Dream Theater--Falling Into Infinity

Dream Theater--Falling Into Infinity (1997) Rating--8.2

A very pleasant and refreshing offering from the DT boys. A good mix of slower, atmospheric songs with several pure shredders. I know a few DT fans have said they don't like this one as much as the band's older stuff, and I'm not exactly sure why---unless it's because it's not totally, unabashed prog. The keyboards are still there, but (thankfully, if you ask me) they don't smother the recording like happened on occasion in the past.
The songs that blister are "Peruvian Skies," "Burning My Soul," and "Just Let Me Breathe".
"Peruvian Skies" starts out in a slow and moody vein, and begins to descend around the 3:15 mark. A minute later there is another tempo pickup, and it rolls with a vengeance until the end. All parts click on this one---drums, guitar, and bass. A fine-tuned experience, and the setup (slow-to-heavy) reminds a bit of Judas Priest's Cathedral Spires---though "Peruvian" is more technical and not as bottom heavy.
"Burning" is a pure bulldozer, and "Just Let..." is full of riffs as well.
Other heavy highlights include parts of the opening track, "New Millennium". This one checks in at over eight minutes, and features a nice prog mix throughout---going from metallic layers to lighter keyboard segments. "Lines in the Sand" has good buildups intermixed, and "You Not Me" is solid, sounding a lot like the recent Queensryche material.
On the flip side of the emotional spectrum are several strong melodic cuts, including the slower "Hollow Years". Good vocal work by LaBrie (who might be a bit toned down on this release), as well as being framed around a little spanish influence? In fact, this actually reminds me a little of a progressive Eagles!! Hmmmmm....
"Anna Lee" has great emotion, as the blend of piano work and an absolutely soaring vocal chorus are undeniable. The disc closes with the three part, 13-minute cut "Trial of Tears," which has several sections with good drive.
In all, a fulfilling release from a band that is actually expanding a bit---outside of pure progressiveness. I just wish Petrucci would be allowed to cut loose for an entire album. One of the more underrated axe players in metal today...
TRACK LIST: New Millennium/You Not Me/Peruvian Skies/Hollow Years/Burning My Soul/Hell's Kitchen/Lines in the Sand/Take Away My Pain/Just Let Me Breathe/Anna Lee/Trial of Tears: I--It's Raining; II--Deep In Heaven; III--The Wasteland

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