - very poor lyrics - on the whole just below the , admittedly very high, standards DT have set for themselves over the years.
I am , and remain a massive DT fan. I can't wait to see them tour to support the album.I hope that Octavarium and now SC don't indicate that the bands creativity is on the wane. I must emphasise, putting this into perspective that it's good and I will listen my ears off over the next few weeks but TOT, 6DOIT, SFOAM grabbed you right away, no escaping the magnitude of them as classics - this doesn't seem to make it into the same bracket.
Don't shoot me - I'm just a fan with an opinion.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A. MCMAHON
Format:Audio CD
Got hold of a copy of this a couple of days ago and as usual first impression was good but is it great?
As usual with DT there are so many aspects to this CD that it takes time to appreciate but it grew on me really quickly.
There is a great mix of melodic, slow tracks with real emotion and tracks that are heavy, some quite complex but always progresive
This CD brings together much of what has been done by DT over their career and blends it with influences such as Floyd, Genesis, Pantera, Metallica...just listen and you hear the nods to all the great artists!
Overall it continues to grow on me and unfold itself with the levels of meaning and musical ability, quite how they produce such fantastic music again and again is in itself pretty amazing.
No hesitation in the 5 star rating and compared to much that is produced at the moment DT should get a 6th star!
As usual with DT there are so many aspects to this CD that it takes time to appreciate but it grew on me really quickly.
There is a great mix of melodic, slow tracks with real emotion and tracks that are heavy, some quite complex but always progresive
This CD brings together much of what has been done by DT over their career and blends it with influences such as Floyd, Genesis, Pantera, Metallica...just listen and you hear the nods to all the great artists!
Overall it continues to grow on me and unfold itself with the levels of meaning and musical ability, quite how they produce such fantastic music again and again is in itself pretty amazing.
No hesitation in the 5 star rating and compared to much that is produced at the moment DT should get a 6th star!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Systematically Wonderful!!!!!!
I cannot say how much i have fallen in love with what this band do.... they are amazing to listen to, and live, amazing to watch... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. G. Vranjkovic
5.0 out of 5 stars
10/5 stars
This, is, AWESOME!!
Dream Theater 5.1 Dolby is just what every fan needs! Imagine having your favorite album being throw around your room and guitar solos that travel... Read more
Dream Theater 5.1 Dolby is just what every fan needs! Imagine having your favorite album being throw around your room and guitar solos that travel... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. J. C. Wright
4.0 out of 5 stars
Perspective from a newcomer to Dream Theater
This was my introduction to Dream Theater, previous to this album I'd heard the name but not the music. On my first listen I can honestly say I wasn't all that impressed by it. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Andrew B. Price
5.0 out of 5 stars
Systematic Chaos - Dream Theater
Although only 8 tracks long, this is far from a short album, with 5 tracks being 8 - 16 minutes long. This is a prog metal album in the truest sense of the word. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Foxtrot Oscar
5.0 out of 5 stars
Masterpiece or something to forget about?
I don't normally write reviews, but in this case I thought I should make the effort.
Being a huge fan of rock music of most types, particularly Rush, Pink Floyd, Metallica,... Read more
Being a huge fan of rock music of most types, particularly Rush, Pink Floyd, Metallica,... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Steve
2.0 out of 5 stars
Systematic Chaos
I did not receive the album as displayed. As shown on the image, the cover is the red/orange background with the signal light. I got the original cover with the roads ect. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Sam 1985
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible album
For me, this is my strongest DT album yet (I have Octavarium, Images and Words and Awake), and there is never a dull moment, whether in the distorted riffs of the Dark Eternal... Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2010 by J. King
5.0 out of 5 stars
Prog metal masterpiece
It's as if their new record label Roadrunner have said to them "drop the crap ballads, get rid of the orchestras, trim the length down a bit and just rock out". Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2010 by Alister King
1.0 out of 5 stars
If you like uninspired albums this is for you!
Yeah Dream Theater are just about the best band out today but that doesn't mean they're impervious to making the odd rubbish album. Read more
Published on 18 July 2010 by B. Fenning
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unbelievable
Everything about this album has been done excellently. I love every song on the album, its truly moving. Read more
Published on 12 July 2010 by DangerousDibs
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