DREAM THEATER ‘Live At The Budokan’
Rhino/WSM (2004)
Although I've always been a fan of progressive metal, it's generally
been the more extreme death/jazz or avant garde black metal bands
that caught my attention and Dream Theater kind of passed me by so
reviewing this live album gives me a chance to listen to the band
that has probably influenced a lot of my favourite bands.
Unlike S.O.D.'s similarly titled effort, this "Live at Budokan" was
actually recorded there. The album starts with the surprisingly
heavy "As I Am" which is reminiscent of `Puppets' era Metallica - an
album that is brought to mind throughout the length of this triple-
album.
Although there are moments of self-indulgence and some of the
instrumental parts are extended almost to the point of tedium in my
view, it's generally a very good album with a lot more feeling than
those unfamiliar with Dream Theater's work (such as myself,
admittedly) might expect. For the most part, they're also heavier
than you might believe too, there's definitely a mid-period Metallica
influence present in a large part of their work, although the drum
parts are significantly better!
The one low point of the album really is how quiet the fans are
throughout which means that for the most part it doesn't really feel
like a live album.
Although the odd moment of muso-wankery was annoying to me personally
I suppose it was to be expected and I certainly enjoyed it enough to
make me want to check out the rest of the band's back catalogue.
****
Review by Neil Woodfin
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