Hot May Tuesday

Just a quick update as it’s all I’ve really got time for.

Jaid’s out of action for a few days with a recurring grit in the foot problem but the quacks are on to it as it were so I’m working my way around with a cane for a bit.
It’s Clare’s birthday today so we’re off out tonight for a Chinese with her parents.

We went to Bressingham last week for a day in the sun with those of the cast of Dad’s army who’re still able to talk and write, plus we went on a small gage steam train which Malone disliked so much he jumped off Indiana dog and the temple of bones style.

I’ve opened up a Springbank 1997 10 year old vintage which I’ll make notes on later on this week. I also cracked a few other older bottles but won’t blog about those as I’ve decided only to create whisky notes about those bottlings still available should you wish to find them.

The new Def Leppard cd “songs from the sparkle lounge” is out and getting regular spins on the stream as is the new White Snake cd “good to be bad”. I’m also impressed at the moment by the latest effort from Karine Polwart “this earthly spell”

I’ve been making tangible progress at losing a few pounds over the last week or two and keeping off the beer during the week and I’m walking much more and riding the exercise bike which is all jolly nice in an aren’t I good kind of way. I’ve still had a few beers or more than a few at the weekend and I enjoy a dram most week nights.

The real ales available near me in Ipswich are getting better with the Kingfisher offering two including Adnams Best and the Station Hotel serving a verry good pint of Spitfire plus Adnams. Even the Belsted Arms across the road should be adding an ale or two soon so I may pop in on Friday to check it out.

Phil Collins Finally Gives it up!!

Nothing like starting off the day with some really good news!! Thank goodness.

“Veteran singer Phil Collins is to retire after over 30 years in the music industry.
The star, who recently completed a reunion tour with his former band
Genesis
, announced yesterday he will not be releasing any more
albums
or do another tour.
Instead, Collins wants to take on a more behind-the-scenes role so he can enjoy a
more leisurely life - although he will still continue to write songs.”

DREAM THEATER'S GREATEST HIT (...and 21 other pretty cool songs) Two-Disc Set Available April 1st, 2008

DREAM THEATER COLLECT THEIR GREATEST HIT
(...& 21 other pretty cool songs)

The Acclaimed Band's First-Ever Best-Of Compilation Spans 14 Years
of Progressive Hard Rock and Includes Rare Edits and B-Sides

Features Three New Remixes by Kevin Shirley of
"Pull Me Under," "Take The Time" and "Another Day"

After recently celebrating the band's 20-year
anniversary, Dream Theater returns with its first-ever best-of
collection. Spanning 1991-2005, the two-disc set contains rare
single edits, B-sides and a trio of new remixes that spotlight
that band's nonpareil musicianship, complex arrangements and
amazing songwriting. Referring to Dream Theater's first and only major radio hit,
"Pull Me Under," the compilation's tongue-in-cheek title is a
testament not only to the band's sense of humor but also
highlights the acclaimed New York-based quintet's ability to
make music and cultivate a legion of fans on its own terms,
without help from radio or MTV. The collection features more
than two hours of progressive hard rock from James LaBrie (vocals),
John Myung (bass), John Petrucci (guitar/vocals), Mike Portnoy
(drums/vocals) and Jordan Rudess (keyboards).

The collection contains three newly remixed versions of tracks
from Dream Theater's breakout 1992 album, Images And Words: the
aforementioned "Pull Me Under" as well as "Take The Time" and
"Another Day." Portnoy says this album presented the perfect
opportunity to give the songs a bit of a facelift. "The original
mixes always sounded a bit '80s' to me, so we had our good
friend and longtime mixer Kevin Shirley give the tracks a bit
of an update to sound more like the rest of the Dream Theater
catalog. The songs remain the same (no pun intended-Kevin just
mixed that album as well), but there are little nuances in the
tracks that I forgot were originally there, and it's very cool
to hear them again."

The collection's 22 songs are split evenly between two discs,
which are divided into "The Dark Side" (the metallic) and
"The Light Side" (the melodic). Filled with some of the band's
most sinister sounds, the first disc lives up to the billing
of "The Dark Side." Longtime fans will appreciate the abundance
of alternative versions of classic tracks, including single
edits of "Lie," "Home," and "Misunderstood." Disc One concludes
with two tracks from the band's 2005 album Octavarium:
"The Root Of All Evil" and "Sacrificed Sons."

