Dream Theater Album Review: ‘Black Clouds And Silver Linings’ Track-By-Track
Rich Wilson, author of the official Dream Theater biography, ‘Lifting Shadows’, has penned the Hammer track-by-track of their latest album, ‘Black Clouds And Silver Linings’.
A Nightmare To Remember
Opening with a creepy piano introduction before some dark and imposing chords, some truly blistering kick drums appear before a weighty riff takes control. A few minutes on, and the headlong pace breaks into a lighter guitar motif, before another guitar melody drifts in. LaBrie’s vocals sound controlled and as with the rest of the album, this is Dream Theater sounding just so much bigger than before. This song lasts a mesmerising sixteen minutes, but at no time does it sound contrived or laboured. With that amount of time to play with, the track has a flurry of time signature changes. John Petrucci is inspired and delivers a fret melting solo nine minutes in, directly followed by keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess cranking out some crazy riffs of his own, before the pair trade off licks and unisons. There are a few of the growling vocals that caused a certain amount of controversy on their last album Systematic Chaos, but they are fleeting and quickly disappear as more curveballs are thrown in. Some typically wacky Jordan Rudess melodies take the track in a new direction before a more explosive version of the original riff from all of ten minutes ago returns. For an opening album tracks, it’s an enthralling and exhausting musical journey.
A Rite Of Passage
How can you follow a song that’s sixteen minutes long? How about one that extends to eight and a half? There’s an eastern influence in the calm guitar opening which lasts for a matter of seconds before catchy riffs take over. Again there are a few growling vocals in there that might raise a few eyebrows. The chorus is a true arms-aloft anthem, which is no doubt why an edited five-minute version has been chosen as the album’s lead single. The production is also noticeably slick and James LaBrie hasn’t sounded this solid in years. Two thirds of the way in, a new ferocious riff grabs you by the shirt and throws you in another unanticipated direction. Petrucci delivers another killer solo in a flurry of tempo changes. He then passes the baton to Jordan Rudess who produces some hyperactive fingerwork of his own. This song encompasses everything that Dream Theater detractors loathe but everything that their fans will adore.
Wither
Wither is a break from all the intensity, with a five-minute ballad that’s harmonious and intensely hummable. Much like Vacant on the band’s Train Of Thought album it’s a welcome intermission. There’s even a string section accompanying the immediately infectious chorus and it’s likely to appeal to old-school DT fans. This leads into a lilting piano section before Petrucci provides an almost Brian May like triumphant, song-ending solo.
The Shattered Fortress
This is the final piece of the so-called AA saga, which has seen a musical and lyrical of linking of tracks spread over the last few albums. It will eventually be fixed to the end of Repentance to form a gargantuan concept album to be performed live. The track opens with its own distinctive riff before nodding at the musical motifs from the previous songs in the piece. There are some truly juddering riffs as well as a fleeting return of those growling vocals that might have some fans (who want Dream Theater to sound like Dream Theater and not Opeth) questioning the band’s motives. There’s a muscular reprise of the opening riff from The Root Of All Evil before another change of pace to an almost symphonic, film-score section. There are more melody changes and frenetic keyboard workouts before the track breaks down into a wonderfully clean guitar sound. It’s another exhilarating and unremitting twelve-minute ride.
The Best Of Times
This opens with a beautifully mellow piano motif, before being joined by a string section. The track then rapidly increases in tempo with a driving riff reminiscent of Rush’s Spirit Of Radio. The song is crammed with uplifting melodies, soaring guitars and keyboards and is arguably the most old-school Dream Theater track on the album. It’s also the album’s finest track that will have you straining to press the repeat button.
Lyrically, it’s a touching and heartfelt tribute to Mike Portnoy’s father, Howard, who died at the end of last year. There’s a rousing finale with an extended Petrucci flurry of notes before returning to the tracks signature melody. Utterly bewitching.
