I have "Octavarium", the last work of Dream Theater, now heard by about 15 times - and slowly but surely captures the album to inspire me. To me it seems as if the old, not clear to me in words elusive "magic" of the earlier DT-albums (I even often like to hear the last two albums, but not idolize such as "Images & Words "or" let Awake ") in parts something missing, returned. I do not know which is more like something unconscious. Perhaps playfulness? Experimentation? Feeling? Inspiration? No Idea. Anyway, I got the "Scenes ..." no longer perceived as directly since. Dream Theater have once again changed their style fundamentally (and thus once again encountered a lot of fans in front of the head, which in a number of negative reviews clearly is) was added and an album that neither the previous nor otherwise resembles an album of recent back catalog. Instead DT added completely new elements into their sound. The tracks (except for the Long Track) shorter and more compact than last, endless Frickelorgien missing (again up on the Long Track) almost completely. Instead of heavy riffing the melody is being rediscovered as a stylistic device, which can be clearly noted even with Petrucci's solos. Who especially loved DT because of the high-speed shreddings on ToT, will certainly be very disappointed * g * With several tracks an orchestra acts with which is integrated but very discreet and song relevant and fits perfectly to the music -. No comparison with bombast Kitsch ala Nightwish or so! Influences of Muse (Near the end of "Panic Attack" and especially "Never Enough") and U2 ("I Walk Beside You") are clearly heard. Mike Portnoy had indeed announced in advance that influences these two bands would be present, but I would not expect that the SO be significantly influences .;) Despite everything, everything still sounds unique to Dream Theater and not reasonable plagiarism - not least thanks to James LaBrie, who has often criticized his weaknesses finally overcome and lays an excellent performance. So strong was LaBrie since the early 90s is no longer! About the remaining musicians still words losing, would be meaningless, worth more than that Myung almost hear like never before and also Rudess shapes the sound again significantly more than on the previous album. DT-typical sounds the plate very well, the production is crystal clear and still powerful. Dream Theater have done it again, deliver an excellent album, for which it can only give the highest score.
