Words by Steve Rose
Dream Theater, the generational prog mainstays are out on the road in celebration of their 40th year together. Taking to the stage recently for a capacity performance at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, CA, the icons of the genre delivered an epic, three hour marathon mastercalss. The prog metal titans showcased a career spanning set, revisiting some of their cherished early work to their most recent release, Parasomnia.
Late 2023, the band announced that their original drummer and percussion icon Mike Portnoy, was returning to the band after a lengthy departure to explore other creative outlets. Portnoy was replaced in 2010 by Mike Mangini after a daunting search where Mangini was auditioning against a number of high profile drummers. Mangini went on to record five
albums with the band in his 13 year stint as Dream Theater's drummer.
Though Mangini was a fantastic addition, Portnoy's return to the band was widely celebrated and an assertion of Dream Theater's enduring relevance among fans old and new. A testament to that continued evolution and the band's undeniable prowess as expert practitioners, the album Parasomnia and the accompanying tour have been met with packed rooms and universal acclaim. Their Los Angeles tour stopped proved no exception.
From the instant the band took the stage, they were firing on all cylinders with the kind of precision and production that has become the gold standard of prog. The musical prowess and technical excellence of each individual player is mind-boggling - somewhat shocking to think there is probably nothing musical that this band can't do.
The duration covered a comprehensive 18 songs across 10 of the band's albums with Metropolis, Pt 2: Scenes from a Memory getting the most of the night, four, followed by Images and Words, Octavarium, and Parasomnia all represented with two entries.
Among the highlights from the night included "Scene Two: I. Overture 1928" which included some fantastic back and forth from Portnoy, bassist John Myung, and guitarist John Petrucci. "Scene Two. II. Strange Deja Vu" was a track where singer James LaBrie really proved exceptional; his voice showing strong and robust all night.
There were times within the set where LaBrie left the stage during some of the band's heavily instrumental pieces - like to treat his vocal chords and keep his voice conditioned in the interim, though the move showed grace in giving the band the floor. "Panic Attack" was another great song showcasing the back and forth dynamics of the band. "Barstool Warrior" was an interesting one because it's a Mangini era track that Portnoy selected as one he wanted to include in the band's set.
Other standouts from the night included both "Night Terror" and "Midnight Messiah" from their latest release and "Stream of Consciousness" and "Octavarium." Keyboardist Jordan Rudess, like his other band mates, was nothing short of amazing as his fingers zipped across the keys at what seemed like effortless ability throughout the night. Aside from the musical proficiency on stage, the band had an elaborate lighting rig, lasers, and animated displays all over the stage
There aren't many bands out there still executing at such a high level some 40 years in. This tour makes its way east over the next few weeks and it would be highly advisable to catch bear witness to the band's mastery and judge for yourself.
See the gallery of images below by Steve Rose.
DREAM THEATER
