TRAIN OF THOUGHT

I am not going to rate any Dream Theater album thus far released less than the full 5 stars - with me that's a given. I just find, that to me, these guys are the pinnacle of what I expect from the music that I love. To me it is a futile exercise rating a bands album against previous or future releases by the same band - I rate in accordance to what else is out there in the same vein and relating to that every single DT release leaves just about anything else in the same genre cold. I don't percieve DT as being metal although they use a lot of metal technique in their music. I percieve the band to be solidly in progressive rock territory using various musical forms and technique throughout their music. I think that there is absolutely no doubt that instrumentally the musicians making up the band are the very best at what they do - and they constantly prove that throughout their albums and live shows. I love watching a man who knows how to use his instrument proving that - watching one of the many live dvd's I have of the band is an exercise in sitting there open mouthed wondering how in hell the musician is able to do that with his instrument - not least in that regard is Petrucci to me. What to many others is termed musical "wankery" is musical heaven to me. All that said - to this album - it isn't the first DT album however having seen a few reviews here of the album recently I felt that I would add my two cents to the fray

"As I am" - Opens very solidly in Metal, Hard Rock territory. I enjoy the riffing and the way this segues between metal and rock territory.

"This Dying Soul" - I have seen this album likened to Metallica and Dave Mustaine by some reviewers here and all I can say to that is that Metallica and Mustaine wish. They would be in heaven if they could play this properly. The interplay on this track between lead, bass, keyboards and drums is fantastic. Petrucci is awe inspiring as is Portnoy throughout this. As for those who call Petrucci the million note a second man disdainfully - try it sometime.

"Endless Sacrifice" - Slower track on opening with some very strong melody before strong riffing leading into an almost orchestral sound. Further along the track enters solid metal fusion territory. Very strong jam with lead, drums and keyboard. There is a little humor added into the fray from the keyboard wizard Rudess. There is very little repetitiveness through this track and that is another thing that I love about DT - they keep things interesting throughout.

"Honor thy Father" - Thrash metal opening. A kind of thrash, hard rock interplay to start. An angry track. This is the weak point of the album as far as I'm concerned.

"Vacant" - I love this short track. Contains more emotion in it than many whole emotive albums do. It leads into the next track.

"Stream of Conciousness" - Strong hard rock instrument fusion.

"In the name of God" - Massive track both musically and lyrically.

Dream Theater's heaviest release in my opinion and their most "metal" album. Having said that I will say that it isn't merely a metal album as it contains a great deal of musical ideas. It does contain a great deal of instrument wizardry which, to some, isn't a great thing. To me that wizardry is a great portion of what I love about the band. This isn't the album to get started on a Dream Theater discovery mission as it is one of the hardest to get into but when you ultimately do and you appreciate the band for what they are then the rewards are great. A solid 5 stars from me.