METROPOLIS 2000: SCENES FROM NEW YORK

Yesterday was my birthday and my father had a plan to give me a very very valuable present. Do you know what is it? Ah c'mon, I think you surely ever know about "An Evening with Dream Theater" (20th Anniversary Tour). Yes, for the first time in my life, I'll watch my most favorite band ever in Singapore at 27 Jan. Suddenly, I remember my prayer last year in Japan (I always pray every time I visit a temple in every country). My prayer is that I'm given a chance to meet Dream Theater. And, surprisingly, the next 3 months after my prayer, John Myung came to Indonesia! And 14 months later, finally I'll meet DT. Wow, it's such a dream comes true for me (hope next time Arena will be the next band who comes to Asia!!). Just imagine, I come from Indonesia, a big country that's too far from Europe and America and too less about Prog information. Only some musicians who had come to Indonesia such as Deep Purple, Rick Wakeman, and Uriah Heep. And, I'm not as lucky as some people who live in Jakarta. I just come from a small town far from the capital city called Sukabumi. Unfortunately, we didn't get the best seat because it has sold out fast so we just get the second class seat ($120). My father also had a plan to watch them in Hongkong but we can't speak with their main language so we finally decided to watch them only in Singapore. Personally, I prefer watching their show in USA 3 months to go (that will be shot as a DVD!), but I think USA is too far from my country. Going to USA for traveling is OK but just for watching a concert, that's not wise. Ah, you've waited for my review so long. Don't you? Final word before I start my review. I would like to dedicate my review for my father who will celebrate his birthday a week after my birthday (and a day before John Myung!) This DVD contained all songs from "Metropolis 2: Scenes From A Memory" album. Of course with some bonus inside it. It has become my most favorite DVD beside "Live At Budokan", Arena "Caught In The Act", and Marillion "Recital Of The Script". Unfortunately, the visualization on this DVD is not good enough for me and there are only the songs from "Metropolis 2: Scenes From A Memory" album (of course with a bit disappointed bonus footage). So, you won't find the songs such as "Metropolis I", "Just Let Me Breathe", my favorite "Acid Rain", etc. However, this DVD is still the best. Now, as I come back from 10 to 1, I will review every song. 10.9.8.7.6.From Regression to Finally Free.5.4.3.2.The rock show will begin. 1.. "Regression" is first totally soft acoustic song. It started when the hypnotherapist counted down from 10 to 1. We can feel how calm this song is from the guitar and keyboard sound. So, we can know that the rock show would begin after LaBrie sang "Hello Victoria, so glad to see you, my friend". And now is time for the real rock show. Yes, "Overture 1928" and "Strange Déjà vu" are the next songs. As you know, "Overture 1928" and "Strange Déjà vu" are related each other. Well, these songs are my most favorite songs ever!!! May be you wonder why I very much love these songs, but I have some reasons (why these songs are masterpieces for me??!) that you have to listen to. First reason, thanks to the "king" Mike Portnoy who opened this song with very fantastic drums combined with John Myung's excellent bass. Second one, I can't say anything the first time I listen to John Petrucci's very very elegant solo guitar in the middle because it is the best solo guitar I've ever heard. Third one, don't worry, you won't just hear Petrucci's solo once but twice!!! Well, great appreciate to you, John Petrucci! Fourth one, Jordan Rudess would show his truly masterpiece keyboard in the end of this song. Fifth one, I think I forget someone. James LaBrie has a superb vocal on "Strange Déjà vu". Sixth one, all instruments and vocals had been arranged and improved so perfect!!! It produced a high quality song on Progressive Metal genre. Its sound is rocking more than every song I ever heard. "Overture 1928" is simply the best scene from Progressive Rock song for me. Seventh one, these songs always bring my memory about a year ago when I traveled to Japan (the country that I love most beside Indonesia and China). At that moment, I heard those songs all the time. So, that was related with my beautiful experience. So, with 7 reasons from me, I can decide that this song is not only a five star song but seven star!!! Well, that's just my opinion. We continue to the next song. The next songs are "Through My Words" and "Fatal Tragedy". Of course these two songs are still related each other. "Through My Words" is second totally soft acoustic song. This song just took a little bit rest to the next rocking song. Yes, "Fatal Tragedy" is a real good song. Don't miss John Petrucci's melodic solo and also don't forget to listen to the hypnotherapist who said "Remember that death is not the end, but only a transition" in the end of this song. "Beyond This Life" is the song influenced by Frank Zappa. You can see John's strong guitar and Jordan's melodic keyboard are like Frank Zappa and Ian Underwood on their era. And now it's time for "intermezzo". "John and Theresa Solo Spot" is what I mean. Here, you can listen to John Petrucci's guitar combined with Theresa's soft vocals. However, I don't like this song very much, but I am happy enough with the next song, "Through Her Eyes". This song shows that John Petrucci could play his acoustic guitar as well as his electric guitar. Watch out his solo in almost the end of the song! "Home" is one of my favorite song from "Metropolis". In the beginning, we can feel like living in "Arabian night" by hearing John Petrucci's guitar. James LaBrie's vocal is very sensational and so hard. Also, Jordan Rudess did a great solo in the middle. "The Dance of Eternity" is the second instrumental song after "Overture 1928". The opening drum is simply the same with "Overture 1928". This is a fantastic song I think, but less fantastic than "Overture 1928". John Petrucci battled with Jordan Rudess!!! Let's check the next, "One Last Time". This song is a copy from "Overture 1928", of course now with the vocal. Again, James LaBrie showed his great vocal. "Spirit Carries On" is a melancholic song. In this song, duo James LaBrie and Theresa Tomason sang together. LaBrie's hard vocal combined with Theresa's soft vocal. And, finally we reach the final song, "Finally Free". This song is excellent. One of the best ending song that I know. One thing you don't ever have to miss, there's a drum solo performed by the drummer with 1000 arms, Mike Portnoy in the end of this song. That's why I love this song. Actually, I prefer "Home" better than "Finally Free". Suddenly, I realized that "Finally Free" is a better one in this DVD. There are also some bonus you can get such as Photo Gallery, Bonus Live Material, and Behind the Scenes Documentary. Bonus Live Material is filled with every song from "Live Scenes From New York" disc 3. This is a great one but I am disappointed with Behind the Scenes Documentary. Why did DT cut the songs such as "Metropolis I" and "The Mirror"? Well, that's my review for this DVD. If you want to enjoy brilliant vocals, elegant bass, melodic guitars, magnificent drums, and fantastic keyboards, you won't regret to have this DVD in your hands. Trust me. It is a must for DT fans!!! Sultan Salute!!!!!