Blogcritics Comments on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Comment by the bone on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:35:59 EDT

OK OK OK!!! All very valid opinnions but to the haters and skeptics, DT is BY FAR the BEST Prog Metal band we've had the privilage to experience for 20 straight years! They give all the elements to all the other bands mentioned to include the metal aspect, the symphonic aspect, technical aspect, and inteligent lyrics. All the other bands may have one or two elements or variable to the equations...not all as DT has and provides album after album. I respect everyone opinions but the haters are truely off the wall to say it nicely. They must be death, grind, or black metal fans. DT is absolutely perfect live, like your seeing a show that has been edited for TV but it happens right in front of you. Yes, just like everyband, not every single song is a master piece or liked...depending on your opinion, there has only been a couple albums EVER to accomplish such a feet. Also, there are literally too many bands out there today that are talented and are putting out good songs here and there...DT does it with every album for 20 years!! Who else has done this?? That is correct, noone but DT. So lets just be intelligent about the whole genre talk and no that it is hard to pinpoint any one band per all the different opinions but DT IS A F^&%ing prog metal band and YES they are the best of ALL TIMES HANDS DOWN! What prog bands TODAY can compare? Lets look at the albums from the beginning of WDDU, YTSE Jam, and Afterlife are a great segway for their future albums. I&W, Metropolis Pt 1 and Learning to Live are master pieces. Awake, Voices, Space Dye Vest, and Erotoimania are exceptional. A Change of Seasons...enouch said. FII, Peruvian Skies, Hells Kitchen, and Trial of Tears are tasty. Scenes from a Memory, considered the best concept album of all time. Six Degrees, who else can do a 42 minute overture after 24 minute change of seasons and a concept album...DT can! Train of Thought, the whole album is good...As I Am, This dying soul. Octovarium and System of Chaos are incredible. They keep the technical side alive with a great metal edge and precision timing. Ya, think about it...not even close after 20 years their fan base keeps getting bigger and bigger world wide. DT is the best prog metal band this generation has ever been able to witness.

Comment by Rob K on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 02:02:52 EDT

To Dr. Dreadful, All I can say is if it wasn't for the "Iron Curtain", Omega would be a MUCH better known name today in Prog Rock. I accidentaly came across their music while on a vacation in Europe, but I was hooked instantly! Once you get a hold of and listen to their 1977 release "Time Robber", you will know what I'm talking about. Synthetizers, guitar riffs, bass and awesome vocals are everywhere. Kind of a mixture of Uriah Heep, Deep Purple and Pink Floyd. They are definitely on par (or even better) than the forementioned bands. VERY Unique and awesome! Actually, any of their mid-late 70's albums are fantastic. Go and get some of their cd's on Ebay or check them out at their website in Hungary (Omega.hu) or in Denmark (Gammapolis.de)

Comment by Dr Dreadful on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:18:22 EDT

You know, I believe I may actually own an Omega album. My Dad used to come home with some off-the-wall stuff sometimes that he'd found in some backstreet record store. I inherited his record collection but it's in deep storage and I haven't played that particular LP since he died, which was over 20 years ago. I can't be sure of the name of the band but I know they were Hungarian and I think the idea of a rock band from behind the Iron Curtain was what piqued his interest. I seem to remember a Greek letter on the cover and the name Omega sounds very familiar.

Comment by Rob K on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:53:34 EDT

Have anybody EVER heard these two great (lesser known) Hungarian progressive bands, Solaris and Omega?? The first one is much like Dream Theatre, except better composed (try listening their double "Live in LA" cd that was recorded at the '95 progfest)... and Omega is like a mixture of Deep Purple and Uriah Heep with their own special sound. They've been playing for over 40 years, but any of their 70's albums are awesome. Both have released albums in both Europe and the USA...

Comment by Gray Hunter on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:59:40 EDT

Did anyone mention Queensryche? They and Dream Theater have always seemed similar to me. I agree with all the comments that credit Portnoy for being the 'best living drummer.' That guy is unreal. Years ago I watched Queensryche's Mindcrime concert. Scott Rockenfield showed some good stamina, too. They played that whole album, no breaks. It was cool. He was a great drummer, too. Of course, of late the 'Ryche has turned into a Vegas lounge act but that's just my opinion. Portnoy rules! Dream Theater is an outstanding band!

