SUSPENDED ANIMATION

Anyone who feels that Petrucci can be a little over the top in Dream Theater should stay away from this release. Petrucci seems to have contracted a bit of Yngiwe-Malmsteenitus. He seems intent on being as technical and fast as possible on this album instead of exploring his ability as a composer.

A bland rhythm sections backs up his powerful and technical shredding. The bass and drums are the same you've heard on every guitar album from Gary Moore to Satriani. On top of them we have Petrucci pulling out all the stops, but rarely ever producing something thoughtful. There are times in "Jaws Of Life" and "Wishful Thinking" were he finds a bit of soul, but the moment is quickly lost into the mindless riffing and shredding that might as well of been written by a computer.

"Lost Without You", John's tribute to his wife, stands out as the only successful song on the album. Though even that seems to have been stripped on some of the emotion it had live in favor of guitar overdubs and more solos.

Suspended Animation is nothing more than a disappointing album from a talented guitarist.