Dream Theater
Systematic Chaos

THE REVIEW

I AM a fan(atic) of Dream Theater, but I can recognize when a work is well done or not. "Systematic Chaos" doesn't disappoint expectations, but it's not a masterpiece, there's no doubt about it. Whoever considers it as such doesn't know this band. I respect all opinions but with a limit. Defending EVERY work of your idols blindly is a sign of narrow-mindedness. Having said that, I'll proceed to share my personal opinion on this work.

"Systematic Chaos" opens with the first part of the suite "In The Presence Of Enemies": a fully progressive instrumental start where the central melody of the track is presented. It begins well with a good pace. Even the final parts sung by La Brie flow quickly and without problems. Let's say the start is promising.
Unfortunately, it doesn't continue that way. With "Forsaken" the lowest point of the entire work is reached, it's a cheap pop rock song (!!!!) fit for MTV. Even the lyrics don't work, too sappy and simple ("..Look in my eyes and take my hand.." what?!?) a track of incredible simplicity and stupidity. It's unlistenable, there is not even an instrumental part, it cannot be defined as a ballad. Disconcerting. The following "Constant Motion" at least has a sound more familiar to prog metal, but still remains at low levels with predictable riffs. It's more "muscular" music and less cognitive, let's say. With "The Dark Eternal Night" mediocrity is touched again: a confusing start without Labrie, then the voice filters used must absolutely be deleted because they are horrendous. Everything already heard in the chorus. In the middle, it returns to the instrumental but it's just a repetition of guitar and keyboard riffs that leave me puzzled... difficult yes, but sincerely useless. I think these last three tracks are the worst written by Dream Theater in recent years. I'm no one to say this, but they are really unlistenable and I say it with all the respect I have for them.

Finally, a change. In "Repentance" the melody's resurgence from "Train of Thought" is evident with a considerably slowed-down rhythm: I was sincerely very puzzled by their choice to re-propose the sound of "This Dying Soul" but in the end, I had to change my mind. Intriguing and melancholic, a bit dark but not fully sad. It's definitely the best track on the album. The initial part finally sees Petrucci not as the protagonist, with Myung and Rudess taking the lead with delicate sounds accompanied by Labrie's voice. The second part is almost entirely instrumental except for the background voices (I'd say enough with them, we find them on every CD) and the beautiful background choir that makes the atmosphere darker. Excellent. The only off-note is the break with "Prophets of War": it moves from melancholy to keyboard speed. It doesn't fit for me. However, as said, the following track has a strong vein of Progressive given by Rudess, perhaps a bit too repetitive in sound, but it remains incisive and rapid from the start. The calm "The Ministry of Lost Souls" follows. It's sweet and delicate with an opening made with classical guitar, it has a familiar sound, it reminds me a bit of the theme of "Octavarium", especially in some riffs by Petrucci. In the middle, it changes with a purely Progressive instrumental part, perhaps a bit too detached from the central melody. In some ways, it's a prelude to the suite similar to what was done in the previous CD by "Sacrificed Sons": a calm prog with bursts of metal.

And now the second part of the suite. The start of "In The Presence Of Enemies" is incredibly similar to "Octavarium" with distorted and "distant" sounds. Labrie's voice comes in almost immediately, while Petrucci is initially a bit absent, then joins in the chorus, which I find too simple and predictable. However, the song proceeds well enough without hitches (with a few sounds reminiscent of Six Degrees it seems to me...) until the instrumental part where it gets lost once again in riffs, scales, virtuosity, and solos that are nauseating, misplaced, and boring. Thankfully, it resumes breathing in the finale where a very well-composed melody (already heard in the first part and similar to Razor's Edge... is it a coincidence??) accompanied by Labrie, closes the work more than sufficiently.

Eh, unfortunately, it's not the best. This band has proven itself for many years always or almost always surprising us, but HALF missteps happen to everyone. It leaves us empty-handed. A somewhat shaky and raw suite (I miss the orchestral parts of Octavarium...) accompanied by some horrible tracks (from 2 to 4) doesn't make for good work. I've heard many times that Dream Theater is an innovative band, but not this time. Let's say the novelties are in the inclusion of choirs and the division of the suite, but nothing else, on the contrary: I don't know, maybe I'm crazy or not hearing well, but in this work, I've heard many riffs and sounds similar to other works (Six Degrees, Train of Thought and especially Octavarium). The rating can't be high, but not too low either: 2 and a half out of trust.

And finally a small thought:

Being able to criticize, I believe, is very constructive and therefore, comparing different ideas allows us to grow. And you might say, "and with this?"... and with this I KNOW there are 10 more reviews of the same CD, but I just want to give my opinion on a band I've known for years. Can I?