SIX DEGREES OF INNER TURBULENCE

Well, at first I want to make an introduction of how I met Dream theater, and apologize to everyone for any mistake on my English, you'll probably notice that English is not my native language, hehe...

When I was 14, I was a metalhead (you know: Slayer, Metallica, Testament, and many others...). The first song I heard was Pull Me Under, but I didn't like it. Octavarium was the very first DT album I heard, and then Train of Thought. Being a metal kid, I kind of loved those two albums. Then I heard Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, and at first I hated it! Found it too soft for my taste, but it eventually grew up on me. Now I am 16 (well... my 16th birthday will be on October 16th) and I love progressive music. Genesis, Anglagard, Gentle Giant and King Crimson are my favorite bands. I certainly don't hear a lot of Dream Theater since I'm more into the symphonic vein, but Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence will always be a special album for me.

So, what is basically Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence?

Lyrically: Of all of their records, this album is lyrically their best. It is more mature, and every single song has a HUGE meaning on me (I tend to read a lot, and I always appreciate good lyrics). Disc 1 is more a personal side (excepting The Great Debate of course). Disappear is the saddest farewell lyric I've ever read. Songs like Blind Faith and Missunderstood are more into the religious theme. Disc 2 is a conceptual one, about mental disorders.

Musically: Dream Theater haters always say that Dream Theater just focus on speed solos, technical stuff and many other negative things. This album prove that they're wrong. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence is a beautifully crafted album, more focused in composition than anything else. I want to start to talk about the disc 1.

Disc 1. The experimental one

As the title says, disc 1 shows the experimental side of Dream Theater. This disc has the heaviest DT song 'til date, The Glass Prison. And don't be frightened because of its heaviness, it is a really good Prog-metal tune. And then we have an amazing prog-rock tune, Blind Faith. The song starts with a floydish melody and then turns to a straight rock song, and the long interlude is more progressive, with a lot of odd time signatures and great solos, just classic. Missunderstood is a straight-forward metal song, with an interlude sounding like Pink Floyd meets King Crimson, and the last 2 minutes for me are completely unnecesary. It is the weakest song here, though is a good one. The Great Debate is the epic prog metal tune, and for me one of the highlights here. Thirteen minutes of the Dream Theater we know. And the final song on this disc, Dissappear is one of the saddest songs I've ever read in my life. Is in the vein of Space-Dye Vest from Awake, and even from Chroma Key's Dead Air For Radios. A highlight.

Disc 2. The epic

Now, disc two is not only the best thing Dream Theater have ever done, this disc alone (and obviously the song itself) can be the best album by Dream Theater (no disrespect to disc 1, which is wonderful). Overture is basically that, an overture. But what makes this overture special is because it has a classic music feel, contrary to other prog metal overtures like Overture 1928 from Scenes From a Memory (You should hear (and see) its Score DVD version... It's freakin' AWESOME!). Then we have About to Crash which is a beautiful prog-rocker tune, and then comes the heavy War Inside My Head, next the only one technical spot, The Test That Stumped Them All, and seriously, this song is not so easy to play on the guitar (I'm a guitarist hehe...). Goodnight Kiss is an stunning ballad, having one of the most moving solos by Petrucci, just beautiful. Solitary Shell is mor of a pop tune, and the last minutes having an excelent prog theme, with an Steve Howe-like solo by John Petrucci, and a beautiful piano solo by Jordan Rudess. Excelent track. Then we have the About to Crash reprise, this time being a more rocker one, but having basically the same theme. Losing Time/Grand Finale is one of the best endings I have ever heard in my life. It is a power ballad having its climax when James Labrie says the final words: A journey to find the answers inside - our illusive mind. Perfect ending for a pefect song, period.

Simply a masterpiece of Progressive Metal. 5 stars.

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