Dream Theater
Systematic Chaos

THE REVIEW

Five days left until the release of the highly anticipated Systematic Chaos. But having already listened to it, I have the opportunity to talk to you about it in preview. I won't dwell much on the songs because personally I think it takes many listens to get to know an album, especially a Dream Theater album. Many people will turn up their noses at this work, I'm sure, but it's not an album to discard.

The CD consists of eight songs. It starts with "In The Presence Of Enemies Part 1". Nine extraordinary minutes of great music, technique, speed... In short, Dream Theater. After 5 minutes and 13 seconds comes the extraordinary singing of James Labrie who, in this song as in all the others, has a very captivating voice. The song ends with a great solo by John Petrucci and then a sound, very similar to a wind rustle, where it is easy to guess that the song is not yet finished. "Forsaken" is the second track and starts with an intro by Jordan Rudess that will give you chills, followed by John Petrucci's very aggressive guitar. Very memorable chorus but still a nice song. The third track is the first single from the album "Constant Motion". Everything, and I repeat everything, reminds one of Metallica, from the guitar to the drums and especially Labrie's singing, imitating the other James, the one from Metallica's "Blackened". For many, it will be a copycat, but honestly, I see nothing wrong in paying homage to another band. "The Dark Eternal Night" begins devastatingly. Distorted guitar and double bass drum that are frightening. The initial singing is characterized by some effects on both James LaBrie's voice and Mike Portnoy's. Surely something will come to mind that you've already heard when you listen to the fifth track "Repentance". Because it starts with the same initial part of "This Dying Soul" and with the same opening line: "Hello mirror, so glad to see you my friend..." And then the real song begins, delighting you for 10 minutes and 44 seconds. "Prophets Of War" is a true anti-war anthem. It starts Pink Floyd style, accompanied by LaBrie's thin and calm voice. The song bursts with a nice riff from John Petrucci. Again, a very simple song with a chorus that immediately sticks in your head. The seventh track is something wonderful: "The Ministry of Lost Souls". 14 minutes and 47 seconds that will leave you speechless. The song starts gently with Petrucci's guitar accompanying James's voice, then explodes into true progressive characterized obviously by keyboard and guitar solos. We are at the last track that is connected to the first: "In The Presence Of Enemies Part 2" which together form a 25-minute suite. This song, as you might expect, starts just as the first part ended, with that wind rustle this time accompanied by John Myung's bass, reminiscent of Pink Floyd. Beautiful song, I really don't know how to describe it. Musicality, speed, technique to spare. Nice ending where all the instruments seem to explode at the last note, but instead... silence. After a few moments, you hear Mike's cymbals coming in, then the double bass drum, the keyboard, the guitar, and the bass to finally explode with a very fast tom roll by Mike Portnoy. It's not something easy to explain.

To be honest, I was expecting something more, but it's fine anyway. I'm sure many won't like this album, but I urge you to listen to it more than once, with attention. The album will be released on June first, in two editions. The standard and the special edition with the DVD, where there will be the entire album mixed in 5.1 and a documentary on the birth of Systematic Chaos directed by Mike Portnoy.

PS: "This  was my first review, I don't care what you tell me about how I wrote, I just hope to clarify your ideas about this album." LONG LIVE PROGRESSIVE, LONG LIVE DREAM THEATER.