Four progarchists have now weighed in on the matter of Dream Theater’s new release, THE ASTONISHING. For your convenience, here are links to each four. Enjoy.
The opposition
Chris: https://progarchy.com/2016/02/12/the-astonishing-pile-of-crap-from-dream-theater/
The defense
Kevin: https://progarchy.com/2016/02/11/they-cant-stop-thinking-big-dream-theaters-the-astonishing/
Brad: https://progarchy.com/2016/02/10/astonished-dream-theaters-complex-audacity/
Progarchy 
It’s worth noting that in my review, I had virtually nothing to say about the story. I *will* side with the offense in that e’ve definitely been down this thematic road before with the would-be savior (Dune, Matrix, etc.) and the futuristic society that’s banned music (2112, Kilroy Was Here – ugh).
This particular telling is heavy on the cheese, but thus far I’ve been able to enjoy the music – and I do; I really dig their sound, even if it’s not the proggiest-structured stuff they’ve done – and just put the story aside.
I did the same with “Clockwork Angels” – I’m not the least bit interested in the concept, but that doesn’t stop me from thinking “The Garden” is one of the greatest Rush songs ever written or digging the sheer energy of “Headlong Flight.”
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