Systematically Brilliant (Systematic Chaos - Dream Theater)

Name: The Daz

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Product:	Systematic Chaos - Dream Theater
Date:	17/09/07 (125 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Long, widdly, concept!

Disadvantages: Long, widdly, concept!

Fear not, audiophiles, for proper music has returned to save you from the horror of manufactured pop!

For die-hard Prog-Metal fans, the latest release from Dream Theater, their 9th (and a half if you count A Change Of Seasons), sees the Instrumentally gifted Quintet back to their no nonsense best.

Whilst the last album, Octavarium was more mellow in places and a bit samey in others, perhaps just a modern retake of the commercialised 1997 release Falling Into Infinity, Systematic Chaos is pretty much all hard driving, mixed meter wizardry.

At 75+ minutes, this is another epic album, and with only 8 tracks, you can expect plenty of extended instrumental sections to give you your money's worth. Whilst the casual listener may think a lot of DT's work sounds the same - too many notes, several verse patterns to each song, widdly guitar keyboard duels and far too many drums - there is distinct progression by the Berklee trained musicians throughout their career. Gone are the pompous overtones of their debut When Dream & Day Unite or Images & Words, and newly assimilated are the rather brilliant concept ideas of Scenes From a Memory and the hard edge of Train Of Thought. (Plugging the album titles here...). The new sound is distinctly contemporary, yet also unique to DT - in the same way that Snakes & Arrows sounds like a modern album but is definitely a Rush record. (And a plug of another review!).

Warning: before you read the liner notes and get very confused - the various parts of the concept are within the tracks, starting with Track I, but moving to Repentance before finishing with the ending track - with one part seemingly missing. (I was confused too). The basic concept is based on the struggle of a helpless individual slowly turning to Darkness/Evil, but ultimately finding redemption and the Light. The themes weave through the album - creating a link between the songs that stand alone just fine.
Track Listings.
1. In The Presence Of Enemies Pt I
In a similar vein to their last concept album (Scenes From A Memory), the opener begins with a Medley of the musical themes as a presage to the whole album. It occasionally sounds a bit tiresome - 'when will the singing start!', but actually it's better to think of it as the players warming up!
James' (LaBrie - Vocals) voice is improving with age, and some throaty yells suit the feeling of the lyrics better than the operatic wails of earlier albums (He was classically trained to wail, rather than the Jack Daniels and best shouter in the band method).
As the song moves through stop/start verses to heavy choruses, the instruments build to a full on assault before one of those DT endings that you know means the song hasn't really finished - there's just an hour of other songs to listen to first.

2. Forsaken.
Basically - this is how Evanescence done without a care for album sales would sound. Poor forsaken chap meets beautiful girl/angel who wants to take him away. Whether she's a servant of the chap above or the one below isn't entirely clear - but the music is damn good, the short guitar solo is especially transcendent, listen closely for pick squeals and feedback to show how hard JP (John Petrucci - Guitars) is playing.

3. Constant Motion.
Occasionally - thankfully not too often - MP (Mike Portnoy - Drums), helps out on the singing of his songs, which are usually about Alcoholism, Demons or Nobody liking him. This track is not actually about these topics for a change, and the growling backing vocals complement the Lead quite well. I gave up trying to play along to this track after 4 bars, anticipating replacement finger requirements due to burnout.

4. Dark Eternal Night.
Subject matter may offend some - but then, a song about the Dark Lord is nothing new for a Metal Band, although Prog bands do tend to go for a more unfocussed approach to a subject. Mixed meters again - 4, 5 and possibly 6/4. (My brain hurts from keeping track). Odd instrumental section with quirky keyboard sound changes and a devilish ascending scale pattern.

5. Repentance.
Self-pity in heaps here, very moody song with excellent leading bass line. The second half features voiceovers from friends and other bands' members who confess/make up stories of guilt and their pleas for redemption.

6. Prophets Of War.
Clever play on Prophets and Profit in this one - a thinly disguised rant at Arms Traffickers and the Nations that live to fight wars. The band never shy away from offering opinion on world problems and this is no exception. Great mix of hard edged chorus and bass driven verses.

7. Ministry Of Lost Souls.
Simply stunning track. 14 minutes worth, so make sure you're sitting comfortably. Atmospheric verses lead to heavy vocal choruses - almost a retake of Train Of Thought's 'Endless Sacrifice'. Charts the search and release of a young lost soul who can't break free of her life and move on. This song is a pinncale of Progressive Rock, which will divide listeners - it's either perfection to the ear, or the sort of whiny, instrumental show off nonsense that stops them being mainstream.

8. In The Presence Of Enemies II.
Begins as the opening track ends, but shifts to a darker, moodier section as the narator is drawn into the grip of the Dark One's Minions - but ultimately wins his redemption and frees himself.

Ok - so a lot of casual listeners will not enjoy this album. It's too long, too widdly and hurts your brain. In short a masterpiece of Progressive Metal.
For the slightly timid listener hoping to get into DT, I would perhaps recommend Falling Into Infinity or the far more Operatic and accessible Scenes From A Memory.


On a final note - as with the last few releases, this album is also available as an Extended set, with a second DVD disc containing a 30 minute 'Making Of' video and some other extras of album goodies.

Summary: Brilliant virtuoso masterpiece