Inappropriate reviews

 —  So what do you get when you cross Linkin Park with Train of thought??? Right, Octavarium. With a more comercial and more industrial sound (yes, they even got dj scrathes this time around), we are treated to simpler, friendlier songs, with synth melodies that sometimes sound a little "futuristic".

Im really disappointed, long are gone the days of the elegant Images&Words and theres not even a resemblance to Metropolis II in here, also dont expect to hear Rudess's magical solos. Although Petrucci is amazing as always, but concerning him, theres nothing new here. I think Portnoy has gone out of shape, so dont expect super complex&powerfull drumming either.

Im not saying this is a bad record, Im sure you will enjoy the (sometimes not so progressive) songs, its only that since 6 Degrees came out im always saying to myself "right, the next one will be the one great DT album we all are wating for", and that aint happened yet, and judging by the direction the band is taking, I dont know if it may happen at all.

In conclusion, I guess old fans of DREAM THEATER will be disappointed like I am, but maybe new fans will like the record, and then someday discover the amazing music this band used to make.

 —  Seems to me that they've changed their target audience from 30-40 to 15 year old people. Why ?

There only are short, shallow songs, easy to digest, the "headbang and buy" kind. The feeling is gone, there's absolutely no new idea throughout the whole album. LaBrie uses a lot of voice make-up. Maybe his voice is gone ? I hope not, though...

Yes, Myung is not distinguishable, as is Petrucci.

I've been banned from the Petrucci forum for expressing my views and I was accused of being biased to my own opinion rather than keeping a balance between it and theirs. Which seems awfully silly, since I'm the consumer, the buyer, the guy that pays them.

If they don't do something quick after this album, which I consider to be a total fiasco, they will surely lose all their fan base, replacing it with new age kiddies who don't care if they go to a DT or Linkin Park concert. Of course, the revenues will be considerably higher.

 —  This album is the most dissapointing album that Dream Theater have brought out. Im a huge DT fan and have been awaiting the next studio release from them for awhile now, and to be presented with this short 44 minute album is very depressing. All of the songs except for the first track which is 6 minutes long, are 5 minutes long!! I know for a normal band 5 minutes is quite an effort, but this is Dream Theater we are talking about, not a normal band.

Petrucci shines in moments during the album as he always does but fails to help develop each song. The approach of the instrumental in this album is less Dream Theater and more heavy and fast. This creates a clouded sound to their songs, and thus the melodies have no chance to progress.

The vocals are less powerful in this album as LaBrie seems to have completely changed his vocal style. Too much influence from the growing market trends of music today.

Also, what is with the DJ, turn table / techno bit in Track 2! I listened to that and thought....did i get the wrong cd? This can't be right...! Track 4, I Walk Beside You I believe is the most "DT" song of the album, as it contains a melody which has progressive potential and kinda progresses a little.

All of the songs seem to based on the simple, intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, guitar solo, chorus END, appraoch. The unique thing about Dream Theater is that their other music got past this boring and repetitive approach. They would delicately decide how to play a song so that it would always progress, through the lyrics AND the instrumental. The guitar solos were numerous in many songs. This album comlpetely ignores this appraoch to their music.

I also wonder what Rudess is doing during this album. The keyboard input in this album seems to have the smallest input of all their albums. And what is with the techno intro to the Octavarium song? Its sounds as though another James Bond movie is coming out. What is more sad is that that song is probably the best or second best of the album. Even though it spends half of the time repeating the same guitar chords over and over. And the other half is spend playing heavy fast "clouded" music...

I gave it 2 stars, fans only, but really i don't think any fan should buy this album as it will completely break their heart to hear this short and ugly album.

How long till the next album? Maybe then they can redeem themselves, but always they will be the greatest band to me :)

DREAM THEATER Octavarium
Review by Harrish A. Rebutoc @ 1:09:07 PM EST, 5/26/2005

 —  Just Got the new album and I'm really disappointed. Dream Theater's music has evolved into some kind of Progressive Industrial Techno crap and I hate it. They're doing too much experimenting, and they're losing touch in their music.

Been listening to them since 94' and I had no complaints until now. In fact I have all their albums and DVDs.

Where are those epic songs that they use to make? only five minuite songs here. I'm sure lots of progfans will be disappointed if they bought this album.

Dream Theater should really get back to the drawing board. Hard for me to say this coz they're my idols...But their album sucks this time. I'm just afraid this would be the beginning of the end for Dream Theater...