SYSTEMATIC CHAOS

Dream Theater getting romantic? We have another loong album by DT and they have changed again, but how? The band created a more balanced album between slow songs, classic heavy metallic songs and prog-rock driven moments. All provide a more than solid performance, but Rudess provides more place to shine and be heard, especially on the soft songs. Songs are memorable, playing less over the top but not simple by any means. The first and last piece are the most interesting ones thanks to their progressive complexity. These are almost as strong as highlights from other albums even though they don't bring anything new. "Constant motion" is the third highlight with Metallica inspiration but really good instrumental mashup in the second part of the song and let's not forget the decent main riff motive. Then we have the third distinct category - ballads - "Forsaken" - a classic DM ballad and overly long and a bit sirupy "Repentance", "The ministry of lost souls", the latter one bordering on the Guns'n'Roses 1991 territory. I have nothing against them apart from their length it most other fans would welcome more ambitious musicianship. This is one of the most accessible albums by DT but hardly an essential one.