RESTORATION

They've taken the bad things from the last 3-4 Dream Theater albums and they've incorporated them into the Haken formula. Hoping this is just for the EP and they come back to creativity for the new album in 2015.

I havent listened to the 2008 demo too much, so it hasnt affected my vision of this EP. Its just uninspired and bland. I actually like Darkest Light, but Earthlings seems shallow and Crystallised just has a good moment here and there, too much wankery and meaningless "musical masturbation", not a very epic ending, maybe because the whole song lacks epicness and cohesiveness.

I also miss the riffs a lot on this EP, after listening to it i feel like there isnt a lot of "headbanging" segments like on Cockroach king, Falling Back to earth, pareidolia, portals, visions, etc. I just need heavy riffs and this EP lacks in that regard IMHO.