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Dream Theater - Parasomnia CD (album) cover

PARASOMNIA

Dream Theater

 

Progressive Metal

4.01 | 315 ratings

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kev rowland like
Special Collaborator
Prog Reviewer / Special Collaborator
5 stars I have always been a huge Mike Portnoy fan, and always felt that Dream Theater were missing something without him involved, but I am sure I am not the only one who thought he would never return to the band he co-founded, but after years doing plenty of other things, he has been welcomed back to the fold and here we have the first album with this line-up since 2009's 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings'. Parasomnia is a category of sleep disorders, and this album is a concept based around that theme.

What strikes me most about this album is just how much it feels like a Portnoy release as opposed to pure Dream Theater. While we do get the bursts of the complexity and majestic interplay we know and expect from these guys, and LaBrie is singing just as well as ever, what is ever driving this album in the right direction is the sheer punishment being given out by the bearded gentleman at the back. It is almost as if Mike feels he has something to prove, and the result is incredibly hard-hitting and a drummer who is very much an integral part of the sound and not just someone keeping time at the back. His use of everything at his disposal is a drummer's wet dream, as he is everywhere at once and while James may be holding long notes, Mike is smashing his kit to pieces. This means John Myung's contribution can often be overlooked, while neither Jordan nor John Petrucci have as much space as one would normally expect. The production keeps the drums up in the mix, allowing for us to easily hear what Mike is doing, but never at the detriment at the rest of the instruments, which means we have one of the most exciting and vibrant DT albums in many years.

"Dead Asleep" is probably my favourite song on the album, which commences with a blasting riff and everyone punching above their weight, with James then singing the sad tale of someone who killed his wife while sleepwalking. It has harmonies, great rippling piano, huge riffs and a drummer trying to hit through his kit, who could wish for more? Packed with hooks it is a delight from beginning to end.

Dream Theater may not have been away, but arguably they have been somewhat dormant, but the beast is awake again, and prog metal is all the better for it.

kev rowland | 5/5 |

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