DISTANT MEMORIES - LIVE IN LONDON

Has it really been 20 years since DREAM THEATER released their mammoth work Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from A Memory? The 1999 concept album is an absolute masterpiece in many ways. In terms of storytelling as well as songwriting. When you talk about albums that you must listen to in today's progressive metal world, there is hardly a way around this record. The noteworthy thing is that the entire album is derived from the song "Metropolis - Part I The Miracle and The Sleeper", which is on the band's second album Images and Words. On the album 20th anniversary, the band insisted on performing the entire album again in full length, including newer pieces from their discography.

The setlist starts off with Untethered Ange, the first single from Distance Over Time. I really enjoyed the 16- minute "A Nightmare to Remember" from the 2009 work Black Clouds & Silver Linings, possibly the highlight of the album. The setlist also includes "In the Presence of Enemies" from Systematic Chaos. again. Speaking of highlights "Barstool Warrior" comes into its own in a live setting and receives an additional layer of epic through the concise solo play by keyboardist Jordan Rudess and guitarist John Petrucci. The sound of the concert also leaves little to be desired. Every instrument can be always heard clearly, and the drums sound full and round. The only issue I have is James LaBrie, his vocals could have used a little less reverberation and slightly more volume. It sounds as if you were listening to him sing from outside the concert hall.

The implementation of Metropolis Pt. II - has absolutely no criticism. The variations within the songs and the spontaneous small changes bring interesting splashes of color to these older tracks. Distant Memories Live in London is certainly not a revelation when it comes to live albums, but what is offered here is convincing across the board and has no defects. Cleanly produced and breathtakingly played.

Rating-82%

Recommended Tracks: A Nightmare to Remember, Barstool Warrior, Through Her Eyes, Home.