OCTAVARIUM

This is the worst Dream Theater album ever. Hands down. Period. Many bands have released utterly dissapointing releases, but hardly any went this low. Even the numerous side projects and solo albums do not give DT an excuse for creating something this bad. It's hard to believe that this is the same band that is responsible for Awake.The complete lack of inspiration and creativity on Octavarium is evident. Heck, Train of Thought is brilliant compared to this.

First ,we have "The Root of all evil", the third song and whichever chapter of Portnoy's alcohol thing. It seems that Mr Portnoy has set himself the task of making it progressively worse with each part . After an impressive start with The Glass Prison, it is ruined by This Dying Soul and now this - an absolutely unremarkable chromatic riff , typically boring verses, wanky solos (not as wanky as on ToT ,thankfully),etc. The most disappointing start you could possibly think of.

(Fortunately) I cant remember anything at all from track number 2. Moving on.

The guitar tone in the intro of "These Walls" reminded me of Electric Wizard (actually it made me hope it was those British stoners playing) . However it's still DT (if you can call this DT). Again, this is plain bad. Forget the accusations of direct Linkin Park ripoffisms. Comparing this track to anyone's work is a gigantic insult to whoever that anyone might be and should be prosecuted.

Next , we have a flat-out pop song that's average even by pop standarts.

Panic Attack begins with a bass line (the main riff too) that's memorable only due to its simplicity. I must admit , i like the Muse-esque vocal stylings in the bridge . However, anyone who still uses the i-bVI-IV-bVII progression or any of it's variations should be jailed.

Never enough is another track i cant remember at all.

Sacrificed Sons is probably the best song on the album. That does not mean its good, but at least its tolerable. Stretching it to 10 minutes is a bit too much though.

And finally , we have Octavarium. It does have fine moments, but for a 24-minute album closer , it's a complete waste. Its no wonder that Labrie is upset about being "trapped inside this octavarium" - even he realises how bad the song and album really are.

Overall , the only good thing about Octavarium is that the next DT album will almost certainly be better - that is, if they find the strength to at least try and redeem themselves.