Dream Theater - 'Parasomnia'
Dream Theater is poised to release their first album featuring founding drummer Mike Portnoy today. After a roughly 13-year (5 album) absence from the band, Portnoy returned in 2023 to incredible fanfare. For years, it seemed like Portnoy's split from the band was permanent, but in recent years tensions began to ease. As nothing more than an observer, it's looked like these guys have rediscovered what made Dream Theater such a powerful force and the release of 'Parasomnia' cements that claim.
Casual fans of Dream Theater can easily get lost in the formula of long and complex arrangements. Little of that changes here, but this album feels so incredibly focused and tight that it's easy to digest a 72-minute run-time in one sitting.
The album begins with a slow build on "In the Arms of Morpheus," which kicks into a percussive assault and immediately brings the listener back to excitement of a classic Dream Theater album.
For anyone looking to sample a bit of this, I'd recommend checking out "Midnight Messiah" and "Bend the Clock," two songs that best represent the range this album delivers.
"Midnight Messiah" is an absolute banger. This track goes harder than the average Dream Theater tune and it's relentless. While it clocks in at just under 8 minutes, even the most casual fan will be pumping their fist from start to finish. I sincerely hope this one is included on the band's spring tour.
"Bend the Clock" has elements of a ballad but hits deeper than most in the unique way that Dream Theater is consistently capable of doing (thinking of tracks like "Forsaken" from 2007's 'Systematic Chaos').
The album concludes with the epic "The Shadow Man Incident." After about five runs through this album, a track this size will take some more time to fully digest, but it's a great tune and this listener is a big fan of songs like this (holding "Count of Tuscany" from 2010's 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings' up as one of my all-time favorite Dream Theater songs).
Dream Theater are just about to embark on their North American tour, check HERE or check the dates below for full tour information. It's been about five years since I've had the chance to see Dream Theater and I'm thrilled to catch up again on an "evening with" tour!
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