TRAIN OF THOUGHT

I know why DREAM THEATER have been so successful over the years. First, they are absolute technical monsters and every one who listens to them has to be blown away by how good each of the members are with their instruments. Second, they have truly invented a genre and are in my opinion the only band who represents what progressive metal is really about: fast guitar riffs, powerful drumming, epic lyrics, great ballads and more importantly the ability to surprise the listener with creative soundscapes. This album has it all.

People tend to criticise TRAIN OF THOUGHT because is too metal oriented, but it is not progressive rock, it's progressive METAL! So if you don't like metal, there is little chance you will ever find musical satisfaction in a DREAM THEATER record. I agree that this particular album is really heavy (probably due to mike Portnoy), but it is in every way successful.

The highlights are for me: Endless Sacrifice, Vacant-Stream of Consciousness and In the Name of God. Just listen to the first 5 minutes of SoC !!! PERFECTION !!!. If it's not your cup of tea, I understand but you can't objectively say that it is bad because it's actually really good in it's own way! I've never been a fan of James Labrie's singing though and it can be quite irritating in the screaming parts(it's not news)...But everyone else shines as usual.