Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn of Events is the 11th studio album by progressive metal band Dream Theater, released in 2011 through Roadrunner Records. the album charted at #8 on the Billboard 200. this is the 1st album to feature new drummer Mike Mangini. the lyrics for this album were written by bassist, John Myung, which had credited lyrics on some songs off their legendary record, Metropolis, Pt. II: Scenes From a Memory, which was a legendary record in the progressive metal department. I give Dream Theater a lot of credit. they've released some very fine albums in the progressive metal department, such as Metropolis, Pt. II: Scenes From a Memory, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, Octavarium, Systematic Chaos, Black Clouds and Silver Linings. I enjoyed this album a lot. it had some stand out songs on this. Black Clouds and Silver Linings was good but it was somewhat kinda cloudy. but Dream Theater, it sounds like their reconfigured.
A Dramatic Turn of Events is 77:05 minutes in length, filling the entire disc as many of Dream Theater's past albums have. The album's title was a vague reference to the departure of Mike Portnoy, Jordan Rudess stressed that it is in no way a reference to anyone; rather, the title references the album's recurring themes of dramatic changes. A Dramatic Turn of Events was one of the most anticipated releases from the band within their entire career by some critics. A Dramatic Turn of Events received positive reviews.
Around the summer of 2011, I heard that the band was without Mike Portnoy and that they'd be recording a new album. when I heard that, I thought: hmm, it's Dream Theater, they might make a disappointment. But until they released their 1st single, On the Backs of Angels, I thought I was welcomed back to the Dream Theater. hearing that song, I thought: hmm, sounds like a new drummer. Yes, it was. Mike Mangini was the drummer for this album. A Dramatic Turn of Events has a new drummer, but they still got the same sound, but drums sound slightly different.
1) On the Backs of Angels - The album opener. It is also the released single for this album too. Mike Mangini gives a decent impression, but not outstanding. The departure of Mike Portnoy can be felt. It's a very good track and it is one of my favorites by the band and the album. It has a very strong chorus.
2) Build Me Up, Break Me Down - Starts off with a weird drum beat but it comes in with a very nice monster guitar riff. iI like this song a lot. this is a 6 minute, almost docking in as a 7 minute song. It sounds like a song that could be played on the radio. It has very good vocals by James LaBrie and I love the chorus.
3) Lost Not Forgotten - Starts off with a very nice piano intro by Jordan Rudess. Later in the song, it starts with a fast-paced guitar solo by John Petrucci. After that early solo, it goes away with a cool guitar. It has a decent type of chorus.
4) This is the Life - The ballad for the album. This track is kinda like a jazz ballad. In my opinion, I'd say This is the Life is a decent track. The song speeds up a little bit and John Petrucci lays down a very good solo. It's a good song but I don't really care for the song though.
5) Bridges in the Sky - At first it was called, The Shaman's Trance. Later, the name was changed. But the song starts off with an intro, which is the Shaman, not the band. It's a voice by the Shaman in the intro and in the ending of the song. Then it comes in with a very nice guitar riff. the vocals, the guitar work is amazing. I love the solo a lot, this is one of my favorites on the album as well.
6) Outcry - Starts off soft but it kicks in with a rather loud guitar and keyboard sound. It has some very good instrumental sections. This is a very good song. I love it a lot. Outcry would be a song that they'd probably play live. And it has a very good chorus.
7) Far From Heaven - It's an all piano song, the shortest track on the album. It has a melody that'll always stay in your head.
8) Breaking All Illusions - The longest song on the album, it starts with a fast paced type of riff. Then it has a slowed down kind of verse. It has an upbeat solo
9) Beneath the Surface - The final song of the album. It's a very good ending to the album. It has a good chorus and a good solo by Jordan Rudess. This song will be known as one of the best Dream Theater ballads near in the future.
I enjoyed listening to this album. it would of been better if Mike Mangini was allowed in the song writing process. I thought I'd be disappointed. Nope. Dream Theater didn't let me down.
