Saturday, November 9, 2024
It has been three weeks since Dream Theater started their 40th anniversary tour in London, performing their first concert with Mike Portnoy on drums in over 14 years. The new album ”Parasomnia” will not be released until February 2025, so tonight’s setlist was almost a Greatest Hits from their entire career, chosen and compiled by Portnoy, who has always been the band’s setlist maker.
And the cheers were deafening as they kicked off the evening’s three-hour prog metal marathon with the classic “Metropolis—Part I: ‘The Miracle and the Sleeper’” from “Images And Words,” which was well represented at the beginning and end of the concert, along with their other major album, ”Scenes From A Memory” – as the next couple of songs were “Overture 1928” and “Strange Déjà Vu” from that album.
Many were wondering beforehand whether the Mangini era would be completely omitted from the history books, but no, Portnoy had been generous enough to include both “Barstool Warrior” in the first set and the ballad “This Is The Line” in the second set, which after a 20-minute break kicked off with the only new song, “Night Terror.”
Absolutely everyone in the audience was well aware that gentlemen Portnoy, Petrucci, Myung, and Rudess deliver at an inhumanly high musical level. No one was anxious about Jordan Rudess’s current form, nor were they worried about whether John Petrucci would be able to hit the highest notes on guitar solos he recorded 30 years ago. No, the band’s uncertain element has always been vocalist James LaBrie, and the elephant in the room has long been whether he could deliver as expected. In recent years, there have been increasingly sour and shrill tones from his throat, and we in the audience have often gritted our teeth, casting skeptical and questioning glances at each other when it shrieked the most. LaBrie has received a lot of flak, and discussions have raged online about whether he’s due for replacement soon, after 33 years as the band’s voice.
But on this evening in Oslo Spektrum, James LaBrie was a very pleasant surprise. Setting aside that his vocals were buried deep in the mix while all the instruments were crystal clear, I honestly didn’t catch a single word from the lyrics of ”Metropolis,” but it got better over time. But it didn’t sound bad at all. One might suspect that they had an unnamed hero working miracles with the frequencies on the vocals from the mixing board, because if you saw LaBrie on stage in the 2010s, you would never have believed that he would manage to hit the notes while screaming ‘trapped inside this octavarium!’ (which goes all the way up to G5) in 2024 without it going completely wrong, but it indeed sounded good. LaBrie also has the luxury of singing in a band that can effortlessly perform a 12-minute instrumental (“Stream Of Consciousness” from “Train Of Thought”) halfway through without the audience batting an eye, before diving straight into a 24-minute song (“Octavarium”) where the vocals don’t come in until five or six minutes in. James actually had ample time to leave the Spektrum at the end of ”Vacant,” stroll up to Oslo S to buy a Big Mac, eat it, and return to the Spektrum in time to jump back on stage to join the vocals six minutes into “Octavarium.”
The other man the fans were excited to see this evening was undoubtedly the prodigal son, Mike Portnoy. And he was clearly having a good time at work. One might argue that Mike Mangini is a bit sharper behind the drums, but Portnoy remains the heart of Dream Theater – something has been missing since he left in 2010, and it is back now. Portnoy certainly takes up much more space on stage, and he does his part in vocal harmonies along the way, although that may not be his strongest suit.
The evening’s climax probably came during the encores, when the audience had had enough of sitting in their seats. Everyone jumped to their feet during “Home,” thousands of mobile phones lit up the venue while the singalong resonated under the otherworldly beautiful “The Spirit Carries On,” and every head nodded in time to the concluding “Pull Me Under.” LaBrie announced that they would be back in 2025, and then there will be a completely different setlist, featuring the entire new album ”Parasomnia.”
It definitely felt like Dream Theater is back on track with Portnoy in the band again. The chemistry is back, with not a single negative word to say about Mike Mangini. But on this evening in Oslo Spektrum, DT delivered three hours of top-tier prog metal, with a setlist that satisfied the fans immensely. It was simply a great joy to see this lineup together again, and there were hardly any sourpusses leaving the Spektrum disappointed that Saturday night. 5/6
Text: Geir Amundsen
Photo: Anne-Marie Forker
(By the way, we had a long and nice chat with Mike Portnoy earlier in the day, and what he had to say can be read in the next issue of Norway Rock Magazine, along with the review of “Parasomnia,” which we have been listening to over the past weeks. Subscribe here!)
