If Dream Theater record a new album, then the expectations are of us fans of course again immeasurably high. That's for the band, of course, not an insurmountable hurdle. At least it seems so. The last dream Theater albums since Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence were not always the overachiever like their predecessors, often they sounded too sterile, too heavy or too predictable. However, it should be noted here as well that the level was sky high here. So where now stands the new piñata Black Clouds & Silver Linings? The announcement of Mike Portnoy to write an album that contains only epic tracks put the bar very high. And now Black Clouds has arrived! It's warm, varied, playful, magical, wonderful! I never thought that the disc would be so good. It begins with the brachial 16minüter A Nightmare to Remember, the dashes terrific forward, as the band seemed to try their luck in the run. It follows that the first epic of Hit A Rite of Passage, a great hymn, with super catchy chorus, an ingenious riff and a madness Petrucci solo. After that, it is quiet for now. Wither is an entertaining and beautiful ballad. It is followed on the foot The Shattered fortess and already the intro can announce that this is the continuation of the 12 Steps suite of Mike Portnoy. Numerous citations to previous parts adorn the song, never let him get bored and require the listener from a lot. This song ignites only after repeated listening. After The Shattered Fortress follows The Best of Times. A Heartbreaking song of Mike Portnoy on his father's death. One can perceived the pain to Mike when his father died has empathize truthful. Nevertheless, this song also shows the way forward. A very emotional song. The grand finale of the album represents the nearly 20 minute long track The Count of Tuscany. What is offered to the listener here is all top notch. Long Dream Theater have delivered not so formidable longtrack more. Although Octavarium was also awesome, but in direct comparison can not keep up with the said song. A spherical intro followed by a great riff after another before the song in the middle part contains a murderer even synth part. The Count of Tuscany ends with a bombastic finale and can be a back with wide gaping mouth. Dream Theater be celebrate on her new album Progmetal all first cabin, no other band is even beginning to the guys ran. James LaBrie is delivers an excellent job here almost pointless to mention. It applies to all Dream Theater worshipers to buy this album and all Progfans should have the thing in the closet. If you still receive such a package with superior-quality cover versions and instrumental remixes of album tracks 6, then you just have to access!