Genius !!

I finally it in hands - the new album one of the most exciting bands. For weeks you could retest on diverse sources the songs, what I also made extensive use. BC & SL reminds production technically to Systematic Chaos, which I welcome. The drums sound as if they were close enough to touch, things could hardly be. The same can be said of the guitar. This is unfortunately a bit too much at the expense of the bass guitar, which is in my opinion very moved into the background.

Here, certainly makes the hierarchy within the band felt: the bosses are clearly Portnoy and Petrucci. So James LaBrie is no longer involved in the songwriting, even a lyric he could not contribute (that was already with Train of Thought so). I think that on the one hand very unfortunate, on the other hand nourishes the hope that LaBrie, converts his ideas, which he has no doubt in a solo project. As we have just arrived at the singer: The songs ask him some, but he copes with the challenges extremely well, sometimes it sounds aggressive, then (similar to earlier time very often), quite gently.

Outstanding Song is clearly The Count of Tuscany. As so often point to their longtracks DT here their true ability. After a quiet part at the beginning there is only a little heavy, then fiddly in the best sense, then atmospherically (which they remember the old rush hours), and finally uses the best part for me, first only with acoustic guitars and LaBries great voice. Here a gooseflesh effect was supposed to be unavoidable. About the other songs to write, I can save - first, every fan has their own opinion anyway, and secondly, there are already numerous comments.

To mention is the fact that at last is a great ballad at the start again, so fans were not necessarily spoiled in recent years. The Ministry of Lost Souls SC is of course great, but failed with around 15 minutes quite long, The answer lies within of Octavarium ignites with me until today not quite and Vancant of Train of Thought was obviously only because Portney and Petrucci times had to resign and the other three band members quickly and secretly forged a two-minute piece. So this time again a nice quiet piece, of course, completely unchallenged, the four musicians. By the way the piece of John Petrucci has been written alone, who also wrote four of the six texts.

Incidentally, the purchase of three comprehensive CDŽs version is highly recommended. The cover songs are very well done, especially Stargazer (Rainbow) and the medley of Queen have done it to me.

It is still too early to say what place will occupy the new work one day - but one thing is certain: it is at least for me are very high up.