The second disc, "The Light Side," spotlights the band's melodic
side and features an alternate mix of "Through Her Eyes,"
a single edit of "Solitary Shell" and "To Live Forever,"
a 1994 B-side from the U.K.-only single of "Lie."

A grassroots phenomenon for 20 years, Dream Theater continues to
record studio albums acclaimed for award-winning musicianship as
well as artistic vision. To meet the demands of a demanding
global fan base, the band also maintains an active touring
schedule that regularly includes sold-out performances around
the world.

Lepps and Snakes! Animal!

I’ll be returning to the 80s musically in June of this year when Seann Sam and I go and watch Def Leppard and White Snake duke it out in Sheffield arena.

This will probably be the last time White Snake tour plus the Leppard are all pushing 50 so it’s really a throw back to my childhood and I can’t wait. Now if only I could find a few pints of Samson before the gig and appen a marathon bar we’d really be talking. Hey at least I won’t feel out of place with long hair in this crowd though I guess most of the fans will be thinning now.

Year Roundup

2007 is now tottering in to senility and it’s embers are ebbing so we await it’s last orgasm in the form of Christmas and newyears celibrations with much enthusiasm in our Ipswich household.

This year has been a good one for me in every way. Work is interesting me still and throing up many and varied challenges, gps technology moves on swiftly and the Streem has been a huge success. We will find more developments and new products next year with Humanware and I remain excited by our technology. Work invariably puts me in to contact with some amazing and also eccentric people but that’s the beauty of being on the road. Two of the best were a flamboyant Welsh actor and musician in London and a man in Chesterfield who introduced me to chunky peanut butter kit kats.

My usb keydrive is filling up with aps like portable winamp, CDEX the cd ripper and audio file converter and that always useful screenreading tool NVDA. Facebook has been compelling and both Clare and I have found old friends by joining.

I’ve had my picture in the local newspaper and also the Humanware newsletter, so well published ay?

I visited my first whisky distillery and it was in England, went to Bruichladdich on Islay for the most amazing holiday I’ve ever had and have sipped whisky in warehouses with good people. Dave and I were a tad Merry and blocked the Port Charlotte hotel staircase with drams in our hands. I’ll also take from Islay the beauty of sipping Bruichladdich 12 at 1 AM sitting on a rock outside the distillery with Dave and Philip two dear friends. The pompous bugger Dave and I also now own a cask of Bruichladdich spirit quietly maturing for our enjoyment many years from now.

The Ipswich move was challenging at first but now I’ve made friends in the town and found 3 regular pubs, two locals in the Rose and Crown and the Dove plus been on the tour of my town’s brewery.

I’ve been to the GBBF festival in Olympia, sunk pints of 10% Paradox stout matured in Caol Ila barrels on a barmy hot day at the splendid Peterborough beer festival, been in a crowd of stoners at the anarchic Cambridge Strawberry Fair and was pleasantly surprised that Young’s Special London Ale is still a cracking glass full of hoppyness. A weekend full of happiness was spent at William’s mansions for his house warming in April. It was also my pleasure this year to eat a Cornish Pasty in Cornwall.

Unhappily I sampled Bob’s Burger Van in Ipswich and had the shits, Michael Jackson the beer and whisky scribbler passed away and my bottle of Glendronach is getting emptier by the week. Oh, whisky prices are also going up and up.

Dream Theater released a really strong album in a year which was rather quiet for new music. Symphony X’s Paradise Lost album was brilliant and the always reliable Kate Rusby can make you laugh or cry depending on the track. My head was turned by the UK progressive band Threshold and they made a good show this year with a solid album.

I saw Cara Dillon, Kate Rusby, Symphony X and Dream Theater live and all were superb. I also witnessed my first evensong in Cambridge at the beautiful King’s College Chapel. We saw Jenny Éclair and have one more comedy night to go before the end of the year in Colchester. Other events included Dad's Army the Lost Episodes in South end, the annual Hancock weekend in Bournemouth and getting pissed with the actress Su Pollard in Dovercourt.

Jaid has found a new owner when she retires, I’ll never forget my 30th birthday weekend, Clare was wonderful and having Seann and my friends over made it one to remember. Unfortunately Clare lost her voice on her birthday and Ipswich was on a brain drain that particular weekend.

