Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos

[MacLeod]

Picked this up yesterday and I love it. Its different than their other stuff but still Dream Theater.

If I had to peg it, I would say its a cross between Octavarium and Train of Thought. Its got some serious crunch in it but not as gritty as Train of Thought.

Its got more of an 80's heavy metal feel to it. Most of the songs are about demons, vampires and monsters. They just wanted to have fun with writing on this CD and it works.

The only complaint I have is on track #5, Repentance. Its a mellow song and a good one but at the 5 minute mark they go into this meandering slow phase with a bunch of guys talking thru it. Talking DOES NOT EVER belong in a song.

I highly recommend getting the Special Edition set which includes a "making of" DVD which also has the entire album mixed in 5.1

The making of part is pretty cool but doesnt go into enough depth on how they work and put together an album but its still very cool to see these geniuses work.

Train of Thought is my alltime favorite DT CD and while this one isnt as good, its still quite excellent and DEFINITELY worth getting if youre a DT fan.

Id give it a 9 out of 10 (10 being Train of Thought).

[fireshoes]

I got my copy tonight, but haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. Also, if you didn't see my thread about Ayreon, check it out. The concept album Human Equation features the singing of Dream Theater's James LaBrie as the main character.

Samples and more information at http://www.ayreon.com/ayreon/ay_albums_the.html

[LessisNevermore]

A friend dropped by with the new disc, and we played it through twice. I have been a fan since '92, seen DT 14 times, but they are losing me.....maybe a few more listens. At least I don't hate it, which is more than I can say for Octovarium. (sad to say)

The new disc is better than the last, I can't quite put my finger on it, but I haven't been floored by these guys since SFAM. I am still a fan, and have my tix for Aug. 10 in Chicago.

One of the opening acts is Redemption. Not sure how these guys flew under my radar, but I haven't been this jacked about a band since DT in '92!

Check out some of their songs here http://www.myspace.com/thebandredemption. (Ray Alder from Fates Warning is the singer) I think after this tour with Dream Theater, they are going to take off, certainly not mainstream, but possibly as successful as DT.

I posted the myspace page, because the music is more easily accessible. Main site here http://www.redemptionweb.com

[MacLeod]

Thanks for the link! Anything Ray Alder is involved with is something I will be interested in. He is about my alltime favorite singer.

Any word on if Fates is going to put out another CD? Been a couple years since X.

**edit**

I just bought "The Origins of Ruin" off Itunes. Thanks again for the heads up!

[avelanchefan]

I personally love the CD. It was so much more improved over 8V.

Mac....I am surprised by your lack of liking Redemption, I love how they slowed down the main riff (This Dying Soul). I personally liked the talking, the main talking voice you hear is Mikael Akerfeld from Opeth (talks about not playing for his friends wedding).

My least favorite seems to be Forsaken, although from reading some of the DT forums a lot of people like it.

BUT I love...I mean I LOVE The Ministry of Lost Souls. It has to be one of the best songs DT has ever recorded, just an absolutely stunning song.

Also it sounds like this tour is going to be playing a lot of Images and Words on this tour. Their first concert they played I&W from start to end. Also JLB mentioned that they would be honoring the 15 year release of I&W troughout the tour.

Looking forward to July 25th at the Dodge theater.

[LessisNevermore]

Thanks for the link! Anything Ray Alder is involved with is something I will be interested in. He is about my alltime favorite singer.

Any word on if Fates is going to put out another CD? Been a couple years since X.

**edit**

I just bought "The Origins of Ruin" off Itunes. Thanks again for the heads up!

No news on a new FW cd.

"The Fullness of Time" by Redemption is well worth a purchase too. (I think I like it a bit more than "Origins")

[MacLeod]

Mac....I am surprised by your lack of liking Redemption, I love how they slowed down the main riff (This Dying Soul). I personally liked the talking, the main talking voice you hear is Mikael Akerfeld from Opeth (talks about not playing for his friends wedding).


I do like the song and I get its meaning, I just hate songs with a lot of talking in them especially when its over long drawn out slow music like that. Gets boring to me.

Still a great CD tho!

Oh yeah, I was also disappointed that they had to make a stupid, anti-war hippy song. Theyve always seemed to stay out of politics and I loved that. But then LaBrie had to go and write some typical protest song.

[bamamusicfan]

If it's a move to 80's hair metal, they've lost me on this one!