Artist: Dream Theater
Title: A Dramatic Turn Of Events
Genre: Progressive Rock / Metal
Release Date: 9th September 2011
Label: Roadrunner Records
Album Review
DREAM THEATER over the years has reached an almost iconic status in the genre of progressive rock music with albums such as ‘Images and Words’, or ‘Metropolis Pt.2: Scenes from a Memory’. Ever since, some years have passed and a string of more albums have been released not all meeting with general acclaim both from the fans and music critics and in 2009 there's been a new record out with the title ‘Black Clouds & Silver Linings’, the tenth DREAM THEATER album that could garner some really favourable reviews. Now let's see what has changed within the sound since Mike Portnoy has left the band before recording of the new album started.
The album's title could be a metaphor to the departure of long-time member Mike Portnoy before recording of the new album started. Personally, I thought that it would be impossible to find a new replacement for Portnoy. But Mike Mangini seemed to be the one after all. The outcome of him doing the drums are quite solid. On the first offering of the album 'On The Backs Of Angels' he's keeping up with the others impressively shifting the rhythms from earthly straight drums over to eclectic figures supporting for instance finger acrobatic of Jordan Rudess aptly. 'Build Me Up, Break Me Down' starts out electronic and develops in to a straight rock trap with an epic note added by the elegiac keyboard layers in the backdrop. The next lengthy adventure 'Lost Not Forgotten' starts with a lonesome wind blowing over forgotten shores to the beauty of a melancholy piano line before majestic choirs and drums are added for the epic factor. Then everything's getting kicked up a few notches with the double-bass section. 'This Is The Life' is aiming for the title of most beautiful DREAM THEATER ballad. Though some might put it differently I think it's doing quite a good job.
With 'Bridges In The Sky' we're leaving familiar grounds in favour of a myth drenched universe drenched with ritual rhythms, chants and otherworldly noises. But suddenly the power of heavenly choirs covers everything with light. The actual start of the track then is a stark counterpoint, kicking in with dominating harsh rhythms that are going to shape-shift various times throughout the song's duration. Much like a current under the prevailing ethereal feel of the keyboard melodies. The track to end the new album is 'Beneath The Surface' and while I admit that I not always was content with the way he did the vocals, I think on this track it's nearly flawless. The track itself goes mostly without any rhythmical accentuation and lives on strings, acoustic guitars and slightly experimental keys.
Well, DREAM THEATER have delivered once again I'd say. Though they're not breaking new grounds on the album. They do what they're being respected for. Using their extraordinary skills as musicians to create something above the average. It's plain and simple DREAM THEATER!
Tracklist
01. On The Backs Of Angels
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
03. Lost Not Forgotten
04. This Is The Life
05. Bridges In The Sky
06. Outcry
07. Far From Heaven
08. Breaking All Illusions
09. Beneath The Surface
Line-Up
James LaBrie - Lead vocals, Percussion
John Myung - Bass guitar, Chapman stick
John Petrucci - Guitars, Backing vocals
Mike Mangini - Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals
Jordan Rudess - Keyboards, Continuum, Lap steel guitar
Website
http://www.dreamtheater.net/ / http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dream-Theater/7677942180
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10
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