TRAIN OF THOUGHT

"As I Am" opens with synths then an ominous dark mood comes in followed by a SABBATH-like riff, then everything speeds up to a METALLICA feel. Vocals before 2 minutes. Check out the guitar solo 5 1/2 minutes in ! Portnoy's turn to shine after 6 minutes. "This Dying Soul" opens with a drum stampede as Pertucci rips it up before a minute. It settles after 2 minutes as vocals come in. Not for long though as it kicks back in. Killer track ! The aggressive processed vocals are a nice touch. Check out the vocals before 7 1/2 minutes as well. Pertucci is on fire after 10 minutes. "Endless Sacrifice" is laid back to open but then kicks in after 2 minutes. Contrasts continue then 5 minutes in the instrumental work takes over in a big way. Rudess can even be heard. Haha. Pertucci lights it up after 7 minutes. Portnoy's turn a minute later then they all join in.

"Honour Thy Father" is heavy, heavy, heavy. James rapping ? Portnoy is all over the intro. It settles somewhat 1 1/2 minutes in but it's still heavy. A stampede of drums before 4 minutes. LaBrie spits out the lyrics. Spoken words 5 minutes in as the sound gets really heavy. This is amazing ! Blistering guitar before 8 1/2 minutes in. Vocals are back a minute later. Great song ! "Vacant" is the only mellow track . It's dark with violin, piano and fragile vocals. "Stream Of Consciousness" is my favourite, and the only instrumental. I like the guitar line to open then it's completely ripped apart by a wall of sound...can't think...this is awesome. Guitar riffs, yes ! Some speed of light guitar after 4 minutes.This song has so many highlights it's just pure bliss for me. Outstanding ! "In The Name Of God" is as heavy as hell, amazing ! It turns dark and heavy quickly. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. It turns dark after 5 1/2 minutes. Pertucci and Myung after 8 1/2 minutes as Portnoy keeps the beat. Piano follows the Pertucci returns. Heavy riffs are back 10 minutes in.

The big negative is how much this sounds like METALLICA. Consider that they released the same year as this album a live cover of METALLICA's "Master Of Puppets". I love the music on "Train Of Thought" though so 4 stars it is.

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