A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS

It's sad that the creative process in DT was reduced to their own brilliant inventions from the past two decades. By this I mean that their albums start to sound more and more like Dream Theater cliches.

When i listened to albums like I&W, Awake or Scenes, there was a permanent state of amazement of how anyone could write this music, or write music in such a unique and expressive way.

What we have seen in recent years from DT is commonly referred to as writer's block. Now that Portnoy left, there are no more rap-metal and muse influences. However, the rest of the signature sounds are there. And they are exactly how one hardcore DT fan would expect them to be. That's pretty un-DT-ish.

Sure, many people will like the album cause it sounds exactly like Dream Theater should. Of course, they're right. "A Dramatic Turn of Events" sound exactly like Dream Theater, but nothing more. People who like their music done the same way again and again will like this.

Not sure Dream Theater can ever write a New Dream Theater album. And it's sad.

3 stars. Because they gave us pure wonders in the 90s.