Dream Theatre

When Dream And Day Unite

Marvelous, magnificent and majestic.

Three words that on their own could be the review of this album as it Is all these things and many more. Recorded in less than a month, a feat In itself, to such amazing standards is, in a way, a credit to the band and producer Terry Date (Fifth Angel, etc).

But why, you ask, is Ian wetting himself over this album? Well, it's simple really – it's because I've never heard nor experienced a sound and level of musicianship such as this ever before, and add to that the amazing songs as well and you can begin to appreciate how good this is.

John Petrucci (guitars), Kevin Moore (keyboards), Mike Portnoy (drums), and John Myung (bass) are without doubt some of the best musicians around. Just listen to the instrumental track ‘Ytse Jam’ and you will hear a tightness unheard before, and top this off with the awesome voice of Charlie Dominici and Dream Theatre become lords of New Age Pomp.

Opening cut ‘A Fortune In Lies’ combines pomp, rock and thrash so well that you're drawn immediately into the spell of the music, Myung's bass spilling over the speakers and the Metallica like riffing of Petrucci combine to kill, and with the Kansas-like keys soaring throughout, it paints a picture of pain and sorrow that burns into

your soul. And always in the background there's Mike Portnoy who has to be one of the greatest drummers around – sort of Ken Mary meets Neal Peart – who blasts at your senses and won't let go.

‘Status Seeker’ has Dominici doing his best Geddy Lee impression and the Kansas connection again comes to the fore as keyboards, guitars and bass blend to a harmony balance that defies belief.

‘The Killing Hand’, at nearly nine minutes in length is a tour-de-force in pomp death, a keyboard and guitar extravaganza that leaves you numb after Its final strains fade away.

Personal faves have to be ‘Afterlife’, probably the most commercial of all the cuts due to its killer chorus. ‘Those Who Helped To Set The Sun’ if only for the intro (has to be heard to hear what I mean), and last but definitely best, ‘Only A Matter Of Time’. Grandiose keyboards usher in a weird, out of time drumbeat that lets Dominici build the tale of the song through amazingly complex time changes and incredible bass and guitar playing. Also, the middle section is an awesome pomp workout – truly brilliant.

So if Kansas, Queensrÿche, Metallica and Rush mixed together is your idea of heaven then this is for you.

—Ian V Johnson