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Events and Reports - Dream Theater - Dream Theater with Opeth, KB Hallen, Copenhagen - September 27th, 2009
In 2004 I saw Dream Theater deliver the perfect and still my favourite gig to date, having the entire evening for themselves meant a playing time of around three hours, tonight was rather different with four bands sharing the bill.
Before we headed for the show, me, Steen and Sandra shaded some quality time in the company of Mads, fellow staff writer Nina (thanks for a metallic dinner) and good old Jack D, now that's what warming up is all about.
After arriving at KB Hallen we catched some of Bigelf's performance which sounded unique, weird and fairly interesting.
Haven seen at rather disappointing and semi-dull Opeth show at Wacken in 2008 I was sure that they would make up it tonight.
Opeth
When they started out with the acoustic and mellow Windowpane it felt kind of misplaced. Not that there is anything wrong with a slow start but this was evidently too laid back, I had the feeling that a lot in the audience didn't quite know what to think, was this a sound check performed by the actual band?
The Lotus Eater from the bands newest album Watershed came off a lot more successful, a really heavy monster but it wasn't the big thrill I hoped for either, it lacked something basic as nerve.
The main problem with the show wasn't the musical side of things, the band had technical flair and sounded tight, the let down concerned stage presence and lack of improvisation. The songs sounded too much as if they came directly of the album and the band members did little to connect with the audience.
Mikael Åkerfelt's remark about Sweden being the superior Nordic country (an evidently wrong but none the less quite brave statement) was a bit funny though.
The atmospheric and eerie side of the band was well represented with Reverie/Harlequin Forest featuring a harmonious mid-passage where bass, drums and lead guitar melted together in a smooth, hypnotizing flow.
In the harsher department Deliverance hit like a sledgehammer, feeding on relentless brutality and speed. The awesome ending part of song with a massive rhythm attack was definitely a highlight.
Hex Omega, also from the new album, ended the show with a deep guitar riff at its core, again it sounded pretty good but it wasn't really special in any way.
So to sum up, this was musically a component display of rather complex compositions, but there wasn't much showmanship or unexpected moments of exciting spectacle.
Setlist
Windowpane
The Lotus Eater
Reverie/Harlequin Forest
White Cluster
Deliverance
Hex Omega
Dream Theater
You could feel a thick veil of tension in the air as the pause between Opeth and Dream Theater dragged along...then suddenly the intro for A Nightmare To Remember went through the speakers. Behind a big curtain covering the whole stage you could begin to spot shapes and figures in motion, this of course sparked a massive roar from the crowd and before you new it you had the band right in front of you, looking more than ready as the first track of the new album began to pick up pace.
In the centre of the stage a big video screen displayed a story cut out for the song and it actually added texture and drama to the whole thing, really nice imagery.
Mike Portnoy killed throughout the 15 minutes receiving heavy support from John Myung on the bass while James LaBrie sounded confident and powerful as the huge chorus swept across the hall. What a stunning opener!
When I first heard Constant Motion I thought it would make a brilliant live song and with the way the band performed it tonight they proved that point. With an unstoppable precise rhythm section and an impregnable wall of tightness they simply nailed this one firmly to the ground.
A short keyboard solo with Jordan Rudess playing a duel with an animated version of him self was actually a pretty funny interlude, not spectacular but enjoyable.
Throughout the gig the sound was pretty constant and fittingly adjusted, it stroke me how low it actually was, but then again it wasn't really a problem with this kind of transparency.
From Octavarium the band included Sacrificed Sons, the moody and dark shrouded beginning worked well as the twin towers collapsed on the screen behind the band. But this is also a song that becomes a bit tiresome in length, with a chorus that isn't that memorable.
Some really fine drumming and inspiring bass passages lifted the song but a ten-minute epic isn't perhaps the right choice for an evening like this, especially considering the other long runners in the set.
Then it was a completely different story as the band played Wither from the new album, here the atmosphere reached celestial, almost healing levels. A huge sing a long chorus elevated the spirit and James just nails these mellow pieces with his wonderful soulful style. There really isn't many singers that reach his standard with it comes to the slower more emotional stuff.