We spent time in the market town of March in the fenlands and had friends from Ireland over for a really top few days in July.

At home we’ve just been buying things for the house, Clare got a huuuge TV and Malone is quieting down and has turned into a marvelous guide dog.

Next year will throw up new challenges including a new guide dog for me, the worry of house buying, should I or shouldn’t I? tentative plans to spend a weekend on Islay and in late January a trip over to the magnificent city of Dublin.

Lifting Shadows - The Authorised Story Of Dream Theater Update

The much talked about Dream Theater book is now in my hands. I new it was going to be a classy print run but nothing prepared me for the truth.

The book comes in two half’s one named ‘Images’ and the other ‘Words’ in hardback format. Now you don’t have to be a scientist to work out what this means. They are then encased in a beautiful hard cover with slots for each volume. Obviously the ‘Words’ volume is a full and frank biography of the band which brings us up to date as far as the ‘Systematic Chaos’ album.

To cap this off you find an exclusive DT cd in the back of the images book to listen as you read or view the images.

I pre-ordered two copies months ago, one to scan and the other to keep so mine and Clare’s names are also printed in the back of the publication for supporting the project. If you’re a DT fan pick up a copy.

The BBC take Kirsty's Gag away

A sensible decision in the face of our politically correct culture which is going mad whether it be race, disability or sexuality. I was horrified when this happened yesterday, this track is a classic and my favorite Christmas track of all time.

“BBC Radio 1 has said it will allow the Pogues' Fairytale of New York to be played
on the station uncut, after criticism of a decision to censor it.

The words "slut" and "faggot" had been dubbed out from the 20-year-old festive hit
by station executives. But after a day of criticism from listeners, the band, and the mother of singer Kirsty MacColl, they changed their minds.
Controller Andy Parfitt said the original decision was "wrong".

The BBC had said that an edited version would be played because "some members of
the audience might find it offensive". But sister station Radio 2 said it would play the track uncut, and Mr Parfitt subsequently
said that after "careful consideration", the ban on the uncut version of the song
would be lifted.

Kirsty MacColl died 13 years after the track's release
"Radio 1 does not play homophobic lyrics or condone bullying of any kind," he said.
"It is not always easy to get this right, mindful of our responsibility to our young
audience. The unedited version will be played from now on.
"While we would never condone prejudice of any kind, we know our audiences are smart
enough to distinguish between maliciousness and creative freedom. In the context
of this song, I do not feel that there is any negative intent behind the use of the
words, hence the reversal of the decision."”

Kate in Norwich and a few pubs

Yet another exciting few days. SATURDAY went with a splat literally as the train taking Chris Pete and myself to Norwich for a days pub exploration hit a plump breasted pheasant. This triggered the emergency stop on the train so we were left standing for 20 minutes or so as the crew reset the train and scraped away our feathery friend. bits of the unfortunate creature were visible and clinging on the train's front when we finally clambered off in Norwich which is a shame since we fancied it for the pot.

Many pubs were visited but I didn't keep a record of the places or the ales.

I last remember talking to a bunch of Lithuanian gents in the rose and crown around 4 on Sunday in the AM. I also remember that the St Jude's St Mary's Stout was very good indeed.
Jaid and I popped into the office today to finalize one or two bits before the end of the year and all was uneventful until I returned back to Liverpool street underground after the work was complete. COMMON sense tells me that we should have known that getting off a train when alert announcements were telling us not to really was not a good idea but Jaid and I along with a friendly out of work actress called Lee did just this. She kindly helped us through the crowds and to platform 10 so I got on the train to Ipswich in the end.

Clare and I went to a gig yesterday and it is one not to be forgotten for a long time. She gave me tickets to watch Kate Rusby's Christmas tour in Norwich's Theatre Royal as part of this years Christmas box. Kate is a folk singer from Barnsley with a spellbinding voice and it turned out a sharp and witty stage persona.

The set consisted of tracks from her more recent albums along with Christmas songs performed in the style of a traditional south YORKSHIRE pub Carole session. It's no exaggeration to state that we were both blown away by the beauty of the songs and her band supported by a brass section topped it all off and put us in the jolly mood of the season.

