The daddy of prog metal drumming finally came home with the milk. Almost 40 years after co- founding Dream Theater and 13 since leaving to explore other musical avenues, Mike Portnoy returned in 2023 to much jubilation. If excitement was already at red-hot levels, it boiled over with the news that the New Yorkers were immediately starting work on album 16.
Parasomnia is as forward-thinking as you can get while offering a heavy dose of nostalgia. Co-written by Portnoy, it carries a darkness seldom tapped during the band’s decade-and-a-bit with predecessor Mike Mangini. Night Terror matches the overtones of its title, as ominous arpeggios ring from John Petrucci’s guitar. Yet it’s also a celebration of Dream Theater’s ‘classic’ line-up reuniting. During the 10-minute single, and on the equally impressive, double-the-length finale, The Shadow Man Incident, keyboardist Jordan Rudess busts out wobbly solos atop Portnoy and bassist John Myung’s erratic rhythms. Frontman James LaBrie gets his time in the sun too, sinking his teeth into some particularly powerful choruses.
