Dream Theater, Heavy Metal For The ‘90s

Dream Theater

Falling Into Infinity (EastWest Records)

Dream Theater fans finally get another magnum opus from this most progressive of metal bands. The first full studio release since 1994’s Awake, this sprawling work was well worth the wait. There has been some development since the last record, and it’s a logical one, mainly a more mature songwriting approach.

That’s not to say there’s any lack of fire or sheer heaviness, just one listen of the opening track ‘New Millennium’ will dispel any worry of that. What characterizes this new record is its adherence to the groove. The songs, as a result, seem to flow more naturally than they might have in the past. And the tempo and rhythm changes make more sense compositionally, rather than sounding like a bunch of high-powered riffs slapped together pastiche-style.

One sore point for me is the band’s insistence on always having to instill a pop character into at least a few tunes. The culprits this time are ‘Hollow Years’, whose nice acoustic guitar lines are marred by its blatant commercial nature and despite its bludgeoning opening riffs, ‘You Not Me’, with its overly familiar pop metal chorus.

But then even these start to grow on you after a few listens. There’s no questioning the rest of the disc (and there’s a lot more – the disc clocks in at 78 minutes), though, is all quite satisfying and challenging material. Doug Pinnick of King’s X makes a guest vocal appearance on the 12-minute ‘Lines In The Sand’, one of many highlights. ‘Peruvian Skies’ reveals some new sounds for the band with its esoteric opening strains and dramatic closing passages. Other tunes like ‘Burning My Soul’ and ‘Just Let Me Breathe’ are just out-and-out face melters. Naturally, virtuosity abounds, but the record is far more than a mere chops fest. This new one reaffirms the band’s status as a premier musical force for the ‘90s. Another winner from these Long Island boys.