FORMED in 1985 by John Myung (bass), John Petrucci (guitar), and Mike Portnoy (drummer), Dream Theater, whose lineup now includes along James LaBrie (vocals) and Jordan Rudess (keyboards), is one of the definitive bands in progressive metal genre, and their every release is met with anticipation.
The band’s 10th studio album, Black Clouds & Silver Linings, released on June 23, entered the US Billboard 200 at No 6 and Eurochart Hot 100 at top spot, marking its highest entry on either chart.
The album sees the band moving back towards songs that are as much complete compositions as they are progressive and technical, instead of the normal extended jam session as in previous offerings.
There are only six songs on the album, but the shortest song is already 5.25 minutes long. With lyrics written by Petrucci and Portnoy, all except one concern personal experiences about disturbing or difficult moments of their lives.
The album opens with a huge thunder crash, before a haunting piano introduces A Nightmare To Remember, written by Petrucci about a car accident he was involved in as a child.
A song about the freemasons, A Rite Of Passage, is more of a standard heavy rock song.
Things slow down with the power ballad Wither, a song about Petrucci’s own fear of writer’s block. A five-minute ballad that’s harmonious and intensely hummable.
Then comes the band’s progressive metal masterpiece, The Best Of Times, written by Portnoy about his father who died from cancer. It opens with a mellow introduction featuring piano, strings and acoustic guitar before kicking into traditional Dream Theater mode. Vocals don’t begin until after the fourth minute, but once they do, it’s a very catchy track.
Undoubtedly, the best song on the album, the 20-minute-long The Count Of Tuscany, about an actual encounter Petrucci had in Tuscany, has plenty of repetition and self-indulgence, but the boys throw twists and turns to keep things interesting throughout.
Petrucci has become much more proficient at writing heavy, memorable riffs that are capable of providing a solid foundation.
Black Clouds & Silver Linings is sure to be a must-have album for all progressive metal heads. — NST
The band’s 10th studio album, Black Clouds & Silver Linings, released on June 23, entered the US Billboard 200 at No 6 and Eurochart Hot 100 at top spot, marking its highest entry on either chart.
The album sees the band moving back towards songs that are as much complete compositions as they are progressive and technical, instead of the normal extended jam session as in previous offerings.
There are only six songs on the album, but the shortest song is already 5.25 minutes long. With lyrics written by Petrucci and Portnoy, all except one concern personal experiences about disturbing or difficult moments of their lives.
The album opens with a huge thunder crash, before a haunting piano introduces A Nightmare To Remember, written by Petrucci about a car accident he was involved in as a child.
A song about the freemasons, A Rite Of Passage, is more of a standard heavy rock song.
Things slow down with the power ballad Wither, a song about Petrucci’s own fear of writer’s block. A five-minute ballad that’s harmonious and intensely hummable.
Then comes the band’s progressive metal masterpiece, The Best Of Times, written by Portnoy about his father who died from cancer. It opens with a mellow introduction featuring piano, strings and acoustic guitar before kicking into traditional Dream Theater mode. Vocals don’t begin until after the fourth minute, but once they do, it’s a very catchy track.
Undoubtedly, the best song on the album, the 20-minute-long The Count Of Tuscany, about an actual encounter Petrucci had in Tuscany, has plenty of repetition and self-indulgence, but the boys throw twists and turns to keep things interesting throughout.
Petrucci has become much more proficient at writing heavy, memorable riffs that are capable of providing a solid foundation.
Black Clouds & Silver Linings is sure to be a must-have album for all progressive metal heads. — NST
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