SYSTEMATIC CHAOS

Systematic Chaos. It's an album that has somewhat divided views, depending on what type of Dream Theater fan you ask. I was introduced to Dream Theater through a friend mine who was only really interested in the metal side of the band (he owned Awake, Six Degrees, Train Of Thought and Systematic Chaos), the first set of songs I heard from this album, namely the Dark Eternal Night and In The Presence Of Enemies Part 1. After I acquired the whole album I listened too it non-stop; looking back now, after listening to the rest of their discography and finding myself liking their older material more, I laugh at this album and my worshiping of it. It's not that it's a bad album, not by a long shot, it's just Dream Theater seem to be only taking baby steps now instead of trying big new ideas like they did in the past. Regardless of what other fans think, I still find myself playing this album and admiring their song-writing ability...or maybe it's just the nostalgic factor of listening to it that keeps me coming back.

Through a song-by-song review, hopefully you as the reader will get a clearer understanding of what I see in this album. I'll also try to be open-minded as possible while reviewing them:

1. In The Presence Of Enemies Pt. 1: A strong opener, though not one of their best. The majestic nature of this part is what I love and is what made me come back for more, however this about as majestic as the album gets sadly (though the reprise of this main theme in Pt. 2 is also a winner). A good part of this song is showmanship a.k.a non-stop shredding on Petrucci and Rudess' parts. Many fans feel this is a downside, but I enjoy regardless, however some might be turned off by it. Probably the best song on the album. 9.5/10

2. Forsaken: Eh, it's alright a more concise song is hard to find on the album, there seems to be a focus on the lyrics on this song with the music taking a sort of backing role, maybe it's the story it tells. I wouldn't willingly go out and listen to this song anymore, repeated plays early on has worn it thin sadly. 7/10

3. Constant Motion: This is a pretty damn cool song, even more cooler to learn on guitar. The main riff is great with the rest of the music even better (except Rudess' solo, which seem to be getting more and more cliche every album sadly), the instrumental break is really something, and Petrucci's solo is one of his most technical though not necessarily his most interesting. The metallica-like vocals I could do without as it's not really James' strong point, but it doesn't really bother me or detracts from the song. 8.5/10

4. The Dark Eternal Night: This song has got energy alright, and I loved it so much at first, but it's not that much of a orgasmic listen anymore, it's dropped down to just being a good song. The distorted vocals surprisingly suit the song, yet I wish they hadn't been included regardless. Petrucci's shredding is in the front line here, really carrying the song, though I wish he'd tone it down somewhat. This could have been a better song, but it sadly suffers from some self-indulgence that needs to be kept in check by the band. 7/10

5. Repentance: After the heavy nature of the previous songs, it's good to see the band taking a different path, even though it is somewhat long and drawn out (though the use of quotes is really good). Petrucci's solo in here is brilliant, probably the best on the album and La Brie's vocals are damn good too. If it was say only about 6:00-7:00 it would have been a really great song but it suffers from that length sadly. 7.5/10

6. Prophets Of War: More Muse influences/theft can be seen in this song (the previous being Never Enough from Octavarium). It's interesting but is overall a boring song, not bad, just boring. Though if i listened to it it more I probably would have a different opinion on it. Give it a few listens through, see if you like, but I can't promise you anything. 6/10

7. The Ministry Of Lost Souls: This is a pretty good song, an epic with varying moods and some interesting lyrics, less fantastical than Petrucci's other lyrics on the album. Many fans consider the heavy instrumental section in the middle of the song to draw away from the rest of the song's mood, but I disagree: If the song was soft and slow through all 15 minutes of it, I think it would become a tough listen; at least with the instrumental section it ups the pace and keeps you on alert. Once again, it's one of the songs that the individual needs to make his own opinion on, don't take someone's word as the objective truth. 8/10

8. In The Presence Of Enemies Pt. 2: Part 2 of this 25 minute epic isn't as good as the first, it's musically quite different, offering a slow buildup which works well the first few times but sadly get's more boring each time you listen to it. Many fans seem to not like the instrumental section of this song (The Reckoning), I somewhat agree, it's full of the same self-indulgence that ruined The Dark Eternal Night, but it keeps building the pace up to the point where the main theme from Part 1 is reprised (in fantastic glory I might add) by Rudess' moog leads. Lyrics are so-so, Part 1's are better, but everyone's different, especially with lyrics. I still enjoy it, just not nearly as much as Part 1. 7.5/10

As you can see, the album is very much up and down, but DO NOT let that deter, and try not take anything you hear about this album as the objective truth, LISTEN to the album first and than form an opinion of it. There is nothing wrong with trying out an album than getting rid of it if you don't like it (if you don't want to waste money though, borrow it from a friend or preview it on youtube or download it first). Dream Theater's future is still big, as long as A. They don't play too many of these songs in future tours, B. They tone down on the shredding and self-indulgence somewhat and C. Go back to some of their prog influences more so than their metal influences. Overall I still enjoy this album and I like to think of it as the Modern Dream Theater.

7.5-8/10 which roughly equates to 4 star rating.