No album cover because it would look terrible if I designed it.
Dream Theater Duality (2016)
Disc 1: Sapphire Skies
1. Sapphire 7:12 (Music by Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Mangini Lyrics by Petrucci) Abstract lyrics relating to the colour blue and the concept of peace. While the song is technical, it isn't relatively that heavy and has a 70s prog vibe with some Rudess experimentation and soaring, melodic guitar solos.
2. Understanding Fate 5:20 (Music by Petrucci, Rudess Lyrics by Petrucci) Lyrics about the inevatability of decay. This song is more of a somber acoustic guitar-based ballad and contains a long outro seaboard solo where the rest of the band enter.
3. In Clear View 6:48 (Music by Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Labrie Lyrics by Myung) About recovery from a mentally ill state. Some loosely structured Progressive Metal with changing moods.
4. Ashes of Rebellion 14:34 (Music by Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Mangini Lyrics by Labrie) About whether rebellion is worth the cost. Begins with an epic and heavy instrumental section followed by a dark ballad that becomes increasingly sinister before a heavy bridge then melodic soloing before closing with an intense variant on the chorus.
5. Dualities 6:50 (Music by Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Mangini Instrumental) Remeniscent of some of Liquid Tension Experiment's work but with Mangini's complex polyrhythms.
6. Found Again 3:39 (Music by Rudess Lyrics by Labrie) About finding solace in coming home to family after a long tour. A piano diven ballad.
7. Receding Into Memory 8:28 (Music by Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Mangini Lyrics by Petrucci) About regrets and how the initial actions may be beneficial in the long term. An epic uplifting ballad with a trimphantly heavy ending.
Total time: 52:51
Disc 2: Crimson Seas
1. Crimson 9:02 (Music by Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Mangini Lyrics by Petrucci) Abstract lyrics relating to the colour red and the concept of chaos. Opens with sounds from various Rudess apps then builds up to the some of the heaviest and most intense instrumental sections that Dream Theater have come up with and the rest of the song consists of aggressive distorted vocals above chugging, a sinister chorus, a melodically dark solo and a chorus fading out into a dissonant piano outro.
2. The Forever Mile 6:32 (Music by Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Mangini Lyrics by Labrie) About refugees and their journey away from home. Modern Prog Metal like 'The Enemy Inside' with a similar hint of desperation and intensity.
3. Calculated Emotion 10:11 (Music by Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Mangini Instrumental) An symphony-esque instrumental with three distinct movements, alternating between jazzy motifs, atmospheric breaks and technical outbursts.
4. Masquerade 8:50 (Music by Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Mangini Lyrics by Rudess) About internet anonymity. Mid-paced Prog Metal with an extended intro.
5. Escalation from Thought 15:08 (Music by Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Mangini Lyrics by Petrucci) About questioning what will become of your humanity once technology takes over. An epic with an increasing sense of darkness with a main melody appearing in various places in a different mood.
Total time: 49:43
Combined Time: 102:34