OCTAVARIUM

I have been waiting on the edge of my seat for this album for weeks. I skipped off of my last day of highschool to get this album. Let me tell you, it was certainly worth it. This album is absolutely amazing. It's progressive in more than one way. They have really grown and their songwriting has certainly improved from Train of Thought. (Don't get me wrong, I loved that album too. I don't understand why people don't.) I listened to this album with some friends when I first picked it up, and we had the same reaction to many things on the album

I've never posted a review on this site, but after sitting down and listening through the album a couple of times, I felt compelled to do so. The Root Of All Evil was the perfect song to open this album with. It has riffs from The Glass Prison and This Dying Soul that my friends and I jumped up and recognized right away. Just listening to that song, I knew it was the next song in the line of songs about Alcoholism.

The first ballad of the album was very good as well. Reminiscent of Anna Lee, it was a very enjoyable listen.

These Walls was definetly a good pick for the single from the album. Probably the most solid track on the album. Heavy, no wanking. Just good music.

I Walk Beside You is a bit too radio friendly for my liking. It's the one track I didn't really get into. I can certainly see why people are comparing it to U2.

I /love/ Panic Attack. It's good ol' Dream Theater, only less extended wanking periods. From the moment the song started, I was amazed. Definetly my favorite track on the album.

Never Enough was a great song as well. Rudess was really noticeable on this track.

Sacrificed Sons reminded me of The Great Debate crossed with Disappear. Great song.

Octavarium... Wow. Epic. Absolutely astounding. This song alone was worth my 20$. I expect to see a lot of comparisons between this and A Change of Seasons.

This album is a must for anyone who likes Progressive Rock/Metal. Great album, one of their best releases to date. One thing I've been saying to anyone who asks is that I think LaBrie's vocals are the best I've ever heard on this album. I usually didn't like him much, but he really impressed me this time around. Definetly deserving of the 5 stars.