OCTAVARIUM

I grew up a closed minded top 40 follower with The Offspring as my favourite band until one of my mates told me to listen to a band called "Dream Theater." Naturally to me, I had never heard of DT in the top 40 especially in Australia so I thought very ill of what I would be listening to, but decided to give it a go anyways.

From the moment I looked at the cd and saw that songs existed over 10 minutes I knew that I was in for the best ride I had ever experienced. And I wasn't wrong. Octavarium will be up there among my most favourite albums I've ever listened to.

Whether it be the headbanging and energy-driven Root of All Evil, These Walls or Panic Attack, or the calming and hopefilled The Answer Lies Within or I Walk Beside You, Dream Theater blew me away and introduced me to one of the best bands I had ever heard.

If the first 6 songs aren't enough to get you hooked, then the final 2 will. For ten minutes you are tossed around to the instrumentals of Sacrificed Sons, and, although left slightly empty, you crave to hear what this 24 minute song has to offer.

My ears have not heard a better song than this. Octavarium has been my favourite song ever since I first heard the song. Whether it be the Continuum, Orchestra, Drumming, Guitarwork, even the Vocals shine and add a sort of dimension that it is YOU who are feeling these things, like your body is experiencing the song in reality instead of just hearing it on a stereo. For 24 minutes you are tossed around to the melodies until you reach the climax of the entire album. TRAPPED INSIDE THIS OCTAVARIUM! LaBrie screams his heart out and makes you feel like screaming with him.

Octavarium is a masterpiece in my eyes and is, IMO, one of the best prog. albums one can make.