Reparation

After I was extremely disappointed as a fan of the first hour from the previous "Octavarium", has "Systematic Chaos" for me as a refund !!

Because in contrast to the last album, in which I have completely deterred songs like "I Walk Beside You" or "The Answer Lies Within" as well as the first six minutes of the play, "Octavarium", it does not give up "Systematic Chaos", in my opinion a misfire!

I want to 'get no access individual pieces Registered. One or two while keeping not quite the level that is set by the rest of the songs, and then, without exception, but also quite high.

OK, that Dream Theater for quite some time even play one or the other part, which comes obviously considered more spontaneous than long, is true. And yes, the compositions in "Images & Words" and "Awake" was I a total even stunning than on actually all of the following panels.

But this does make songs like "The Dark Eternal Night" or "The Ministry Of Lost Souls" or actually all new pieces in any way to bad songs! Can we not just leave a great song to exist as such, although not a killer solo or incredible change of pace or what always happen there. "Disappear" on "Six Degrees ..." but, for example, a real highlight and stands on an entirely different level, perhaps existed as at the first plates only with "Space-Dye Vest". And with "Prophets Of War" is available on the new album again as an atmospheric piece.

Production? In the booklet is: Engineered and mixed by Paul Northfield, I think this gentleman is then likely responsible for the sound and also Mr. Vlado Meller who has fabricated the master. In my opinion, the loud drum sound has already been "Falling Into Infinity" a more natural given way; Just a matter of taste. Bass I hear actually very good 'out, my impression is even more likely that it's better than on other boards. Overall, the sound has now nothing surprising, but is fine.

Well, and then ultimately even to James LaBrie. The discussion about him I can not understand still. You hear only times his solo album "Elements Of Persuasion" or the DT-Live-DVD "score" of how he there for example. "Innocence Faded" brings live, is just incredible for me. Anyway, I can be very difficult imagine DT without LaBrie and Russel Allen is also in my opinion an exceptional talent, but does not fit to DT, as little as I almost overpowering Ray Alder imagine of Fates Warning there could. And except for the fact that the verses of "Constant Motion" sound exactly like typical Metallica lines, I can hardly find vulnerabilities regarding the singing on "Systematic Chaos".

All in all, not a milestone, such as "Images & Words" or "Awake" (how many milestones you can already produce in his life?), But simply a super great album!