AWAKE

Follow up to Images and Words and as it turned out, original keyboardist Kevin Moore's last album with the band. There is a much heavier guitar oriented sound, with Petrucci flexing his creative muscles and exerting a much bigger influence on proceedings. (I haven't read anything to suggest this, but I'm thinking this was the reason Moore left the band soon after). In my opinion Moore's influence is sorely missed in later albums.

The three part "A Mind by Itself" is a highlight, the suite comprises Erotomania, Voices & The Silent man. Not all the tracks work though with just too much heavy metal riffage. The Mirror and Lie are full of crunchy riffs and work well if you are in that kind of mood, but they overdose on Scarred. If you prefer your prog less heavy them be wary.