Originally published in Metal Hammer magazine (Spain) 424 · July 2025
gig review (excerpts)
Zamora (June 12, 13, and 14, 2025)
ReviewTranslated2 min read
Translated from the original language with Google Translate, so the wording may differ from what was actually said.
Z! Live Rock Fest 2025
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The return of Mike Portnoy, beloved by audiences not only for his overwhelming drumming skills but also for his infectious charm, sparked renewed enthusiasm among the regulars at the theater of dreams. The release, as a certification of the union in the form of their new album, Parasomnia, whose recording is quite pleasant, far from being one of their masterpieces, predicted a show that was, to say the least, exciting. It’s true that the songs from the latest album work well (‘Night Terror’, ‘Panic Attack’, and ‘Midnight Messiah’), among great songs like ‘Under A Glass Moon’, ‘Act I: Scene Two: II’, and ‘Act I: Scene Two: II’. Strange Deja-Vu’ or ‘Peruvian Skies’ and its fairground-like interludes with Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ or Metallica’s ‘Wherever I May Roam’ integrated into the aforementioned tune. Still, there were disjointed periods that didn’t capture the full attention of the crowd, which was more polarized than ever. Dream Theater made the wise decision to close with ‘Pull Me Under’ and win over the entire community with such a timeless artifact. A bittersweet reunion for a headliner of such renown.
Original text
Z! Live Rock Fest 2025
Zamora (12, 13 y 14 de Junio de 2025)
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El regreso de Mike Portnoy, tan querido por el público no solo por sus apabullantes dotes a la batería, sino también por su simpatía contagiosa, despertó un nuevo entusiasmo para los habituales asistentes al teatro de los sueños. El lanzamiento, como certificación de la unión en clave de nuevo disco, Parasomnia, cuyo registro resulta bastante agradable lejos de ser una de sus obras cumbres, vaticinaba un espectáculo, como mínimo, excitante. Es cierto que los temas del último plástico funcionan bien (‘Night Terror’, ‘Panic Attack’ o ‘Midnight Messiah’), entre grandes canciones como ‘Under A Glass Moon’, ‘Act I: Scene Two: II. Strange Deja-Vú’ o ‘Peruvian Skies’ y sus intervalos de atracción de feria con ‘Wish You Were Here’ de Pink Floyd o ‘Whereaver I May Roam’ de Metallica integrados en la susodicha tonada. Aún así hubo periodos inconexos y que no atraparon la atención total del gentío que estaba más polarizado que nunca. Dream Theater tuvo la sabia decisión de cerrar con ‘Pull Me Under’ y meterse en el bolsillo a toda la comunidad con semejante artefacto atemporal. Agridulce reencuentro para un cabeza de cartel de ese renombre.