Comment by Criminal Mastermind on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:32:18 EDT

Progressive Heavy Metal & Dream Theater .. its oke .. DT is da best ever .. No Doubt ... i Just love in it .. :-P n love mike a lot .. :D

Comment by regal begal on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 03:18:47 EST

dream theater have announced an australian tour for the 1st time.there is a god!

Comment by MJH on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:40:55 EST

It is interesting to read the opinions of misinformed people. I would like to say we are all objective, but that is not reality. I can only speak for myself and say that I have tried to always truly listen and appreciate good music. I play bass myself and grew up fans of Rush, Sabbath, Priest, Floyd, Maiden, etc. All incredible bands. However, the talent did not stop with these bands. Newer bands (bands in the last 20-30 years) like Tool and Dream Theater are absolutely awesome. I have every piece of music that Dream Theater has produced and, yes, not every song is a favorite, but ALL of their music is absolutely top of the line. Mike Portnoy is arguably the best drummer alive; John Petrucci is the full package, end to end best prog rock guitar player still making music, Jordan Rudess (to correct the original article that quoted Kevin Moore who has not been with DT for the since before 2000) is absolutely the best keyboard player, John Myung, despite his low key, non-limelight personality, is unbeleivable as a bass player, and James Labrie has the voice capacity beyond most singers today. All together as a band they are unmatched. I have seen them over 15 times live to include meeting them over 10 times. Their shows are perfection and, yes, they headline shows globally to include some venues selling out 2 nights in a row. They easily play for 3 hours a show and better yet, the drummer, Mike Portnoy, ensures that every single show is different as he changes the set list for each show.. Yes, this means they do play songs from throughout their career and not just the new stuff. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I only ask each of you doubters to make an informed statement before writing your comments. I would ask any of you to try to find a band that could match the talent and stamina of Dream Theater. Go to a show and judge for yourself. Even easier.. spend the $20 or less and buy the latest CD that comes with the "making of" DVD. Watch the DVD from their studio sessions and tell me if you do not think they are unbeleivable. One of their CDs, about 2 CDs ago, they recorded in only 2-3 months.. with most of it all completed via live jamming in 3 weeks. That alone will communicate their level as a band. Lastly, go to their website Dreamtheater.net and find their official bootleg site to get a hold of their full album covers they have done live at some of their, yes, 2-show in a row venues where they played for not just 3 hrs but 4 hrs to include and entire encore of a full album from a prior influence.. such albums as "Number of the Beast", "Master of Puppets" and "Dark Side of the Moon".. unreal. "To those who understand, I reach out my hand.. To the doubtful, I demand, take me As I Am" Quoted from DT's As I Am.

Comment by Anthony on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:19:13 EDT

Well after reading the comments on this i have to say the people bashing Dream Theater dont have much to back it up. Heh reading one guy say "Thats why they are still are only openers live" how wrong can you get. Dream Theater plays for 3 hours with no opening band. DT has been headlining for quite a few years now. Hell they have been headlining since Images and Words. DT is one of the best bands in history. Maybe not THE best but they are sure as hell pretty close to being the best. Not many people can match the skills of Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Portnoy, and LaBrie. DT HAS admitted their influences and working off them has only made them better. Scenes From a Memory is In my opinion the greatest album ever made.

Comment by Fan on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:58:07 EDT

Dream Theater is my favorite band of all time so my opinion might sound a bit bias. If you guys have listened to popular music within the past 10 years, progressive rock or metal or whatever you want to call it is almost non-existent. If you want to compare bands like Tool to Dream Theater, you are out of your mind. Tool's songs are almost all constructed the same way. 7/8 time with tempo variances and throw in "we use math in our music" in an interview and you're good mentality is no where near the aptitude of Dream Theater's mechanics, musicianship and progression they've gone through throughout their years of playing. You want to lump them out of the progressive rock category because Train of Thought was heavy? I'll have to say, I'm going to have to consult Mr. Ruddess on that one and see how much he knows about music. I almost forgot, he has a Bachelors from Juliart. Dream Theater is one of the best prog bands to day, in my opinion. I know a lot of people disagree with me probably for the sole reason of stirring argument. Either way, I agree with what the journalist Taloran had to say about the issue. If anyone doesn't like their music, that's their opinion, but it's hardly true to say that their compositions and musicianship are anything but spectacular. Sorry for the ranting, but I take this issue to heart.

