SYSTEMATIC CHAOS

After the mixed release of Octavarium in 2007, Dream Theater returned with yet another mixed review release, this one to a lesser degree of positiveness. The album is the product of the band's signing with Roadrunner Records, and as many have seen with Opeth, Porcupine Tree, and even Nightwish, the label tries to popularize every band they sign, understandably. However, this album has a lesser degree of melodic structure and a much (much) heavier, darker, more "pop metal" feeling while still retaining the band's signature progressiveness. The massive 26 minute giant In the Presence of Enemies is musically fantastic while part ii has some of the cheesier lyrics on the album. Lyrically is really where this album falls. Whilst trying to be an intense metal band, they fell back on your standard doomy "metuhl" type lyrics, and they fail miserably in the process (cue Dark Eternal Night). Overall, the album is a pretty big pitfall that Dream Theater fell into, but it still retains some really great moments musically, and retains an average 3.5 star rating. 4- stars.

Share this DREAM THEATER review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Andy Webb
• Report this review (#357592)
• Buy DREAM THEATER music online with PA partners
• Show all DREAM THEATER MP3/Stream
• Go to DREAM THEATER page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Systematic Chaos page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DREAM THEATER related discussions