... And it works! Dream Theater are back, and how! After having "Metropolis Part 2 - Scenes From A Memory" had delivered a true prog masterpiece, the following albums were weaker unfortunately with every new release. Goods "Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence" and "Train Of Thought" still really terrific albums, although they could not reach the status of the band's own classics like "Images And Words" and already what is mentioned "Scenes From A Memory", but from start to were able to convince the rear, and the competition knew to keep far in distance, so were unfortunately only sporadically found on "Octavarium" and "Sytematic Chaos" exploits. The longtracks "Octavarium" and "In The Presence Of Enemies", and the tracks that belong to the alcohol withdrawal epic of drummer Mike Portnoy, ("The Root Of All Evil" and "Repentance") did not convince all along the line, but just the Muse-strike to make songs as including "Prophets Of War", but seemed more than inappropriate. Therefore it was not clear from the outset that "Black Clouds and Silver Linings" would be so strong. But after several runs the listener is really aware that he was dealing here with a progressive metal album that has no equal. The four Americans and their Canadian singer know again what wants to hear the following. And that is probably without compromising the unparalleled mix of hard riff attacks and stunningly beautiful, quiet moments. Here are blended into a coherent whole inimitable way technical skills with compositional finesse. Launched the album is a roller coaster ride called "A Nightmare To Remember" which begins mighty grim. It is the story of a car accident described with all its stations: From the crash on the hospitalization to the calming feeling when it's off lightly. This Dream Theater bring any feeling over so tangible, as if one would have been even then. This is followed by "A Rite Of Passage" a really dark song whose chorus is so catchy yet, that you will not get rid of him for days. With "Wither" the men have then recorded a ballad that much richer comes as z. B. "I Walk Beside You". Singer James LaBrie shows its most soulful side, while the rest of the band with epic instrumental work a stark counterpoint to the dark sounds in "A Rite Of Passage" creates. Next up is the conclusion of Mike Portnoy's "Twelve-Step Suite" on the plan: "The Shattered Fortress". This song decide Dream Theater theirs, with "The Glass Prison" begun, Saga to the alcohol withdrawal of their drummer, indicating many instrumental and textual cross-references to other parts of the best that the five acts, viewed as a unit, fantastic rounds. In "The Best Of Times" is adopted by his father Howard Portnoy. We start with strings that sound more melancholy. After entering the entire band this melancholy dwindles, however, and gives way to a song that shows the beautiful moments of a father-son relationship. Here an attempt is made to inform the listener that you should hold on to the unique memories you had with someone, instead of letting overshadow everything from grief. Again Dream Theater show all of their trademarks. However, the entire class of the first five tracks is nothing compared to the final song on "Dark Clouds and Silver Linings". "Last but not least" gets a whole new dimension with "The Count Of Tuscany". With this artwork Dream Theater have set a new monument that actually reaches the class of "A Change of Seasons" and "Octavarium". It's incredible how intensely this song comes along. It will be formally carried away on a journey through the realm of Count Tuskanien. This inventiveness and this variety not create other bands in their entire discography. Finally remains nothing more than to tell me: Who does not like this album, which should keep his hands in the future better from the prog-shelf plate dealer of their choice. For in this case he would be here absolutely out of place!
