BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS

This is not just underrated album, but by many, it's also hated album. Which is quite sad, because this one has a lot to offer. It is melodic, indeed. Nothing experimental (and evil) like SDoiT CD 1 (where I love disc 2, but this first one is quite different. Very different). Nothing happening here.

So what, I don't care if Nightmare To Remember borrows here and there some elements, because this song after all is all that counts, sources of inspiration are only second category with not so weight. Is it progress, as it's mastering older themes together and doing something quite new (even it can remind older ones) and having great atmosphere (with exactly the feeling it want you to feel). All these tracks have, each is different and achieving this masterpiece status with slight alternated approach. After all, even The Shattered Fortress is right, isn't it ? It's not stealing and reusing their own ideas again, it's intended to be like that, it's purpose and serves in higher meaning. You know the story of this track, don't you.

But The Best of Times, let's grant entire paragraph just for this terrific song. It's one of the best prog metal songs I've ever heard, beating all their previous songs by sheer emotional overdose here. It reminds me my relationship with my own father a lot. Word by word, reminds me of my bond with him, even we're just 27 years from each other. Of course, I'm younger than Mike, but even I mourn for his father's departure and can't understand it as good as he did, this is one of the most beautiful "requiem" songs I've ever heard (OK, I didn't hear much of them, just Candle In the Wind which I hate and few others, but this one, oh yeah, I can enjoy it very well).

5(-), OK, not much to be said here, except clichés. You want some of them ? As you wish, so: I'm aware that every album has its own "deaf" places (not so good as other parts), but here, they're overshadowed/intelligently hidden.

What else can I give, except masterpiece rating. There's even no song that I hate and qualities are clear. And who wants to see mistakes will see them, be sure about that.