Octavarium vs. Systematic Chaos

[Rattlehead]

SC and BC&SL shouldn`t be in DT catalogue.

Period.

Because you don't like them? 

Oh, and I went with SC. I don't consider it to be a great album by any means, but I've always enjoyed it much more than 8vm.

[KevShmev]

I bought 8VM on its release day and it remains the single most disappointing release day purchase of my life for any band. 

Train of Thought was that for me.  And since it took years for me to really warm up to it as a whole, I loved Octavarium the first time I heard it, as I was thrilled to hear them tone down the crazy soloing and not going all-out metal on every song.  Oddly, over time, I realized that Train of Thought was the better record.  It's funny how time can change your perspective.

I also liked Systematic Chaos a ton at first, although I think a huge reason was because Constant Motion and The Dark Eternal Night were both available to the public pre-album release, and I thought both of those songs sucked at first, so when I heard the rest of the album, I was like, "Dang, the rest of this is so much better," so I think that, along me warming up to The Dark Eternal Night fairly quickly after hating it on the first listen, caused me to think it was better than it really was.   

[Scorpion]

SC, easily. While Octavarium has a few redeeming features, it's still pretty bad and the title track is probably one of the most boring and THE most overrated DT song in existance. SC isn't really that good either, but songs like Repentance, ITPOE and TMOLS (which make up a large part of its runtime) still make it a worthwhile listen every now and then, in my opinion.

[snapple]

Gun to head, 8v.

Really, I don't listen to anything post FII, pre ADTOE anymore.

[ibosmiley]

This one really got me thinking.  I went with Octavarium.  There's just something about the experience of this album that I like, and perhaps the fact that I have fond memories of the Score show biases me a bit.  I dunno.  I think I also like how after SFAM, 6DOIT, and TOT, Octavarium came out and was kind of a WTF was that moment... totally different vibe from the prior 3 albums.  It was kind of a return to the FII feel to some degree for me.  And I liked it.  It was refreshing.  Something like that.

[Dublagent66]

8VM simply because of the title track.  Otherwise, they are fairly close for me.

[fadetoblackdude7]

I can listen to 8vm repeatedly, without getting bored, TROAE, TW, PA, SS, and of course the title track = brilliant.

ITPOE saves SC, if it weren't for that song, it would be barely listenable IMO.

[sfam2112]

Systematic Chaos. Octavarium is my least favorite DT album.

[Lark the Starless]

Two of my least favorite DT albums.

Octavarium seems to drag on as a whole, but I love the title track.

SC is somewhat more consistent and more of a fun album to crank up.

SC for me.

[dongringo]

Since Octavarium is my favorite DT album of course I had to go with that one.

[Zook]

Octavarium, easily. The first time I ever listened to it, I couldn't finish it because I got bored, but it grew on me A LOT. And now, almost 7 years later, I even like Never Enough. It's not perfect, with that ridiculous deep breath shit by James, but compares to Prophets of War, it's actually a pretty good song.

Systematic Chaos isn't so bad. The only really bad song is POW, but it's just not an album I want to listen to all the time. i'm not always reaching for Octavarium, but I'll always go for that first.

AND I WALK BESIDE YOU IS A GREAT SONG, DAMN IT!

[The King in Crimson]

Octavarium

It's not the strongest, most consistent release by DT, but, IMO, it doesn't have a single 'bad' song on it. Even Never Enough, which is usually just kinda 'meh' but sometimes I don't find it all that bad. It also has a couple of really kick-ass tracks, TRoAE, PA, TW, SS and 8VM. IWBY and TALW aren't great songs, but I don't ever skip them. They're pretty enjoyable and a nice change from a lot of other DT stuff.

SC definitely is a bit more inconsistent even if I do have a much higher opinion of it than the average fan. Only PoW classifies as a 'bad' track. ItPoE1 is a great opener although the fact that it's separated from part 2 weakens both considerably, IMO. TMoLS and ItPoE2 both go on a bit too long (tMoLS especially). Repentance is an overlooked gem and probably my 2nd favorite in the AAA saga, but even it drags a bit. Forsaken is good, straight ahead rocking tune. CM is dumb but energetic and it's not too lengthy. I've already expressed my love for tDEN.

[j]

Gun to head, 8v.

I guess this.  Neither is very good; they're definitely two of DT's worst albums and I consider them very similar in quality.  But I went and looked and there are 3 songs on 8VM I could imagine wanting to listen to again in the foreseeable future, and only 2 (maybe 2.5) on SC.

-J

[Jaq]

You know, until recently I would have voted for Octavarium, but these days, I'd rate SC slightly ahead of Octavarium, though they're both lesser lights in the DT catalog. Every time I hear the title track to Octavarium, I grow more and more annoyed with how the song isn't really about anything other than, seemingly, progressive rock. It just feels massively contrived. I think it's less SC is going up on my lists than Octavarium is falling further, to be fair.

[Kotowboy]

Since Octavarium is my favorite DT album of course I had to go with that one.

