Dream Theater - Scenes From New York - VHS

Mark · January 7th, 2002, 10:39 PM

Dream Theater - Scenes From New York - VHS
By Philip Whitehouse

Before I bought this video, I had never heard anything by Dream Theater except a single dodgy bootleg live MP3 of Fatal Tragedy. Rodrigo had suggested I check them out long before, and on the day I sighted this video sitting on a shelf in HMV, I was feeling particularly affluent and adventurous, and promptly impulse-bought it.

It turned out to be one of the wisest purchases I ever made. Documenting the band's last performance of 'Metropolis Part 2 - Scenes From A Memory', it combines all of the aspects of a Dream Theater performance in their perfect format - these guys shouldn't be doing live concerts, they should be directing films!

The album being performed is a concept one, and rather than taking the easy route by performing the songs and doing little else, Dream Theater have gone one better and incorporated actors (both on the video screen in the background and onstage with the band), psychedelic visuals mixed with photographs and films clips pertinent to the story and, at one point, a gospel choir.

Typically of a progressive metal band, the instrumental virtuosity of the band members is phenomenal, and every aspect of the music is absolutely faultless. What can't be emphasised enough is the emotional impact of some of the songs - when the music is presented in conjunction with the film clips, visuals, concept etcetera, the full feeling of the songs is forced directly into your consciousness - I for one am completely comfortable with admitting that the second time I watched 'The Spirit Carries On' being performed, a tear came to my eye.

I can't recommend this video enough - the perfect testimony to the works of a fabulous band.

10/10

goregoat · August 8th, 2002, 11:04 PM

wow...but they all still the great...

September 30th, 2002, 08:31 AM

Dream Theater just...... rules!!

Lukas666 · December 9th, 2002, 04:31 AM

It is fucking great video.Dream Theater are the best in the style they play.No other comments,it is not needed.

slayerg2 · October 19th, 2003, 03:27 PM

Outstanding DVD. Highly recommend

Negus · April 21st, 2005, 10:06 PM

I fell asleep while watching it

Barking Pumpkin · April 26th, 2005, 02:41 PM

The film clips on the DVD were really bad. I wouldn't have had a problem with them being there except that for half the DVD they just show you what's going on on the dumb video screen. I don't want to see their silly video, I want to see them performing the songs.

Aurelian · April 29th, 2005, 05:57 AM

yeah this is a great DVD, highly recommended

GhostOfPerdition · April 22nd, 2006, 06:02 PM

Awful acting segments and cheesy effects, although the show and the playing is amazing. Dream Theater isn't very emotional though.

Tubbs · April 23rd, 2006, 08:31 PM

Good to see people actually like DT on this forum.

I obviously want to see this video. (And I'm ashamed that I haven't seen it sooner.)

skinnypuppy · May 18th, 2006, 10:31 PM

been a big fan for a while now, nice review. ill check it out

Baranoi · February 18th, 2008, 03:10 AM

Give me that DVD! Metropolis Part 2 is in my opinion the best album ever made, so I think I really need to see this movie.

MetalZepplein · October 21st, 2009, 05:48 PM

http://metalzeppelin.blogspot.com/

Updated with new music eveyrday

Heather83 · October 28th, 2009, 11:49 AM

What an awesome dvd!

CharltonChars · February 2nd, 2012, 11:14 PM

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see Dream Theater live on their Metropolis 2000 World Tour!