SCORE: 20TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR LIVE WITH THE OCTAVARIUM ORCHESTRA

GREAT, a statement for the band, and a jewel to the fans. A nice approach to what they though in the beginning about some songs, and what a live situation!!!. Now the choice of the songs: well i give a dam, a concert is part surprise and part history, Dream Theater is now part of the "sacred cows" of music business, and the music fan base, so it really doesn't matter if they play "non-commercial" songs (if that can be considered), b-sides, or "hits", it is a fest, a delicate balance of music and show. The important thing in here is the nerve they had to play two of the longest songs ever written (OCTAVRIUM and SIX DEGREES OF INNER TURBULENCE) in a single night: awesome!!!, i would like to be there that precise night, however i had "my show" in Mexico city, a little bit heavier than this one, and of course a little bit shorter... but the true jewels in here are ANOTHER WON, and RAISE THE KNIFE, wow, lost notes that are a very rare or hard to find items to the "mortal" fans, a delicacy; perhaps, the weakest moment is linking two ballads in disc 2, but again, so what!, anyone can have a "mellow" moment, and having a great orchestra in the back is good excuse. The show is nice and organic, more progressive and less heavy that BUDOKAN, a lot more focused, with more heart in it, what do you know?. So, let's cheer about bands like this one that have ideas, heart ad endurance in this world of crappy music, then, rating this album makes me realize how important and significant the history of DT has been, i mean, they actually saved the entire "prog-metal" genre!!! Enjoy to the last and to the top, PLAY IT LOUD. peace