Dream Theater

"Images and Words"

Dream Theater is a progressive metal band originally from Long Island, NY. Although a number of lineup changes have occurred, the three original members remain today, along with James LaBrie and Jordan Rudess.

The band has had moderate mainstream success, notably with Pull Me Under in the early 1990s, which received extensive MTV rotation. Dream Theater’s (commonly abbreviated ‘DT’) two highest selling albums are the gold selling Images and Words (1992), despite it reaching only #61 on the Billboard 200 charts, and Awake (1994) which reached #32 on the Billboard 200. Recently Systematic Chaos entered US Billboard 200 at #19. Dream Theater has sold over two million albums in the U.S., and over 8 million albums and DVDs worldwide.

Dream Theater definitely sounds like Iron Maiden to me, another on of those classy metals bands of way back when but was surprised to find out other hidden gems within there songs in the Images and Words album. Sadly, this is the first time I actually listened to Dream Theater, and I know they've been around for awhile but with The Rev gone of A7X and Mike Portnoy (drummer of Dream Theater) replacing; I figured I'd give them a shot.

They were totally what I expected them to be, similar vocals to 'Maiden but had wicked 8 minute jams that flourished throughout the album. "Another Day" is one of those hidden gems that had a jazzy influence mixed into their progressive metal; sadly it was one of the shortest tracks on the album (4:54....lol). I thought the long tracks were going to be hassle to go through, but nevertheless, I didn't have one single problem with any of it...and damn how 'bout the guitar solos.

The only problems I had were some of the vocals were too whiny and too familiar to other bands of the decade. I can't stress enough, that I really thought I was listening to a 'Maiden knock-off, even though that is generally not a bad thing, it's just I never was that much of a 'Maiden fan to begin with. It had uniqueness, great jams, and all in all, it was a pretty great album. I'll gladly give it a home within my vast music library because hell...who wouldn't.

Favorite Tracks - Another Day, Take the Time, Under A Glass Moon

Disliked Tracks - N/A

RATING - 8.75/10