Year: 2020
Total Time: 02:29:39
Label: InsideOut Music
In 1999 DREAM THEATER gave us their magnum opus and what is considered by many to be the best album in the history of one of the most famous, influential and important Progressive Metal bands. We are talking of course for ” Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory”, the coveted continuation of a story that started with the beautiful “Metropolis (Part 1: The Miracle And The Sleeper)” from their 1992 album “Images And Words”.
John Petrucci and his company offer us the live performance of this monumental album, as it was recorded in London on February 2020 at the Hammersmith Apollo. The concert starts with six songs from various releases of the band, with the prominent “A Nightmare To Remember” from “Black Clouds And Silver Linings” being executed “gracefully” in all its sixteen minutes.
The instrumental “Scenes Live Intro” marks the beginning of the presentation of this truly wonderful concept album of the Americans and at the same time a special event for its anniversary. For about 80 minutes and until the ninth act of their play,when “Finally Free” is heard, DREAM THEATER are in a unique textural orgasm, literally living what they present to a rather ecstatic audience. The concert comes to a fulfilling end with “At Wit’s End” from “Distance Over Time” while a bonus track follows, the very beautiful “Paralyzed”.
The experience of watching these great musicians perform on stage this fundemental piece of their discography in its entirety, is definitely mind-blowing. Respectively, this live release conveys the atmosphere and the importance of this project and it certainly can bring satisfaction not only to the band’s fans but to music lovers in general.
The production of the album is at a high level and the moving atmosphere of the concert is obvious. As expected, all the band members are impeccable, from the keys to the bass and from the drums to the guitar. But if there is one thing that may unfortunately dissatisfy the listener that is the performance of James LaBrie. His complexion is beautiful, his effort undeniable but somewhere he probably “ruins” an otherwise very beautiful artistic attempt.
Rating: N/A
Editor: Fanouris Exintavelonis
Related Link: DREAM THEATER – Official Page
