A Dramatic Turn of Events
Dream Theater · 2011
77 min · 9 tracks · progressive metal
A sweeping tapestry of intricate melodies and dynamic rhythms, blending technical prowess with emotive storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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On the Backs of Angels Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a powerful tone with its blend of soaring melodies and complex arrangements, encapsulating the band's signature style.
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Bridges in the Sky — This track showcases a masterful interplay between heavy riffs and haunting vocals, illustrating the band's ability to merge intensity with lyrical depth.
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Breaking All Illusions — Closing out the album, this epic composition weaves intricate musical themes together, serving as a testament to Dream Theater's technical virtuosity and emotional range.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases ambitious compositions and technical prowess, though it has some uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The final track features a gradual build-up to a climactic finish, contrasting with the more energetic pieces earlier in the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- gradual builds and payoffs
- atmospheric background focus
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows the band's continued vitality after a significant lineup change.
- Themes
- personal reinvention· musical transition· emotional catharsis
- Career context
- Released on September 13, 2011, A Dramatic Turn of Events marks Dream Theater's first album after the departure of drummer Mike Portnoy. This album arrives during a period of transition for the band, as they sought to redefine their sound and solidify their lineup with new drummer Mike Mangini.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Symphony X· Opeth· Fates Warning
Tracklist
- 1 On the Backs of Angels Start here 8:42
- 2 Build Me Up, Break Me Down 6:59
- 3 Lost Not Forgotten 10:11
- 4 This Is the Life 6:57
- 5 Bridges in the Sky 11:01
- 6 Outcry 11:24
- 7 Far From Heaven 3:56
- 8 Breaking All Illusions 12:25
- 9 Beneath the Surface 5:26
What to play next
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Heritage
Opeth
Explores personal and musical evolution through a rich tapestry of progressive elements and emotive lyricism.
The Incident
Porcupine Tree
Shares intricate arrangements and a narrative style that delves into themes of transformation and introspection.
Iconoclast
Symphony X
Combines technical proficiency with thematic depth, reflecting on change and emotional journeys in a progressive framework.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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