Dream Theater
Systematic Chaos

THE REVIEW

Two years after Octavarium, Dream Theater returns with a work that hits the mark. The sound is harder than ever but also features "soft" and relaxed facets reminiscent of the much-celebrated Scenes From A Memory. I'll move on to a brief track-by-track commentary.
 
"In the Presence of Enemies, Part I" takes off at full speed, with an instrumental section that our guys love to insert after the piece has already developed, thus in the middle part. The track is enjoyable and will find its second half at the end of the album. "Forsaken" is the shortest and most direct track on the album. It immediately captures the listener. The chorus gets stuck in your head right away. Labrie is excellent. The first single, "Constant Motion," is an aggressive song whose sung verse perhaps too closely recalls Metallica's Blackened. The engaging chorus features Portnoy prominently. "The Dark Eternal Night" is my favorite track on the album. A sharp and heavy riff that offers great promise right away. In the verse, Labrie and Portnoy sing in unison (Portnoy sings almost as much as Labrie on this record) with a very aggressive vocal line and a dark effect that aligns well with the riff. In the second part, our guys engage in delightful virtuosity that we know well. "Repentance" is yet another chapter on alcoholism signed by Portnoy, now omnipresent in all the albums. In my opinion, this chapter is the best. The first part is entrusted once again to Portnoy's voice and then to Labrie's splendid one. Petrucci's solo is chilling and atmospherically reminiscent of "The Spirit Carries On." Also noteworthy are the numerous guests who lent their voices to recite some verses. "Prophets of War" closely recalls Muse again, but this chapter is decidedly better than the one on Octavarium. An engaging track. The mid-song choirs are by a few dozen fans who were brought into the studio for the occasion. "The Ministry of Lost Souls" is a classic Dream Theater atmospheric piece, excellently developed, with a great chorus but perhaps a bit lengthy at the end. "In the Presence of Enemies, Part II" worthily follows the first part. The fast part towards the middle of the track is stunning, with an extraordinary guitar riff featuring the acclaimed duo Petrucci & Portnoy on backup vocals.
 
In conclusion, this album is, in my opinion, one of the best in the entire Dream Theater discography (obviously after the masterpieces Scenes From A Memory, Images & Words, and Awake). The direction is increasingly entrusted to Portnoy, who, besides performing and composing, is increasingly present (this time with excellent results) behind the microphone. The other members' performances are excellent as well. If I had to find a flaw, it would be that some tracks could have been shortened by at least a couple of minutes. But I don't feel like splitting hairs. Therefore, I can only highly recommend this album, and I actually recommend the special version with a beautiful documentary DVD that explains every minute detail of the recording, plus some amusing interludes (in English, without subtitles, unfortunately).