Clare took us to the restaurant at the theatre for a meal of Norfolk chicken and some really yummy puddings. This was washed down with a bottle of Adnams Explorer for me and a coke for Clare. Now it’s a case of meals and partying for the next few weeks. Shame I’ve got a bit of a cold but with Clare’s soup I’ know that a quick revitalization must be on the way.

Cara Made the Weekend!

What a weekend. I’ve been more than lucky over the last few and had some smashing times, this one just gone was no exception.

It started with a visit to Catherine in Colchester and we had a giggle and did some catching up. We have also planned to go to the Colchester comedy zone at the art centre on the 28th of December.

On arrival back to Ipswich Clare and I had a bit of a kip then went to the Rose and Crown around half 9 for some top do beers. Carlo Extra, Danish Dynamite from Stonehenge, Umbel Magna from Nethergate plus a very good cask of Gipswic Bitter from Ipswich’s St Jude’s brewery. These were helped down with handmade crumbley cheese and Road Kill’s home made oat bread. Clare felt a bit sick near the end of the evening so we made tracks home.

Saturday involved a camera beer tasting and training sesh in the Fat cat. Dave from the Essex branch conducted this well and the 5 hours were enlightening in many ways. In actual fact vary little beer was consumed but the various chemical analysis and anecdotes about breweries and beer helped my understanding of the creature. The winter Warmer this year is very good and though the sample I had was a little young I can confidently say that they have made up for last years poor show.

I then went over to the Rose and had a few pints of the St Jude’s before heading home.

Clare and I went to have dinner with June and James on Sunday and everything was cooked sensationally Melon with a port and ginger glaze, roast venison with all the trimmings and a boozy home made tiramisu for pud. Yummy. The dogs played and after the huge dinner everyone had a little kip.

James then took us to the railway station and we clambered aboard the Norwich train which would take us to the cara Dillon gig. It was in the Norwich Arts Centre a lovely venue created from a closed down church. This venue boasted a reasonable bar with Bateman’s XXB, Archers Arctic Blonde and Woolf Golden Jackal on hand pump. I naturally tried each of these before and in the gig. We also made it to the Ten Bells a GK pub across the road from the church and I dispatched a good pint of Abbot Ale.

Marina Florance the support act was ok. Simple but catchy pop/country songs and a powerful voice were her hallmarks. She sounded to me a little dollyish but in a good way with less warble and a London accent. She tried her best with a quiet crowd and I think drew people over in the end. Her album is called Somewhere Down the Line and I may pick it up eventually.

Cara Dillon was nothing more than enchanting. Her emotional voice and charming stories had the audience enthralled. Man, the girl even sounds sexy when she talks, amazing. She brought Clare to tears at one point and it was a moving and relaxing gig. I won’t forget it that’s for sure.

Our Hawk cab took us home and after a long and eventful weekend we crashed out as did the dogs.

This week is a packed one with all kinds of stuff going on with work. My parents are over in Ipswich next weekend and I’m in Yorkshire tonight.

Sympheny X & Dream Theater 10 Nov 2007

After a productive day in the office on Friday I made my way to Worcester
for a beverage or 8 with Dave in the plough Worcester's finest drinking
establishment. They have really pushed the boat out with the pub the
atmosphere food and drinks are all top draw. My local Malvern Hobson's and
Shropshire ales all went down too well as did the vegetarian scotch egg.
Dave says I'm not aloud these anymore, my constitution just couldn't stand
them to be honest but lovely they were.

We went back to Williams Mansions and demolished a third of a bottle of
Glenfarclas 105, listened to music and watched TV.

We both awoke on Saturday afternoon and made it to the fish shop but that
was about it. Steve B came and took Jaid for the evening and then we later
met up with another dolphin Dave who was a star all night and drove us to
the show.

Owing to a crash in Wolver Hampton it was a nightmare parking but this
achieved we cued and eventually got in to the hall.

Dave had made a pilgrimage to the crowded bar for beers so he missed a
little of Symphony X's first track but man were they good. Russell Allen
impressed with his powerful voice and brilliant stage personality, and
honestly they have made a few new fans with the 3 of us who went. They will
be back in Europe next year so a must show to catch. They had the crowd
moshing and the energy was simply infectious. I did rather enjoy the ballad
from the new album of the same name Paradise Lost.

