The best album ever? (Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory - Dream Theater)

Name: contrastdrummer

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Product:	Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory - Dream Theater
Date:	09/03/05 (233 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Solos, Musicianship, Concept

Disadvantages: None

This is Dream Theater's 5th full length studio release, and with the help of new keyboardist Jordan Rudess, they have produced their first concept album, and what I believe to be their best album.

The album kicks off with the lovely acoustic Regression which sets the scene for the whole story, which is too complicated for me to explain. After the lovely end chord of the 2 minute opener, the keyboard kicks in with the anthemic drum rhythm and the album really starts with Overture 1928, a 3 and a half minute classic prog metal instrumental, which leads perfectly into the next song, Strange Deja Vu, which I think is one of the best on the album.

Through My Words is a piano and vocals intro to Fatal Tragedy, which is, in my opinion, the best on the album. The main part of the song is really catchy and the 3 minute instrumental at the end is unbelievable.

Beyond This Life is an important part of the story, and has a great instrumental section, but at 11 minutes long, I think some parts go on for a bit too long, but that's not a bad thing.

The next song, Through Her Eyes is one of the most beautiful ballads ever, and is put in the perfect place, right after Beyond This Life, which is probably the heaviest on the album. The only problem I found with Through Her Eyes is that it fades out, so it doesn't link with the next track, Home.

Many people think Home is the best on the album, but I find it one of the weaker tracks. There's only 1 tempo change, which happens like a couple of minutes from the end of the 12 minute track, and it kinda drags a bit, but it's a great track though.

Then it's prog at it's best with The Dance Of Eternity. This is the craziest, and in my opinion, the best instrumental ever. It has more time and key changes than you can imagine and has parts in 13/8 and everything!

One Last Time is kind of a soft interlude but has an amazing piano part from Rudess, who proves that he can do more than Moore and Sherinian.

The next track, The Spirit Carries On, is one of the best ballads ever. If you thought Through Her Eyes was good, this is even better. A phenomenal solo from John Petrucci (no crazy shredding, but among his best) and a lovely gospel middle section.

The last track, Finally Free, makes you focus on the story more as it comes to the end, and the 'open your eyes Nicholas' at the end really shocked me when I first heard it. It has a great drumming outtro from Mike Portnoy, and he does it even better on the Live Scenes From New York DVD, and it's a very good song overall. After you hear this album, you'll say to yourself 'wow' - This is music.

This is the best album I have ever heard, and if anyone has anything better, then try me.

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