SCORE: 20TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR LIVE WITH THE OCTAVARIUM ORCHESTRA

They did it in 2000 with 'Live Scenes from New York', and again in 2004 with 'Live at Budokan', and come 2006, Dream Theater are at it once more, trying to outdo themselves with 'Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour', another three-disc live album that shows the kings of progressive metal at their very best.

"So what makes 'Score' any different?" you ask... allow me to explain.

'Live Scenes...' was focused around the 'Scenes from a Memory' album and a multitude of big, prog epics, while 'Budokan' had an abundance of heavier, more energetic and varied material. Interestingly, with the exception of a few songs, both albums had different sets, and this continues with 'Score'. Based around the 'Octavarium' album and a retrospective look back at the bands career in chronological order, there is, once again, a varied set here which is different than previously.

With a fantastic production (this almost sounds like a studio release, at times), and superb performances (c'mon, it's Dream Theater), 'Score' is over two hours of prog greatness. With such epics as 'Octavarium', 'Metropolis' and 'Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence' in its entirety, as well as often overlooked tracks such as 'Afterlife', 'Innocence Faded' and 'Vacant', there's a well-rounded set here. And 'Another Won' and 'Raise the Knife', both previously unreleased on studio albums, are welcome and popular additions. There's the "Octavarium Ochestra" in there too, which has fans raving. Though to be honest, I find their contributions a bit lacking, especially when Jordan Rudess could perform most of this on his keyboard by himself.

Overall however, 'Score' is another live success for Dream Theater. While 'Live at Budokan' remains my favourite, this, along with 'Live Scenes from New York' completes the perfect live album trilogy, and is a highly recommended addition to any prog collection.