Originally published by L.S. Media. September 11th 2011.

Mike Portnoy may have gone, but for anyone who thought the band might fall apart or worse become an irrelevance without him simply do not get Dream Theater and their gargantuan talent that lurks behind every album. In the inspired titled new album A Dramatic Turn of Events, that almost unique style and blend of superb musicianship and the taste for splendidly indulgent lives on.

A Dramatic Turn of Events is everything you may expect and that little bit more from a band well versed in the Progressive Metal life, certainly it comes across as more emotional, perhaps with the underlying departure of one of the band’s leading figures at the back of their minds playing a part in this and at 77 minutes it stands alongside the group’s other works but now it seems more attainable, more easy to grasp and enjoy.

The lead single from the album is the incredible On the Backs of Angels which has all the drive and desire of a classic Dream Theater track. It has to be said that John Petrucci’s lyrics are some of the most intense and jaw dropping within the genre and on the single and on the wonderful Build Me Up, Break Me Down this unwavering talent shows through. It may look simple, but it takes a man who has lived it to recognise what he sees and write it down for others to enjoy.

There has always been a beauty that doesn’t get mentioned enough outside those in the know about the sound the band create and on the latest offering to their none of this is diminished, indeed Mike Mangini’s drums add something that on reflection was missing for a while.

With four songs coming over the ten minute mark, A Dramatic Turn of Events is a Prog Metal fan’s dream and only one that can be delivered by very few bands on either side of the Atlantic with the panache and desire this musical field deserves.

A Dramatic Turn of Events may prove to be just that, fans will certainly miss the excellent Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater’s line up but for now the band look to continue being nothing short of world class.

4 stars

Ian D. Hall