Dream Theater - Metropolis Part II: Scenes From a Memory

1999 Album Award

There is only one word that comes to mind upon first listening to Dream Theater's latest release: Wow. Bands that play with this much inspiration and adrenaline are supposed to be on their second or third album; they are not supposed to be bands that have been together for 15 years. Bands this old are not supposed to be innovative, and certainly not this creative. Dream Theater has broken all the rules with this release.

There is no mistaking that this is an inspired album. It is just so unexpected from an established act that had seemingly little left to prove. I guess the sticker on the front of the CD should have warned me of what I was about to experience. It read: "The boldest artistic statement in Dream Theater's 15-year career."

I will only piece some of the strings together here, for to do more than that would infringe on your right to discover Nicholas, Victoria, The Miracle and The Sleeper, the main characters in the concept album, for yourself. Metropolis Part II is laid out like an opera. There is an Act I with five Scenes, and an Act II with four Scenes. There are five characters (all sung by lead vocalist James Labrie except the Hypnotherapist, whose lines are spoken) and a Gospel Choir that sings accompaniment on a track. Like a classic novel, the plot in Scenes from a Memory takes you on a fantastic ride through love, betrayal, crimes of the heart, and ultimately transcendence. The story begins with the main character, Nicholas, recalling a past life via regression.

Dream Theater attains their greatest heights to date in Act II, Scene Six: "Home." At nearly 13 minutes in length, it takes you on a devastating journey of raw emotion, brutal riffs, and harmonies so beautiful and sad that you may, as I did, wipe a tear from your eye. Listen as Labrie sings in convincing and desperate fashion as The Sleeper, "The city - it calls to me / Decadent scenes from my memory / Sorrow - Eternity / My demons are coming to drown me."

You will find no better musicians than those in the Dream Theater lineup, and they show you their diversity relentlessly. This has been both their blessing and their curse. Though it may seem strange, their musical diversity has been one of the issues holding them back from more widespread popularity with Metal fans. Their overwhelming talent has left many a listener feeling, well ... overwhelmed. They too often get caught up in long (very long), directionless tangents that display their musical talent but lose many a listener's interest. This urge has largely been controlled on this album, though you'll still find moments here and there where you're tempted to fast forward.

Dream Theater brings many new and exciting riffs to this album and integrates them well with their rich experience. On Metropolis Part II, you'll be on your feet banging your head one minute, and the next you'll be lying down quietly contemplating life to a plush melody on an acoustic guitar.

I thought I was past the age where an album could move me so forcefully; fortunately I was wrong. This intense, dramatic concept album is nothing short of sensational. Not since Operation: Mindcrime has an album brought forth such pathos and pure, black anguish.

Scenes From a Memory is a brilliant, emotionally-charged roller coaster of a ride. The creativity is astounding. The music is powerful and intimate. Though only time will tell, this may very well be Dream Theater's best album yet.