Dream Theater: Systematic Chaos

gus horsley

New member
I'm a big fan of a lot of Dream Theater stuff but some of their releases fall a bit short of the mark for me. I've heard that Systematic Chaos is supposed to be one of their best but, before I cough up the required dosh on another turkey, I was wondering if anyone else had heard it.
 

Art Rock

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
It all depends I guess also which ones you call the turkeys....

Personally, I thought Train of Thought sucked big time and Octavarium was an improvement although far from their best. If you would agree with that, then SC is probably also for you a further improvement on Octavarium, based on the two spins I have given it so far. It's no Scenes from a memory though.
 

Dissonant

New member
It's no Scenes from a memory though.
That's really too bad. I felt like SFAM and SDOIT were both a good direction for DT, but TOT let me down. What I heard from Octavarium wasn't enough to regain my interest. And I can't help but be skeptical of Systematic Chaos. :(
 

ironcarcass

New member
Well, maybe I'm a little old-fashioned. I still love their Images and Words.

I love Take the Time, Learning to Live, Pull Me Under, Trial of Tears.

And, personallly, I think their new Albums since 2000 are no more than accumulation of skills.
 

Art Rock

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
The 15 min track The Ministry of lost souls from SC is rapidly becoming my all-time favourite track by this group.
 

Fretless

Member
I have not heard SC, but the reviews I've been hearing from fans have been wildly different, but it seems there are more who lean towards it being a weaker release.
Octavarium was very enjoyable, I felt it was strong all the way through, but I haven't heard enough good things to merit paying for SC.
 

MusicalPie

New member
It seems to me like DT attract fans with very diverse musical tastes. It's very tough to gauge a DT album from other people's opinions...because everyone's will be different!

For me, SC is heavier than Octavarium, but still has more variety than ToT. I personally liked a few of the heavier tracks, but I got sick of them fast. It started to seem like DT is trying a bit TOO hard to be heavy, and it doesn't really suit them. Like they're too influenced by some of the other Roadrunner artists.

This has pretty much been a problem for ToT, 8v, and SC actually. With SC more than ever, I feel like DT have sort of lost their sound. I mean they've always borrowed pretty heavily from other artists (and they freely admit this!) but at least in their prime you could still feel the passion and intelligence.

Basically, when a band has put out as many awesome CDs as DT has, it's kind of hard to keep such a high level of quality and innovation going when you hit your 9th studio album (not to mention all the live ones too!).
 

keymaster

New member
Dream Theater is my favourite band. I 've only listend to SFAM and Awake and STMC but all of the songs on these three albmus seem to blow my mind every time i hear them.
 

sillysurfer

New member
Dream theater

A great,essential purchase(or borrow),is Live at Budokan!!Only a matter of time(from their first album)is amazing,as is the rest!
 
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