Dream Theater, Black Clouds & Silver Linings
Posted on 30th Jun 09 by Jonathan Keane | 
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I don’t know about you but when someone says prog metal the first band I immediately think of is Dream Theater. Nearly 25 years of audaciousness and perhaps impertinence Dream Theater are still somewhat outcasts in the grand world of metal. Not everyone gets them, but that number is always rising and when DT do [...]
I don’t know about you but when someone says prog metal the first band I immediately think of is Dream Theater. Nearly 25 years of audaciousness and perhaps impertinence Dream Theater are still somewhat outcasts in the grand world of metal. Not everyone gets them, but that number is always rising and when DT do hit home with you it’s a glorious feeling – trust me.
Blacks CLouds & Silver Linings is the American/Canadian prog masters’ tenth studio album and second for Roadrunner Records. Last release, 2007’s Systematic Chaos, was the band’s foray into slightly more heavier territory like that explored on Train Of Thought, the debate over which is the heaviest DT album; continues might I add.
Systematic Chaos also happened to be one of their best albums! Two years on what’s in store now? Does this effort tag along on a similar route? Yes and no, but one thing is certain Black Clouds & Silver Linings is simply fucking phenomenal.
As an opener, A Nightmare To Remember, sets a unbelievable air of brilliance that develops ten fold throughout the album’s 75 minutes. A Rite Of Passage soars with a monster of a riff complete with John Petrucci’s trademark, neck snapping soloing. Furthermore, the chorus is huge thanks to James LaBrie’s astonishing melodies. The ballad, Wither ascends magnificently with the unabashed cheese we’ve come to expect from Dream Theater, but never wrongly so.
It’s the culmination of all the things that make Dream Theater a truly awe inspiring band
Drummer, Mike Portnoy concludes his Twelve Step Suite saga on this album with the twelve minute long The Shattered Fortress, a 5 song concept spread across five albums detailing his struggle with alcoholism. The track is up there with some of the heaviest that DT has ever written.
Then on The Best Of Times Portnoy plays out his dirge to his recently deceased father. It’s a heart warming affair and an ardent tribute. It seems that he has exorcised some of his personal demons on this album. But Dream Theater don’t do heart warming without spectacular solos and man, they are here!
Dream Theater have created a new opus that will sit comfortably with career bests like Images And Words and Metropolis Pt.2: Scenes From A Memory
This oeuvre is enormous and stunning. The closer The Count Of Tuscany is an epic and grandiose climax to Black Clouds & Silver Linings. It’s the culmination of all the things that make Dream Theater a truly awe inspiring band. This masterpiece melds more and more immaculate guitar wizardry from Petrucci and outstanding drumming from Sir Portnoy. Meanwhile, LaBrie impels his way through passionate verses as Jordan Rudess effortlessly executes his elegant keys and continuum – absolutely jaw dropping.
Ten albums into an impressive career Dream Theater have created a new opus that will sit comfortably with career bests like Images And Words and Metropolis Pt.2: Scenes From A Memory. Black Clouds & Silver Linings delivers everything we look for in a DT album and a hell of a lot more to boot. It’s wholly engrossing and an undeniable contender for album of the year.
Drop-d Rating: 9/10
Tags: dream theatre, dream theatre black clouds and silver linings, james labrie, john petrucci, Jordan Rudess, Mike Portnoy, roadrunner rocords
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