It’s undoubtedly the musical comeback of the year. Mike Portnoy, one of the world’s most virtuosic metal drummers, rejoins Dream Theater, the undisputed torchbearers of progressive metal, after fifteen years. His return is celebrated in grand fashion on Sunday night in a sold-out AFAS Live. With a three-hour spectacle, the band takes the audience on a journey through forty years of musical highlights.
Text and photo: Sebastiaan Quekel
Dream Theater essentially celebrates a dual anniversary in Amsterdam. The Americans perform in the Netherlands for the 20th time, almost exactly forty years after their founding. From small venues in the ’90s, where you could enter for a tenner, to a packed AFAS Live where a Golden Circle ticket costs nearly 120 euros. “These were the best of times,” to quote Dream Theater.
The three-hour show opens impressively with Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper. As the curtain falls and the first notes play, a stage adorned with flashing lasers and imposing light constructions is revealed. A powerful start that sets the tone immediately. From the first moment, Dream Theater presents itself as grand and captivating, with a visual show that adds a new dimension to their complex prog music.
The First Set
The first set revolves around nostalgia and technical perfection. Prog classics such as Act I: Scene Two: I. Overture 1928 and Strange Déjà Vu flow seamlessly, showcasing John Petrucci’s virtuosic guitar work and Jordan Rudess’ masterful keyboard skills that seem out of this world. Mike Portnoy, who departed amid much controversy in 2009, demonstrates why his return is so celebrated. His drumming is energetic, filled with rhythmic variations and signature fills that bring a new dynamic to the music. However, his return casts a shadow as well, the forced departure of former drummer Mike Mangini remains a painful memory.
The Mirror, appearing on the setlist for the first time since 2014, introduces a dark, heavy energy early in the set. Threatening riffs and rumbling bass fill the venue as blue and white lasers intensify the track. Vocalist James LaBrie stays within his comfort zone here with lower vocal lines, benefiting his performance.
James LaBrie remains a divisive figure within the band. His voice has undeniably aged, especially in songs from Awake and Images and Words that demand higher notes. Nevertheless, he delivers moments of brilliance tonight. On the Muse-like Panic Attack, he impresses, as if determined to showcase his talents one more time. His biting vocals on As I Am also resonate strongly, almost as they once did. However, on tracks like Under a Glass Moon and This Is the Life, which require higher notes, his limitations are sadly evident. While LaBrie sings with passion and emotion, his voice lacks the strength and flexibility of earlier years.
Instrumental Masterpieces
Thankfully, John Petrucci remains a constant within Dream Theater. His solo intro for Hollow Years is breathtaking: his guitar “weeps” in a way that transforms the venue into an oasis of melancholy. The contrast with the subsequent bombastic Barstool Warrior is striking. Here, Portnoy adds a playful touch by drumming on the opposite side of his massive drum kit, as if to remind the audience of the literal and figurative space his drum castle occupies.
The live premiere of Night Terror, a track from the upcoming album Parasomnia, kicks off the second set with brute force. The song is brimming with aggression and technical prowess, offering fans a glimpse of what’s to come next year. The AFAS Live responds ecstatically, with palpable energy ignited by Portnoy’s fresh influence.
In instrumental masterpieces like Stream of Consciousness, Dream Theater reaffirms their status as the kings of progressive metal. The interplay between Petrucci and Rudess reaches unparalleled heights, as if they’re challenging each other to push further. It’s virtuosity at its finest, commanding both admiration and awe.
A definite highlight of the evening is the live performance of Octavarium, an epic 24-minute track appearing on the setlist for the first time since 2006. This may well be the first time the song is performed live in the Netherlands, making the moment even more unique. From the iconic, gradually building intro on Rudess’ Continuum to the explosive climax, the band demonstrates why this track has achieved legendary status. It’s progressive metal in its purest form, a rollercoaster of emotion that captivates the audience entirely.
Emotional closing with magical Dream Theater
For the finale, Dream Theater strikes a tender chord with The Spirit Carries On. Under a sea of glimmering phone lights, the audience sings along passionately. It’s an emotional moment, particularly for Portnoy, whose recently deceased sister adds personal weight to the song. His restrained drumming exudes deep emotion, lending the piece extra gravitas. Even LaBrie surpasses his limitations here, delivering a surprisingly powerful and clear vocal performance.
And then there’s Pull Me Under. Of course, Pull Me Under, the closer everyone has been waiting for. The band’s only real hit crowns the three-hour epic with its iconic riff and irresistible chorus, delivering an explosive finale.
With this anniversary show, Dream Theater proves why they remain a cornerstone of progressive metal after forty years. While not everything is perfect—LaBrie remains a weaker link, and the setlist could have been more adventurous, the small shortcomings are easily overshadowed by the highlights. With Portnoy back behind the drums, the band feels complete again, and if this concert is a taste of what’s to come, fans have nothing to worry about. Dream Theater is back, and how!
