Dream Theater

Systematic Chaos (Roadrunner)

Rating: 4 out of 5 (Excellent)

Systematic Chaos is something that the Theater enters into with ease. In fact their ability to make sense out of unusual time signatures with key and tempo changes and turn it into melodic music is what the band has always been about. They have wandered off their own beaten track over the last few albums with Warner Records but Chaos is a real return to form for the Roadrunner label. The usual tight and precise arrangements return and guitarist John Petrucci is in immaculate form throughout – just listen to ‘Constant Motion’. With music this complex the production quality is essential and here it’s of the very highest standard. Check out John Myung’s bass sound on the opening of ‘Forsaken’. Also, the track running order becomes critical in order to retain the interest, and again this is obviously well considered. All in all, this has got to be their best album since the much acclaimed Images And Words, so seek out and absorb.