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Time.news Editor: Good evening, and welcome to this exclusive interview! We’re joined today by music expert and Dream Theater aficionado, Dr. Emily Hartman. Emily, thank you for being here.
Dr. Emily Hartman: Thanks for having me! I’m excited to discuss Dream Theater’s recent performance and their upcoming album.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive right in. Dream Theater recently kicked off their 40th anniversary tour with Mike Portnoy back on drums after a long hiatus. How significant was this reunion for the band and their fans?
Dr. Emily Hartman: It’s monumental! Mike Portnoy is often considered the heart and soul of Dream Theater. His return not only stirs nostalgia for long-time fans but also rekindles the chemistry that made the band so special. The energy he brings to the stage is unmatched. It’s like the band found its missing piece after over a decade.
Time.news Editor: The setlist for the concert was essentially a Greatest Hits compilation, with Portnoy curating the selections. From a musical standpoint, how did the inclusion of tracks from various albums enhance the concert experience?
Dr. Emily Hartman: Curating a setlist is an art form in itself, especially for a band with such a rich catalog. By mixing classics from ”Images and Words” and “Scenes From A Memory” with tracks from the Mangini era, this set really celebrated the band’s entire history. It gave both long-time listeners and newer fans a chance to appreciate the evolution of their sound.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of the Mangini era, there was speculation about whether those songs would be included. How do you think this decision reflects the band’s attitude toward their own legacy?
Dr. Emily Hartman: Including songs like “Barstool Warrior” and “This Is The Line” shows a willingness to embrace their past, regardless of the controversy surrounding Portnoy’s departure. It signifies that Dream Theater acknowledges every chapter of their journey, allowing fans to connect with all facets of their music. That’s a mature approach to legacy-building.
Time.news Editor: Now, let’s discuss vocalist James LaBrie. There have been concerns about his vocal performance in recent years. How did he fare during this concert?
Dr. Emily Hartman: LaBrie surprised many! Though his vocals seemed a bit buried in the mix early on, he gradually regained steam as the night continued. It’s worth noting that Dream Theater allows for intricate instrumental segments, which give him breathing room. The fact that he could hit those high notes effectively, particularly in a challenging song like “Octavarium,” speaks volumes about his resilience and skill.
Time.news Editor: He indeed garnered mixed reactions from fans over the years. Do you think this performance changes the narrative surrounding his vocal capabilities?
Dr. Emily Hartman: Absolutely. This performance could shift perceptions back to a more positive view. LaBrie showcased his ability to adapt and deliver despite previous criticisms. It also raises an interesting question about the band dynamics and whether he can continue to defend his place as the band’s frontman or if discussions about future replacements will reignite.
Time.news Editor: Now, what about Mike Portnoy’s stage presence? There have been varied opinions on his drumming versus that of Mike Mangini. What sets Portnoy apart?
Dr. Emily Hartman: Portnoy’s charisma and flair are hard to replicate. While Mangini is technically impeccable, Portnoy’s emotional playing and engaging stage presence bring a certain vibrancy to the performance. His connection with the audience keeps that live energy alive, and you can visibly see how much he enjoys being back with the band. It transforms the experience for both fans and musicians alike.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like this concert was quite the experience for attendees. with the new album “Parasomnia” set to be released in February 2025, what should fans expect?
Dr. Emily Hartman: Given the excitement around this tour and the creative synergy between Portnoy and the rest of the band, I think fans can expect a powerful blend of their classic sound and perhaps new explorations. This tour seems to mark a rebirth of sorts, and I anticipate that ”Parasomnia” will reflect that innovative spirit along with emotional depth that Dream Theater is known for.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Emily! It’s been a pleasure discussing Dream Theater and their incredible journey. We look forward to seeing where they go next!
Dr. Emily Hartman: Thank you! Always a pleasure to chat about such an iconic band.