This is my review of Dream Theaters new album Black Cliuds and Silver Linings, These are my opinions and no one elses. (Moved from my Old Blog)

A Nightmare to Remember - I can see this being a good opening live track with a Atmospheric opening, heavy kick in to whip the crowd into a frenzy and more chilled sections. In short this song seems to have everything heavy chunky riffs, lots of "widdling" from Petrucci and Rudess, sections that will be great to sing-a-long to live. Not sure about the Portnoy sung / Growling verse but I can forgive that for the rest of this epic song.

A Rite of Passage - I've listened to this more than any of the other tracks and really wasn't sure when I first heard it however the song grew on me massively and hearing it live in Leeds was quality, this song has a Megadeth feel to it in places for me, which in my opinion isn't a bad thing as I like Megadeth, I wonder whether touring with Dave Mustaine on Gigantour had an influence when writing this track. Like the track and I'm sure it will become a mainstay live for a long time to come.

Wither - First impression is WOW I love this song, a first class piece of writing and I cannot wait to hear this track played live.

The Shattered Fortress - the final section to Mike Portnoy's 12 Steps AA Saga, As has been mentioned this song remixes /re-hashes a lot of the earlier parts of the Saga, personally my least favourite track on the album although I still enjoy it and it'll be interesting to hear it along with the rest of the AA Suite.

The Best of Times - I heard an interview with Mike explaining this song as a tribute to his father who sadly passed away during the recording of this album and what it meant to him to be able to play it to his father Howard, this song has a very Rush type feeling to the song.

The Count of Tuscany - A new epic to add to the catalogue and an Immense song at that has definite nods to earlier DT tracks in it, in my opinion anyway, it think this will need more listens to truly appreciate it fully.

All in all a great album and not since I first listened to Scenes from a Memory have I enjoyed a new album as much as this one. A definite recommendation from me to go and buy it. The one thing i don't like is the horrible cardboard/Paper CD Sleeves.