Progressive Nation preview

Progressive Nation Tour
Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont
Tuesday, May 13, 2008

In 1992, Dream Theater probably didn’t foresee their first hit single, “Pull Me Under,” would also be their last hit single. They were only two records into their career at that point; surely hits would follow. Yet, here we are 16 years — and a lot of albums later — and you’re as likely to hear Anal Blast on commercial radio as Dream Theater.

That didn’t stop Dream Theater, who have sold more than 8-million records worldwide, from releasing a greatest hits compilation, though. Actually, a greatest hit – singular – compilation. Last month the cheekily titled Greatest Hit ( . . . And 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs) showed up in stores and the band desperately try to prove they do write radio-worthy rock songs and not just 10-minute wank fests. The set’s 22 songs are split between two discs: The Dark Side (the more metallic, aggressive cuts) and The Light Side (more melodic tunes). “In picking the tracks for this compilation, I decided to focus on the first two aforementioned sides of the band in order to create an easily digestible introduction to our music for the uninitiated,” drummer Mike Portnoy says in the liner notes.

Something tells us on their current tour – it being called Progressive Nation and all – you’ll hear more 11-minute epics like “Endless Sacrifice” than four-minute ditties like “The Silent Man.” Portnoy and co. handpicked the openers for the tour and deserve kudos for putting together a varied, versatile lineup. Swedish death metal masters Opeth, on the verge of releasing their new record Watershed (Roadrunner; June 3rd), are the most well-known of the three groups, but concert goers will do themselves a favor by arriving early enough to see Three. The End Is Begun (2006; re-released by Metal Blade as a special edition last year) is a perfect combination of galloping riffs and soaring melodies — this is what many of us metal fans wish Coheed & Cambria sounded like. The most unpredictable act of the night are Between The Buried And Me. “Foam Born (A) The Backtrack,” the first track from last year’s Colors (Victory), sounds equally Coldplay, Queen, and Weezer, but never metal until, with about 30 seconds left, frontman Tommy Rogers starts growling like Kong and drummer Black Richardson follows with a round of rapid-fire double bass. The song dissolves directly into “(B)” The Decade Of Statues,” which sounds like Dream Theater on a Carnage kick. When they aren’t tripping over lazy metalcore clichés, BTBAM are an interesting listen.

— Trevor Fisher

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly