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Rating: We could simply call it "another side project of Dream Theater," but that would be an understatement.
It's 1998, Portnoy and Petrucci create this supergroup with the aim of giving
space to their imagination and creativity beyond the limits of the impossible.
Supported by Jordan Rudess, at the time still with Dixie Dregs, on
keyboards, and Tony Levin (former Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Peter Gabriel)
on bass, they manage to accomplish a
fantastic instrumental work of 74 minutes in just one week.
The quartet manages to include numerous genres, merging them with the
progressive metal, DT style.
It starts from prog rock, moves
through jazz and fusion, and ends with blues.
It is incredible how these musicians unleash their technique and mastery so effortlessly, creating the entire musical context with a great sense of improvisation and symphony. Every instrument reaches its peak, offering the ear, sublime and unique melodies. The CD has great
continuity and is never boring, constantly keeping the listener’s attention.
The opening track, "Paradigm Shift," has a devastating sound wave thanks especially to an inspired Portnoy who will amaze you throughout the record; the instruments seem to challenge each other in a contest, aiming to go beyond the sound barrier. In "Osmosis," the bass spurt of the great veteran Levin is highlighted, never alienated and suffocated by the others. Petrucci, a true guitar hero, offers a great
performance, executing neo-classical inspirations and fantastic solos. "Freedom Of Speech," majestically offbeat, and "Kinder Spirits," a true
mix of slow guitar and piano, with bass and drums accelerating and shading it all, are the living proof of the massive skill of the four. Rudess showcases himself throughout the masterpiece, thus convincing Dream Theater that
he is the rightful heir of Kevin Moore. The exceptional piano pieces in the hyper-complex and lively "Universal Mind" and the stunning
duet in "State Of Grace," a slow and sweet track, definitively consecrate the keyboardist. "Chris And Kevin’s Excellent Adventure" and "The Stretch" are pieces dedicated to the friendly relationship among the
four, with plenty of laughs, supported by a bluesy motif and a very funky whistle.
The experimental and concluding track is "3 Minute Warning." Divided into five episodes, the song is hard to categorize due to its complex nature, yet always in tune with the other
energetic and creative tracks.
Everything needed to make music (skill, technique, melody, etc.) is encompassed in this magnificent album.
Ladies and gentlemen, here's where imagination resides.
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Other reviews
By Joe Cavalli
The atmospheres are often cold and inhospitable, yet the notes flow like mathematics at exponential speeds.
Liquid Tension play freely, as on a Saturday afternoon, and release their desires on the instrument without constraints. But their compositional limits also appear.
By gilmour
"Every time I listen to them, I get goosebumps. It's TRUE."
"It is a beautiful album that deserves a place in every archive of someone who understands true music."
By GATTINATOR
This is because they found the right combination to make Dream Theater’s sound more gritty, explosive, and above all complete.
I can’t find flaws in this album apart from the fact that the entire content revolves around a probable 'extreme technical boastfulness,' which might make it slightly heavy.
