Dream Theater

The self-titled Dream Theater is a fulfilling work on which Dream Theater splendidly binds complex rhythm, a precise ensemble and dramatic melody within a weighty sound. As the second work of the new lineup welcoming Mike Mangini, its sure unity as a band has deepened further. The songs, while having long developments, place striking choruses and sharp riffs firmly at key points, by no means leaving the listener behind. A confident work bearing the band’s name. From the development from the opening instrumental to “The Enemy Inside” and the drama of “The Looking Glass” to the instrumental “Enigma Machine,” every song is engaging, while cuts like “The Bigger Picture,” “Surrender to Reason” and the grand 22-minute epic “Illumination Theory” convey the work’s fullness. The showcases of outstanding technique and the singing’s rich emotion coexist extremely naturally within the same song. A record that, true to its self-title, powerfully embodies the essence of the band Dream Theater. It again fully evokes the scale of progressive metal. It splendidly answers listeners who seek both the sure precision of playing and inner passion. A powerful, engaging record showing the band’s maturity — a record where the band’s fullness shines.