Originally published in The Defender college newspaper · January 1993
Metal Group Reaches New Plateau
By Rob Kennedy
Review2 min read
Dream Theater: “Pull Me Under” from the ATCO release “Images and Words”, (c) 1992
1992 was a barren year for fans of heavy metal. It seemed all of the traditional metal bands had either gone into hibernation, or outright folded. For example, Anthrax’s future is in jeopardy due to the loss of their lead singer Joey Belladonna, Queensrÿche has done nothing to follow up their 1990 masterpiece Empire, and the guys from Metallica have for all intents and purposes become teen idols (just call them “Mediatallica”).
Then along comes Long Island quintet Dream Theater to prove that the reports of heavy metal’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Their album “Images and Words” is more than a token heavy metal album (i.e. sexist lyrics, three guitar chords, power drumming, and, oh yeah, hairspray), but highlights the possibilities of hard rock when some talent and creativity is applied.
Even after a single listen to “Pull Me Under”, it is clear that Dream Theater’s musical influences are extremely diverse. The frantic guitar of John Petrucci conjures up images of Iron Maiden, Van Halen, and Boston, combining raw power with astonishing dexterity to paralyze any listener. Rush fans may gasp, but Mike Portnoy’s percussion is on par with the great Neil Peart, going above and beyond merely keeping a beat, and instead becoming the force behind the song. And James LaBrie may be the best vocalist in the business, hitting all ranges with ease. Their combination succeeds at annihilating any thoughts that heavy metal is a genre full of talentless poseurs.
Lyrically, Dream Theater is also at the upper echelon of heavy metal singers. “Pull Me Under” is a homily to fear of the future and the unknown. “This world is spinning around me/ Every day sends future to past/ Every step takes me closer to my last” brilliantly sum up author Moore’s theme of apprehension. Also, even though this song lasts over eight minutes, it never becomes redundant. Not a single note or change is wasted, a remarkable feat for a song so long. In fact, it seems that eight minutes isn’t long enough for “Pull Me Under”; stuff like this should last an entire album side.
Dream Theater has set a standard for all intelligent heavy metal bands to follow. With “Pull Me Under”, and Images and Words in general, the band has lifted the genre to a new uncharted plateau.