The Count Of Tuscany
This is the monster – an epic track that extends over nineteen minutes. The opening section sounds like Yes with bite, before heavier riffs take over the song’s direction.
It’s typically Dream Theater, with a vast array of time signature changes and intermingling melodies – and that’s just in the first three minutes. There are some bombastic heavy riffs that all blend seamlessly with countless melodies. In fact in that regard, it’s reminiscent of the similarly expansive A Change Of Seasons and is destined to become a Dream Theater classic. The latter few minutes are dominated by an almost Pink Floyd guitar elegance, with an acoustic guitar then building to a formidable – if mellow – finale to a compelling album.
There will be plenty of areas of discussion about the merits of the album by the Dream Theater die-hards. But taken as a whole, this is Dream Theater’s finest and most balanced album in a decade. If Systematic Chaos helped them to partially lose the cult band tag, then Black Clouds & Silver Linings with surely take them to the next level.
For more information about Rich’s Dream Theater biography, head to www.dreamtheaterbook.com
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Jesus christ i want this now!!!!! Also, i wonder who does the growled vocals – LaBrie or Portnoy?
The “growlers” are Portnoy’s
I think it has to be portnoy…….the closest LaBrie’s got is the ‘trapped inside this octavarium’ section in octavarium
This album is gonna be awesome!!
Pleease tell me that the sound is much better that from what we heard from the radio leaks of AROP!! =/
Ive heard the first 2 tracks off this album… pretty gd. to b honest i cnt really remember what they sound like cos im trying not to listen to them again until i buy the album… but one thing i remember is the blast beat twards the end of ‘”A Nightmare To Remember’…. it would normally seem out of place in a DT song… but somehow it fits…. neway im looking forward to getting the album with the instrumental version and the covers too.. and hopefully seeing them om tour again
i think Portnoy’s recitative is too bad(. It would be better if he didn’t sing like that. In general those 2 song that i’ve listened is very good. I hope that they will play in this way.
Looking forward to this one!! However, to say it’s their finest and most balanced in a decade – that’s only really comparison to SDOIT, ToT, Octavarium, SC.
How does it compare to classics like Images and Words or Scenes from a Memory?
I have no doubt it will be brilliant.
Portony is the backup vocalist, it usually works good into the music in my opinion, a nice change from LaBrie. I have high hopes for this album.
Im mostly looking forward to the best of times, and the count of tuscany
Eh, I wasn’t big on the blasts from Portnoy at the end of Nightmare. But everything else is simply amazing. Man, I’m gonna go insane waiting for the full album!
[...] Read Metal Hammer’s track-by-track review of ‘Black Clouds & Silver Linings’ h… [...]
check out our little homage to this awesome upcoming album!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE_JzxEP2i8
great review!
“Looking forward to this one!! However, to say it’s their finest and most balanced in a decade – that’s only really comparison to SDOIT, ToT, Octavarium, SC.
How does it compare to classics like Images and Words or Scenes from a Memory?”
Probably why he said ‘decade’ rather than career. He obviously is implying that it’s not their most balanced album ever, just in that time!
Gahh, I want the album now. Seeing them at Leeds on the 12th, can’t wait!
It’s Dream Theater, no need worry, I’m 100% certain they shall deliver
I was so shocked as I heard the blast beat -.-
It IS definitely out of place! what level are they playing…???
I’ll tell you now, that is not Portnoy on the vocals in ‘A Nightmare To Remember’ towards the end in the death metal section.
This is great to read. Makes me feel a little more comfortable after hearing the two leaked tracks. Really interested in hearing it in it’s entirety.
So far this album is making me feel like I did when Octavarium came out – Not good. Now, years later, 8V is probably one of my top DT albums.
One thing I noticed when listening to AROP is that the guitar on the intro riff was way too loud. I dunno, AROP kinda sounds like crap, even thought it’s a good song. It’s probably the mp3 though.
It’ll grow on you.
Their albums always do.
Can’t wait.
