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Dream Theater: Systematic Chaos

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Roadrunner Records
Released: 2007.06.04
Time:
 78:41
Category: Progressive Rock
Producer(s): John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy
Rating:
Media type: CD
Web address: www.dreamtheater.net
Appears with:
Purchase date: 2016
Price in €: 1,00





 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] In the Presence of Enemies - Part I (Dream Theater) - 9:00
      I Prelude - 4:15
      II Resurrection - 4:45
[2] Forsaken (Dream Theater) - 5:35
[3] Constant Motion (Dream Theater) - 6:55
[4] The Dark Eternal Night (Dream Theater) - 8:53
[5] Repentance (Dream Theater) - 10:43
      VIII Regret - 5:43
      IX Restitution - 5:00
[6] Prophets of War (Dream Theater) - 6:00
[7] The Ministry of Lost Souls (Dream Theater) - 14:57
[8] In the Presence of Enemies - Part II (Dream Theater) - 16:38
      III Heretic - 6:10
      IV The Slaughter of the Damned - 3:07
      V The Reckoning - 3:27
      VI Salvation - 3:54

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


James LaBrie - Lead Vocals
John Petrucci - Guitar, Backing Vocals, Producer
Jordan Rudess - Keyboards, Continuum
John Myung - Bass
Mike Portnoy - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals, Co-Lead Vocals on [3,4], Producer

Corey Taylor - Spoken words on [5]
Steve Vai - Spoken words on [5]
Chris Jericho - Spoken words on [5]
David Ellefson - Spoken words on [5]
Daniel Gildenlöw - Spoken words on [5]
Steve Hogarth - Spoken words on [5]
Joe Satriani - Spoken words on [5]
Mikael Åkerfeldt - Spoken words on [5]
Steven Wilson - Spoken words on [5]
Jon Anderson - Spoken words on [5]
Neal Morse - Spoken words on [5]

Paul Northfield - Engineer, Mixing, Vocal Track Co-Producer
Chad Lupo - Assistant Engineer
Vlado Meller - Mastering
Hugh Syme - Art Direction, Design, Illustration
Daragh McDonagh - Photography
Frank Solomon - Management

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


Recorded in September 2006 – February 2007 at Avatar Studios in New York City.



Few bands in the history of rock have warranted the "either you love them or hate them" tag as much as Dream Theater, as fanatics consider them musical geniuses, while detractors sneer at their bombast. Either way, there's no arguing that the group has built a large and loyal following over the years by doing things their way, and with little to no help from radio or MTV. And on their tenth full-length overall (and first for their new label, Roadrunner), 2007's Systematic Chaos, the quintet sticks to the prog metal game plan that they've followed since their inception. In true Dream Theater fashion, the gentlemen are not ashamed to show off their chops - as evidenced by the album opener, "In the Presence of Enemies, Pt. 1," in which James LaBrie's vocals do not kick in until after the five-minute mark. Elsewhere, "Forsaken" proves wrong those who say that Dream Theater is all about instrumental gymnastics and not songwriting, at least momentarily, while "The Dark Eternal Light" features some nifty Pantera-esque riffing from John Petrucci. Additionally, "Repentance" is one of the album's four ten-minute-plus, mid-paced epics, and features a prerequisite of countless extended prog suites and spoken word passages. Unlike other veteran rock acts that attempted to update their sound with the times (and failed miserably), Dream Theater has admirably stuck to its guns through thick and thin - much to the delight of their legion of admirers - and they continue to do so on Systematic Chaos. And for that, we salute you with a flurry of flawlessly sweep-picked arpeggios.

Greg Prato - All Music Guide



Dream Theater returns with 'Systematic Chaos:' an appropriate title for an album that challenges fans and puts their minds in cognitive dissonance, in musical chaos. We all expect DT to defy our expectations and turn their creativity to new directions. I believe 'Systematic Chaos' does exactly that. This is the DT you know and love with a brilliant twist of ingenuity.

I shoved this CD in my player and what did my ears hear? Is this Rush? Is that Neal Peart? No, it's Mike Portnoy in his finest form. 'In The Presence Of Enemies' is an epic work that begins and concludes the album. If there is anything on this album that is signature Dream Theater it is these two works. 'Forsaken' follows as a pleasant, if not derivative, prog number with a simple arrangement with a memorable chorus. 'Constant Motion' rocks heavy and gives an almost Metallica feel in the vocals. But this is hardly Metallica for their is more sophistication and creativity in this song.

