Venue: The Magnolia, El Cajon, California

Date: 27/10/2019

Repeat viewings of a favourite movie often yield new insight. Sometimes, it’s in regard to subtleties – say, an extra in the background who previously went unnoticed – while other times, you might pick up on a theme you’d never previously considered.

Repeat viewings of a concert tour can be similarly enlightening. Earlier this year, we had the chance to see the first leg of Dream Theater’s Distance Over Time tour, during which the veteran progressive metal act are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their influential concept album, Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes From A Memory. The show was undeniably impressive, but excitement over seeing the band revisit the landmark 1999 release overshadowed the maiden performances of material from their latest album.

That’s not the case tonight. Don’t get us wrong – it’s still an incredible thrill to hear Scenes... performed again in its entirety – but now, and perhaps as a result of several months of being played regularly, the Distance... tracks sound noticeably more potent. Muscular opener Untethered Angel is taut and focused, with the first of the evening’s numerous how-do-they-do-that? synced solos between guitarist John Petrucci and keyboardist Jordan Rudess. Paralyzed, meanwhile, demonstrates the extent to which vocalist James LaBrie has evolved in recent years as a live performer.

Surprisingly, the expansive and cinematic Barstool Warrior sees the usually unassuming John Myung spring to life, as he frequently turns to the side, bends from the waist and chops the head of his bass to the ground in sync with the rhythm. Petrucci, meanwhile, adds a soaring, singable solo that further accentuates the song’s dramatic nature.

The sneering Pale Blue Dot somehow manages to make a polyrhythmic riff headbangable. The song features a mad scientist intro by Rudess before Petrucci joins in on a seven-string guitar, and the pair soon team up for an impressive dual solo that earns another round of rabid cheers. It’s performances like this that emphasise that this is more than just a nostalgia tour.

Following a brief intermission, the group’s airing of Scenes... begins, exactly 20 years and one day since the album’s release. There isn’t much to add to the two decades’ worth of praise the album has already (and rightfully) received, but compared to its initial performances in 2000, the band do a far better job now presenting it live. That’s not a commentary on the person behind the drum kit, but the production value of the group’s concerts has increased exponentially over the years, and it’s a joy to watch today’s band have the resources to do the album justice onstage.

Singling out highlights is akin to pressing the shuffle button. In other words, take your pick. To name just a few, watching Petrucci bend his guitar to his will on Fatal Tragedy feels like watching a strongman perform a feat of strength, and Home proves once again to be an exhilarating, buckle-up-and-enjoy-the-ride knockout. And since no reasonable review of Scenes... would omit mention of The Spirit Carries On, we’re happy to reconfirm that it still stands tall as arguably the genre’s loveliest and most profound song.

Encores on this leg of the tour feature the band tackling the Distance... track At Wit’s End for the first time. Its vocal phrasing recalls the group’s early years, namely A Fortune In Lies, and another vicious Petrucci solo sees him command his instrument with ease. It’s a truly transcendent ending that reminds you that even after all these years, there are still none better. Don’t leave me now, indeed.

Clay Marshall