Reviewed on May 15 2008 12:58PM:
Show Rating: (5)

Tonights show in Detroit was absolutely spectacular. Every band was on fire. Dream Theater really never has been better, and that's justice after 20+ years. Even 'Voices', which I have not liked or played on my home stereo, I stood up and cheered for. I felt released by it. Stronger in soul. Given the song is evolving into something new from what I heard tonight as well. It sounds to me now more like a take on life to feed the soul than about the terrors of fame. You can't really call a Dream Theater set bad, when every song is just awesome. Though many of my favorite songs such as 'Ones who help to set the sun', 'Blind Faith', 'The Great Debate', 'This dying Soul', 'Honor thy father', 'Through her eyes', 'Finally Free', 'The answer lies within', 'Repentance', 'Burning my soul', 'Hells kitchen', 'Space dye vest', 'Scarred', '6:00', 'Take the time', and 'Learning to live' (in full) 'Misunderstood', 'The spirit carries on' were not in the set, the ones that were on the setlist were amazing displays of heart, soul and energy by the band. I have over 100 bootlegs by DT. I will comment on the setlist songs in some comparison to the bootlegs I have. And know that they really have been this good throughout this tour leg so far.

In the presence of enemies Pt 1
Best take I've heard yet.

Strange Deja Vu
Best take I've ever heard.

Through my eyes
Awesome

Fatal Tragedy
best take I've ever heard

Forsaken
Best take I've ever heard

Surrounded
Best take I've ever heard

Erotomania
best take I've ever heard

Voices
First time I've ever enjoyed and cheered loudly for this song

Ministry of lost souls
Best take I've ever heard

Medley
The Metropolis jam was sonic awesomenesss. The prior riffs were played better than I've ever heard. Learning to live was great while it lasted, and the close of a change of seasons was sung as clearly by James as I have ever heard him.

So, are you starting to get the picture? I say again, having heard clips from all the Progressive nation shows so far I did not attend, this kind of awesomeness is happening every show.

In final comment, John Petrucci blew my socks off in Detroit. He was absolutely serene. WOW.. serious WOW to John Petrucci. If you've been waiting to see DT, wait no longer. It'd be blasphemy for any fan not to get in on this tour. I spent 10 hours in the car for it. For a show with 4 bands playing this awesomely, I'd happily drive 20. Rock on.