Album Rating: 3.0

listening right now

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Theres a ton of cool stuff all over this album but the drumming just lacks the energy and excitement that Portnoy brought to it all. Some of it is actually painful when you try and imagine what the drums would actually sound like. But when thats put aside, the album is good. However, it will get no more than a 3/5 from me.

Some of it is actually painful when you try and imagine what the drums would actually sound like. This.

I don't usually do this but yesterday this happened to me when I did a play through and the druming is easily the worst part of this whole thing.

Still not sure why I dig this so much, I think the Nu-Metal influence is what gets me.

Album Rating: 3.0

TRUE, that. It sounds a bit like Meteora's "Don't Stay", doesn't it? However, the first thing I thought of was that it sounded like Disturbed's "Inside the Fire".



My thoughts exactly.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

So now DT apparently have their own "From the Inside" and "Don't Stay" haha; on Octavarium and ADToE respectively.



Don't think the latter is as bad as some people make it out to be. Some throat-ripping screams from James there (around G5-A5; his highest notes on this album by far).

This band is starting to run it's course. I feel like they will never stop releasing album after album, even to the grave they'll all have like posthumous compilation albums come out or greatest hits or some shit.

They release solid metal prog imo

It is NOT what I hoped for. So few inspired moments. Boooring choruses (can't remember them being more
harmonically boring&cheesy) Drums written out for Mangini to play. Some great solos and okay riffs.
Song structures are good.
Overall. I'm disappointed. Hoped for more, for something really fresh and inspiring, for some new
energy. But it's cheesy harmonic schemes with - still - some awesome musicianship on top of it.

Album Rating: 4.0

Third listen, now it's a 4.5! The stuff I still don't like too much is either getting better or the stuff blocking a 5 rating.

Lotta divded people on this album

Album Rating: 4.0

Division in the Dream Theater fanbase isn't entirely unwelcome.

True that

Album Rating: 3.0

Like just about every Dream Theater album aside from Metropolis and Images and Words, the musicianship here is great but its just boring as fuck.

I dunno, Metropolis didn't sit with me.

But this is interesting

Album Rating: 3.0

The absolute worst part of this album is LaBrie's performance. I'm a huge fan of his Images & Words work specifically, and most other albums he's been at least decent, but god all of the vocals on this album are so drab and uninspired. I hate how nearly all of his singing are layered... I guess it's a sign that he can't rely solely on his natural voice anymore.

Album Rating: 3.5

His voice definitely went through some programs yeah, but despite that and other shortcomings this is still an enjoyable record.



And by the way, people who like this, or got disappointed by it, should definitely try the new Haken album, you'll most likely dig it.

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

I think Lost Not Forgotten is the best track. It gives me an Under a Glass Moon kinda vibe. I cant wait for the next album though, so we can see how Mangini can REALLY drum.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

..and hopefully a better drum recording.



One thing I gotta give Portnoy (aside from his creative 'more is more' style) is his choice of drums. They always sound top notch, especially on Train of Thought / Live at Budokan.

Yeah. Apart from the drum playing being boring they even sound bad.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

I mean the actual parts are ok but the snare sounds like it was recorded through a phone. Could be much better.