SYSTEMATIC CHAOS

I loved "Octavarium," at least most of the songs; but truly, the only tracks that ever held my attention long enough to be enjoyed numerously were "The Root of All Evil," "These Walls" and, naturally, "Octavarium" herself; for "Systematic Chaos," it's no longer the same nonsensical drivel... and truly, I'm not here to wreck on "Octavarium," because it was definitely a musical release Dream Theater had been writing on for awhile and they deserve the credit for creating such beauty, but let's be honest: the bulk of that album ["Octavarium"] had songs too full of dreamy, juvenile "emo" lyrics; with "Systematic Chaos," for the most part, this has all been taken care of.

And, following a true engulfing from "Systematic Chaos," I'd even go so far as to say the musical attributes of "Octavarium" were very forced, sort of, in the sense that the musical strides didn't really match the feel of the songwriting, which is wholly agonizing to deal with when put into perspective from an ensemble who's responsible for creating the musical and lyrical masterpiece, "A Change of Seasons."

But regardless, after listening to "Systematic Chaos," my eyes are struck again, my head is pounding and I have been left with such a fulfilling mark of long-forgotten passion that I have nearly completely elapsed Symphony X's upcoming album, "Paradise Lost," which is scheduled to be another magnificent hammerstrike. The guitars on this album (Petrucci and Myung included), the drums, and especially Rudess' keys, were all so poignant and on-stroke that, following a second indulging, I was welcomed with a sentiment that has escaped me since listening to Neal Morse's "One": after listening to it a second time, I still needed more. Lately, although the albums from several artists have been remarkably well done, after a second listening, I wouldn't really need more at that time; "Systematic Chaos" has broken this blockade.

Against my own desire, I won't be providing a track-by-track analysis as I usually do; rather, I'll opt for the shorter choice of offering my three favorite tracks: "In the Presence of Enemies (pt.I)," "Repentance" and "The Ministry of Lost Souls," the last of which is absolutely [expletive deleted] beautiful; the greatest song since "Stream of Consciousness," I daresay. Although I enjoyed "In the Presence of Enemies (pt.II)," it still wasn't nearly as great as its first chapter, primarily due to the heavier overtones.

Another noted song would be "The Dark Eternal Night," which is hands down Dream Theater's heaviest song sing the "Train of Thought" era, which, while not a very good thing in terms of studio recordings, will no doubt be a delight to hear when they play it live. Oh, and "Forsaken" is a ballad I've been waiting for Dream Theater to write since "Anna Lee," and I was very much relieved to hear it... even if the lyrics, particularly, weren't my style, I can't help be give James LaBrie the credit he no doubt deserves, for singing it so beautifully. It almost makes up for his work on "Prophets of War," which, to me, was an abhorrent eyesore of a song. And, I suppose, even "Constant Motion" deserves a mention, even though it's single I'm not too fond of.

All the same, this album is truly a masterful composition. It has the musical treads, as I talked before, that "Octavarium" lacked; it has the guts and purpose that "Metropolis, pt.2: Scenes from a Memory" had; and, for the most part, it shines the lyrical genius that was once found in their greatest epic of all, "A Change of Seasons." I think "Systematic Chaos" is a priceless gem in the Dream Theater collection, and listening to these three songs alone ("In the Presence of Enemies (pt.I)," "Repentance" and "The Ministry of Lost Souls"), I'm filled with such thrilled bliss that, already, even after just swallowing the album for a third time, I want to go back and re-live the roller coaster again.

... however, now I have a DVD to watch, as the set that I ordered on F.Y.E. was the "special edition set," and I have yet to watch the video added on the second disc. No matter how one spins it, I think it has to be realized that "Systematic Chaos" is another album, affluent with unencumbered grandeur, that has finally been pieced together.