DT came on around 9 playing a 2 hour set with a bunch of material from the
Systematic Chaos album but dipping back through the catalogue and including
a sensational extended version of surrounded. What can I say about these
guys that hasn't already been said. Breathtaking musicianship, a devoted
crowd ETC. For me one two many ballads but when they're all this good maybe
this shouldn't matter? James only really talked to the crowd once apart
from the odd 'come on sing!", could have been more interactive. What a buzz
though.

The balance during the show was top notch for both bands and this helped
make the night. Added to this I think it was all standing and this is
perfect for a metal show.
After the gig we wended our way to Subway then back home for Jonathan Ross,
a dram of the new Glenmorangie 10 and then some kip. Oh Dave introduced us
to some interesting and rifftastic music from bands such as 5 finger death
punch, thanks mate should you read this, we like mucho.

Jaid arrived back on Sunday but the day was just spent lounging around,
drinking Aberlour and Glenlivett and eating. Still it was nice to do
nothing much and just relax.

I'm now on First Great Western heading to the south east coast for a Braille
demo then it's back to Ipswich. I've got rather a lot on this week with a
good amount of travel.

Systematic Chaos Review

This Dream Theatre’s 9th studio album in 20 years is a much more balanced slice of metal than were the last two. Yes it’s heavy, but its also dark and still has the pop touches that were evident in Octavarium the last cd, but for me it’s a better record though nothing quite caps the title track from Octavarium.

If you imagine a cross between the albums Train of Thought and Awake then you’d be on the right track. The heaviness of Train of Thought mingles with the dark shades of awake and a good sense of melody that was found on Octavarium to offer up the strongest album since 6 Degrees of Inner Turbulence.

Most of the tracks deal with fantasy, conflicts and monsters and vampires are thrown in for good measure.

Unlike the last 3 albums this one does not start with the last note of the previous disk. We go guitars wailing in to the first part of ‘The Presence of Enemy’s Part1’ this is very rush like and the vocals don’t start until the 5 minute mark. The track is about someone fighting with his/her dark side which is a well explored concept for prog metal bands. Nothing new in this song from DT but it’s safe and refreshing to have them back after two years.

‘Forsaken’ screams single. Inspired by female fronted Euro metal such as After Forever and Within Temptation the atmospheric piano swirls before the hard drumming and guitars kick in. James provides the best vocal performance I’ve heard in years. The best song evanescence never wrote this track is about someone taken away by a vampire woman. They eventually meet death but it’s a heavy radio-friendly track. I’m on about rock radio.

‘Constant Motion’ is a fast stomping rock track bringing back memories of Master of Puppets Metallica. According to the special edition DVD this track was motivated by Portnoy’s workaholism, someone who just can’t stand still and requires constant changes and for things to be moving forward. Turn it up! We’re treated to a blistering John Petrucci solo half way through.

‘The Dark Eternal Night’ is a fantasy song about a village visited by monsters and it’s probably the heaviest thing DT have ever written yet it manages to be melodic as one would expect from the band with a big chorus. We get a little keyboard magic in the middle with a smashing ragtime influenced spot, but it does work. After this the song hits speed metal overdrive. Sensational.

‘repentance’ is the 4th slab of guitar laden goodness in the AA concept being recorded over several albums. This piece is about steps 8 and 9 in the AA program and is very chilled out reminding one of Floyd and the quieter moments of Spock’s Beard. Of interest are the regrets of musician friends of the band spoken just before the instrumental, people like Marrilion’s Steve Hogarth, Steve Vai and Joe
Satriani.. Talking of the instrumental John Petrucci does his best Gilmore or Marrilion take and pulls off a really emotional two minutes. I would expect to get the last part of this piece on the next album. This was all started with the track ‘The Glass Prison’ in 2001, and has carried on over the last few albums with the tracks This Dying Soul and The Root of All Evil.

‘Profits of War’ is a blatant anti Iraq war track written by James Labrie which is catchy as hell. Some camp disco affects are used here and the track smacks a little of Muse until a crowd start chanting half way through. The rapping at the end from Mike Portnoy is also class and I would have never expected it to work so well but it does. Sounding both fresh modern and classic I love this particular song.

