OCTAVARIUM

Octavarium showcases the band in a slightly diffrent shade than fans have seen before. After the decidely dark Train of Thought, Dream Theater comes back with Octavarium and mixes more of the old with the new.

The intro track The Root of All Evil is yet another addition to Mike Portnoy's struggle with alcoholism. The track sets a bluesy metal tone that hangs over the album. The track has all the trademarks from Dream Theater, lighting speed playing by Petrucci and Rudess, great kicks from Portnoy, intense grooves from Myung, and the soft and now harder voices of James LaBrie.

The next track The Answer Lies Within is a brighter ballad showcasing the older side of Dream Theater. This song takes a role similar to Another Day back on the Images and Words album.

These Walls is a little more of the classic Dream Theater. Jordan Rudess' synth sounds are much more along the lines of Kevin Moore with a little Moogtron influence. Rudess' role has changed from the second guitar style keyboard to a more of a pianist role with melody spots.

I Walk Beside you shows more of a pop U2 influence, but its a nice filler tune for the middle of the album. It's a constant build from here on out.

Panic Attack is the "chopbuster" of the standard tracks on the album. This is the tune that shows off the most of Petrucci and Rudess, but the intro by John Myung is something less than fantastic. Overall the track is a really good Prog Metal song.

Never Enough features some cool drumwork by Mike Portnoy, classic tricky rythmns from Dream Theater here with a little muse influence.

With Sacraficed Sons, we really have something noteworthy. This song is the nostalgic Dream Theater track of this album. We have the classic Dream Theater build in this song. There isn't a single note in this song that doesn't lead to another. This is the real masterpiece track of this album.

The final track and the title track Octavarium is another winner to close the album. The track once again starts out with the classic Dream Theater build. The song that climax's towards the middle with the lightning speed trades between Petrucci and Rudess. Rudess does excellent solo work on this track, some of his very best. The song also features a lyrical section that gives tribute to some Dream Theater influence I could only smile when i heard lyrics with "Supper's Ready" "Cinema Show" and "Ripper Owens". Great effort from Dream Theater.

The album is quite dark, but a much better mix of matierial and emotions than Train of Thought. The album also features more of the great Dream Theater insturmental moments we have grown to love.

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