Dream Theater can do no wrong at this point in their career. They continue to take risks and outdo themselves with each record by going bigger, bolder, and braver with each new release.
The new double concept album is no exception. Simply titled The Astonishing it’s easily the band’s best album from the past decade. I just so happened to be in London during the second night of the world premiere of the band playing this dramatic new album in its entirety and it was, for lack of a better term, truly astonishing.
One of the best performances I’ve ever seen from a progressive metal band, these guys find a perfect balance between virtuoso and songwriting. How on earth one band can create a double album that doesn’t have even one bland spot is beyond me, but they have done it.
James LaBrie’s voice is absolutely flawless, it was the same exact voice I was blown away by on the Images and Words tour many moons ago. Guitarist extraordinaire John Petrucci was absolutely on fire and kept a perfect poker face the entire show, I’m guessing because this record is incredibly complex to play live.
All in all it was a spectacular show. On another note, this has to be one of the most well-behaved metal crowds I have ever seen. The London Palladium is one of the most beautiful theaters I’ve ever been in before and while the sit down crowd was truly loosing their shit in their velvet chairs, they kept them phones in their pockets and were immersed in the show as we all should be.
Kudos to Dream Theater for enforcing the no camera phone policy during their set, hopefully it will catch on.
Check out hi-res shots in the gallery here.