‘The Ministry of Lost Souls’ is a long ballad offering up the story of a woman who was rescued from drowning by a man who died in the process. She is unable to live with this and then kills herself after talking to his ghost. Far fetched, but that’s what some kinds of music is, escapism. I guess this particular story is not beyond the realms of possibility minus the ghost. The story is sad but the track is amazing balladry with some beautiful guitar and keyboard work. Midway through we get a piece of systematic chaos with a DT jam but this doesn’t detract from the track. Having said that, take out the jam and this would be a first rate single.

‘The Presence of Enemies Part2’ closes the album in dramatic style. Over 16 minutes in length the instrumentation is amazing with everyone getting time to shine. I’m not going to bother describing this as it’s impossible. For me it isn’t as good as the track ‘Octavarium’ though and a few minutes could have been shaved, but I don’t find myself skipping any of it as my interest is held with the Pantera riffing and the dark atmospheric guitar work lifts the quieter passages along nicely.

So a really good effort which can stand beside the best they have given us. I’d say a return to form by my favourite band. The production is the best DT have ever come up with, the base work is strong and James sounds on top form.

If you get this album make sure to pick up the special edition version with the documentary about the recording of this opus.

DT Tour Dates for UK

Tickets went on sale this morning priced £25
London
and £24 regionally. Special guests will be Symphony X.
OCTOBER
11 - GLASGOW Carling Academy
12 - MANCHESTER Apollo
13 - LONDON Wembley Arena
NOVEMBER
9 - NEWPORT Centre
10 - WOLVERHAMPTON Civic Hall
11 - BLACKBURN King Georges Hall

I'm going to try for two of the dates. London and another.

Work and Music and Stuff

I’ve had a busy time with work recently but did get in a quiet weekend with Clare. The next few look to be anything but with trips over to Bournemouth, Epsom and then to Dublin on the 15th of June.

I downloaded and have been listening to the latest DT album and my does it rock hard. I’ll be posting a review on the 5th of June when I’ve had more time with it. That’s also the release date but I don’t have any guilt. I’ve pre-ordered the standard and special edition of the critter from play.com

The Revenge buy the Allen Lande project is also worth picking up and has some killer tracks. It lacks some of the cheese factor that was so beloved to me from the first effort and is a more mature affair that takes a little longer to grow. Rustle Allen’s vocals are mightily impressive on this disk and better than the first.

Moving to this week I’ve been in London, South end and am now travelling down to Truro with stops in Winchester, Southampton and Exeter along with Bournemouth planned for later in the week.

I think I’ll plod the streets of Truro in an attempt to find a real ale pub tonight should we get in on time.

More "Systematic Chaos" info

The new Dream Theater album will be available in two versions on release. The standard version and another with an LTD DVD featuring the album in 5.1 and a 90 minute documentary about the making of Systematic Chaos.

A quicktime electronic press kit for the album can be downloaded at
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/shared/downloads/DreamTheater/Dream_Theater_EPK.mov

You can also download a full track from the new album called "Constant Motion", at.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/dreamtheater/
I’m of to grab both now.

And don't forget that Dream Theater will be Bruce Dickinson
's guests on Saturday, May 26 during
Bruce's weekly BBC 6 Music radio show, aptly named "Rock Show"
. Listen to the program live via the Internet between 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. (midnight)
U.K. time (between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. EST)

Cover shots from the Systematic chaos album can be found at these locations.

http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/upfiles.aspx/615/E1C2B911D89D437FB8B0E4F6848F73A2.jpg
http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/upfiles.aspx/615/6EEA4B38895B486485AAD13C013A71F2.jpg

Second Album for Allen Lande Project

The magnificent Allen Lande project releases a new album soon and with this second chapter called the Revenge a myspace page blobbles online. Anyway, check out some tracks from the new album and listen to two of the finest vocalists in metal.

Yell Robot Yell

My mate Steve is in a band. They gig around London and are rather successful with an album in the works and a myspace page. I’m not sure about the track they’ve selected for the front page but anyway check them out on the above link.

Threshold the Band

The UK prog metal outfit Threshold are not a new band but it has taken me until now to discover them. Though the lyrical content can sometimes be a little preachy featuring on topics such as globalisation ETC they sound like a heavier version of Images and Words Dream Theater with lush vocals and more hooks than a hooky thing. I’ve just invested in some of the back catalogue and am really impressed. Anyhow, check out the linked page above for some samples and a full track from the new cd on the front page. Smashing stuff for metal fans and the more melodic centric rock fan. They are also the only UK prog metal band as far as I know.

