Tour Title: Metropolis 2000
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Tour Title: Metropolis 2000 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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3 | |
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5 | |
| Go to Reader Reviews |
Abyss's Review (2/26/00, Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY):
Bright Spots Among Bald Spots?
Well isn't this interesting, Abyss again must review the mighty Dream Theater, this time in a live setting. No other review I've done has gotten so many responses. A plethora of emails, ranging from the constructive and helpful ("Although I respect your opinion, I feel you've really missed the ball on this one, Dream Theater's songs are comprised of such wonderful layers and technical ability that they transcend the mere verse, hook, chorus songwriting…. I think you were just too harsh.") to the well thought out responses of the intellegentsia ("You're gay.") To the group of the former my response is… drum roll please… yeah, you're right, I was a bit harsh. During the course of my review I noted the technical ability of the players as well as two good songs ("Home" and "Overture 1928") and these points alone warrant a score of over zero skulls. But take away the score I gave, and I still don't disagree with anything that was written.
Photo by Brant WintersteenThe problem is that, no matter how valid the arguments made are, they always seem to center on how the band members are such good musicians. Now while I admit that they are, I can only think…"So what?" The most intricate musical piece ever played would hold no esteem from me if I didn't like the song. And the simple fact is that, the reasons I listen to metal have nothing in common with Dream Theater. I listen because I like the aggression and the brutality; it reaches deep inside me and provides a constructive outlet for my frustrations. Or it provides a beautiful melody that I can sing along to and it raises my spirits. Dream Theater does none of this for me. I feel like it is heavy on fast played scales and modes, and light on heart.
Now I realize that by saying this, in many of your eyes, I'm gay. I'd like to point out to those people that that's really not the case, in actuality, we just have a difference of opinion. To be gay, I'd have to be one of two distinct things, either: 1) a very happy individual, or 2) a person that enjoys having sex with other men. I assure you I'm neither of these things. (I have sex with men, I just don't enjoy it… hey, maybe that's why I'm not a very happy individual… anyway, I digress.) But seriously, even the Dream Theater faithful have to admit, they're the type of band that you either love or hate, there is little room for middle ground.
Anyway, on to the show, it was pretty much just as I expected. They played their entire new concept record from beginning to end, including video screens and voice-overs that, along with the light show, could almost make me forget how boring the music really is. But personal opinion aside, they sounded great. The tech-heads out there will be happy to note that, with very rare exception, they hit just about every note right on. There were also a lot of lighters around the ballroom (and here I thought that was uncool), and the crowd couldn't get enough, which was surprising considering the amount of 50-somethings that were there. The set of Metropolis Part 2 was followed by a medley of their older material, which the fans seemed to enjoy even more (First time I've seen such an excited response to a medley.)
Photo by Brant WintersteenUnfortunately for me, there was almost no banter between songs, which just left the music to center my attention on. I spent most of my time being entertained by my friend, Death, pointing out all of the really "heavy" parts, to which I'd counter during all of the parts I thought sucked. So, all in all (thank God for alcohol)- I mean, I can't imagine a Dream Theater fan leaving the show unhappy because the presentation was quite good, especially on "Home", which was the highlight for me. And to all of my Dream Theater lovin' buddies who thought the live setting would bring me into the fold, I'm sorry I still just don't get it. But relax gentlemen (and ladies), all is not lost, we will continue metalling on together, I'll just use the time in which Dream Theater is on to grab a drink. Skol! (Score is not inclusive of my like/dislike of the material itself.)
Death's Review (2/26/00, Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY):
As I sat in the back of the cab on my way to the venue, I paused to allow myself a reflective moment. I was really psyched for this show. Sure, after a brutal week of work, part of me was simply looking forward to a night of music, beers, and the company of friends. But it was more than that. Way more. I felt that something special was going to happen that night. I was seeing Dream Theater, on the Scenes (my favorite album of 1999) tour. It was like seeing Queensryche on the Mindcrime tour, or even Pink Floyd touring with The Wall. It would be the first time Manhattan would have the pleasure of hearing this musical and conceptual masterpiece, and on a Saturday night to boot. Yeah, I was psyched.