The only songs to really judge this album are Whither and Count of Tuscany. Best of Times feels like something that probably would’ve never made the album given the events behind its inspiration and the Shattered Fortress is more or less Glass Prison/This Dying Soul revisited for the millionth time. I didn’t like the opening song, Nightmare to Remember from the promo CD. It doesn’t fit at all and feels like 3 different songs cut and pasted together. A Rite of Passage sounds *a little* better but not by much, very reminiscent of Metallica. Seems every time DT goes heavy they have to rip something off from them, Tool, Megadeth, or Pantera. Whatever happened to songs like “Lie” and “The Mirror” that could be heavy and progressive but flow seamslessly? Oh yeah, he now lives in Turkey. Nevermind.
I just heard the entire album as well, the songs are better than the radio-leaks etc that you heard, the quality is way better, and more samples/dubs/guitar/drum/keyboard/sing/bass has been added, all in all a lot better.
I’m very much impressed by the album, though with Dream Theater I always have to listen to it 24/7 for a week to fully grasp the album and all the little snippets it encompasses, I can tell you all:
You’ll be amazed.
Okay, looks like I shall be listening to this next few months… This album is just fucking sick!!!
This album will kick ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! fuckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh enfermossssssssssssssss!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA . rock
The “growlers” are Portnoy’s
well,
the album sounds very predicable.
not much inovations/creativity
very cool anyways.
peace !
Well it’s a much darker sound indeed but so far i’m loving it. It will make or break some DT fans i feel but I for one still honour them
If you are a true DT die hard fan, you will be very happy with this album.
Don’t go into expecting them to re-write the genetic code of human beings, go into it knowing that you get yet another great “book” to put on the shelf from a band that never ceases to amaze people.
ok i got the whole album and i cannot stop listening to it…its fucking amazing every song is great, one of my top three dt albums
To Barry: In “The Dark Eternal Night” from the Systematic Chaos CD there is a consiredable amount of growling coming out of James’ chords. Just saying
This is my review of each song from the new album.
#1: A Nightmare To Remember: Great, great first song that has every little thing in it. Nice instrumental and vocals that will blow your mind…You can really picture a car crash in your mind with the lyrics and I just love this song one of my favs from this album.
#2: A Rite Of Passage: I heard this song when you were able to download it couple weeks ago for free, and let me tell you I was flippin shit when I heard it because it was so good I wanted the whole album right then and there. Only song on this album not written from or about life experiences but is just a great song to sing outloud and listen to.
#3: Wither: WOW. This short song is a great ballad to sing to and listen to. Was written about Writer’s Block if I’m not mistaken and just is great. This should be on the radio I believe because it is short enough for those douchebag mainstream losers but is good enough for anyone to listen to. Doesn’t matter that it is short at all it is a very good song.
#4: The Shattered Fortress: AWESOME SONG! Personally I think it’s my fav on the album but I cannot say because they are all good. This song has all the good beats of previous songs in the 12 Step Suite along with a couple new ones that makes this song A MA ZING! Since I know the previous songs in the 12 Step Suite (WHICH I LOVE) and I know the beats, just hearing them in that song was like “This is so fucking AWESOME!” Great song listen to it now! haha
#5: The Best Of Times: Another great song…Now I am 17 years old only and knowing what happened to Mike’s dad this brought me to tears the first time and I usually don’t cry at all. Just the lyrics give you so much info about him and his father it just makes me go nuts when I hear it every time. Musically, it is fantastic. This song will be one I will remember my father with very long down the road. (Thank you Mike Portnoy for writing this song) This should be a song everyone that has lost someone close to them should listen to. Great, great song.
#6: The Count Of Tuscany: When I first heard this song, it blew me away…But when it got to the lyrics I had no clue what it was about really. Until I found out it was about an experience that John Petrucci had while in Tuscany meeting a Count there I was confused. But now that I know that it just makes the song wayyyy better than it already was. As the longest song in the album it is one of the best. The instrumentals and the catchy chorus parts in it make it an epic for sure.