Dream Theater
Once In A LiveTime

THE REVIEW

Starting to describe and review a live show like this one is very difficult, especially when we talk about Dream Theater. From 1989 to 1997, Dream Theater, with their 4 albums and 'A Change of Seasons', delighted us with immense masterpieces, which still remain in the history of '90s Progressive Metal music.

The album composed in 1997, titled 'Falling Into Infinity', slightly diverged from its predecessors to take a new path. Let it be clear: still Progressive, but with a different sound, summed up in a small phrase:
"Dream Theater do not repeat themselves easily".

From their first official live (Live at The Marquee), 'Once In A LiveTime' takes a different path from 'When Dream & Day Unite' and 'Images & Words', based more on works like 'Awake', 'A Change of Seasons', and the aforementioned 'Falling Into Infinity'. The sound of the live is not far removed from FII, so much so that even the tracks from previous albums achieve a higher, more electronic level of sound, the same found in FII. 'Once In A LiveTime' is a live that satisfies most fans of that era, thanks to a set list containing some of the most beautiful works of Dream Theater.

A questionable "A Change of Seasons", divided into parts due to the length of the track, played very well, with a highly energetic Derek Sherinian (just listen to the 1st Part of the already mentioned song). It is also a fairly creative live because it is built on small medleys and jam sessions, making this concert unique. Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci demonstrate their prowess as Progressive musicians, and La Brie plays his part divinely, even if at some points he tends to go off-key or lose his voice, but those few times are quite imperceptible. Speaking of the live works that will come after, the sounds of this album are much cleaner compared to those found in 'Live Scenes From New York', and not just the sound, but also the way the musicians play, especially Mike Portnoy.

The 1st CD contains many gems from 'Awake' and 'FII', as well as two tracks from the first two albums (Take The Time from 'Images & Words', and Ytse Jam from 'When Dream & Day Unite'). The 2nd is based solely and entirely on 'FII' and 'Awake', and to finish in style, a "Pull Me Under" from 'Images & Words'. From here the Encore, with a "Metropolis" interrupted by a beautiful jam, connected to "Learning To Live", which in turn, invokes the 7th and last part of "A Change of Seasons", closing this splendid Box CD in beauty. A fantastic live, which deserves to be listened to and appreciated even in a minimal part. The live was entirely recorded in Paris in 1998, and in the DVD version (Five Years In A LiveTime), we also find "Burning My Soul", a track not included in the CD.

Tracks
1st CD: 1. A Change of Seasons I / 2. A Change of Seasons II / 3. Puppies On Acid / 4. Just Let Me Breathe / 5. Voices / 6. Take The Time / 7. Derek Sherinian Piano Solo / 8. Lines In The Sand / 9. Scarred / 10. A Change of Seasons IV / 11. Ytse Jam / 12. Mike Portnoy Drum SoloTracks

2nd CD: 1. Trial of Tears / 2. Hollow Years / 3. Take Away My Pain / 4. Caught In A Web / 5. Lie / 6. Peruvian Skies / 7. John Petrucci Guitar Solo / 8. Pull Me Under / 9. Metropolis / 10. Learning To Live / 11. A Change of Seasons VII