A real challenge comes in 'The Dark Eternal Night,' a compelling number with enough twists and turns to keep the best mystery lover guessing. The mystery begins with the near dirty vocals that appear at the beginning and run throughout the song. If that's not enough, the keyboards infiltrate your mind like acid with a jazz soundtrack. All the time, the arrangement thunders along with bass, drums, and guitar playing parts so incredible I thought my ears would bleed. 'The Dark Eternal Night' raises the bar for Dream Theater and their listeners. What can they do next?

I didn't intend to review every song on this album, but there is much more to say regarding this new work. 'Repentance' is probably my favorite cut on the entire album because of its diversity. Its delicate vocals and guitar weave together with moments of eclectic heaviness to create a song of extraordinary caliber. There's a Pink Floydishness to it that makes you want to repeat the song more than once. 'Prophets Of War' is both satirical commentary on reality in this world as it is a song of complex proportions. Outside of 'Repentance' and 'The Dark Eternal Night,' it is worth the price of the album.

'Systematic Chaos' is a seminal work for Dream Theater. The band is not resting on a catalogue of laurels. Rather, they are pressing on to an imaginative future. Dream Theater is a prog metal band to contend with; new and existing bands in the same genre should take note: the masters have not retired, they reign. Bow down and listen: you will better for it!

Rating: 5/5

Dangerdog Music Reviews
© 1999-2016 Craig S Hartranft



It's funny to see what bands pop up on what labels nowadays. Another act that has moved from a major to Roadrunner Records in recent times is long standing prog-metal act Dream Theater, who are vocalist James LaBrie, guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, keyboardist Jordan Rudess and drummer Mike Portnoy. After completing their contractual obligations with their now former label, Atlantic Records, the New York (U.S.A.) quintet soon found a new home at Roadrunner Records, with their ninth album and first for their new label coming in the form of the whopping eight track, 78 minute Systematic Chaos.

Wasting little time, In The Presence Of Enemies - Part 1, which for at least half of it's nine minute lifespan (titled Prelude), is an instrumental display of epic proportions with the trio of Petrucci, Myung and Portnoy proudly showing off their respective chops in a display that is sure to appease fans. LaBrie joins the fold as the song changes mood and takes on another twist (titled Resurrection) just after the five minute mark. In direct contrast, Forsaken is as stripped down and straight forward as it gets showing none of the musical complexity of the opening cut. The off timed riffs and rhythms of Constant Motion, the album's first single, see the track living up to its name as it twists and turns through a myriad of tempos, with not only La Brie taking on a somewhat of a Chuck Billy (Testament) edge during the verses, but some of the riff patterns and rhythms also following a similar parth. That, and the following cut, The Dark Eternal Night, are the album's heaviest tracks.

In direct contrast is the Portnoy's continued 12 step musical exploration of Alcoholics Anonymous via the very Pink Floyd-esque Repentance which represents the eighth and ninth steps, Regret and Restitution respectively, and also features a number of guest vocal appearances including Mikael Äkerfeldt (Opeth), Dave Ellefson (F5, ex-Megadeth), Chris Jericho (Fozzy), and Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour) amongst several others. Prophets Of War also darts in and out of various styles and tempos with some passages holding up stronger than others over what is the album's most inconsistent song. Two totally epic numbers round out the album. The first, The Ministry Of Lost Souls which clocks in at almost fifteen minutes, which begins as a soft ballad before taking on a totally different tack at the midway point. The finale, the almost seventeen minute In The Presence Of Enemies - Part 2 is marked by it's distinct sub parts - the build up of Heretic, the chugging thrash of The Slaughter Of The Damned, the twisting and turning prog-fuelled The Reckoning and the final piece of the puzzle, the markedly slower Salvation.

Seventy-eight minutes is certainly a lot of music to take in, especially when it's by one of the leaders of the prog-metal scene. Fans should have an inkling of what to expect from Systematic Chaos, as Dream Theater are continuing to do as they've always done.

