Dream Theater/Chiba,Japan 2022

Two years after the cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DREAM THEATER’s 14th visit to Japan has finally come true. Here is the best original recording that conveys the scene. Of course, what is recorded in this work is the “August 14, 2022: Makuhari Messe” performance. It is a superb audience recording recorded when they were the final act of “DOWNLOAD JAPAN”. DREAM THEATER is currently in top form. Their new work “A VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD” released last year is highly regarded worldwide as a masterpiece for the first time in a long time, and it has been highly praised for the first time in over a decade on major evaluation sites such as progarchives and RTM. To top it off, “The Alien” won its first Grammy Award, and it seems that they are in their prime for the umpteenth time. First of all, let’s look back on their recent situation on the schedule and check the show’s position. 2021: October 22nd, “A VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD” released. 2022: February 2nd – March 21st: North America (32 performances) April 3rd: 64th Grammy Awards April 20th – June 1st: Europe (29 performances) August 10th + 14th: Asia (2 performances) ←★here★ August 31st – September 10th: South America (4 performances) This is the 2021/2022 schedule that has been announced so far. In 2020, not only the visit to Japan but also the world tour was suspended, and in the following year, 2021, “A VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD” was announced, but no live performances were held. The tour is scheduled to start in 2022 and continue until South America next month. The appearance on “DOWNLOAD JAPAN” was one of the “Asia” scenes, which only had two performances, along with Singapore just before. It was the first time in five years and it was a one-night performance in Japan. This work, which vacuum-packed such a precious scene, is truly the finest work. It is the original master of this work only by Mr. “Western Japan’s Strongest Taper”, who is familiar to us in our shop, but frankly, we can only give the highest praise, saying “soundboard class” and “as if it’s official”. When you listen carefully with headphones, it seems to suck in a slightly thick sound, but the core with a very thick and powerful rush breaks through the sound and completely offsets the sense of distance. It is a superb sound that is dynamic yet has a sense of closeness. It seems that the best and natural thing to do when it comes to Mr. “Strongest”‘s collection, but this time it has a slightly different meaning. After all, this “DOWNLOAD JAPAN” was also talked about as the sound of the on-site PA was not very good. In fact, a recording that supports that reputation has arrived, and I thought, “No matter how masterful the recording master of the present generation is, this time will be tough…”. However, it was still amazing this time. Apparently, this was also due to the effect of the newly introduced microphone. Mr. “Strongest” is good at recording HR/HM music, and has already conquered Makuhari Messe. He predicted that this time it would be a loud sound, and prepared the appropriate equipment. Mr. “Strongest”‘s collection has always been known for “sounding better than what you hear on-site”, and this time too…no, this time he shows off his amazingness. The sound that transcends the site depicts a utopia of progressive metal, which has won a Grammy Award and is on a roll. First, let’s organize the set. After Mangini joined A View From the Top of the World: The Alien/Awaken the Master/Invisible Monster/A View From the Top of the World A Dramatic Turn of Events: Bridges in the Sky Portnoy era 90s: Pull Me Under/6:00 2000s: Endless Sacrifice/The Count of Tuscany … and so on. An epic show that focuses on new songs from “A VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD” including the Grammy song “The Alien”, and plays big songs one after another. In fact, only “6:00” and “Invisible Monster” are under 7 minutes, and the rest are all about 10 minutes long, making it a heavyweight composition. And at the end of it all is the representative song “Pull Me Under”. It may seem obvious if you only listen to this work, but in fact this day is the first live performance in three years. In recent years, DREAM THEATER has a style that hardly changes the set during the tour, and this time it was specially added only to Japan. Thinking back, their first visit to Japan was 30 years ago in 1992. I don’t know if they commemorated that, but it is also a highlight that flashes back memories of a long history. 30 years after their first visit to Japan, the founder of progressive metal has regained his prime. This is a new masterpiece that allows you to experience their only performance in Japan with the superb sound of a barefoot soundboard. The best audience recording of the “DOWNLOAD JAPAN performance on August 14, 2022”, a masterful design that will make those who have experienced the site wonder, “Was the sound this good?”. A tremendous original recording that goes “like a sound board” by the strongest taper in Western Japan. It is said that the on-site PA for this “DOWNLOAD JAPAN” was not very good, but by introducing a new microphone that can handle loud noises, the core of the rushing force is captured glossily and dynamically. This new masterpiece allows you to experience the best of the delicious full show, including the new songs led by the Grammy-winning song “The Alien” and “Pull Me Under (30th anniversary of first visit to Japan?)” which was only available in Japan. Live at Makuhari Messe 1-3 Hall, Chiba, Japan 14th August 2022 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (56:48) 1. Intro (Pink Soldiers / Super Strength (Invincible)) 2. The Alien 3. 6:00 4. Awaken the Master 5. Endless Sacrifice 6. Bridges in the Sky Disc 2 (61:47) 1. MC 2. Invisible Monster 3. A View From the Top of the World 4. The Count of Tuscany 5. Pull Me Under★ James LaBrie – lead vocals John Petrucci – guitars, backing vocals John Myung – bass Jordan Rudess – keyboards Mike Mangini – drums