Dream Theater – A Dramatic Turn Of Events Album Review

The exit of Mike Portnoy did infact causes a furore amongst DT fans across the world. I even heard a couple of my friends who were hardcore fans of DT saying – “What a loss, no one’s gonna listen to DT now. WTF is DT without Portnoy?!” . But all DT fans can rest easy. There is no shortage of the trademark Dream Theater sound, and if anything, it sounds like guitarist John Petrucci and keyboardist Jordan Rudess took it up a notch. As for new drummer Mike Mangini, as the YouTube videos proved, Mike Mangini is more than capable of reproducing Mike Portnoy’s parts in a live situation, but it still left us wondering what he could do on his own handily controls the ever-changing time signatures, which come across just as complex as ever.

When I first heard the name, I thought DT were trying to gain sympathy from their fans as well, after the departure of Mike Portnoy. From what I heard, the reason Portnoy quit, was because he wanted to transition into something heavier, as well as have his own solo project on the side. All I can say is – I’m glad DT didn’t follow.

The album kicks off with the song On the Backs of Angels, starts off with the slow, dark intro, coupled with keys on the side, followed by the standard kick off. The fillers in between each of the bars are just as exceptional, with John Myung and Jordan Rudess showing their capabilities. What’s so amazing about this song is that the riffs are very easy to understand, and the few complications that occur every once in a while are like icing on the cake, they just make it better. It feels like this whole song is driven by John Petrucci, and could just be the second Pull Me Under of the group.

Build Me Up, Break Me Down sounds more like a technical alternative song. There seems to be a lot of disconnect between the primary riff with which the songs starts, and the verse/chorus. I read somewhere, that the effects on James Labrie’s voice during the post chorus is somewhere between a pig grunting and an ogre taking a dump, and I couldn’t agree more.

If you’re looking for the jaw-dropping technical prowess (not that any of the tracks lack this quality), take a listen to Lost Not Forgotten and Outcry. The latter at times is almost a frantic overload of riffage from Petrucci, but if you’re a guitarist who appreciates skill, you’ll eat it all up. Lost Not Forgotten, I assure you, will impress you beyond belief. The true DT is revealed here, and you can just drown in their ocean of sounds listening to this song. Ah, but it doesn’t stop there. There are instances where there are jazz sections and some fantastic guitar harmonies orchestrated by Petrucci.

The album also shows their sentimental side, as it is with their other albums as well. Far From Heaven, and Beneath The Surface are like restrained, solemn ballads that are so beautiful through and through. Both songs show James Labrie at his best, along with Jordan Rudess providing an aromatic feel that gives you a rush of your senses.

A Dramatic Turn of Events shows DT return to a more diverse prog sound with a strong songwriting focus, while retaining the heavier elements in smaller doses. And even though the drums have been mixed a little lower through this album, Mike Mangini still proves he can capably fill Portnoy’s shoes as the band’s new drummer, and it’s just a matter of time before he steps it up a notch. All in all, this is one of the most melodic albums of their career, and surely where one would like DT to progress. And I think I’ve just found my album of the year.

RATING : 8.8/10