BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS

The album is a return to form for DT. After the cold and empty Systematic Chaos we finally have a record that in some ways goes back to the glory days of The Dream. The band ceases to try to sound like someone else and gives us a collection of pure DT-songs, even if not all of them reach the same levels of brilliance.

"A Nightmare to Remember" (10/10) is my favorite in the record and the best track DT has recorded since the title track in 6 Degrees of Inner Turbulence. From the fantastic introduction to the melodic and beautiful middle section, the song grows more with each listen. a minor flaw is the horrendous growling by Portnoy. But it lasts like 10 seconds, which is not enough to stop this track from being the best.

"A Rite Of Passage" (8.5/10) borrows heavily from "Home" in Scenes from a Memory, with a similar riff and pre-chorus. But the chorus is amazing, one of the best in recent times.

"Wither" (7/10) is forgettable, but enjoyable. The melodic singing by Labrie is outstanding. The song itself is nothing new, and DT has done better ballads before.

"The Shattered Fortress" (9.5/10) is a fantastic conclusion to the alcohol-suite, the best track in the 5-song project after "The Root of All Evil". The integration of all the themes from all the songs is made masterfully.

"The Best of Times" (9/10) takes some ideas from RUSH, especially after the loud guitars end the acoustic intro. The melody is beautiful, the final solo by Petrucci very memorable, and the track is a perfect tribute to Portnoy's father, and to all of ours.

"The Count of Tuscany" (9/10) starts incredibly strong, probably the best start of a song since "A Change of Seasons". The track seemed to be on its way to the pantheon of the band's absolute best right alongside the just-mentioned one and "Metropolis Pt. 1" until the band decides to make it too long. The instrumental section is useless and by the end we're just waiting for the song to die. A perfect start and a good conclusion marred by a weak middle part.

All in all, a great album that deserves 4.5 stars. As that rating is not available to me, I will round up, something I do in almost all cases. The Dream Theater is open again, and we have front- row seats to enjoy the show.

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