If you haven’t read my editorial on Mike Portnoy’s departure from Dream Theater, or kept up to date with the latest, let me give you a brief run down. Mike left the band in 2010 and started a sledging war between Avenged Sevenfold and Dream Theater fans. Then the replacement was found for Mike, after a lengthy audition process. Mike Mangini is the new drummer. And now Theater are finishing their eleventh studio album, entitled A Dramatic Turn of Events. Got it? Good.

So, in anticipation for the new album, the boys released a track off their upcoming album. It has, as usual, divided the entire Dream Theater community (who are the most pedantic fans you’ll ever meet). However, I’m sitting on the ‘I approve’ side of the fence, with the track seeming like a mix of my two favourite albums by the band. Also, the technical proficiency is, as usual and to be expected, of a high level.

I’ll agree it doesn’t quite sound like ‘quintessential’ Dream Theater (say Images and Words, or Metropolis Pt.2) but I’m prepared to overlook that in the fact that they have created a new sound for a new chapter in their lives. By the time the middle of the song comes around however, the traditional Dream Theater pokes it’s head back out for a look.

The mix the band has gone for of orchestral and metal elements, as well as traditional progressive rock stylings has given the track a very unique sound, and makes all eight-and-a-half minutes of it very enjoyable to listen to. The choir at the start after the spacey and ambiguous guitar intro is very reminiscent of Kamelot, but sounds epic and huge. Overall the whole track is another display of Dream Theater’s abilities in the musical realm.

At least the music is.

I will admit though, that the lyrics are the weakest part of the song. They seem rather cheesy, with the opening line the title of the song. It just seems a little too pop for Dream Theater. Call me a snob, but Dream Theater’s lyrics have always been epic and big. This one feels a little too small, like they’re staring out the window looking at the house next door when the extremely attractive neighbour is prancing around in her underwear. It just feels a little closed.

The tones on the album sound wonderful as well – wide and lush as everything should be and a lot less harsh than their previous album. Rudess’ sounds are going to be very interesting live, and I’d love to see how many iPads he has this time around. I can finally hear Myung’s bass, and Mangini’s drumming is unbelievable.

I did say, however, that the band would never be the same without Portnoy. As at the moment, I’m going to stand by that statement, beacause this is only one song off an album that we’ve all yet to hear in it’s entirety. And from what I’m hearing at the moment it’s definitely different.

Not only that, but it’s better. They’re sounding the best they’ve sounded for years. So look out guys. Dream Theater is back. And this time it won’t be a case of ‘shoulda woulda coulda’.

Just a case of ‘did’.

Review Score: 8/10