Photo by Brant WintersteenAnd so was Musashi. Only as much, if not more, for the Dixie Dregs. So us non-pizza eaters hustled indoors in time to muscle up to a reasonable spot for the start of their set. My reaction? They're cool, but not really my thing. Good musicians, cool dual fiddle/guitar lines, awesome drummer (is it true he once was in Winger?), expert execution. But their all-instrumental set just wasn't heavy enough for my tastes, coming across as more Eric Johnson than Dream Theater. Oh well, I hung by the bar and tried to convince Abyss that Dream Theater were metal and how it wouldn't be long now before they came out on stage and showed the non-believer the error of his ways.
The moment arrived with the voice of the Hypnotist. A close-up of his mouth adorned the several video screens spread across the stage. Amidst incredibly excellent sound (for Roseland), a spectacular light show and the help of numerous visual aids to accentuate the lyrics, Dream Theater presented Scenes, without interruption, note for note. Absolutely awesome.
Photo by Brant WintersteenThe band looked metal; dressed in black, each member's hair was substantially longer than the last photos I had seen. They put on a great stage show. LaBrie's performance was especially inspired. Portnoy's kit was gorgeous, and he displayed his usual rhythmic virtuosity throughout the night. Petrucci shredded all night long, burning up and down the fret board with passionate strokes. The entire set. One album, start to finish. Pure and utter brilliance.
By the time Scenes was over, I was totally satisfied with an amazing concert. If it had ended right there, the show would get five skulls. But it didn't. They played "Peruvian Skies," from the last album, which sounded really cool in this setting. Then the band closed with a medley of older material, highlighted by a few neck snapping passages from a forgotten favorite of mine, "Fortune in Lies."
Days later, I'm still blown away. Dream Theater are probably right now at their creative and performance peak. You must see this show when it plays near you. I'm just hoping they come back to New York on a second leg.
Hel's Review (2/26/00, Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY):
First I must reassert (assuming I’ve already done so) my dislike of Roseland Ballroom as a venue. It’s too vast to be enjoyable. If a band is sold out, you don’t want to be near the stage because it’s too crowded and unpleasant, but if you are under six feet tall you can’t see the band otherwise. Not to mention that, in most cases, the act’s sound gets lost somewhere up in the rafters far, far above. Then there’s the element of a really bizarre crowd that attends these shows at no other venue in NYC beyond Roseland. All in all, I’d rather go anywhere else to see a show.
Photo by Brant WintersteenBut Dream Theater’s playing at Roseland, so there I go. After standing in an amazing line that wrapped around the block for hours. I base that statement on these facts: the line was there when we met for drinks at 6:30, the line was still there at 7 when our first team went to catch the beginning of the Dixie Dregs, was still there at 7:30 when I joined the line with the second team - following an all-important pizza run, and still far behind me when I, at last, entered the venue at 8.
So, the Dixie Dregs were well into their set when I arrived. After listening to them for several minutes, I realized that, while they are all extremely talented musicians, the Dregs just aren’t for me. I was never really far enough into guitar god rock - while I always appreciated Satriani, Vai, Johnson and the rest, I prefer it in small doses. I’m glad I got to see them, but I was also very glad I went for pizza.
Finally Dream Theater takes the stage. I can’t see a damn thing. As usual, all the six foot plus males are standing in front of me. Perhaps all the men in Manhattan are freakishly large - that would explain it... Anyway, picture Dream Theater playing their new album, Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory. There you have it. The only real deviation was an extended keyboard jam. Otherwise, they played it from the hypnotic opening to the end recording. And played it phenomenally well. From what I could see of them, they looked metal. I saw LaBrie with his back turned and his hair was almost down to his ass. Glad to see it.
Following their flawless rendition of their album, they played the entire song "Peruvian Skies" which was also awesome, just not necessarily the song I would have most wanted to hear, considering that it was the last one. That’s right, after that, they went into "Pull Me Under" which turned into a medley 1/2 way through. A little of everything, old, older, not even theirs... For example, for several minutes during the medley, Portnoy was sporting a Kiss mask, though they only played a quick 10 second little Kiss riff then the mask disappeared. A long while later, the medley ended, and then that was it. No more. Regardless of the fact that I was disappointed to not get more actual songs, it was a very long medley and it was quite enjoyable.
Photo by Brant WintersteenAll in all, it was an undeniably stellar performance by the DT boys. Yes, there are certainly songs I wanted to hear that they didn’t play. But, come on, they DID play an entire album. One that I gave 5 skulls to. Sheesh, of course I gotta give the show the same!
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