Rating: 4/5

Simon Milburn - 20/07/2007
© 2016 The Metal Forge



Through thick and thin, Dream Theater are still headlining the progressive metal movement, eighteen years since their debut. With albums that amazed and excited (Images and Words), confused (Falling Into Infinity), re-invigorated (Scenes From a Memory), annoyed (most of them) and toyed with plenty more of their fan base's emotions, they never lacked quality and skill.

Systematic Chaos, the band's ninth full length, is a well rounded album that contains most of what people have loved Dream Theater for in the past. It also eschews some of the pretension and style-hopping that confused and complicated their last few releases. Straightforward this ain't, but the listener will not find any forty minute songs in here either.

Perhaps the first thing that strikes one's ear in the first listen is how much more focused this album is. With tighter, faster guitars that sound a lot closer to their early releases, without the overtly processed and industrialised feel that had made its appearance since Six Degrees..., Dream Theater sound fresher than ever. Upping the speed a few notches is also a very welcome change, with the slow songs that weren't really going anywhere in previous releases being replaced by a rather more introspective mood -- a brooding melancholia if you wish -- where necessary in the course of this album.

The record starts strong with "In the Presence of Enemies Pt. 1", which begins with a four minute intro before any vocals appear. "Forsaken" is melodic and more accessible, whereas Dream Theater once again flirt with their heavy and dirty side with "Constant Motion", and the Arabic-sounding solo two thirds through is bliss. Things get complicated and fuzzy later on in "The Dark Eternal Night", but probably their best song in a long while comes under the guise of the straightforward, hard-hitting and electronics tinted "Prophets of War".

Systematic Chaos is not only perfectly executed, as expected, but it is also expertly produced. It sounds crystal clear, and does not have the slight annoyances the previous few albums had -- like the low, dense sound of Train of Thought, for example. This time, it is Petrucci that shines outright with his brilliant shredding, soloing and careful experimentation with his guitars. Portnoy is masterfully non-overwhelming, and Rudess has quite a bit of fun, albeit with some repetition. Still, with several songs clocking the fifteen minutes mark, sometimes the band might lose the listener's attention; but they are quick to lure him back in with tempo changes and interesting passages, as well as their undeniable skill with their instruments.

Whatever one might say about a Dream Theater release and whatever direction the band chooses to take at any point, most of their fan base is so polarised that it is like throwing pebbles on a riverbed. The circles will disappear and will have ultimately made no difference. Yet it is nice to see a band as accomplished as this one take a step back and revisit their past, and with it craft such a fine album.

If you have liked Dream Theater in the past, you should have no problem liking this one too. If, on the other hand, your entire musical universe is comprised of buzzing guitars and the shrieks of a tortured bat, why did you even bother reaching the fourth paragraph? Finally, it is worth mentioning that lyrically Systematic Chaos deals mostly with war and politics, and is very well written. Finally, if you get the limited edition, you also get a bonus DVD with the whole album in 5.1 surround and a video documentary on the making of the album.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Kostas Sarampalis
Chronicles of Chaos



Systematic Chaos is the ninth studio album by American progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater. Released on June 4, 2007 in the United Kingdom and June 5, 2007 in the United States, Systematic Chaos was the band's first release through Roadrunner Records, which was sold to their previous label Atlantic Records, through which the band had released their previous studio album Octavarium (2005). The album was recorded from September 2006 to February 2007 at Avatar Studios in New York City, after the band's first break from summer touring in ten years. The lyrics of the album were written by John Petrucci, James LaBrie, and Mike Portnoy about fictional, political, and personal topics, respectively. The album peaked in the top twenty in eight countries' sales charts; in addition, the album peaked at the nineteenth position on the Billboard 200, making it the highest peaking Dream Theater album in the United States until the release of Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009), which debuted at the sixth position. Critical reception of the album was generally positive; Jon Eardley from MetalReview.com called the band, "arguably the most consistent band throughout the entire progressive rock/metal industry". Dream Theater promoted the album on their Chaos in Motion world tour, which lasted a year and spanned thirty-five countries. The album was released in regular and special edition formats; the special edition included a 5.1 surround sound mix of the album, in addition to a ninety-minute "making of" documentary about the album.

