Dream Theater – Once In A Livetime

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Double live-CD from leading lights of America’s new prog rock movement.

Dream Theater fans are a fanatical bunch. Despite the fact that this album was recorded during a marathon Paris show lasting more than three and a half hours, they still find the energy to cheer enthustiastically as they recognise tunes and even whoop enthusiastically through the track ominously titled Mike Portnoy Drum Solo. The recording quality is suspiciously pristine, but the musicianship indisputably superb, especially when the band rock out on Take The Time and Pull Me Under. However, with the extended solos and the exclusion of the band’s customary cover versions, Once In A Livetime is obviously targeting the already converted, who will undoubtedly wallow in it as a glorious celebration of Dream Theater’s raison d’être. Others will merely feel swamped.

Valerie Potter