Dream Theater

A Dramatic Turn Of Events (Roadrunner Records)

New drummer, same insane technique

Rating: 4 out of 5

Interest in this new offering would have been high enough without the well publicised issues concerning the band's vacant drum stool.

With former Extreme and Vai tub-thumper Mike Mangini now established as the man who's job it is to hammer out the band's ultracomplex time signatures. DT seem to have received a shot in the arm - upping the intensity of their music to a hitherto unparalleled level.

The dual runs between guitarist John Petrucci and keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess remain staggering in their technical proficiency and the album as a whole is exactly what fans will have hoped for: thick riffs. songs in 15/16 time and John Myung bass solos. [SB]

For fans of: Metallica, Symphony X, Korn

Standout tracks: ‘Lost Not Forgotten’, This Is The Life’, ‘Outcry’