A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS

Well, there's no too much left to say about it. More than six month has been through since we have the new Dream Theater album, and the first one without Mike Portnoy on the process. The words that I have to describe it are: inspiring and refreshing. Seems like the new chemistry fitted well for the composition and the lyrics. There's more creative presence from the keyboards and interesting bass lines. Petrucci remains as usual bringing great harmonies, melodic solos, powerful riffs and his lyrics are way more focussed than in the last three or four albums. Labrie keeps growing and bringing a wonderful job. It's simply their best studio album in the last 11 years.

The highlights of the album are FAR FROM HEAVEN and BREAKING ALL ILLUSIONS. Both inspired and reaching the finest moments in DT back catalogue, the first one a wonderful piano ballad, very close to WAIT FOR SLEEP and SPACE DYE VEST but with a more dramatic twist. It's not an imitation, but it brings an interesting feeling. The second, a complex epic song, maybe the best DT song in more than a decade. The finest and the best phrases from guitars, bass and keyboards by far.

But there's still a lot for everyone. Epic but not too much "proggy", heavy but not too much "metalish", soft but not too much mellow. Particulary, the epic ones will satisfied the usual DT fans: Lost not Forgotten, Bridges in the Sky and Outcry has everything you can wish for.

The mix is a bit strange, maybe the drums has no too much presence, but it's understandable since Mike Mangini didn't play a composition roll in the album. He is great and accurate at best, but was just a hired gun for this album.

Satisfied by the grow of the album in the last few months, I can assure you'll find a wonderful album to listen to.

Since is one of the best albums in the last few years, I think it deserves a Masterpiece rank. Even the weak points makes the album more realistic, more close to the listener. I do hope haters could see above their prejudges and find that great feeling that I've been enjoying.

Enjoy?