After recording their twentieth anniversary concert, Score, on April 1, 2006, Dream Theater rested for its first summer in ten years. The band would reconvene at Avatar Studios, in New York City, in September 2006. Mike Portnoy stated that the relationship between band members was "the best it's ever been". The band hired Paul Northfield, who had previously worked with bands that had inspired Dream Theater, including Rush and Queensrÿche, to engineer the album. As with previous albums, Dream Theater simultaneously wrote and recorded Systematic Chaos. Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci co-produced the album; Portnoy said that the band hires an engineer and a mixer to act as an "objective outside ear", but the members ultimately "call their own shots". Previous Dream Theater albums shared planned themes throughout, such as Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999) as a concept album or Train of Thought (2003) as a heavy, "balls to the wall" album. Though Portnoy had some preconceived ideas for Systematic Chaos, he decided not to tell the rest of the band; leaving them to start with a "completely open palate". However, Portnoy did want to retain a "cutting, aggressive, modern" mood throughout, "It had to have balls," he added, "it had to be cool". The album was titled Systematic Chaos after Portnoy and Petrucci picked phrases from song lyrics that they felt would be a fitting title, in similar fashion to previous albums like Images and Words (1992) or Awake (1994). The pair selected the word "chaos", which appears in "The Dark Eternal Night". Petrucci and Portnoy were also attracted to the phrase "Random thoughts of neat disorder" which appears in "Constant Motion". Inspired by the "duality" of the phrase, opposites of the word "chaos" were discussed, resulting in the word "systematic". Portnoy said that in addition to the album, "systematic chaos" is also a "fitting description of the band in general".

Both the regular and special editions of Systematic Chaos were released on June 4, 2007 in the UK and June 5, 2007 in the US. Over their seven album relationship with Warner Music Group, Dream Theater became disappointed at the lack of coverage they gave the band. " [...] Our previous label basically relied on our fanbase to do everything. [They would] put the money up for the record and put the CD in the shops," said Portnoy. On February 8, 2007, Dream Theater reached an agreement with Roadrunner Records to release their new album. Systematic Chaos had nearly been written and recorded at the time of the signing. Ironically, Warner purchased Roadrunner Records a week after the band signed with them. According to LaBrie, Roadrunner followed through on all of its promises to the band concerning the promotion of the album. Portnoy spent a month directing and editing a documentary titled Chaos in Progress: The Making of Systematic Chaos, which was released on the two disc special edition of the album. The bonus disc of the special edition also included 5.1 surround sound mix of the entire album. Dream Theater supported the album by touring on the Chaos in Motion Tour from June 3, 2007 to June 4, 2008. The world tour comprised 115 shows throughout thirty-five countries. Multiple concerts were filmed for the band's fifth DVD, titled Chaos in Motion 2007–2008. The compilation of concerts was released on September 30, 2008.

Critical reception for Systematic Chaos was generally positive. Writing for MetalReview.com, Jon Eardley called the album, "another solid outing". He complimented Petrucci for "Constant Motion", writing that it contains "some of the best riffs Petrucci has brought to the table". In addition, he called the latter part of "The Dark Eternal Night" "the most brutal part in any song to date". Reviewing for Metal Invader, Nikos Patelis called the album, "energetic, sharp – edged, full of beautiful melodies and heavy riffs, long epic compositions". He called Dream Theater's instrumentalists "four masters of music that use their instruments as if they were their limbs", in addition to stating, "James LaBrie sounds more mature than ever". In conclusion, Patelis called Systematic Chaos, "an excellent album that needs many times to be listened in order to be digested". Greg Prato, of AllMusic, wrote "[...] 'Forsaken' proves wrong those who say that Dream Theater is all about instrumental gymnastics and not songwriting". He also compared riffs in "The Dark Eternal Night" to the band Pantera. Overall, he states "[...] the quintet sticks to the prog metal game plan that they've followed since their inception". Reviewer Chad Bowar of About.com, wrote that "In the Presence of Enemies - Part I" is "an effective way to set the tone for the rest of the songs". Overall, Bowar gave the album four out of five stars, calling it, "one of the best Dream Theater releases in quite a while".

The album peaked in the top twenty-five in the United Kingdom and Australia, where the band had never previously charted. In the United States, the album peaked at the nineteenth position on the Billboard 200, making it the highest peaking Dream Theater album in the United States at the time of its release. Overall, Systematic Chaos peaked in the top twenty for album sales in eight countries. In the US, the album sold 35,689 copies the first week it was released. In 2014, readers of Rhythm magazine voted Systematic Chaos the second greatest drumming album in the history of progressive rock.

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