Liquid Tension Experiment by Liquid Tension Experiment (CD, Mar-1998, Magna Carta)

This particular release, in my opinion was why the electric guitar was made. If you remember what Henrix was about, Liquid Tension Experiment extended that framework with even more sonic elation. They gave the electric guitar a voice with emotions and language all its own. The experience or expression different for each listener. Like Zeppelin's "Stairway", a journey into what ever your looking for. Fantastic!

The CD starts with a song called Paradigm Shift. It will blow your mind in the first five seconds of the track. Petrucci plays like no other and shows his chops right of the bat. This album however is not for everyone. The music is super progressive and technical. It can get pretty overwhelming at times. Just know what your getting in to. If you are looking for amazing musicality, ridiculous speed, varying tempos and styles. Then you came to the right album. These guys are constantly experimenting and they play flawlessly together. It's a great musical experience just to listen to it.

In 1998, Petrucci and the guys headed into the studio to record this project. This being the first of two compilations that were completed. It starts out with "Paradigm Shift". Nearly a 9 minute blinding, blazing score with double bass drums and intricate guitar works that will later become recognizable in Petrucci's guitar solo on the "Once in a Lifetime" C.D. recording, that same year. This first song sets a majical tempo that has you eagerly awaiting each cut that you can sink your ears into. This is typical of "Dream Theater" and explains why the underground fanbase is so vast. The "not-so-mainstream", "commercial" songs on this recording will have you playing it numerous times, to re-experience each song. If you are a Dream Theater fan, you must own these recordings. Despite the title, it's still just one of many fine chapters, that is, "Dream Theater".