METROPOLIS PART 2 - SCENES FROM A MEMORY

Wow, this is how I like Dream Theater, when they think outside the box.

**ACT ONE**

Regression, starts off with a clock, which really intrigued me the first time I heard it. Then it becomes this beautiful slow acoustic ballad with Labrie singing. Very pretty. (9/10)

Overture 1928 leads you into this intense instrumental with great playing and an Opeth like guitar chord at the start. Very nice. But what captivated me the most were the amazing keyboard solos. Flawless. (10/10)

Strange Deja Vu starts where Overture 1928 ends. The story is very easy to understand unlike some concept albums (Ghost Reveries). Mike Portnoy's drumming has never been better, he really keeps everything in check. The song doesn't get too interesting for me until the harder rock section kicks in. That part really wowed me, it was so well written. Great song. (9/10)

Through My Words is a beautiful piano ballad, I love this segue every time I hear it. (10/10)

Fatal Tragedy starts off continuing Through My Words for some reason. Bad mastering? Who knows. Then the song gets up on its feet, but ultimately falls down again, with a repetitive circling of the song which annoys me. The solos however, are genius. The instrumental section has some of the best Dream Theater soloing on the entire album. This section makes up for the rest of the song. (8.5/10)

Beyond This Life is an epic masterpiece from start to finish. The start is very great and I love playing the guitar lines at my house. This is where the story gets interesting. Some of Labrie's best work on the record is here. The lyrics are really well written (Nod to Petrucci) and are perfectly in sync with a story. I also noticed the newspaper on the inside booklet have the lyrics on them. (I actually noticed that from the Live At Budokan DVD). The chorus is perfect, I love the effects used there. Then after the first chorus, Petrucci rips out this amazing, Slayer like solo that just blows my mind. The second chorus All that we learn, this time, is carried Beyond, This Life. I found really beautiful and great. Then the instrumental section just baffles me at times. From Petrucci's amazing wah-wah solo to Rudess's quirky keyboard sounds, this is a great instrumental section. Then the ending of the instrumental section is this wonderful, Zappa inspired unison by Petrucci and Rudess. Amazing, a zenith in progressive metal. (10/10)

Through Her Eyes is a nice, slow going ballad. I didn't find it too interesting or worthy of any real re-listen. It was an obvious attempt at another fluke single. It sounds better played with the drums. (8/10)

**ACT TWO**

Home is an middle eastern inspired piece, which really blows my mind. The Sitar sounds from Jordan Rudess really sound...well, real! This song has reference to the original Metropolis song all over it. Lyrics, writing, drumming, playing. Everything! The story really gets interesting, because it starts to plot on why Victoria was killed. The reason was The Sleeper (Julian) is addicted to something, probably drinking. Then, The Miracle (Julian's Brother) is comforting Julian's girlfriend. Then, as you can distinctively hear midway through the song, he has sex with her. Here is what every song needs, orgasms! Right after the escapade, comes an awesome keyboard solo that just really kills me. It's almost as catchy as the one in 6:00. Then the less than inspired guitar solo. *YAWN*, I thought these guys were Dream Theater. That part kind had me holding my breath for nothing. Then, the song goes into this Sitar/Guitar unison, that I personally, find simply mind bending. The song ends with some drum fills from Mike Portnoy. Overall GREAT SONG, except the lame solo from Petrucci. (9.5/10)

The Dance Of Eternity, honestly. This song is just a big lame piece of show offyness. I really found this sort of uncool for these guys to do. The musicianship is there, but it's sort of pretentious and they are really just being show offs. (6.5/10)

One Last time starts out with some AMAZING piano playing. This is the point in the story where Nicholas begins to think that the story doesn't really make sense and he wants to go back in time one last time, hence the title. The song morphs back into Strange Deja Vu, which I found very cool. Nice song. (8.5/10)

The Spirit Carries On, is honestly, in my top ten of best songs of all time. This song I WANT PLAYED AT MY FUNERAL. It's beautiful and moving in every way. I love this song. The beautiful guitar playing and singing. The lyrics too, oh, are just spectacular. (John Petrucci actually wrote them in a Wal-Mart parking lot). The song is beautiful, it brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it. Best power ballad of all time. (1000/10)

Finally Free starts with the voice of the therapist again, with a easy listening/folky guitar jingle in the back. This is the point in the story where Nicholas realises what really happened to Victoria, and how it came to be. Then a beautiful piano piece leads the song to begin its vocals. The lyrics are PERFECT for the song. This is Mike Portnoy's lyrical masterpiece, (The AA suite withstanding). Then the song really starts with a nice section with great backup vocals. I absolutely love the chorus:

This feeling inside me Finally found my love, I finally broke free No longer town in two I'd take my own life before losing you

Then, the story comes to a climax with a very heavy guitar line. You can hear an obvious struggle, then gunshots. Apparently, The Miracle, (The Sleeper's Brother) killed both Victoria and The Sleeper. He shot them both dead. Then the song goes back into the chorus from One Last Time, which I loved. Then, The Sleepers and Victoria's souls both arise to heaven. Then the song cuts to an acoustic and vocal part, which then leads back into the song. The song comes to an end (vocally) with the lines: We'll meet again my friend, someday soon. (SEQUEL :D)

Then the song goes into my favorite part, the rotating of the dark heavy guitar lines with Mike Portnoy soloing behind them. Live, it sounds twice as awesome. The song ends with Nicholas pulling up in his driveway, relaxing at his home, only to be awakened by the therapist, as he fell asleep and dreamt all of this up.

WHAT A TWIST!

This album, is my favorite Dream Theater album. It's records like this that brought these guys where they are right now. I just hope they can turn it around and release another record of this caliber. It would be a great sight to see, someday soon. One song can't ruin an entire album, this is one is a masterpiece. 5 Stars.