SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DREAM THEATER – LOST NOT FORGOTTEN ARCHIVES: LIVE IN TOKYO, 2010

DREAM THEATER
LOST NOT FORGOTTEN ARCHIVES: LIVE IN TOKYO, 2010
CENTURY MEDIA

Live albums are often a great way to capture a band’s raw energy and talent but can sometimes be tricky to pull off in a successful manner. Dream Theater’s recent release, Lost Not Forgotten Archives: Live In Tokyo, 2010 manages to victoriously convey their live experience in album form. This album features live tracks from the band’s studio albums Images and Words, Systematic Chaos, and Black Clouds & Silver Linings, and showcases the booming and technical skills of Dream Theater as a unit.

This newest release opens with “A Nightmare to Remember,” which jumpstarts the listener into a spirited 15-min experience that particularly highlights both Mike Portnoy’s resonant drums and John Petrucci’s meticulous guitar. As the listener continues down the tracklist and reaches “Wither,” they are treated to a more vocal-focused power ballad, during which James LaBrie delivers a heartfelt and impactful performance.

During “The Count of Tuscany,” the music does drag a slight bit, with the 21-min song becoming quite tiring to the ears. While the song itself is beautiful, the fatigue from the band does reflect in the sound of this recording, particularly when it comes to Jordan Rudess’ keyboards, which sometimes feel slightly misaligned with the other instruments at times. This piece also drags due to the long gaps between vocals from LaBrie. While it does create tension live, it doesn’t translate well to the album.

Overall, the album feels just like what it is: a live performance packaged into an album. The vibe of the release is consistently filled with liveliness and will be enjoyable to both new fans and diehards alike. The highest highs come from the masterful instrumentals, especially during solos and quicker tempoed songs, which allow for the flourishing of the band’s abilities. This live recording encapsulates Dream Theater’s artistry and is definitely something that fans of progressive metal should give a listen to.

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