Metal Express Radio

NORWAY ROCK FESTIVAL 2010
Part 1

GEORGE BELLAS
The Dawn Of Time

W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P.

INDYUS
Ashes Of Distopia

DEW-SCENTED
Invocation

STEELGAR
Xenocide

DESTRUCTION
All Hell Breaks Loose (Remastered)

AUDIOVISION
Focus

SATYROS
A Day Of Rain

ETERNAL REIGN
The Dawn of Reckoning



DREAM THEATER - Systematic Chaos Roadrunner Records Metal Express Rating: 8.0/10 Release Date: 2007-06-05 by: FRODE LEIRVIK a.k.a. frodeo Email: fl(AT) metalexpressradio(DOT)com	write/read comments
When the posterboys of Progressive Metal, Dream Theater, released Octavarium in 2005, it was followed by a set of theroies explaining that this would be their last album. And, in ways, it did represent a closure: it was the last album ever to be recorded in the legendary Hit Factory studio (New York) and it was Dream Theater's last album with Atlantic Records. But, with a new record deal in their hands, this time with Roadrunner Records, another chapter is written with Systematic Chaos. The Music The duality in this title hints the duality and wide span found in the music, as well. Not in a long time has Dream Theater sounded so angry, so complex, and yet so humble on just one album. The perks are obvious: you are likely to be intrigued, entertained, stumped, and challenged throughout. This is Progressive Metal they way it should be. On the other hand, there are phrases and moods that resemble other bands far more than one would expect from someone as innovative as Dream Theater (most aparent in "Constant Motion"). This is not the first time they pull strings from their sources of inspiration (whether it’s an intentional musical quotation or not), but it does nevertheless leave a less flattering impression this time around. In the big picture, it would probably still not bring them down from their poster position, though. Thanks to songs like the immense "In The Presence Of Enemies" (both parts), pitch black "The Dark Eternal Night," and reflecting "Repentance," Systematic Chaos floats where its predecessor barely made it ashore. The Band Dream Theater has survived two decades without too many changes in their line-up, with the present one dating back to 1999 when their long-time preferred keyboardist Jordan Rudess joined. His contributions have been significant and still are on this album. Fronting the band is still singer James LaBrie, who does an outstanding job on this album. The same naturally goes for drummer and Mr. Dream Theater himself, Mike Portnoy, along with his buddies John Petrucci and John Myung (on guitar and bass respectively, if you were in doubt ...). They all appear tight and well-balanced, as usual, supported by a crisp and clear sound and a truly dynamic production. The Verdict It's inevitable for Dream Theater not to be judged by higher standards than other Progressive Metal bands. But, trying to leave that aside, Systematic Chaos is a solid album and a promising start to another two decades of Progressive Metal. The Facts Band Web page: www.DreamTheater.net Label Web page: www.RoadrunnerRecords.com


User Comments Posted by Robert on 15/05/2009 04:15:33 First of all, I consider myself being a huge fan of DT. I have all albums and DVDs, I buy the new ones online before I've heard them, I have also some official (as well as non-official) bootlegs in my collection as well. One of my concerns with the "new" sound of DT (since FII) is about the sound of John Myung. In the old days (pre FII), Myung had a stronger precense in the mix. In the very beginning, he played "lead bass" that could carry whole parts of a song, much like a Steve Harris approach, or todays Andreas Blomqvist (Seventh Wonder). Over the years, more and more of this, imo, have been washed away from Myungs (and DT's) signature sound. Why is that? The newer albums are in lower keys, but does that mean that he only should play pumping tonics/first notes of the chords, or that he just should mimic the the guitar, one octave lower? If (above mentioned) Seventh Wonder can pull this off, so should DT too! The second concern is about the Loudness War. The newer albums album clipps, contains no dynamics what so ever, and make my ears weary of listening. I can hardly listen to a whole album at a time now. This is a sad development IMO. I think DT should hire a good producer for the next release. Their sound have worked for a decade or so, but now they need some new ideas. And they should also hire a masterer who does not simply just "crank it all up" and ruins the disc with loudness war at the end of the process. Posted by johnny a on 03/06/2008 19:00:12 DT has stretched its listeners again with stuff that is sharp, intense, melodic, rythmic and fun to listen to. I wonder if people really understand how good these guys are! Posted by Jason on 20/10/2007 09:56:32 LOL Dan's comment about looking for ways to hang yourself. That's hilarious. This DT album is up there with my fav's, I&W, Awake, ToT. One complaint: It seems that on every album in recent years, DT rips off some other popular band(s) here or there in small but obvious ways. Doh!-- there's Metallica, there's Megadeth, there's Tool, there's Pantera, there's Primus, there's Nevermore. It comes across to me like some cheap marketing ploy. It would be one thing for DT's music to have a subtle flavor of those other bands in an abstract way, but to my ears, DT seems to be plopping in wholesale a little Hetfield here or Mustaine there, as if it were bait to catch a larger fan base. It undermines their integrity. The DT guys each have plenty of their own musical personality (Myung is debatable) and compositional ability to carry the music. Posted by Brian aka Guppusmaximus on 04/07/2007 08:00:05 Nice Review... Though this album leaves me pondering on wether or not DT is trying to sound like a Roadrunner release without totally losing their signature sound. You would think with a fresh start that they would've tried something a little more daring/experimental but this is coming from a guy who can be way too critical. I loved DT(And still do) in the beginning for their ability to push the envelope & to me this album sounds way too safe. I guess I will have to wait for a new Spiral Architect album to cure that craving. Posted by Soft Boy on 13/06/2007 14:12:40 Well, I don't know you Dan Axl, and I really don't want to make this D.T. thread an argument forum like can be found on (for example) Blabbermouth. However, Soft Boy loves Progressive Metal, so that's the first thing you got wrong. 8+ minute tracks are fine, by the way, providing there's 8 minutes of quality music. A lot of Prog Metal bands think that just because they label themselves "Progressive" that that gives them a God-given right of some sort to throw in a bunch of useless wadding into their songs. In the end, their 8+ minute songs have about 3 or 4 minutes of truly enjoyable music, whereas the remaining time could have been left out or dedicated to a another concept via another composition. My point was pretty simple ... D.T. has succeeded with this album in making enjoyable extended-length songs, and has done that throughout their career. Other have not (whether Progressive or in some other genre) been so successful in delivering truly enjoyable music when embracing the same concept. Posted by Dan Axl on 13/06/2007 04:49:27 "Soft Boy" must be talking about people that normally don't like the progressive genre!!! Bullshit! Some of the best tracks ever written are more than 8 minutes long. Of course it's not for commercialized dudes like you who prefer an instant 3 minutes long "vers-chorus-vers-chorus-solo-chorus-vers-double chorus". But yeah, DT rules! Posted by Soft Boy on 12/06/2007 21:17:42 D.T. is one of the few bands (Progressive or otherwise) that can offer multiple 8+ minute tracks without causing the listeners to look for ways to hang themselves. Fresh, heavy, and interesting stuff ... well done. Posted by Fozzy on 12/06/2007 05:31:43 Only Images and Train... are better. Very good album! Posted by Mick Burgess (MER) on 11/06/2007 13:59:01 This is great stuff. Images and Words is one of my all time favourite albums and this after a week of listening to it is as good if not better !!! High praise indeed !! Posted by ultramanj on 11/06/2007 13:28:21 This disc is one of the better offerings I have heard from these guys. Heavy, cool songs, and all the while still doing that thing that makes then DT... good stuff. Add your own Comment Here

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