One of my favorite bands, maybe the band I've listened to the most in the past seven years or so, has released a new CD. That band is Dream Theater, a progressive metal group with virtuoso musicianship and a hankering for everything I loved about 70's and 80's rock. Like the Borg of Star Trek, DT assismilated Journey, Kansas, Styx, Yes, Jethro Tull, ELP, Metallica, Queen and every other pompous arena rock band to create flawless modern AOR. Despite having virtually no American audience, Dream Theater has stuck to the music they like and pursued it with unerring determination. How many bands with active careers can say they have a concept album, a double album and a forty five minute song during the CD age? I can't think of any other than DT, now adding to their legacy is Systematic Chaos (2007).
Systematic Chaos follows the nu-metal influenced Train of Thought (2003) and the more melodic, orchestral leaning Octavarium (2005) disks. Chaos plays like a cross between the two with additional focus on aggressive delivery. The album is darker and heavier than any of their previous releases. In some ways, self consciously so as song titles such as "Forsaken", "The Ministry of Lost Souls" and "The Dark Eternal Night" are sign posts signaling trying way too hard. The songs would seem ridiculously silly were it not for Dream Theater's performance to back it. Most of the songs ride on jackhammer riffs, knotty instrumental breaks and blazing solos to sell the drama.
It takes me time to warm up to DT's darker albums and this one was no different. As always, the band makes some artistic growth particularly on tracks like "The Dark Eternal Night" where they picked up that Hawthorne Heights trick of a growly drill sargent barking the lyrics behind the lead singer's voice to create a sort of Exorcist effect vocally. Plus, a bit of Frank Zappa influences the midsection of the song with it's loose attack and structured songwriting. The vocal trick is also used a bit on the equally heavy rocker "Prophets of War", where singer James LaBrie takes a rare turn at songwriting to dramatize his anti-war screed. A few ballads are thrown in to change the pace a bit, such as on the 80's style metal ballad "Forsaken". "Forsaken" projects enough Operatic angst to make Ronnie James Dio cringe in fear. It's that good.
Yet, there are some weak points on the album. "Constant Motion" hits hard but regurgitates a vocal melody used on a previous CD that they stole from Metallica's "Blackened" anyway. DT also loves sound collages and the Pink Floydy "Repentance" cruises aimlessly enough until the end where a series of rock stars and former wrestlers imitate speaking in Catholic confession. The "confessions" take me out of the song and makes me say "Hey, that's former WWE wrestler Chris Jericho! Break the Walls Down!!!" as he drones on about some sad event in his life that he regrets. And none of the songs kick my ass like the 23 minute epic title track "Octavarium" from the previous album. That song was a mindblowing trip of all things great about progressive rock. Systematic Chaos repeatedly impresses but doesn't kill (although the dark tone would make you think it would want to).
Chaos makes advancements musically in adding a bit of testosterone following the more anthemic Octavarium. They just over play their hand a touch, leaving them on that fine line between real gravitas and self parody. Nonetheless, as a fan I think this is a good disc and will playing it next to the new Rush CD for a while to come.
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