WHEN DREAM AND DAY UNITE

The first Dream Theater album was, in my opinion, more metal than progressive but there are some composition tricks that made it a very interesting metal album. For instance, the intro for "The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun" is more meditative than most Pink Floyd wide-spaced themes. Also, Portnoy already gives us hints of odd-time-signature-fiestas.

I have always had a problem with Dream Theater's vocalist. Still, I like James much more than Charlie. Most of this album's vocal lines are kinda Iron Maiden wannabe. And I'm not referring to the notes played, but the vibrato.... awfully pseudo-metal.

It could also qualify for a power metal album. Then again, John Petrucci's playing is on it's way to outstanding, John Myung shows us that he is no ordinary metal bassist and Moore is just testing out his keyb textures for his next tunes.

Overall good album, especially is you know what follows after it.