Sound: This was the first time Dream Theater had ever played at Wembley Arena without any mainstream bands on the same bill. Suprising, given the fan base that they have gained in the UK over their career. Only power-metallers Symphony-X were joined them for this show, and they deliver a fairly strong set (from what I saw, I came in half way through), although the sound was not the best, as the guitars echoed around the warehouse-like venue. But the show belongs to Dream Theater, and they deliver a strong set filled with classics and new songs, that would have pleased new and old fans alike. // 9
Perfomance: Their intro is one of the grandest I've ever seen at a show. Who better to get the proceedings underway than John Petrucci? He begins Constant Motion's opening riff, and before long the crowd is jumping and going wild. While the set isn't as long as it could have been, and there are a few classics missed out, the band makes up for it with the prog-tastic In The Presence Of Enemies, played at it's 30-minute entirety. Set List:
01. Constant Motion
02. Strange Deja-Vu
03. Blind Faith
04. Forsaken
05. Surrounded
06. The Dark Eternal Night
07. Keyboard Solo
08. Lines In The Sand
09. As I Am
11. I Walk Beside You
12. In The Presence Of Enemies
13. Shmedley Wilcox
I. Trial Of Tears
II. Finally Free
III. Learning To Live
IV. In The Name Of God
V. Octavarium (Razor's Edge)
The medley at the end was good, but I would have preferred maybe one or two full songs. I was also a bit disapointed not to have seen some of my favourite songs (Endless Sacrifice, Honor Thy Father, Liar, Panic Attack), but the spectacular performances they delivered made up for their absence. The visuals were also amazing. Not only did they offer a great intro but the band also showed they were able to show a humorous side, as they often have before. The props on stage were a little Spnal Tap(giant ants, signposts and a fully working NY traffic-light), but they were cool and went with the style of DT. // 8
Impression: If you want to see a good show (and have the patience to stand through a half-hour song) then you have to see Dream Theater. This wasn't their best, but they still proved that they are the masters of all that is epic and progressive in metal. I will definately be checking them out the next time they come over, it's definately an interesting experience! // 9