Comment by Kelly on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Wed, 23 May 2007 18:09:12 EDT

Bub, WOW! I just listened to 'The Ikon' on your podcast! I have to admit that although I do like 'Dream Theatre', I now agree with you that 'The Ikon' is the Greatest Prog song ever recorded, period. Technical Perfection with Rundgren's Flawless Production. Talk about Incredible sound! & I thought John Mclaughlin was the Ultimate guitar God, not until I heard Todd Rundgren's Guitar insanity on this! And the song 'Utopia' is also the Greatest 'Live' recorded song I've ever heard as well, just like you said! Thanks for the Link!

Comment by Bob Cerm on Dream Theater - The Best Prog Rock Band Ever?

Tue, 8 May 2007 15:46:34 EDT

From: Sea of Tranquility The year was 1974, and former Nazz member Todd Rundgren, who already had a few successful solo albums under his belt, put together a full-blown progressive rock ensemble named Utopia, and set forth to compete with bands such as Yes, ELP, and Genesis. While Rundgren had flirted a bit with the prog genre on a few songs from Runt, Something, Anything, Todd, and A Wizard, a True Star, it was here with Utopia that the singer/guitarist let his songwriting take him to worlds he had yet to fully explore. Joining Todd were three keyboard players, Moogy Klingman, M. Frog Labat, and Ralph Schuckett, bassist John Siegler, and drummer Kevin Ellman, forming a formidable array of talent that helped showcase the guitarist's new, extended songs. There's no short pop ditty's on Todd Rundgren's Utopia, instead, the album is filled with long form jaunts of space age prog-rock, littered with extended guitar and synthesizer explorations that surely fit well alongside albums like Relayer from Yes, or ELP's Tarkus. The opening track, which was actually recorded live at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia, is a blistering piece of hard driving, complex rock music, with more than a hint of fusion interplay and prog atmosphere. Rundgren's guitar work is raw and powerful, and paired with the huge wall of keyboards and the muscular drum work of Ellman, provides for perhaps one of the musician's classic moments. Here, searing guitar solos mesh with intricate and multi-layered synth passages, bringing to mind Return to Forever as much as it does Yes. At just over 30-minutes in length, "The Ikon" is art rock at its finest, bringing to the table the fusion muscle of bands such as the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return to Forever, as well as prog legends such as Yes, ELP, Camel, and Focus. Here, the three keyboard format works to its fullest, as Klingman, Labat, and Schuckett add in layer after layer of varied keyboard sounds using Moog, Fender Rhodes, and organ, creating a huge wall of sound over which Rundgren's vocals can soar. The song takes many paths, changing tempos and moods often, at times broken up by a searing, effects laden guitar solo from Rundgren, a wild Moog passage from Labat, intricate rhythms from Siegler and Ellfman, or an atmospheric section made tranquil by multiple keyboard sounds. Again I am going to reference Relayer by Yes, and there is a reason why. Many of the passages on this song have that frantic, progressive fusion vibe that Yes really hit home with on that album, and the interplay between the keys and guitar is quite similar in both instances. However, it's Todd Rundgren's Guitar playing that once again stands out, as during his first extended solo he starts off with melodic and chorus laden legato lines before ending with some fast picking triplets dripping with funk passion. There's also a furious Moog workout from Labat about mid-way through the piece, which then eventually leads to a wild battle between Rundgren's guitar, Siegler's bass, Ellman's drums, Klingman's Fender Rhodes, and Schuckett's synth, done in a style that Chick Corea would later make famous with The Elektric Band, and Rundgren would also reprise on the Utopia album Ra. While this extended piece is perhaps best appreciated with headphones, where you can really digest all the varied sound that are assaulting your senses, it's also a piece that sounds great cranked up to 11 on your stereo (oops, sorry for the Spinal Tap reference folks!) for a huge wall of sound. 'The Ikon' is one of prog's best epics!