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Dream Theater: John Myung (bass instrument); James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, Mike Portnoy . Personnel: John Petrucci (vocals, guitar); Mike Portnoy (vocals, drums, percussion); James LaBrie (vocals); Jordan Rudess (lap steel guitar, keyboards); Anne Lehmann, Laura McGinnis, Catherine Ro, Elena Barere, Carol Webb, Katherine LiVolsi Stern, Katherine Fong, Yuri Vodovoz (violin); Karen Dreyfus, Vince Lionti (viola); Richard Locker (cello); Pamela Sklar (flute); Joe Anderer, Stewart Rose (French horn). Audio Mixer: Michael Brauer. Recording information: Hit Factory, New York, NY (11/2004-02/2005). Illustrator: Hugh Syme. Photographer: Colin Lane. Prog rockers Dream Theater tallied 19 years as a band with the release of Octavarium, but in listening you're apt to suspect otherwise. As a collective they remain as tight as they were on 2003's obsessively dark Train of Thought (like all music-school outfits, they've exacted an all-for-one formula that doesn't allow a single player more than his share of swagger), but a post-hardcore edge -- call it a leap into 2005 -- has invaded their pledge of allegiance to theatrical heavy rock. Hear it on "I Walk Beside You" and "The Answer Lies Within," both of which, at under five minutes, play like charming haikus from a band known for its epic poetry, and also on the orchestra-backed 20-plus-minute final cut, which skips around from Pink Floyd to Rush to Black Sabbath influences, stopping off every so often at a place fans of My Chemical Romance might find familiar. As with all the band's discs, guitars loom large and both doom and redemption seem no further than the next twisted verse. What's changed is Dream Theater's commitment to carrying on their reputation as underground progressive rock's classicists, and it seems well-timed. ~ Tammy La Gorce As the sole major-label progressive-metal act, Dream Theater invariably set the standard as the flagship band of the genre. With the numerically themed OCTAVARIUM (including eight tracks signifying the band's eighth release) the shred-rock quintet continues to challenge themselves creatively. Opening track "The Root Of All Evil" picks up the thread that began with "The Glass Prison" (SIX DEGREES OF INNER TURBULENCE) and carried forward to "This Dying Soul" (TRAIN OF THOUGHT). Drummer Mike Portnoy's lyrics for these songs read like a set of deeply personal journal entries documenting his painful recovery experience, further disclosed by a footnote nod to Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson. OCTAVARIUM chiefly finds Dream Theater stepping back from elaborate fretboard acrobatics, focusing on vocal-based, song-oriented material ("I Walk Beside You," "The Answer Lies Within"); much in the spirit of AWAKE and their breakthrough album IMAGES AND WORDS. "Sacrificed Sons" captures the heartbreak of the 9/11 tragedy, while the grandiose title track showcases a melodic, Styx-inspired keyboard solo by Jordan Rudess (better known for a blisteringly frenetic style). Twenty years since their inception, Dream Theater prevails as the benchmark of modern prog metal. Dream Theater Octavarium Songs Octavarium Music Review Average Rating: (4.2 out of 5 stars)    List All Reviews OUTSTANDING! Dream Theater will last through time as one of my favorites. I have been listening to them since the early 90's. This new CD is outstanding! Probably some of thier best work. Its not as heavy as Train Of Thought, but the quality is amazing. Very emotional and creative. This CD also has more of a flavor of one of the things that makes DT a favorite to their listeners. That is the apparent sounds and influences of past rock innovators. You can definitely hear the great sounds of Pink Floyd, 2 generations of Genesis, Journey, Styx, ELP, etc, mixed into their writting as if done purposefully. There is also a very tastefull if not honorable song written about 911. You need to listen to this record! Submitted by jmarum (Dallas, TX)  Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 4 of 6 found this helpful.
could be better in my opinion this Dream Theater album is a little more "progressive rock" then "progressive metal". it has a little u2 sound in there. they still showcase their instrumental prowess but its more a vocal album. dont expect vintage mike portnoy drum fills or solo's. hey, i still gave it 5 stars, its definitely an amazing album with well written songs. Sacrificed sons is an ode to the 911 tragedy that fits in well with some angry prog rock. one thing i definitely can say is that it is unique, all of there albums are totally different from each other, including this one.... buy it, love it, live it , im outa here...
Submitted by billfitz42081 (long island, ny,usa)  Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
From pop to prog Dream Theater's 8th album is a good selection of different types of songs. There are usual Dream Theater progressive metal pieces, but there is also 1 song which could be on Coldplay album and 1 song which lends some ideas from U2. Highlight of Octavarium is the title track. It is 20 plus minutes progressive rock masterpiece, which keeps your attention from start to finish. This CD can be recommended to everyone who likes quality in his/her music. Dream Theater surely delivers.
Tero Honkasalo Submitted by tero.honkasalo (Espoo, Finland)  Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Best one yet! Dream Theater never disappoints. From their thought inspiring lyrics to their ever complex rhythms..they have to be the best all around progressive band ever. Submitted by comtnbyker (Evergreen CO)  Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 3 found this helpful.
Take a listen IMO.... The best DT album to date....
Amazingly written, amazingly played!!.... You will find that it finishes just as it starts.... Brilliance is a word that describes this Masterpiece....
A must.... Order it now people!! Submitted by okinawarocks (Japan)  Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 4 found this helpful.
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