Train of Thought by Dream Theater
Must Have Dream Theater
Personally, I found Train of Thought to be an amazin gly brilliant album
from Dream Theater, and its also the heaviest album theyve ever released,
even heavier than 1994s Awake. This album is also Dream Theaters most
underrated and harshly criticized release in their catalog. I know alot of
fans who enjoyed the bands older material have strongly criticized Train of
Thought for being too heavy and too metal, and stuff like that. I seriously
dont find anything wrong with this album, I mean, I own every Dream
Theater album (except for When Dream and Day Unite), and I dont even
remember that last time they ever released one bad album. Each album of
theirs is different in its own way, and ToT proves that Dream Theater are
never afraid to try anything different without forsaking their progressive
sound, and thats what made them one of progressive metals best bands to
begin with.
Now onto the album, Train of Thought is nearly 70 minutes of pure,
menacing, monstrous, progressive metal brilliance that will totally assault
your senses. There are seven epically, masterful songs (most of them
clocking in at between 10 and 15 minutes long) that will take you on an
awesomely epic and unforgettable ride youll never forget. The bands
musicianship is in absolute full force throughout this album. James LaBrie
delivers an awesome vocal performance as he usually does on any DT
album. His vocals can range from melodic and soaring (Endless Sacrifice
and In the Name of God) to fierce and angry (As I Am). Guitarist John
Petrucci truly steals the show on this album. His riffs are just heavy,
crushing, chunky, monstrous and very technical, and his solos are just
absolutely sick and wicked, yet very virtuoistic. Ive said it many times
before, but Ill say it again, Petrucci is without question one of the BEST
rock/metal guitarists ever. Jordan Rudess also shines as he shows off his
awesome keyboarding skills with dazzling effects and solos of his own,
while bassist John Myung powers his way throughout with strong,
humming, muscular basslines, and of course Mike Portnoy does an
awesome performance behind the drums as he usually can, and he also
shows his great double bass skills as well.
Now well take a look at the songs.
Kicking off the album, we have As I Am which is a solid, heavy hitting
opener that is highlighted by awesomely fierce singing from James, a great
catchy chorus, crushingly heavy riffage and a wickedly mindblowing solo
by John, as well as some hard, solid drumming from Mike. Next up, we
have This Dying Soul which is my personal favorite song on here, and its
also a continuation of Mikes Alcoholics Anonymous suite (parts 4
Reflections of Reality and 5 Release). This is without a doubt, one of the
heaviest songs that DT have ever written. The guitar riffs are just savagely
heavy and brutal, the changes in tempo are amazing, the drumming is
fantastic, and Petruccis soloing is just amazingly crazy, stunning, and off
the hook especially in the beginning as well as near the end of the song.
Theres also a stunning keyboard solo by Rudess at 9:38 as well. The third
track Endless Sacrifice is another fantastic song that starts off soft with
some nice acoustic strumming, and some hearfelt melodic singing from
James, and the chorus is just fantastic with heavier, crunchier riffs bac king
it up, until the opening section is played again, which is followed by the
chorus, and then before you know it, the song breaks into a heavier
instrumental section with several solos, including a mindblowing trade-off
section between Rudess and Petrucci. Following that is a bludgeoning,
classic heavy metal style section that is reminiscent of Iron Maiden which
will give you no other alternative but to bang your head in unison. Jamess
vocals in this part are also very reminiscent of Bruce Dickinson as well.
Track four Honor Thy Father is another heavy, visceral and bludgeoning
song that is highighted by some angry and fierce rap like vocals from
James (yeah I know its a bit uncharacteristic of James to rap, but it actually
has some good results), and theres also some more awesome drumming
by Mike especially in the intro, and theres some nice double bass work as
well. Johns riffing is just dare I say blisteringly heavy and monstrous, and
track five Vacant is a short, yet beautiful piano driven ballad wit h some
cello parts added, that gives the album a short needed break from the
heaviness.
The aformentioned song then kicks into the epically addicting instrumental
Stream of Consciousness which is 11 amazing minutes of pure, epic
instrumental wizardry that starts off soft and mellow, then the song
suddenly gives way to heavier, thundering riffs, but thats just the
beginning. This song also features stunning keyboardwork by Rudess,
fantastic drumming by Portnoy, awesomely catchy and affectious riffing,
and of course some absolutely stunning solos by both Petrucci and
Rudess, including a ferociously, mindsweeping guitar solo by Petrucci
around 3:50, which is followed by an awesomely dazzling keyboard solo by
Rudess at 4:29. Theres also some nice groovy bass by Myung in the
middle part of the song. We also have more fantastically mindblowing solo
breaks during the latter part of the song, including an awesome classical
style keyboard solo by Rudess around the 9 minute mark, and its followed
by an addicting and melodic guitar solo by Petrucci. This is definately the
best and most epic instrumental that DT have ever done in my opinion, its
just amazing, period.
Finally, we have the epic 14+ minute closer In the Name of God (which is
the longest song on the album). After the song starts off gloomy and
mellow, it suddenly explodes into a creepy middle eastern-esque style riff,
and after the drums come into play, the song then goes into an addictingly
awesome groovy, chunky main riff. Jamess vocals are just amazing a nd
they soar with passion throughout this song especially in the chorus.
Theres also some more fantastic solos by Petrucci and Rudess with some
nice, humming basslines by Myung during the solo breaks, before kicking
back into the chunky main riff, and ther es also some fantastic and heartfelt
piano keys by Rudess in the end.
Best songs: This Dying Soul, As I Am, Stream of Consciousness, Endless
Sacrifice, and In the Name of God.
Despite being harshly criticized and the most underrated album in DTs
catalog, Train of Thought is an epic and monstrously mindblowing
masterpiece from the progressive metal masters themselves. But, I must
warn you, that if youre new to Dream Theater, you might not want to start
with this album. If youre a fan of the older Dream Th eater albums
especially Images and Words and Awake, this might not be for you, but if
youre a fan of Dream Theater through and through, then by all means, buy
this album. Highly Recommended!!
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