...SIŁA I PIĘKNO MUZYKI TKWIĄ W JEJ RÓŻNORODNOŚCI...


..::OPIS::..

This compilation contains many interesting gems for fans of Dream Theater's early days, particularly the period leading up to the creation of their 1992 masterpiece Images and Words. It includes early instrumental demos of well-known songs such as 'Metropolis' and 'Learning to Live', as well as audition tapes from the long two year period when the band didn’t have a vocalist, until they finally found James LaBrie, who helped shape their sound.

One of the most interesting tracks in this compilation is the early demo of 'A Change of Seasons'. This song was initially supposed to be recorded in 1992 for Images and Words, but it was eventually released three years later on a separate EP, in a much better version than the one presented here.

The first thing you'll notice is that the length of this track is 6 minutes shorter than its final version (which clocks in at 23 minutes!). After that, you'll realize how many changes the song underwent from this early version to its final release. Unlike the official version, this demo starts without the well-known acoustic intro and jumps straight into some claustrophobic, piercing guitar riffs, accompanied by synth strings. Then there's a familiar riff from the final version that makes me wonder how much of the song’s final form was written by Kevin Moore (the former keyboardist who plays in this demo but left before the final version of the song was released in 1995).

While this 17-minute-long track is still quite epic, with an enormous amount of interesting guitar riffs and hypnotizing keyboard layers, it's clear that the final version is much more polished. The lyrics, written by drummer Mike Portnoy and based on his personal life, are mostly similar to the final version but lack some of its edge. Chris Cintron, who sings on this recording, has a nice voice when staying in his middle range, but when he starts singing in his upper register, his timbre becomes somewhat whiny, which can be irritating to hear.

It's an epic track with tons of instrumental sections, tempo changes, and dynamic variation, but it's still very raw. While it’s interesting to hear if you're already familiar with the final version, the vocals detract from an otherwise not fully developed song with tons of potential.

The 1991 ATCO demos with James LaBrie are absolutely amazing, with 'To Live Forever' being the most interesting, as it was never officially released on any of the band's albums. It starts with a hypnotizing clean guitar riff that sets a very spiritual tone for the song. Then LaBrie joins in with his angelic clean voice, delivering a great performance for the emotionally deep and philosophical lyrics that may or may not make you reflect on your life and the world around you. There are some amazing guitar solos by John Petrucci throughout the song—very melodic and uplifting—and with the atmospheric keyboard harmonies of Kevin Moore, they reach even greater heights. It's a wonderful song with fantastic lyrics and an addictive atmosphere.

I also really liked the 1991 demo of 'Take the Time'. It has a lively, fast tempo, an excellent groove, and LaBrie's vocal delivery is almost perfect. The chorus is very catchy, and the verses feature different vocal melodies and background instrumentation, making the song constantly engaging—there's not a dull moment. The instrumental section before the outro may be one of Dream Theater's best instrumental moments in their career. The synth solo by Kevin Moore is jaw-dropping; it's very melodic and dynamic, showcasing some fast shred abilities, but in the right measure. This is one of Dream Theater's greatest hits, and the demo recorded here is full of energy and liveliness.

If you've never heard 'Images and Words' or the final version of 'A Change of Seasons' before, I suggest familiarizing yourself with them first before diving into this compilation. It works best if you're already familiar with the final versions of the songs, as you can then go back in time and hear how they were initially created and performed, when the band members were much younger and perhaps more 'hungry.'

This compilation is highly recommended for any Dream Theater fan, offering some interesting performances and arrangements, as well as for prog metal fans in general who enjoy music that is as innovative and epic as possible.

Human666



..::TRACK-LIST::..

CD 1:
Instrumental Demos 1989-1991
1. Metropolis
2. Take The Time
3. Learning To Live
4. Under A Glass Moon

Vocalist Audition Demos 1990
5. Don't Look Past Me (Vocals-John Hendricks)
6. To Live Forever (Vocals-John Hendricks)
7. To Live Forever (Vocals-Steve Stone)
8. A Change Of Seasons (Vocals-Chris Cintron)


CD 2:
The ATCO Demos 1991
1. Metropolis
2. To Live Forever
3. Take The Time

Pre-Production Demos 1991
4. Pull Me Under
5. Another Day
6. Surrounded
7. Under A Glass Moon
8. Wait For Sleep
9. Learning To Live
10. Oliver's Twist



..::OBSADA::..

James LaBrie - Vocals 
John Petrucci - Guitar 
Kevin Moore - Keyboards 
John Myung - Bass 
Mike Portnoy - Drums



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgbJ_v18t4Q



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