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Precise, Progressive Pandemonium! A Kweevak.com CD Review by Laura Turner Lynch Systematic Chaos is Dream Theater's ninth studio release. It is a progressive record demonstrating that Dream Theater is still evolving and expanding artistically. Systematic Chaos is not a concept album, yet the prevailing theme of good versus evil threads its way through climactic songs about salvation and being cursed. The material is diverse and dynamic as Dream Theater's music usually is. "Forsaken" and "Prophets of War" are very accessible with memorable refrains melding with animated instrumentation.
 Systematic Chaos is a 78-minute journey through heavy terrain - lyrically and musically. The album has its melodic moments but as a whole it is a hard rocking record - not for the faint at heart. James LaBrie is particularly persuasive on this release, his vocals are passionate and potent. John Petrucci is precise and powerful as always. Mike Portnoy and John Myung are dynamic, devising blazing beats and Jordan Rudess on keyboards is magical and menacing. The CD opens strong with "In The Presence of Enemies-Part 1" an energized epic with effective vocals, entrancing instrumentation and engaging lyrics. It is followed by "Forsaken" which is seductive and sinister. It opens and closes with eerie keys that are potent throughout, heightened by a piercing Petrucci and pulsing rhythms. LaBrie really nails this one and I frequently hit the repeat button on this track. "Constant Motion" runs on manic, rapid fire instrumentation, crazed keys and varied vocal exchanges with John and Mike countering James. "Constant Motion" is concise yet chaotic - a colossal composition. "The Dark Eternal Night" is ponderous with frightening imagery, deep dusky vocal exchanges, and fierce instrumentation. "Repentance" is a complex, contemplative journey melodically expanding on elements from "This Dying Soul" (Train of Thought). It is the pensive pondering of the past and the need for repentance, efficiently expressed by James. The instrumentation is meditative with an atmospheric, Pink Floyd vibe. Guest voices (Jon Anderson, Joe Satrani and other notable musicians) share their own regrets overlaying stanzas from "This Dying Soul", closing with slightly muffled vocals paraphrasing concepts of the 12 Steps. An imaginative and intuitive composition. "Prophets of War" is a caustic commentary, questioning the war, with LaBrie angrily pointing out that people are profiting from war and demanding change. The song keeps building meaning and momentum with ballistic rhythms, crowd chants, gusty guitars and scathing keys. "The Ministry of Lost Souls" runs the gamut from heavy to harmonious. The story of a life saved by another who dies in the process is a pageant shifting from melodic to metal. Sizzling solos and plenty of speed changes add to the drama. "In The Presence of Enemies-Part 2" is an ominous odyssey. The song starts off scary and slow descending into darker regions with musical refrains from "Part 1" along with intense instrumentation and vehement vocals. The lyrics are multi-layered, one level looking at a personal battle between right and wrong. Others, literal and large in scale with the soul facing a legion led by the dark master (within). The creative weaving of parts from Psalm 23 and the soul no longer serving the dark master offer a glimmer of hope in this surreal scenario. A solid close to "Systematic Chaos". The bonus DVD, which comes with the special edition of "Systematic Chaos" was directed by Mike Portnoy. It summarizes the creation of the record, track by track with clips of Dream Theater working out and perfecting the songs. How many tries does it take James to get the "me" on "Forsaken" just right. "Chaos In Progress: The Making of Systematic Chaos" captures the band's energy and excitement about the album. All are positive about the progression of their music, a new label (Roadrunner) and working with engineer Paul Northfield. The DVD opens with Mike confused about what day it is, as Dream Theater lays down the first drum track on the first song of the album in the fall of 2006. Mike's wittiness adds to the commentary but all the guys demonstrate they have a sense of humor too. The film has a little bit of every thing from pranks to professionalism as the eight songs unfold in the order that they appear on the album. Reflections on the creative process and the ideas behind the songs is insightful and interesting. The DVD production is mostly straight forward studio shots with some effects such as fuzzy frames and multiple screens. Interviews take place on site or on the streets of New York and it's funny to observe that Portnoy cannot stand still. "The Making of Systematic Chaos" is entertaining and engaging and a cool compliment to the CD.
 Originally Published: 10/12/2007 on Kweevak.com |
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