One of the most important albums in prog metal history. Like it or not. Images and Words sets the standard sound of, not only Dream Theater, but hundreds of Progressive Metal Bands as well. Despite being one of their shortest albums, it achieves multiple milestones for Dream Theater such as:

Their biggest comercial success: Pull Me Under The beginning of their instru-wanking addiction: Metropolis Pt. 1 One of their first epics: Learning To Live Their first album with the loved and hated singer: James LaBrie

And an overall definition of Dream Theater's sound. The album itself is creative, memorable, and fun to listen to.

If you're a prog metal fan: It's essential. If you're a classic prog fan: It's an excellent addition.

Since that would be 4.5 stars, I'm rounding it up to 5.

An absolute masterpiece, and the definition of essential. Quite possibly even the best Prog Metal album ever made! Metropolis Pt. II is an incredibly strong conceptual album that works as the follow up for the first part "The Miracle And The Sleeper" from Images And Words. The overture bangs you with these wonderful melodies that tell you "This isn't an average album!" which gets closely followed by Strange Deja Vu, a groovy and proggy track. Things eventually get spicy with the complex Fatal Tragedy, and Beyond This Life features amazing solo-ing that will definitely keep you entertained. After all that wanking, Through Her Eyes provides a nice rest, only to build up tension for the heavyweight Home, an all-around strong track that has everything you could ask for in a prog metal song, transitioning into one of the most complex prog instrumentals ever made: The Dance Of Eternity! After all that craziness, One Last Time provides a purpose similar to Through Her Eyes', while reprising previous tracks. Near the end, The Spirit Carries On, a Pink Floydish track lifts up your spirit with good vibes, an amazing chorus and a beautiful guitar solo. Finally, the closer Finally Free solves the mystery of the murder in the story, while reprising previous tracks and bringing the album to a perfect ending.

Five stars without a doubt!

The best Dream Theater album. It has everything you could ask for in a prog metal album. From soothing, soft melodies, to heavy-metal sections. From short, simple tracks to cheesy 42-minute songs.

-Songs like The Glass Prison showcase Dream Theater's heavy approach to prog. -Blind Faith features amazing solo-ing. -Misunderstood is a very unique track that has Dream Theater exploring different colors in prog metal. -The Great Debate is a Tool-like song with great rythm and time signature changes. -Disappear is a welcome ballad-type song that brings a change of pace to the album. -Finally, the title track is a 42-Minute suite that remains as one of the band's master works.

Five stars. No doubt about it!