[Lucien]

Octavarium, easily. The first time I ever listened to it, I couldn't finish it because I got bored, but it grew on me A LOT. And now, almost 7 years later, I even like Never Enough. It's not perfect, with that ridiculous deep breath shit by James, but compares to Prophets of War, it's actually a pretty good song.

Systematic Chaos isn't so bad. The only really bad song is POW, but it's just not an album I want to listen to all the time. i'm not always reaching for Octavarium, but I'll always go for that first.

AND I WALK BESIDE YOU IS A GREAT SONG, DAMN IT!

I always thought that had to do with the fact that HE JUST STABBED HIMSELF.

Metaphorically.

[ArchVile]

labrie sounds like the muse singer in octavarium, and the band souns like U2... i dont really like octavarium at all.
by far i prefer SC. 

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

The only song where the U2 comparison is valid is I Walk Beside You. Unless you're saying that Panic Attack and The Root of All Evil sound like U2.

I agree that SC is better though, definitely my favorite of the two.

[Mindflux]

labrie sounds like the muse singer in octavarium, and the band souns like U2... i dont really like octavarium at all.
by far i prefer SC. 

If they sounded anything like U2 I would have gouged my ear drums out with a pencil.

[Buddyhunter1]

Octavarium by a metric fuckton. It's like comparing a shining gem to a turd.

[Perpetual Change]

Octavarium, easily.

Octavarium is a top 5 DT song. The Root of All Evil, These Walls, and Panic Attack are very good, too. The rest of the songs are missed.

But the four songs I named are all easily better than anything on Systematic Chaos IMO.

[jammindude]

Absolutely no contest.   I have been a hardcore fanboy for over 20 years, and I can honestly say that Octavarium was Dream Theater *at their peak*.    Every song on the album completely nails everything that DT is all about, and then wraps it up in a beautiful bow at the end.   It's brilliant from start to finish.

SC....is a complete mess.

IMO, the biggest dropoff of quality in two subsequent album of any of the bands that I listen to.  The only comparison that even comes CLOSE is Yes GFTO > Tormato....only Tormato is far superior to SC. 

You've just pitted my #1 DT album vs. my #11 DT album.   So I voted 8V.

[Mosh]

The only song where the U2 comparison is valid is I Walk Beside You. Unless you're saying that Panic Attack and The Root of All Evil sound like U2.

And even then I think it's a stretch. In my opinion, To Live Forever sounds more like U2 than anything on 8vm.

[aprilethereal]

Octavarium is my second favourite DT album, Systematic Chaos is my second least favourite DT album. Easy choice for me.

AND I WALK BESIDE YOU IS A GREAT SONG, DAMN IT!

Yeah

AND NEVER ENOUGH IS A GREAT SONG AS WELL!
seriously. The instrumental section is awesome.

[chwik]

Octavarium by a long shot! It is an album that grew immensly on me over time. I love it from beginning to the end (...and beginning again )

[MoraWintersoul]

AND I WALK BESIDE YOU IS A GREAT SONG, DAMN IT!

Preach it Zook.

[black_biff_stadler]

SC, easily. While Octavarium has a few redeeming features, it's still pretty bad and the title track is probably one of the most boring and THE most overrated DT song in existence.

I will one day have a bromantic picnic with you.

[kirksnosehair]

Two albums from a period in Dream Theater's career when I was really getting kind of bored with them.  I almost never listen to Octavarium and when I do listen to it I skip 75% of it.  Systematic Chaos is a tiny bit more consistent, so that's what I voted for.

[wolfking]

8VM, no contest.

[Rattlehead]

AND I WALK BESIDE YOU IS A GREAT SONG, DAMN IT!

[Tomislav95]

I have to say Systematic Chaos is very hard to listen entirely. I don't get bored (it's not among my favorites but still fun) but exhausted (if you know what I mean). Octavarium has few really entertaining, shorter songs like IWBY, song Octavarium (which is one of my favorites by DT) and there is no bad song IMO. My vote goes to Octavarium.

[Ruba]

Systematic Chaos is more consistent and has my favourite DT song (ITPOE).

[CrimsonSunrise]

Honestly....no brainer for me...8V.  The Comic book album is weak for me....

[wolfking]

AND I WALK BESIDE YOU IS A GREAT SONG, DAMN IT!

Preach it Zook.

It is.  I love it and have loved it since the first time I heard it.  Never understood the hate.

[Zook]

AND I WALK BESIDE YOU IS A GREAT SONG, DAMN IT!

Preach it Zook.

It is.  I love it and have loved it since the first time I heard it.  Never understood the hate.

There's really nothing wrong with it. Sure it sounds a little like classic U2, but I'm not sure how that's a bad thing. (At least it doesn't sound like their newer crap) Of course I'd rather an artist be as original as possible, but like I said, it sounds a LITTLE like U2. Lifting Shadows sounds more like U2, but I also love that song.

AND I WALK BESIDE YOU IS A GREAT SONG, DAMN IT!

I can't help it if I like good pop.