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Album Review ; Dream Theater “Parasomnia”

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Review by Paddy Gallagher for MPM

It was as close to “6 O’Clock on a Christmas morning” as you can get at the start of February when the review copy of Dream Theater’s new album “Parasomnia” dropped into my inbox.

Timed for release on the first date of the band’s 2025 US tour at The Met in Philadelphia on Friday 7th February, anticipation is fuelled throughout the fanbase and further field by the return to the fold of Mike Portnoy, who along with John Petrucci and John Myung founded the band in 1985.

Prior to Mike’s departure after the “Black Clouds and Silver Linings” tour to pursue musical adventures with amongst others; The Winery Dogs, Neal Morse, Adrenaline Mob, Flying Colors, Sons of Apollo and Avenged Sevenfold, Dream Theater’s music was following a heavier, more metal path than its earlier work. Part of the anticipation on Mike’s return is to find out if this route will resume.

Opening with the instrumental “In The Arms of Morpheus” we are taken to the hustle and bustle of a downtown Metropolis, police sirens, horns and traffic, the sigh of a tired, sleep deprived man; there’s a dripping tap and ticking clock (no Timothy though), and John Petrucci’s heavy footstep, walking riff introducing the theme of sleep disorders that runs through the album, before the rest of the band kicks in with familiar Dream Theater aplomb. And what a cracking set opener it would be too!

The second track is the already released single “Night Terror”, complete with a jaw dropping piece of orchestration from Jordan Rudess augmenting the chorus and John Myung’s bass providing texture and feel in his peerless command of his instrument. This is where we first hear the voice of Dream Theater, Mr James Labrie, who is in fine form throughout, relaying the horrors of sleep paralysis “…. eyes open wide, but I can’t see”. As the song heads into the mid-section is that a Hammond C3 lending a Purple-sque vibe before some John Petrucci – Jordan Rudess interplay?

“A Broken Man”, another of the pre-release singles, starts with some explosive drumming from Mike and radio chatter dealing with the horrors of PTSD and the battles inside the head of a Vet, heavy and intense with an unexpected swing to a jazz fusion influenced mid-section, superbly done.

“Dead Asleep” mournfully starts with a string arrangement along with a softly picked guitar and tells the story of a sleepwalking man, who having a history of sleep issues strangles his wife during another nocturnal episode believing her to be an intruder. A fantastic piece of music ending with a subtle piano outro.

It’s time to loosen those neck muscles as pre-release single “Midnight Messiah” after some atmospheric monastic chants takes us straight ahead down the pure Metal highway as we listen in awe to John Petrucci’s solo!

“We Are Dreaming” provides a brief, haunting interlude reminiscent of moments on “Scenes from a Memory” with eerie organ, chimes of bells with a whispered voice in the background.

“Bend the Clock” slows the tempo to bring us a fabulously constructed mid-tempo ballad with James’ emotive vocals plus a superb outro solo from John Petrucci leaving his fretboard smoking to notes reminisce of David Gilmour, and along his band mates brings an air of Pink Floyd to proceedings.

When it comes to composing the customary Prog Metal epic, few can compare to the mastery of the band. Classic compositions down through the years such as the stunning “Octavarium” are now joined by album closer, “The Shadow Man Incident”.

Every time I’ve listened to it so far it doesn’t feel like 19:32 minutes, a bit like how “Octavarium” never feels like 24 minutes plus! Reminiscent of “The Dance of Eternity” near the start, “The Shadow Man Incident” is instantly accessible, up there with the band’s best work. Building over the course to a symphonic climax incorporating some trademark fills from Mr Portnoy before silence and that clock again, alarm ringing this time. Superb!

There are references scattered through the album to previous Dream Theater works, we have footsteps and ticking alarm clocks, piano outros and references to strange deja-vu, and was it my imagination or did I hear a whispered “Timothy” at one point during the “We Are Dreaming” interlude, one of a few “Scenes from a Memory” vibes present? A wee treasure hunt for the fan, can you find them all?

With all heavy music of a complex technical nature, put this album on with headphones and listen, absorbing the cinematic journey. The rewards will leave you in a state of sonic rapture. But also, it’s accessibility makes for a fine accompaniment on a road trip, just watch your speed a times of shred.

It will be spun on many turntables many times from here on; as it flows with melodic heaviness, complex musicianship and incomparable compositional skills. Peerless!

An album in the running for Album of the Year, no doubt about it.!!!

The track listing for Parasomnia is:

1) In The Arms Of Morpheus (5:22)
2) Night Terror (9:55)
3) A Broken Man (8:30)
4) Dead Asleep (11:06)
5) Midnight Messiah (7:58)
6) Are We Dreaming? (1:28)
7) Bend The Clock (7:24)
8) The Shadow Man Incident (19:32)

Parasomnia will be available for pre-order here .

Site: https://www.dreamtheater.net/

Facebook:   / dreamtheater  

Twitter:   / dreamtheaternet  

Instagram:   / dreamtheaterofficial  

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