Progressive metal maestros Dream Theater need no introduction. They are without a doubt the forerunners of the progressive metal genre worldwide. With the shocking and highly publicized departure of original founding member, drummer, and bandleader Mike Portnoy, and the recruitment of the astounding virtuoso Mike Mangini as his replacement, the anticipation for their latest record A Dramatic Turn of Events is impossible to overstate. This will be without a doubt the most highly scrutinized releases of the band’s career, and it is a great and pleasant surprise to report that it is by leaps and bounds their best work in over a decade.

Beginning with their first single song “On the Backs of Angels,” it is immediately apparent that this album will be a new and refreshing experience. It would not be entirely accurate to say the album hearkens back to the glorious days of old, yet there are definite nods to the band’s peak, with hints of Images and Words and Awake making appearances in a bridge here, or a melody there. Unsurprisingly Mangini’s drastically different technique is made apparent. His playing has a stronger emphasis on finesse and an intricate, musical style. There is definitely less punch, but it works much better with songs on display than Portony’s heavier, hard-hitting grooves he has been working with for the last few albums. The follow up track “Build Me Up, Break Me Down” is a catchy, very radio-friendly track with a superb chorus compliments of James Labrie, who sounds much more melodic and confident than he has in years, but definitely overdoes is a bit with the vocal effects that are frankly not needed. This is the most accessible song on the album by far, and one of my personal favorites.

“Lost Not Forgotten” is the first of several tracks in excess of ten minutes on display, and is vast and epic in scope. With the usual gradual buildup to the band’s trademark memorable choruses, the band’s absurd technical prowess is on full display with ever shifting time signatures, extensive instrumental passages, and frenetic and mind bending guitar/keyboard melodies. This is Dream Theater at their most technically impressive moments, and they play with Mangini as if he has always been there. The next song “This Is the Life” is one of several slower, “ballad” like songs, although the title doesn’t quite apply as there are some heavier moments. Though a solid track, this particular song does not quite feel like it belongs, and could have been cut from the release without it suffering in any significant way. “Bridges In the Sky” comes next, and is the heaviest song, with the standard melodic vocal lines backed with some powerful chugging riffs and stellar interplay between John Petrucci and Jordan Ruddess, who seem to be playing more harmonious than ever, complimenting one another while trying their best to outdo one another in a satisfying memorable way.

On an album with so many standout tracks and so much musical variety, its difficult to be objective in choosing a favorite track, yet in this case this honor goes hands down to “Outcry,” one of the best songs the band has ever released. It simply swells with memorable melodies, and gorgeous intro that comes full circle and also serves as the song’s outro, with beautiful, soaring vocals and even a small jazzy section that highlights a chemistry between John Myung and Mangini that will no doubt only tighten as they play together over the years. About six minutes a mind blowing instrumental passage begins that really shows the newfound enthusiasm and inspiration the band is currently working with. Simply gorgeous stuff. “Far From Heaven” is an okay filler track that warrants little conversation and is followed up with the album’s final epic “Breaking All Illusions,” the longest and most diverse piece on the record. There is so much going on in this one that it must be heard to be believed. There are some beautiful atmospheric keyboard passages with groovy bass guitar providing a solid foundation for Petrucci’s delicate guitar wizardly. A fantastic closing song. I call it the closing song because “Beneath the Surface,” the final track on the release is another silly throwaway ballad that I could do without.

As per usual for the band, the production is top notch, perhaps a bit cleaner than the post Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence albums (as a result of the lessened emphasis on metallic heaviness), and every instrument is given its moment to shine. Dream Theater have crafted their finest release since the sudden and disappointing shift to heavier metal with Train of Thought.

The Bottom Line: For fans of their earlier work, this is a fine return to form, and with the exception of a few slightly confusing hyper mellow pieces, an overall excellent Dream Theater album.

Songs to Watch Out For: Build Me Up Break Me Down, Outcry, Breaking All Illusions