Dream Theater are one of the most promising progressive groups to come along in a long time. By the first listen it is obvious that these guys are very talented. The band started in 1985 when John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy were all attending Berkely. After they obtained Kevin Moore the members then decided to quit school to concentrate on the band full time. DT encountered many problems with finding a vocalist and for their first album When Day and Dream Unite they settled on Charlie Dominici who obviously did not fit the band all that well but at the time he was the best option they had. It took the band 3 more years to find the right replacement, those auditioned included John Arch formerly of Fates Warning, and they finally did with Kevin James Labrie who used his middle name to lesson the confusion of first names within the band. With that lineup they released Images and Words and Awake. Shortly after the release of Awake Kevin Moore left the band to persure different musical interests. He was replaced on tour and on DT's next release, the EP A Change of Seasons, with Derek Sherinian. It is unclear if Derek will be the permanent keyboardist or not, but Dream Theater are recording their 4th full length album at this time which will be release sometime in late 1997. The current lineup of Dream Theater is James Labrie(Vocals), John Petrucci(Guitar), John Myung(Bass), Mike Portnoy(Drums), and Derek Sherinian(Keyboards).


Now Playing - Caught in a Web



When Day and Dream Unite - 1988 Rating:
Not a very good recording(sounds rushed) and the vocals are not very good as Dominici was the vocalist on this not Labrie. The music is not as heavy or as complex as their later albums.
Highlights - "A Fortune in Lies", "The Killing Hand", and "Ytse Jam".


Images and Words - 1992 Rating:
This is the best DT have released so far. James Labrie's singing is great and all the members are in great form on this.
Highlights - All of 'em.


Awake - 1994 Rating:
This album is darker in feel than I&W and the music is a little more complex in my opinion. More textures on this album but Labrie's vocals are a little scratchy at times. Very good though.
Highlights - "6:00", "Caught in a Web", "Erotomania", "The Mirror", and "Space-Dye Vest".


A Change of Seasons EP - 1996 Rating:
This EP consists of one song which runs 23:06 and a collection of live covers done by the band. There are some great instumental passages here and the music is very reminicent of "Metroplolis" from Images and Words. The covers are very well done, but I would have rather had a few more DT songs on the EP.
Highlights - "A Change of Seasons" and "The Big Medley".


Falling Into Infinity - 1997 Rating:
A departure from the extreme complexities of the earlier albums. Finds the band exploring more "commercial" territory while still remaining complex and interesting. Although it contains a few shining moments it lacks the overall continuity of albums such as Images and Words and Awake.
Highlights - "New Millennium", "Burning My Soul", "Hell's Kitchen", "Take Away My Pain", and "Trial Of Tears".








LiftingShadows Off A Ring is managed by
NuGgeTMaN.


Want to join Lifting Shadows Off A Ring?
[Skip Prev] [Prev] [Next] [Skip Next] [Random] [Next 5] [List Sites]


Discography List



© 1997 mrq@mail.utexas.edu

This page hosted by GeoCities Get your own Free Home Page


1