Dream Theater

DT Fans,

Just been to DT's 2012 show in Seoul, Korea.. just a few notes to share my impression..

1. Too short of a show for the money!

In Korea, they agency sold so called the "reserved seats" for 120 US$, so the money does not go to the members directly, but when Mr. LaBrie, in his opening comment that "we will have a good time for the next TWO hours..." , I instantly felt the premonition that this show is not going to be the same DT shows used to be which at least lasted three hours or more...what happened to DT's passion for sevicing eagerly waited fans? They even played Deep Purple's "Highway Star" at one of the Korean shows in the past!

As the last curtain call song "Pull Me Under" ended, the members look determined not to play any more, as they bowed, hand in hand, goodbye to the audience who waited more for more than three years. Looked that they almost lack sincerity.

2. Gradually decreasing musical inspiration

This is a heart- breaking comment for me but I still think their musical acme was in the "Images and Words," "Scenes from a Memory" era and passing through "Octavarium," "Systematic Chaos," "BCSL" era, they gradually lost their musical genius or "kick" that make listener shiver and deeply moved by the pure musical joy. You just don't get that electricity when you listen songs like "Pull me Under," "Panic Attack," and pardon me, that isn't this the reason that Mr. Portnoy left the band?..Musical drought..

In sum, the band still is the best technicians in the world with Mr. Mangini just manic, but why I feel so empty that I could even feel more electricity when I listen to Gaga's "Born this Way," than most of the songs in the new CD..

I hope their turn truly goes to a dramatic direction and reaches to a level with the likes of Pink Floyd, Rush or even today's Frost* or Porcupine Tree.

Cheers for DT!