SYSTEMATIC CHAOS

Well, I loved Octavarium, and I have loved every album from Dream Theater, in different ways, except Train of Thought... I never really understood that album, it's not bad though... Anyway, Systematic Chaos has leaked and I've downloaded it, but don't worry, I've already pre-ordered it too. Have to say that it was better than what I expected after I had heard "Constant Motion". But after I've heard the whole album, I'm relieved! I thought it would be another Train of Thought. But I have to say I like Octavarium a bit more, if you look at the albums in their entirely. But let me show my opinions to each song...

1.In The Presence of Enemies Pt.1: I love the first minute of this song! And I think what happens at 2:10 is beautiful! And like every melodic solo Petrucci play, it's wonderful! I have to admit I like Petrucci more when he plays slow than when he plays fast, he's got such a feeling! The riff is good. The fantasy lyrics isn't intresting to me, and that's too bad, 'cause this album has got plenty of those fantasy lyrics. But I have to live with it, and the music is what's most important. I think this song loose something when the vocals come in. Don't know why, but I think the intrumental beginning is better than the actual song. Overall: 3/5 stars

2.Forsaken: Well, this song is... don't know what to say about, it's a good beginning, but the chorous is bad! very bad! And the song in it's entirely isn't very good at all... I wouldn't say it's too mainstream, 'cause I liked "I walk beside you" and "Solitary shell" from Octavarium and SDOIT. But this song just doesn't work for me. Overall: 2/5 stars.

3.Constant Motion: I don't like the beginning or the verses, and I don't like the fact that it's very similar to something by Metallica.. But I like the chorous though, and I like the intrumental part. And there's one thing that I love in this song, and that is between timestamps 2:48 to 2:56! Overall: 3/5 stars.

4.The Dark Eternal Night: Like "Forsaken" this song doesn't work for me! I remember when I had only heard "Constant Motion", "Forskaken" and this song... from that moment on I totally lost my hope of a great album... but that was then! Overall: 2/5 stars

5.Repentance: This is where I start to like this album, really! Well the opening of the opening track is brilliant, but this is a beautiful piece of melancholic music! Beautiful vocals! Beautiful meldoies and I just love the Pink Floyd inspired "ahhh" choir part in the second half of the song! But it's not perfect, but the best song so far! Overall: 4/5 stars

6.Prophets of War: I love the beginning, and I love this song, the only thing that I don't like about this song is the heavy riff at timestamp 1:11 and the chants in the end. Overall: 4/5 stars

7.The Ministry of Lost Souls: This is the very highlight of the album! Everything about this song is brilliant! Simply a masterpiece! The melodies and the solos and the vocals are all great! That's simply it! Overall: 5/5 stars

8.In The Presence of Enemies Pt.2: As "part 1" I don't like the lyrics at all! But the music is very good! And I like the vocals on this one! The melody at timestamp 13:13 is beautiful and very cool with that keyboard sound! That is a melody heard before throughout the album though.. Overall: 4/5

SYSTEMATIC CHAOS: 4/5

(I'm sorry for my english, but I'm just a young Swede so please, do not complain!)