Listen several times before judging
5
By KEForex
At first I wasn't impressed. BUT.... after I've listened to this whole album about 10 times, from 1st to last songs, I came to the conclusion this is a masterpiece. There are so many details and the music structures are well thought out. You can only appreciate the melodies and how they are delivered after listening several times. Track #4 Sleeping Giant is the only one I don't like and I skip it constantly. But man, all the other tracks are excellent - special thanks for the person who decided to keep the "drummer's perspecive" in the mix and not the audience perspective. Most DT fans either are musicians or have some inclination to learn, so that small detail is very much appreciated. Again, the melodies and the executions with all the prowess and details are very tasteful. Thank you DT for not making another 'Astonishing' (perhaps the worst fiasco of your career). Five stars on this 2021 work!
Love it!!
5
By Ravenheart66-6
Great album!!
Nothing Really New
3
By Butch of Rock
Great musicianship as always and the same crappy vocals as always, but nothing really new here. Same old, just new.
Very strong effort!
5
By KC 240Z
You have to listen to a DT album a couple or several times straight through to soak it all in. The more I listen, the more I like it. This is absolutely Mangini's best work with DT. Hands down. All of the musicians shine on this. Everybody gets some and tears it up. I would enjoy seeing them perform everyone of these songs live (which will hopefully happen soon). It's very easy to just hit play and sit back with drinks close by and enjoy this. DT once again delivers a strong album.
Absolute masterpiece!!!
5
By The one and only master of all
This album has blown me away! So much new sound they haven't used before. My favorites are Awaken the Master and the title track, in that order! Rich with melody! In Awaken the Master, I love the melodic section, vocals and instrumentals, where Labrie sings "Finding your way on a frozen path..." and "get to the top to realize your only halfway there" and Myungs harmonic bass I haven't heard in DT before, and the whole mid section of A View from the Top of the World where Labrie sings "I begin the dark ascent..." EPIC!!!!! BTW, Mangini is getting real! A View from the Top of the World is definitely a hit!!!
Awesome
5
By ican'tthinkofaclevernickname
This is one of their better albums in their amazing catalog. It takes me some time to absorb an album. Dream Theater’s albums take a bit longer for me because there is so much going on. Since I bought it, it’s the only thing I’ve listened to in my car. I didn’t feel that with Distance Over Time, which was a good album, but I think this one blows that away. Awaken the Master might be the heaviest song they’ve ever made and Mangini’s drumming on that song, not to mention the entire album is astonishing. Every member is in top form. Often times bands lose their “magic” as time marches on. Dream Theater still sounds hungry, creative and inspired. I love this album. Don’t just listen to it on YouTube. Buy it. Support the band and this type of music!
JUST SHRED!
3
By METALGODJOE
This is Dream Theater.We all know that these musicians are all masters at their craft. Anything this band puts out will surely be in my possession. I've been a fan for 20 plus years. Mangini definitely shines here as do all others. That being said I do feel like this one did not hit the mark. I love it whe the band jamms for 5 minutes but as other reviewers said the melody that DT are so famous for is non existant here. Those chills that sort of run up your spine when you hear the Grand Finale in 6 degrees or the end part of Illumination Theory . That's who DT is. I do like this one but not as much as previous efforts. this will take a few listens for me. They still are the best Prog band hands down.
Wow!
5
By schaferms
Every once in a while, I try to rank the DT albums and it always ends up a futile affair. This one doesn’t make that challenge any easier. Totally agree with a lot of what the other reviews state. John Myung really stands out in this one. I could list favorite tracks, but this list will inevitably change as I continue to listen to it on repeat. The title track is the highlight. “Transcending Time” reminds me of “The Looking Glass” off their self-titled album, which has been one of my favorites for the past decade. Fantastic listen. Dream Theater never disappoints.
Fantastic
5
By 5StarMetalBand
Album on repeat
(un?)Surprisingly Amazing
4
By JustinSire
I like every DT album except the previous, DoT. I try every so often to listen through and convince myself to like it. I can’t. THIS album on the other hand is AWESOME. It’s not as hooky as some other albums but it’ll blow your socks off.
The 2 early releases “Alien” and “Invisible Monster” left me lukewarm. Boy was I WRONG. In context of the album these songs slap, and they are flanked by downright bangers. I happen to think DT12 is in their top 5 albums, and this has the sound of DT12 with a bit more ambition. They went for it.
4/5 stars, while I still digest. For me, I’d still take DT12 as the best of the Mangini era, but this one is close behind. Mangini, btw, has never sounded better. He really has a fingerprint in each of these songs and that is something that has been a longtime coming.
