| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING Into The Arms Of Morpheus Night Terror A Broken Man Dead Asleep Midnight Messiah Are We Dreaming Bend The Clock The Shadow Man Incident DREAM THEATER IS: James LaBrie - Vocals John Petrucci - Guitars John Myung - Bass Mike Portnoy - Drums Jordan Rudess - Keyboards |  |
Every time a notable band reunites with a classic member, and they announce that they have new music in the works, the anticipation always goes through the roof. Back in 2023, Dream Theater surprised everyone in the best way possible when they announced their reunion with Mike Portnoy, and right at that point, anticipation for the new studio album was astronomical. Needless to say that I was definitely excited as Portnoy has been one of my biggest influences as a drummer. It was a reunion that was long hoped-for by fans, and the seeds were definitely planted when Mike recorded and toured with John Petrucci for his solo album, and the creation of the third Liquid Tension Experiment album.
It also goes without saying that while the band enjoyed tremendous success with Mike Mangini behind the kit, including winning their first-ever Grammy, it just didn't feel the same for many fans. Well, those worries have certainly been put to rest, as the band's highly anticipated new album Parasomnia, and their first with Portnoy since Black Clouds & Silver Linings arrived earlier this year. There has always been a consistency in Dream Theater's sound and writing style with the use of odd time signatures, syncopated rhythms, chunky riffs and slick keyboards, but at the same time, they aren't afraid to stick to the basics and strip things down a bit when it's called for. While not a concept album, it's centered around the theme of odd behaviours and experiences during sleep, with certain tracks telling stories centered around sleep disorders and nocturnal terrors.
Instrumental opener "Into The Arms Of Morpheus" opens with the sounds of a scenario where someone is settling into bed and heading into what they hope will be a peaceful slumber, but the soft and haunting clean guitar and key notes start to build As the eight-string riff and drums come crashing in, it feels that instead of the slumber was hoping for, they headed straight into a chaotic nightmare. The low tunings of the 8-string guitar gives the song its dark vibe. However, a moment of peace seems to present itself at the end with Petrucci's rather hypnotic guitar solo. The track then transitions into the first single "Night Terror". Upon first listen when this track was first released, when Portnoy's 4-bar drum break near the beginning comes smashing down, it was like tasting food you used to eat as a kid after so many years, and that familiar taste takes you right back to being a kid, and you're like "Oh, how I missed you". The riffing is relentless and the keys are frenetic.
My favourite track on the album is "Midnight Messiah". The lyrics even reference old Dream Theater lyrics, and I love the Metallica and Iron Maiden vibes that it carries with the more punk-thrash style drumming, giving Mike Portnoy a chance to unleash a little bit. "Are We Dreaming" serves as the prelude to "Bend The Clock", a more laid-back track that feels a bit more like a ballad, but Petrucci still manages to shred your face off with a frenetic solo at the end. The epic near-20-minute closer "The Shadow Man Incident" is truly a song that demands your full attention, given the journey it takes you on. Of course, every album in history has a slight dud. "A Broken Man" is probably the weakest of all the tracks because it honestly feels like a song that was put in a hurry with hardly any memorable moments and hooks to be found, no matter how many listens I give it.
In conclusion, Parasomnia sees Dream Theater roaring back in full force, especially with Mike Portnoy back behind the kit where he rightfully belongs, and celebrating 40 years of prog metal magic, and it's proof that there's still plenty of gas in the tank for the prog metal giants. It has instilled a brand new excitement for Dream Theater that hasn't really been felt in many years, and that is without being disrespectful to the Mike Mangini era, but this is the Dream Theater that everyone knows.
It also goes without saying that while the band enjoyed tremendous success with Mike Mangini behind the kit, including winning their first-ever Grammy, it just didn't feel the same for many fans. Well, those worries have certainly been put to rest, as the band's highly anticipated new album Parasomnia, and their first with Portnoy since Black Clouds & Silver Linings arrived earlier this year. There has always been a consistency in Dream Theater's sound and writing style with the use of odd time signatures, syncopated rhythms, chunky riffs and slick keyboards, but at the same time, they aren't afraid to stick to the basics and strip things down a bit when it's called for. While not a concept album, it's centered around the theme of odd behaviours and experiences during sleep, with certain tracks telling stories centered around sleep disorders and nocturnal terrors.
Instrumental opener "Into The Arms Of Morpheus" opens with the sounds of a scenario where someone is settling into bed and heading into what they hope will be a peaceful slumber, but the soft and haunting clean guitar and key notes start to build As the eight-string riff and drums come crashing in, it feels that instead of the slumber was hoping for, they headed straight into a chaotic nightmare. The low tunings of the 8-string guitar gives the song its dark vibe. However, a moment of peace seems to present itself at the end with Petrucci's rather hypnotic guitar solo. The track then transitions into the first single "Night Terror". Upon first listen when this track was first released, when Portnoy's 4-bar drum break near the beginning comes smashing down, it was like tasting food you used to eat as a kid after so many years, and that familiar taste takes you right back to being a kid, and you're like "Oh, how I missed you". The riffing is relentless and the keys are frenetic.
My favourite track on the album is "Midnight Messiah". The lyrics even reference old Dream Theater lyrics, and I love the Metallica and Iron Maiden vibes that it carries with the more punk-thrash style drumming, giving Mike Portnoy a chance to unleash a little bit. "Are We Dreaming" serves as the prelude to "Bend The Clock", a more laid-back track that feels a bit more like a ballad, but Petrucci still manages to shred your face off with a frenetic solo at the end. The epic near-20-minute closer "The Shadow Man Incident" is truly a song that demands your full attention, given the journey it takes you on. Of course, every album in history has a slight dud. "A Broken Man" is probably the weakest of all the tracks because it honestly feels like a song that was put in a hurry with hardly any memorable moments and hooks to be found, no matter how many listens I give it.
In conclusion, Parasomnia sees Dream Theater roaring back in full force, especially with Mike Portnoy back behind the kit where he rightfully belongs, and celebrating 40 years of prog metal magic, and it's proof that there's still plenty of gas in the tank for the prog metal giants. It has instilled a brand new excitement for Dream Theater that hasn't really been felt in many years, and that is without being disrespectful to the Mike Mangini era, but this is the Dream Theater that everyone knows.
FINAL RATING
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