BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS

Knowing that they will release another album form roadrunners I did not expect more. I think it will be just the same as Systematic Chaos (which I consider Boring....). But this is really a good album!!

The album opens with "A Night to Remember", this is very very dark and gothical.. Opens with a sound of rain and slow dark piano tunes.. suddenly came the full band with heavy distortion guitars and double pedal drums.. indeed a very metal track

Next is two 'commercial' songs, "A Rite of Passage" (the single) and "Wither" (probably the second single). A Rite of Passage itself is quite the same as older DT song. With verse- chorus-2nd verse-chorus-bridge and extended solos-chorus structure. and Wither is just one of DT ballads but fit in the album well..

"The Shaterred Fortress", the last part of Portnoy's Alcoholics Anonymous Suite, this song is like a compilation of The Glass Prison, This Dying Soul, The Root of All Evil and Repentance. Not much new material here, but this really concludes the epic well.

"The Best of Times", A happier song in the album. Really emotional.. One of the best songs in the album. Opens slowly with piano solos and strings,, then start the acoustic guitar and piano part. After the beautiful openings,, come the thunderous guitar followed by rest of the bands.. the song itself is very beautifully crafted with emotional moods,, filled with acoustic parts in the middle of the song and the ending fades away like faded happy memories.. Cool!!

"The Count of Tucsany" Only one word : Masterpiece!! Every member of the bands contributed perfectly to balance the song.,, no extended solos,, just excellent.. A perfect songs,, makes you even forget that DT has made the Systematic Chaos.

The conclusion is just as I made at the top of my review.. DT is back,, This album proves that they are still good musicians despite their age,, They are still Rocks!! Again,, forget SC, this is far better album. (4.5/5)

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