Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos Review

Revision as of 11:29, 30 July 2008

A quarry

General Information

Original Author: The Uncreator

Artist: Dream Theater

Album: Systematic Chaos

Genre: Progressive Metal

Tracklist: 01. In The Presence Of Enemies - Part 1 02. Forsaken 03. Constant Motion 04. The Dark Enternal Night 05. Repentance 06. Proophets Of War 07. The Ministry Of Lost Souls 08. In The Presence Of Enemies - Part 2

Sound: 9

Dream Theater once again, in there latest installment, Bring a progressive powerhouse to the table. From the crushing opening riff of "The Dark Eternal Night", The octave wonders of "Prophets Of War", to the soft and mellow melodies of "Repentance", this is Dream Theater at the top of there game.

Guitars:9

John Petrucci, I think we all know how capable this man is. Amazing tone, unsurpassed technical ability, super fast chops, AND, Incredibly beautiful phrasing showcasing perfection over vibrato and voicing melodies. The riffs throughout the album will not dissapoint, from the opening note, to the ending note, this album contains amazing feats that display the classic progressive DT riffs we all know and love. I'll go as far as saying there isnt a flaw in his playing on this record, Its done beautifully. And if you think the guitars are all shred, check out the first solo of "In The Presnece Of Enemies", and the solo to "Repentance", and you will know just how diverse Petrucci really is.

Bass: 8

John Myung is a bass guitar beast. While not his best album bass wise ( I think Octavarium is ), He still brings that incredible tone with him, from the clean, hammer like tones of "The Dark Eternal Night" to the distorted wonders of "Repentance", His presence on this album is simply one of the essential ingredients to an awesome Dream Theater song and superb album.

Drums: 9

Mike Portnoy is simply, without a doubt, One of the most unique drummers out there in the music world today. His technical rhythms, that change time signatures every other at times, create a heavy atmosphere that literally supports everythign on it. Even on songs like 'Repentance' where the drums are not the focus, his drumming, although be it not technical this time, is still amazing. It simply amazes me how seemlessly he integrates himself in the fabric of the music.

Vocals: 8

A lot of people don't like James Labrie's voice, I on the other hand, Am quite fond of it. I think he can really display the emotions that DT convey, From the sorrow, despair and depression in Mike Portnoys songs about the 12 steps of recovery from AA (Repentance is part of that, Its the seventh part i believe), To the sheer anger and power of "The Dark Eternal Night", or the Story teller like voice in "Forsaken", I think he is easily one of the most talented singers, But I will say, A lot of people dont like his tone or technique, So It might not suit some of you.

Lyrics: 10

James Labrie, Mike Portnoy, And John Petrucci write some amazing, vivid, and enthralling lyrics that I just lose myself in.

From "In The Presence Of Enemies: Part 1" I saw a white light Shining there before me Walking to it I waited for the end A final vision Promising salvation A resurrection For a fallen man
Do you still wait for your God And the symbol of your faith?
I can free you from this Hell and misery You should never be ashamed, my son I can give you power beyond anything Trust me you will be the chosen one
I was forgotten A body scorned and broken My soul rejected Taken by his blood Beyond redemption I said i'm not worth saving
Forever taken From the one I loved
Do i still wait for my God And a symbol of my faith?
I can lead you down the path and back to life All i ask is that you worship me I can help you seek revenge and save yourself Give you life for all eternity
Servants of the fallen Fight to pave the way For their saviour's calling Of this wicked day Through a veil of madness With a vicious play One man rises on Standing in their way
Redemption Redemption for humanity.

From "The Dark Eternal Night" No one dare to Speak of the terrible danger The hideous ancient warnings Forged in the void of night
He has risen up out of the blackness Chaos belongs to the prophet's sinister A sickening monstrous sight
Through the stifling heat underneath the pale green moon Hungered with the thirst to see things not yet seen Climbing endless stairs, leading to the choking room Eager to explore this most shocking mystery
Drifting beyond all time Out of a churning sky Drawn to the beckoning light Of the dark eternal night
Black forces rage in a vortex, fighting Rays of destruction swallowing The emblem of the universe
I am the last Born of the blood of the pharaohs The ultimate god of all-creation Sent to unleash this curse
Restless crowds draw near Nameless herd in forms of fear On this fallen routes Grotesque creatures battle Settle on a stream His yellow face it now draws near They get monuments Corpses of dead worlds left behind Italic text

From "Repentance" Hello, mirror So glad to see you my friend It's been a while
Staring at the empty page before me All the years of wreckage running through my head Patterns of my life I thought I don't ... Revealing hurt for shame and deep lament
Overwhelming sorrow now absorbs me As the pen begins to trace my darkest past Signs throughout my life that should have warned me Of all the wrongs I've done for which I must repent
I once thought it better to regret Things that I have done and haven't
Sometimes you've got to be wrong Learn the hard way Sometimes you've got to be strong When you think it's too late
Staring at the finished page before me All the damage now so clear and evident Thinking 'bout the dreaded task in store for me A bitter fear at the thought of my amends
Hoping that the step will help restore me To face my past and ask for forgiveness Cleaning up my dirty side of this unswept street Could this be the begin of the end
I once thought it better to regret Things that I have done and haven't
Sometimes you've got to be wrong Learn the hard way Just when you're through hanging on You're saved.