Dream Theater go Myspace

I don't like myspace. Its not too screenreader friendly but everyones doing it now so why not DT.

Systematic Chaos a new DT Album this Year!

Roadrunner Records is proud to announce the signing of progressive metal pioneers
Dream Theater
. A new studio album,
Systematic Chaos is due in June. Dream Theater
will hit the road in support of the album for a world tour, including major festival
appearances in Europe.
Since their first studio release in 1989, this US based five-piece has notched up
record and DVD sales in excess of six million and headlined to audiences of 20,000.
Having undertaken seven world tours across 42 different countries, Dream Theater
has established a live reputation that has swept them to arena-status around the
globe. They have appeared alongside acts such as
Deep Purple, Iron Maiden and Yes.
Recognized by peers and public alike for their advanced musical expertise, the band
(Mike Portnoy, drums;
John Petrucci, guitar; John Myung, bass; James LaBrie, vocals; Jordan Rudess
, keyboards) has long held the ability to combine complex arrangements with unadulterated
songwriting skills, the material often underpinned by riffs as heavy as anything
in the
Metallica repertoire.
“This album's got all of the elements we've become known for,” reveals Portnoy.
“The focus on musicianship, the skull-crushing riffs, the big progressive epics and
the heart-wrenching melodies. We've got one of the strongest and most devoted fan
bases in the world, and they should certainly be happy with the new material. By
working closely with the label we hope to turn a great many new heads, too.”
“Dream Theater and Roadrunner Records have led parallel careers on the cutting edge
of metal for many years,”
say A&R men, Derek Oliver & Dante Bonutto,
“We're thrilled to be working with a genuine market-leader, and when you add everything
the guys bring to the table to the independent spirit and work ethic of the label,
the results can only be exciting in the extreme!”
Prior to teaming up with Roadrunner, Dream Theater was signed to a seven-album deal
with
Warner Music Group
worldwide. The deal commenced with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful
Images And Words (1992), a Gold-certified US release, and concluded, in equal style,
with Octavarium
(2005), a Top 40 Billboard outing. In August of last year the band issued
Score
, a live album/DVD (recorded at Radio City Music Hall in New York), which went straight
to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard DVD charts, knocking
Pink Floyd from the top!
By the following month, the five were holed up at Avatar Studios in New York, working
on the new album with veteran engineer/ mixer
Paul Northfield (Rush, Queensrÿche, Porcupine Tree)
. As usual, Portnoy and Petrucci chose to co-produce the project, which features
seven compositions (one a 25-minute epic), and word on the grapevine is that the
Dream Theater/Roadrunner alliance looks all set to kick off with a classic.
Systematic Chaos
, Dream Theater's ninth studio release, arrives at a time when the band is casting
a longer-than-ever shadow across the rock and metal landscape. Their influence is
being acknowledged by an increasing number of contemporary, cutting-edge acts such
as
Stone Sour, Trivium, Shadows Fall, Opeth
as their fan base continues to grow.
Touring plans will be announced shortly. Please visit
www.roadrunnerrecords.com
or
www.dreamtheater.net
for up to the minute information.

Live - Throwing Copper

Every good band produces what fans and critics will consider a top album. For some this can take many years and others simply peak too soon and are for ever chasing past glory until they split. For me Live the 4 peace American rock band hit a stride with the 1994 cd Throwing Copper. Sometimes spiritual but always hart felt the album just oozes quality and a fiery energy that is captivating.

The sound of Live in 1994 was energetic with strong hooks and the Michael Stipe style vocals provided by singer Ed Kowalczyk. Some even labelled the outfit a poor mans REM or a harder REM but for me much of this album stands above the latter’s best.

The opener damn at otter creak is hardly what I’d call a first rate track but then after the hooky dark and brilliant tracks come one after the other. Selling the Drama and Alone are good singles but for me the genius is in tracks like Top, Shit Town or All Over You which are just so infectious and proper fist pumpers. Lightning Crashes is slow and beautiful with themes of loss and new beginnings.

Get this if you would like a rocked up cross between REM and U2 with a little 90s modern rock chucked in for good measure.

Just listening to this cd brings back memories of Uni and college. Singing the tracks drunkenly with Kara Dianne and Lo after visiting Keiths for dodgy fast food will always rock.