LIVE AT BUDOKAN

For me, it's the best DVD from Dream Theater, so far. There are two DVDs in a package, which in the first DVD, you will see the best concert ever and in the second DVD is the bonus material: behind the concert, rig review, etc. You will probably enjoy this DVD so much, even though you are not a progressive fans, because all of my friends, who are not very much into progressive, love this DVD! And since then I started to feed them with other Dream Theater CDs.

Dream Theater has come to Japan since 1992, and always presents great concerts (I always read the reviews of the concerts!). Anyway, in 2004, they were invited to make a concert in a "legendary venue", the Budokan.

The first DVD consists of 18 tracks. As I Am and This Dying Soul are the first two tracks which add the energy of the concert. The next song is Beyond This Life, which in this song, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess and Mike Portnoy, once again, improvised the song, from great to best, very progressive. After this amazing metal song, Hollow Years was played, and WHOA!!! Once again, John Petrucci improvised the solo, which is very great and beautiful. For me, nothing compares to this improvised solo, he is just truly a real virtuoso. Next is two songs from 6 Degrees Of Inner Turbulence, which are War Inside My Head and The Test That Stumped Them All, followed by Endless Sacrifice from Train Of Thought. Now here it is, an amazing medley, Instrumedley, which is more like a history of Dream Theater journey by playing all instrumental section of each single album. Scenes From A Memory - Awake - Images and Words - Change of a Season - When Day and Dream unite - Liquid Tension Experiment (although John Myung was not in it!) and Falling Into Infinity. Until now, I keep wondering where they got enough stamina to play this medley. Other to notice is the Keyboard Solo by Jordan Rudess, which played amazing keyboard effects with his ultimate skill of playing keyboard. The concert was ended with Pull Me Under and In The Name Of God.

In the second DVD, we get the sneak peak of the concert, through Riding The Train Of Thought. Now I cannot explain this part because it is really a "behind the concert" concept. Another thing which is great is The Dream Theater Chronicles, which shows their journey from the Majesty time in 1985 until now. Too bad, John Myung didn't make his "bass world" that could explain more about him and his bass world : ). On the other hand, Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess made their own worlds so we can "understand" or at least get to know how they can get their amazing sounds.

Five Giant Star, for the whole concert and for the songs in it. Now for those of you who haven't bought this album, I strongly recommend to buy it, as soon as possible. Timur Imam Nugroho - Indonesia

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