DISTANCE OVER TIME

A very nice surprise from a band that I thought they lost all creativity spark, only releasing one album (A Dramatic Turn of Events) that I could actually enjoy after they released Octavarium. Initially, I thought that this would be more of the same, especially after the release of the singles, but fortunately, the album is quite variated and shows the band at the same time trying new ideas and experimenting with a more mature songwriting style. It also their heaviest album and the mix is finally good again, where every instrument has its own place and power, sometimes being too loud, but still very enjoyable.

Untethered Angel: A typical Dream Theater piece, which its own flavor of cheesiness and extended instrumental mid-sections. The intro is very typical of DT and when the heavy guitars and drums enter, the new mix helps to give the song a new shape. I was really unsurprised when I've listened to this for the first time, but the song has grown on me and the chorus is actually really memorable: 7.5/10.

Paralyzed: One of my favorites short songs from them. It's slow, groovy, heavy and beautiful, and it's not as cheesy as their other similar songs, thankfully! The intro is really awesome with a great crescendo composed by a great guitar riff by Petrucci and some memorable fills by Mangini. 9/10.

Fall Into The Light: Another typical Dream Theater piece, with some heavy guitar riffs and classic verse-chorus progression. The strongest element, however, is the mid-instrumental slow part with some great guitar solo. 8/10.

Barstool Warrior: An instant DT classic. Very colorful and uplift song with some great arrangements, very reminiscent of Image & Words era. 10/10

Room 137: First composition of Mangini and a really fresh and different song for DT catalog. Features some really heavy guitar riffing, with some nice solos and weird elements (especially the chorus). 9.5/10

S2N: Myung's composition, and one of my favorites tracks from the DT catalog. It starts with a furious bass riff from him and then develops into some sort awesome pandemonium. Groovy, weird, heavy and some of the best and most rocking outros of DT. 10/10

At Wit's End: Another awesome piece starting furiously by Pettrucio arpeggios where the song develops on. After that, the songs then evolves into a slow and really beautiful outro, followed by another great and slow guitar solo closing it at 8:30 mark. 10/10

8. Out Of Reach: A very nice ballad that is a good break from the previous tracks. Some nice piano work from Ruddess. 9/10

9. Pale Blue Dot: The album's closer in a chaotic and very interesting and complex 8 minutes long epic. I hadn't enjoyed at first, but after multiple listens the song has grown on me and some of the weirdest and complex instrumental passages became quite fun to listen. 9.5/10.

10. Viper King: It's a bonus track and wouldn't really fit in the original tracklisting, but think at some of the heaviest and grooviest songs by DT. It could've been easily a single due to how catch and fun the song is. 9/10.

Conclusion: A really nice surprise and an album I can't stop listening in repeat. After many years releasing some decent-to-mediocre materials, Dream Theater is finally able to deliver a fresh and engaging experience. One of the best albums of their catalogue, for sure!