Dream Theater Systematic Chaos: Special Edition CD

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 A family band!
Been going to concerts for 25 years. They have become like going out for a meal; no big deal. Saw DT for the first time with my wife and the she said they were the best band she had ever seen - she might be right. We were so excited we took our three kids (12, 10 and 8 years old) two hours up the road to see them agian the next night. Oh, by the way, Systematic Chaos is the best metal/progressive album of the last twenty years. Pity it has taken my family that long to discover them!
Submitted by N.OLeary (Walsall UK)
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 What Every Band Should Be
Musically, Dream Theater still remains at the top of their game and the top of the prog-metal genre. Lyrically and vocally there are some challenges for me on this album (read on). However, watching the DVD really helps put things in their proper perspective. I really appreciate the fact that DT cares so much about the fans to provide a "behind the curtain" view of the writing / recording process and really hope they continue to offer the bonus DVD in the future. Once again, DT leads the way with an enhanced way for the fans to further enjoy the band. Now for the song reviews. In the Presence of Enemies 1 & 2 are very strong musically with the Overture portion setting the tone for the entire epic in a very traditional DT / Prog Rock fashion. Solid vocals with the story line / lyrics based on the excellent Priest manga series by Min-Woo Myung. If you read these stories, the song will be much more powerful. Forsaken has the most potential for commercial success. Solid rocker start to finish. Kind of reminds me of Evanesence on steroids. Constant Motion, straight up DT heavy riffing / multi time signature special. I know I overplayed the pre-release of this song but now that I've given it a rest it's one of the best. Dark Eternal Night, super chunky 7 string guitar with crazy (think Dance of Eternity) instrumental break. This is still a tough song for me to get into. I despise all "cookie monster" vocals and never understand why bands with great singers (hello Opeth) feel the need to use this effect. Additional, these lyrics are just a little too corny for me. I know JP was writing lots of fictional / fantasy lyrics but this is just too much. Repentance, another chapter in MP’s 12 Step saga. Very rich musical textures and haunting spoken word overlay make this a very moody and nice tempo changer in the on-going story. Prophets of War, good solid song with fan participation (background vocal chants). Reminds me of what Muse could be if they brought they guitars out front and beefed up the instrumental breaks. Saving the best for last, The Ministry of Lost Souls is easily the best song on the disc. Very classical feel with emotional lyrics and melodies. This song will bring down the house every night when JP works through the 3 key change outro solo.
Submitted by ebmm1721 (New Yir, NY) 
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 ONE MORE THING
I gave it the wrong rating. This album is far superior than anything that has come out from any other Metal band in the last 10 years. Think about it....
Submitted by Blue04Moon (Long Beach, Ca) 
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 Going through the Constant Motions
One of my least favorite DT cds. I have been a fan since I&W's and seeing them 2 times on that tour. S.C. lacks something, inspiration maybe, too polished, too cookie-cutter. I like the more prog stuff they have done that made them who they are. Even if they go heavy, like TOT, is was a better CD. With SC, the Lyrics are way out of character, sounds forced, too war-crap political, (Labrie's songs usually come up short), and sounds phoned-in. Not getting much mileage out of this one.
Submitted by EZ (Tarpon Springs, FL)
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 Everybody is a critic
I don't understand how people can be so critical of a band that has given so much to the fans. I guarantee that nobody writing a negative review can play half as well as this band. As a matter of fact no other band out there plays as well as Dream Theater. The fact is that DT has been consistent in their musical greatness. Always having the guts to try something different and always coming up with epic songs. Stop comparing every album to another one. I personally like the fact that all of the albums are different. The variety makes them even better. Besides, I don't care what anybody says. The song were Awesome live.
Submitted by christians (Alameda, CA, USA) 
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