BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS

Well, here it is. The new album by progressive metal masters that we have been waiting for, and the one that will IMHO produce their second mainstream success, but I will get back to that. It is quite different from what I have expected after Systematic chaos, which was exactly what the title of the record says. Good musicianship, but incoherent. Dream Theater has finally realized this issue, and decided to make an album more pleasable to the ear. Ok, let´s go through the songs :

1. A nightmare to remember This song reminds me a lot of " The ones ho helped set the sun " from the When dream and day unite album. I even think it is about the same thing. This is a more modern version of it, truly epic in proportion. It is a mix of heavy and mellow parts, accompanied by memorable melodies. It has a blastbeat section near the end which sounds really interesting. I dunno, but Mike´s roars sound kinda cute.

2. A right of passage The first single and video of the album is a really powerful and interesting song which speaks about freemasonry. I have no doubt that it is gonna become concert favorite. Oriental riff and catchy chorus.

3. Wither Remember the success Pull me under had ? Well, in one year, Dream Theater can make a new best of album and name it : "Both of our greatest hits". The beautiful ballad with lots of MTV potential is full of emotion and feelings. Typical acoustic intro - power chords chorus composition. It´s gonna be huge on MTV when the video comes out, just wait and see.

4. Shattered fortress Finally, the end of the AA suite. I am happy that Mike is off the booze, but this is now so boring that I am glad this is the last one. Recycled old riffs, an album filler.

5. The best of times And now, the best part of the album ! This beautiful song speaks about Mike´s late father, Howard. It has got everything in it, acoustic guitar/ violin/piano intro, great riff and an amazing solo. I consider this solo the best in John Petrucci´s career.

6. The count of Tuscany The epic in the true meaning of the word. A true story written by John Petrucci, about a count he visited and scared him to death. Really nice and memorable. The only thing I didn´t like was that section near the end with the slow solo. The end is brilliant, it starts with the acoustic guitar, and then blasts off to the end.

This is a great album , but not their best. The cohesion of songs is finally there, Petrucci is playing really well on this one. James´voice however, all though good, does not seem to reach the heights that it used to. But still, I recommend this record.