Literally their eleventh album (out of all both studio and live albums, disregarding this years official bootlegs) from the band that has set the standard for Prog Metal, standing tall with influence, for the past decade and a half, with numerous lineup changes (or should I say keyboard player changes, and one lead singer changeover), and multiple side project endeavors.

Having had commercial success in the early nineties with regular radio airplay, following the release of Images and Words, with cuts like "Pull me Under" and "Another Day," evolving with concept albums and ecstatic live performances, Dream Theater has found themselves with an audience beyond the Metal world, and respect from musicians alike, not to mention the fact that they are one of the last Metal bands to sport a major label deal.

At this moment we are several albums into their career, never really knowing what to expect from these guys, but always knowing that it will be above and beyond satisfactory. This time around they have offered us a dark record (even the cover hints that), with extended tracks, providing the somewhat conceptual backdrop for the epics presented here. A far cry from Images and Words, in sound retrospect, but not at all a disappointment by any means, Train of Thought is a record that is their heaviest to date, bringing the guitars, that are represented by more riff and chordal structures rather than the constant soloing, and the drums, which are more within the pounding rock driven style in most cases, forward in the mix, making for an extremely thick and punchy record; keeping the keyboards back in the mix in some cases, as well as having the bass more or less following the fundamental notes of the guitar riffs. First off don't look at this record as a continuation of other past projects.

Dissecting the guts of the record track for track, the driving "As I Am" opens this dark record, with a moody and rough tempered cut, complete with LaBrie's anger driven vox, to the whole backdrop of the of the band playing extremely aggressive, sort of straying away from the progressive prowess, making this cut more metallic. The progressive overtones start out in the second cut titled "This Dying Soul," which has it's change of pace, even a nu-metal type rap that only LaBrie could get away with. And now we get more emotional with a ballad turned metal opus entitled "Endless Sacrifice," with the theme of confusion and frustration. But now back to reality with an avant-garde OSI-ish auditory vice overs found on "Honor thy Father," making keyboardist Rudess stand out for his shining moment, complete with spaced out production and panning. "Vacant" and "Stream of Consciousness" tend to go together, with "Vacant" being a somewhat short intro, a cello and piano ballad, offering somewhat of a sad atmosphere to yet another avant-garde tripped cut. "Steam of Consciousness," is literally a riff driven jam session. For the last cut "In the Name of God," they bring forth the harnessed energy within the album and spew it like a nuclear detonation; extremely heavy with its spurts of moodiness with the end setting the tone for Train of Thoughts' Armageddon, ending on a funeral-esque eulogy, almost being able to visualize a "The End" sign rising on the horizon, like an old dark dramatic film.

After hearing this I thought, what the fuck was that, brutally amazing, it's the full-blown Metal album that we have been waiting for from Dream Theater. It's almost like LaBrie might have had more control over this at a first listen, being similar to his Mullmuzzler projects, heavy and all, but no, it's produced by both Petrucci and Portnoy, with most of the material being written by everyone except LaBrie, even the lyrics.

In the end, this record proves (hopefully) that they don't use the whole Dream Theater aura as an anchor, fucking awesome heavy record, mandatory by all means, we have waited a couple years for this one, and the wait was worth it. Accept no substitutes!

Written by Hashman
Thursday, December 4, 2003
Show all reviews by Hashman

Ratings

Hashman: 9/10

Members: 9/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



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Comment by Dushan (Anonymous) - Friday, December 5, 2003

Great review, Hashman! My short comment: ...and yet another proof that there is really no way in hell DT can do a less-than-great album - expectations were high, but they were met, worry not! It *is* heavy - some will say "yeah!" and dive right in. Others might think "oh no!", but trust me, that should in no way keep you away from this great album - give it a try, you won't regret it! DT guys, you have my endless respect!!!

Comment by Yoni - Staff (Anonymous) - Friday, December 5, 2003

yeah, totally bitchin' review - i liked the 'funeral-esque' reference for ITNOG (in the name of god).. it's definitely a terrific album - there is a lot of controversy surrounding the band's direction, and some fans aren't so pulled into this record's life-force.. but it worked with me.. so thumbs up from a very happy DT fan :)

Comment by matt (Anonymous) - Wednesday, January 7, 2004

put the art back in art rock... seriously.

Comment by I love Dream Theater !! (Anonymous) - Monday, January 19, 2004

Very Good! In the Name of God is a very good music!! I love!!

Comment by GaSpHaSon (Anonymous) - Tuesday, January 27, 2004

I Just Can´t wait for the live concert.... Another "Once in a LIfe Time" album, by the only Music Gods i know of: LaBrie, Petrucci, Pornoy, Rudess and Myung! You Guys fucking rock!! Keep it on! Your nº1 Portuguese Fan

Comment by Ilgaz (Anonymous) - Thursday, January 29, 2004

Thats one of the best reviews of this album, I completely agree. You missed only the amazing complex lyrics, soul in this album. Especially needs real balls to write a song like "honor thy father".

Comment by Mark (Anonymous) - Saturday, January 31, 2004

eh...