Now the band was clearly fired up and the execution of Erotomania was no less than unforgettable, definitely one of the best instrumental pieces I have experienced live.
As it led into Voices James' first vocal lines didn't reach me with the effect and clarity I expected, I don't know if he wasn't singing loud enough but something just didn't come together.
The song is a personal favourite and I really hoped they would include it in the setlist. Again a steadfast performance with a few incidents where the timing was slightly off but it contained the wonderful tense atmosphere reflecting the spellbinding Awake sound nicely.
Forsaken is another strong Systematic Chaos composition, dark hearted and grave in character, materialized through the opening piano melody, having an almost cold ring to it. James voice managed to hold the momentum of the extensive chorus going and overall this was another success.
I was a bit surprised of just how packed the hall were this Sunday evening, there was no doubt that the people coming here tonight felt a deep passion for Dream Theater. The beginning of Take The Time saw the fans going absolutely nuts, feeding upon an energized and positive vibe coming from the stage. This version of the old classic was simply "just let me catch my breath" awesome...heavy, inspiring and hitting just the right vibe. John Petrucci threw in an extended and mind-blowing guitar solo to end the song off, no less that spectacular.
After a short break the band came back and slowly started up The Count Of Tuscany. I was quite curious of how they would pull of the rather long and very dreamy mid-section passage, but as soft lights made up a star lit sky in the sealing, delicately accompanied by John's mellow and mesmerizing leads a unique and comfortable atmosphere filled the room.
Musically it was a joy to listen to these guys perform such a varied composition but when taken into account that instead of these 19-minutes you could have had for example A Rite Of Passage, Through My Words, The Mirror and Solitary Shell (22 minutes), you start to wonder just how wise a decision this really was...seriously, those four songs would have made a completely different and much more energized finale.
So tonight won't go over in history as the most magnificent DT show but they delivered an elaborate performance and proved that some of the band's more recent compositions translate nicely onto the live scene...and when it comes to the classics from Images and Awake, well they still give me the chills.
Setlist
A Nightmare To Remember
Constant Motion
Keyboard Solo
Sacrificed Sons
Wither
Erotomania
Voices
Forsaken
Take The Time
The Count Of Tuscany
| | Written by Tommy
Sunday, October 18, 2009 |
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by Steen (Staff) - Sunday, October 18, 2009 | 
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Comments: 518 | | Great concert! Take the Time was a definite highlight, I only wish they didn't cut out the brilliant bridge section.
Posted by Steen (Staff)
Sunday, October 18, 2009 |
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| Comment by Sandra (Member) - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 | 
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Comments: 36
Ratings: 25 | | Great review, I admire your critical view Tommy... when it comes to DT I just can't remain objective.
However, I miss one thing in your review... you don't even mention how great they were looking!?!?!
I don't know.. was it your view? ;) - it lacks some female opinion ;)
But you're right about the first line of Voices.
oohhh... what a great concert. My first DT gig ...I have never been so nervous before a concert, really, and I've probably never been so happy after a concert and I'm still not over it.
Erotomania and Voices were my personal highlights. I've always wished to experience those live. I must say; the guys almost swept me off my feet .. John Petrucci.. the guitar solo in the ending of Voices.. man .. I knew it was coming, but still, I was totally surprised by the dimension..chills... and just looking at him while he nailed this solo, wauw, I've only experienced that in my dreams... And hearing James singing one of my fave DT lines :" I'm lying here in bed swear my skin is inside out just another Sunday morning ..." was magical.
I was more than pleased to hear Forsaken, because I finally had the chance of having my arms in the air and singing : "Take me far away.." out loud while looking at my heroes...that's every girls dream ;)
Okay, I could go on like this for hours ..unserious.. because I'm wuuhuu in my head when it comes to DT.
Opeth had few shining moments and nothing more. I was quit disappointed. I just thought that they would be more impressive live...I like their style and their music, however, they were pretty dead on stage.
Bigelf, on the other hand was great. They impressed me with their metallic Pink Floyd sound, very cool and alive. I defiantly have to hear more from this band in the future.
Well my dream finally came true that night and this is the last thing I think about before I close my eyes at night - with a big smile all over my face - What a night to remember :)
Posted by Sandra
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 |
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