I would say this is an essential album to own for any progressive metal fans or anyone who is new the genre. It has the ability to tell a story from start to finish but equally it sounds just as good if choose to listen to the songs randomly
One the albums best features is that they have not relented on the amazing technical instrumental ability that put dream theater on the map. The brilliantly sharp keyboard and drumming displayed by Rudess and Portnoy, who perhaps shined more in Awake, with reference to songs like 6.00, combined with the sensational guitar skills of Petrucci, which are particularly noticeable with a short solo about 9 minutes into Scene 4 and the bass of Myung. Finally this album is a great example of the vocal ability of James LaBrie. He he is able to range his vocals to suit balads in the case of Scene Three and Scene Five. Not only that he can mix his lyrical style to create different atmospheres, particularly in Scene 4 and Fatal Tragedy. It is this that has kept Dream Theater fans coming back for more since the start of the new millenium. A must have album!
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