Systematic Chaos - Dream Theater

Advantages: Brilliant album
Disadvantages: None

This CD is Dream Theaters ninth studio cd and they seem to get better with every cd they make. One good thing being each dream theater cd has a new and different sound to the last and theres no exception here. In the Presence Of Enemies Part 1: This is part 1 of the epic that is In the Presence Of Enemies. Part 2 is the last song on the cd. This part of it is mostly instrumental and shows off how good dream theater are musically. Labrie doesn't come ...
...the song starts to pick up. This is a brilliant opener to the cd. Forsaken: This song is one of the softer, more catchy songs on the cd, much like I Walk Beside You from the previous cd in that it sounds radio friendly. The main riff of the song has to be one of the best guitar riffs on the cd. Song has a really catchy chorus, I would imagine this will be their second choice for a single from the cd after Constant Motion. Constant Motion: This ... Read review

Advantages: Musicanship rivaled by very few in the world, Dream Theater possesses more "feel" now
Disadvantages: A bit lacking for inspiration in the lyric department

...for a ninth outing. Systematic Chaos, reminiscent of their seventh release, Train of Thought, dives deep into the realms of prog-metal. Though Systematic Chaos allows each individual of Dream Theater to show off their technical prowess in ways we have heard in previous Dream Theater albums, a growth of musianship can be witnessed in the band, as well. Mike Portnoy's drumming continues to amaze, though not as show off-ey as previous Dream Theater ...
...so well. Systematic Chaos, though not as "in your face" as other Dream Theater releases, is incredibly intricate and beauiful in it own right. From the technically amazing instrument break of "The Dark Eternal Night" to the emotional brilliance of "The ministry of Lost Souls" and "Repentance," Systematic Chaos satisfys many cravings a prog fan may have. Overall, I highly recommend Systematic Chaos for any Prog Rock/Metal fan. Specifically those ... Read review

Advantages: Complex Melodies and Harmonies, Great song concepts
Disadvantages: Artwork is a little boring

This album is yet another fantastic creation of progressive metal band, Dream Theater. The album comprises a total of 8 tracks, each containing a different concept. Forsaken for example is about a vampire and her victim. The melodies are complex - standard when considering the musical abilities of each musician. I would compare this album to previously released Dream Theater production - Train of Thought, and Scenes from a memory. It has thought ...
...ryhthms. John Petrucci plays some incredible riffs on guitar - he is quite possibly one of the best guitarists in the world. James LaBrie as usual presents the music with his powerful voice. Some different approaches have been used in this album, not seen before by the band. In track 6 - Prophets of war, I detected element classic of Queen in the vocals. This album is a great buy and should deserve many hours of play time. TRACK LISTING 1. ... Read review

Advantages: Heavy and emotionally charged
Disadvantages: Simplistic in places

This album is the latest release from Dream Theater, and while it does contain all the basic ingredients needed for a Dream Theater album, it also has something different. It is much heavier than other releases and has much less variation. Whilst it is a good album, it is lacking when compared to other Dream Theater releases, although is has good lyrics and is musically good, it is far less complex than other albums by he band, and is much more focused ...
...a different album when compared to the bands back catalogue so much so that it barely seems like the same band at all, and is influenced much more by modern bands than classic bands. Dream Theater is basically Progressive Metal, but slightly more complex and intricate in places, and if you don't know what Prog-Metal is, pretty much it is the musicianship of Heavy Metal, with the thoughts and ideas behind the songs and bands like Pink Floyd and Gentle ... Read review