SYSTEMATIC CHAOS

A well recorded, even album. Paul Northfield has done nothing but help. Definately something you can listen to from start to finish without getting bored, or, without feeling overwelmed and assaulted. The track "In the presence of Enemies" is probably no "Change of Seasons" or "Octavarium".... but they seem to be going for a different mood with the entire CD and it fits in excellently with the overall package.

The vocals are not too breathy or melodramatic... Since Score was released, I was hoping for great vocals on this studio release, and I'm pretty happy. I think Petrucci stands out among the rest, but honestly that may be because I listen to the guitar more than anything else no matter what I am listening to. Everyone seems like they are playing well "as a band".

People have called this album "dark", which is a more fitting description of the lyrics than the music. Influences, of course, are present - but this sounds like an honest, well crafted, well written collection that furthur defines Dream Theater.