Comment by Oldman (Anonymous) - Thursday, February 12, 2004

Never liked DT too much (I'm not into prog metal after all) but I really like TT.

Comment by Wicker Man (Anonymous) - Friday, March 5, 2004

Another good album from DT. Technically the musicians are GODS !!! I think that James LaBrie has done a good job but he's not so energetic... I disliked the Rap(ish) vocals, hope that they don't carry this way... There is something strange about this album it seems that the music has lost his soul like if DT have lost the their progressive majesty...

Comment by Joaq.. (Anonymous) - Sunday, March 14, 2004

not the best DT album. there are some cool instrumental passages, but overall, it lacks the usual diversity and dynamics of the best DT.

Comment by Luca Turilli E il migliore compositore!!! (Anonymous) - Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Well.... I liked Dream Theater until they came out with this album!! This is an insult! Well, "As I Am" is too Metallica-based and James LaBrie tries to fake Hetfield's Yeheah!'s unsuccessfully... "This Dying Soul" has a Guitar riff that is THE SAME riff from a Slipknot's song called "Interlopper" or something... The guitar at the beginning of "Endless Sacrifice" is THE SAME guitar melody from a Michael Jackson's Song called "Give In To Me". Besides, in this song, we have a guitar riff that is a LINKIN PARK FAKE! Then, we have "Honor Thy Father": Cafe Tacuba's sound, but with a bit distorsion.... I don't know.... this album REALLY got me angry.... I hope their next album won't be this bad!

Comment by hamza khaled (Anonymous) - Thursday, April 22, 2004

The first time i listened this album i was extreemly disappointed. I even thought that i was listning to the wrong one. Too much simple and monotone melodies, a niagara fall of effects, a show of mixing techniques it's likely techno music. I hope that it was only for business or a critic of today's world situation with a loss of essential values a mixing between love and hate good and bad!

Comment by Scott Gallagher (Anonymous) - Monday, May 3, 2004

I have been a fan of Dream Theater for several years now and I must say they definately have changed in this new album. I don't want to descerate completely with the idea that they have changed for the worse but I will say they have changed. It is an awesome album though and any REAL Dream theater fan would appreciate the musicianship and craftsmanship of this great music. If anyone wants to talk about Dream Theater E-mail me at scott12487@aol.com or Istant message me on AIM at ReignOfFire358...

Comment by Travis (Anonymous) - Friday, June 18, 2004

I really favour DT quite a bit, and have loved all of their albums to date. But I must say that I disagree with this review. I find this album to be a disappointment. It just doesn't have that same level of variety as their previous recordings have provided, and it doesn't uphold the flame as being a progressive masterpiece as it is just a culmination of riffs which aren't all that catchy anyway. I wouldn't say that it's a total failure for a record, but it is definitely not Dream Theater at their best.

Comment by JamesB (Anonymous) - Friday, July 2, 2004

Whoever says this album sucks well they are completely insane. This album rocks!!!! Its wonderful and progressive in a way that you can hear King Crimson and the like in the flurries of notes. This is a great album, I am always a DT fan.

Comment by Pat (Anonymous) - Friday, August 20, 2004

The band was aiming for a classic metal album, so it doesn't any better than this. Simpler melodies have to be expected. At least every song (minus one) has considerable length to it, and some awesome passages.

Comment by Pat (Anonymous) - Friday, August 20, 2004

You just have to think of this album as full fledged heavy metal, NOT prog metal. That's asking to get dissapointed.

Comment by The Fat Friar (Anonymous) - Sunday, August 22, 2004

Oh this album is certainly progressive! Metal yes but very progressive....just not as many keys happening to give it that shiny prog metal sound. Odd time signatures... key modulations...varied moods in each track.....typical long songs in the prog vein....no this ain't simple calsic heavy metal by any means.To call it "Classic" metal is a stretch for me....try Prog Metal!

Comment by Pat (Anonymous) - Wednesday, September 29, 2004

True, it's very progressive... but apparently it's hard for some people to catch on with the album being so heavy, I found it was as complex as it should be, and even if it was a little less, it'd still be great.

Comment by kiLLahbeY (Anonymous) - Wednesday, December 29, 2004

this album totally rocks my senses..portnoy really is sensational..rudess does the job above expectations..

Comment by sLapitdOwN!! (Anonymous) - Wednesday, December 29, 2004

this albuM ...one of the best!! since i bought a copy,my passion for playing my instrument rose to a higher level..whoever says this album sucks..geT a damn life!! iLove DT!!

Comment by B-9 (Anonymous) - Sunday, February 13, 2005

All I have to say is 10/10

Comment by Kasper (Anonymous) - Saturday, April 9, 2005

Best album of DT after SoaM...10/10

Comment by Manitou (Anonymous) - Monday, May 30, 2005

not so much to say, only the best. is one more nº1 from Dream Theater. Keep on... Portugal

Comment by Alex13 (Anonymous) - Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Awesome album. I only have this one and Scenes From a Memory but i can tell Dream Theater are awesome. Realy realy impressive songs. from the first to the last track. A solid 9