OCTAVARIUM

This is my first review for ProgArchives. I doubt I'll be doing many more after this; I just wanted to express how much I love Dream Theater's masterpiece that is Octavarium. When this album was announced I tried to steer clear of giving myself any pre-expectations. Whatever I thought or wanted Octavarium to sound like, I knew it would sound completely different. I went into this album with an open mind and was utterly blown away. This album is one of Dream Theater's crowning achievements.

1 - The Root of All Evil - The continuation of Mike Portnoy's Alcoholics Anonymous saga started back on Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence with The Glass Prison and followed on Train of Thought by This Dying Soul. Of the three, I'd have to say this one is slightly more enjoyable than The Glass Prison and well past This Dying Soul. Like its predecessors, The Root of All Evil is very heavy and shares some of the same lyrics and melodies, most notably This Dying Soul.

2 - The Answer Lies Within - The ballad of the album. This is a very simple track and not one that will likely be skipped upon listening to this album for the hundredth time, but it is still beautiful nonetheless. Not a bad song by any means.

3 - These Walls - John (Petrucci) and Jordan create a very atmospheric sound during the verses. I feel like im in a cave listening to water dripping down from stalactites. The guitar solo is very reminiscent of a segement from LTE's When the Water Breaks.

4 - I Walk Beside You - From what I've seen, this track has been getting a lot of flak. It has a mainstream vibe to it; it could definitely stand on its own with radioplay. Mainstream popularity does NOT mean a song is inferior, and this is a clear example. One of my top three favorite songs on the album.

5 - Panic Attack - My GOD can John (Myung) play bass guitar. The main riff is incredibly fast and furious. This track is very dark and bass heavy. James shows some amazing vocal work here (as well as throughout the album), most notably the line "I try to hide / Overwhelmed by this complex delirium."

6 - Never Enough - This track stands out as one of my favorite songs DT have created (and second favorite on this album). Lyrically and musically this song touches me on many levels. The song flows incredibly well and has a great keyboard work. This is, in my opinion, one of James' best vocal performances in recent years.

7 - Sacrificed Sons - This track is about the 9/11 terrorist attack. Upon first listen I was rather puzzled as to why Dream Theater would lyrically visit territory that has been run into the ground by so many other artists. After a few more listens I realized that this is a companion track with In The Name of God. Awesome instrumentation.

8 - Octavarium - Truly an epic masterpiece. This is the best song on the album and likely DTs best work yet. Previously my favorite song was held by Six Degrees, but after multiple listens I can't help but dethrone it and place Octavarium on the pedestal. Words cant really do this song justice. It has to be listened to in order to fully appreciate it. You will never find another song like it as long as you live.

Individual song ratings (1-10 scale, 10 being the best):

The Root of All Evil - 9 The Answer Lies Within - 7 These Walls - 9 I Walk Beside You - 10 Panic Attack - 9 Never Enough - 10 Sacrificed Sons - 8 Octavarium - 11

I dont even know what to say. Im literally speechless after hearing the end of the album. Dream Theater, you are and forever will be my number one band. Thank you for existing and allowing me the privilege of listening to your music.