Dream Theater - Live At Budokan


Year of Release: 2004
Label: Atlantic
Catalog Number: 970366
Format: DVD
Total Time: 00:00:00

If you stop and think about how many great bands have played at Budokan and recorded a live album there, it is quite an impressive list. Everyone from Dylan to Cheap Trick has done it. Now it is time for the world's #1 prog-rock outfit to flex their muscles at the legendary venue. Dream Theater has released Live At Budokan, an awesome three CD set along with an accompanying two DVD set for the faithful to enjoy. Count me amongst the faithful; I have been since the early 90's when they turned around the floundering prog-rock scene with their dynamic album Images and Words.

Dream Theater has a way of combining metal, progressive, rock and fusion elements unlike any other band recording today. Their worldwide popularity speaks volumes and their eclectic brand of musical foreplay is what fuels the fire.

Each musician in this band is a star in his own right. Mike Portnoy (drums), Jordan Rudess (keyboards), John Myung (bass), John Petrucci (guitar) and James LaBrie (vocals) are well known for their work in the band framework of Dream Theater, however their solo endeavors have also received a lot of attention and their frequent guest appearances have brought considerably more interest to each individual member of the band.

A Dream Theater set is three hours long, hence the three CDs to capture one of their shows. The sound is superb and their playing does not get any better. The atmosphere and energy at Budokan is marvelously magical. The band takes full advantage of the setting and works the crowd into one huge mass of expressive energy.

The DVD is a wonderful treat as well, giving fans that have not had the pleasure of seeing them live an opportunity to experience DT on stage. The bonus DVD takes you into the dressing room and onto the stage at a sound check with the band. It is an up close and personal look at a humble and professional group of men. I really appreciate their candor and can see how much time and effort they put into each show they perform. The outcome of the CD and DVD tells the story.

This is a career-defining release that will leave an indelible imprint upon the history of progressive rock music. This is a must have for all DT and prog-rock enthusiasts.


Tracklisting:
Disc One: As I Am (7:25) / This Dying Soul (11:44) / Beyond This Life (19:37) / Hollow Years (9:18) / War Inside My Head (2:22) / The Test That Stumped Them All (5:00) Disc Two: Endless Sacrifice (11:16) / Instrumedley (12:15) / Trial Of Tears (13:49) / New Millennium (8:01) / Keyboard Solo (3:58) / Only A Matter Of Time (7:21) Disc Three: Goodnight Kiss (6:16) / Solitary Shell (5:58) / Stream Of Consciousness (10:54) / Disappear (5:56) / Pull Me Under (8:38) / In The Name Of God (15:49) DVD Disc One: Intro (0:52) / As I Am (7:41) / This Dying Soul (12:12) / Beyond This Life (19:33) / Hollow Years (9:19( / War Inside My Head (2:30) / The Test That Stumped Them All (4:52) / Endless Sacrifice (11:19) / Instrumedly (12:09) / Trail Of Tears (13:58) / New Millennium (7:58) / Keyboard Solo (3:58) / Only A Matter Of Time (7:25) / Goodnight Kiss (6:13) / Solitary Shell (5:51) / Stream Of Conciousness (10:54) / Disappear (5:54) / Pull Me Under (9:00) / In The Name Of God (17:35) / End Credits (3:13) DVD Disc Two: Riding The Train Of Though - Japanese Tour Documentary (29:49) / John Petrucci Guitar World (6:27) / Jordan Rudess Keyboard World (6:44) / Mike Portnoy Drum Solo (12:10) / The Dream Theater Chronicles - 2004 Tour Opening Video (5:44) / Instrumedley Multi-Angle (12:04)

Musicians:
James LaBrie - vocals John Myung - bass John Petrucci - guitars Mike Portnoy - drums and percussion Jordan Rudess - keyboards

Discography:
When Dreams and Day Unite (1989)
Images and Words (1992)
Live At The Marquee (1993)
Dream Out Loud (1994)
Awake (1994)
A Change in Season (1995)
Falling Into Infinity (1997)
Once In A Livetime (1998)
Scenes From A Memory (1999)
Cleaning Out The Closet (Xmas CD 1999) (1999)
Scenes From A World Tour - Christmas CD 2000 (2001)
Live Scenes From New York (2001)
Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence (2002)
Train Of Thought (2003)
Live At Budokan (2004)
Octavarium (2005)
Score (3CD) (2006)
Systematic Chaos (2007)
Greatest Hit (...And 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs) (2008)
Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009)
A Dramatic Turn Of Events (2011)
Dream Theater (2013)
Live At Luna Park (2013)
Breaking The Fourth Wall - Live From The Boston Opera House (2014)
The Astonishing (2016)
Distance Over Time (2019)

Metropolis 2000: Scenes From New York (DVD) (2001)
Live At Budokan (DVD) (2004)
Score (DVD) (2006)
Chaos In Motion (DVD) (2008)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: October 19th 2004
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.dreamtheater.net
Hits: 2245
Language: english

  

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