Dream Theater first came to Australia in January 2008, some 23 years late after forming in New York.

Going to see Dream Theater in 2008 was mind blowing. It made me realize that i had just wasted 15 years of my life listen to Bullshit music until i found myself in Heavy Metal.

AT the end of 2008 i brought their debut LP at Egg Record in Newtown. On that same day i drove past a bunch of Kylie Minogue Fan and i yelled out: "LISTEN TO DREAM THEATER" as i showed them all my prized possession

Dream Theater were back in Australia in December 2009. Less than 2 years after their first concert.

I had the opportunity to meet Dream Theater and get my photo taken.

I don't like Mike Portnoy these days so i cut him out of the photo in Paint


It has taken 5 years for Dream Theater to come back to Australia. I was thinking of going to see them in Singapore In April 2012, but i was already going there in July 2012 so there was no point to go over for that gig.

So much as change in Dream Theater in the last 5 years. 9 month after that gig Mike Portnoy quit the band. It was a relief that he gave up on Dream Theater because he was too much of a control freak and John Myung didn't get to write a song untill 2011. Some 12 years after his last songwriting credit.

Mike Mangini is the perfect guy to fill in the shoes of Mike Portnoy. Not only that, but Mangini has a better drum kit that Portnoy

I brought my brother a ticket to this gig for $140 for a Gold GA standing. I brought  a Silver GA ticket for $109. The last band i paid more than $100 to see was Dream Theater. Worst of all they were selling gold tickets for $70 on the days. Thats bullshit!

The doors opened at 7pm so i got my wristband to go inside. They gave me the same colored wrist band as my brother. So I got let into the Gold General admission and i only paid $109.

There was  no opening act but there was a giant cloth over the stage that was showing the whole solar system and the map of the world. 30 minutes later and Intro video was projected on to the screen. It featured an animated version of Dream Theater Albums. Starting in 1989 with "When Dream and Day Unite" and ending with the most recently self titled album while the False awakening suite blairing over the PA

The curtain dropped as the band launched into "The Enemy Inside" and it basdically explains the horror war veterans go through with PTSD and the Music Video in the background explains the issue of PSTD to the war veteran and the pain his wife and son go through seing thwer husband/father become a different man after coming back from military service.

"The Shatter Fortress" is a song made famous by Mike Portnoy AA suite and i found it lame that Dream Theater would be playing any part of Mikes AA Suite because  as i wrote in my early blog this year that Mike would hate to see Dream Theater play his AA Suite.

The only Mike Portnoy songs i like are "A Change of Season", "Honor Thy Father" and "The Root of All Evil"

Since Dream Theater didn't tour here in their 2011-12 cycle it was worth it to hear the Grammy nominated "On The Back of Angels' I don't really listen to that album at all but its a great song

"The Looking Glass' is a song that i feel like it was made to break thru into the billboard hot 100 or the hot rock tracks on the US charts. Because Dream Theater only charting song was "Pull Me Under" that was top 10 on the US mainstream rock tracks.

the song sound too much like Rush but after all Dream Theater is another band that has been influenced by Rush itself.

James  went off stage for "Enimga Machine" to start working. A hardline instrumentaly that  features the drum tallents of Mike Mangini with the amazing Cartoon of D. T VS D.T

"Trial of Tears" was on. Its not my favorite song off "Falling into Infinity" and allot of people absolutly hated that record went it came out. I only ever like listening to "Hollow Years" even though it was made for Mainstream Radio.

When i first checked the setlist of the gig in Istanbul i realise they were playing the same set over and over and its kinda lame when you go on tour and you only play songs off 4 albums.

Throughout the gig there was animation of a car driving around town with the number plates DT1985 a reference to band bands year of creation in 1985. "Along for the Ride" was on next off the recent album. All the shirt printed this tour where all about "Along for the Ride" . Its a pretty magical song.

"Breaking all Illusions": I don''t understand why after 3 years i still have yet to buy a copy of this album like i did for every Dream Theater Album (except for Six Degrees). The elements are iin it thanks to Mangini amazing drumming and the fanatics of  Jordan Rudess

An interval happened as the band took a 15 minute break. I wanted to take a piss, but the lines to the bathroom were so damn long. In the intermission a video of Dream Theater fan video was made. It even paid homage to the: James, Jordan and John Petrucci actions figures

I don;t really like listening to the "Awake" record but it has some darker elements on that record. "The Mirror" Whenever i think about "The Mirror" it reminds me of a time i was with a mature lady in her bedroom and the Mirror made us look like a happy picture. I ended up teaching this woman about Dream Theater.

But in reality Mike Portnoy wrote that song to deal with his issue of Alcaholism.I mean if he wrote that song that about his substance abuse then why didn't he seek help after the Awake tour? But this song pretty much the fetus of the Alcoholic Anonymous suite that would feature in 5 albums from "Six Degrees to Black Clouds" But it just makes me think the band is still mourning the departure of M.P "GET OVER IT AND START PLAYING SONGS THAT ARE  RELATED TO MIKE PORTNOY ALCOHOL ADDICTIONS!"

It then cuts into "Lie" it always has to be that way when your playing songs off Awake. 

"Lifting Shadows off a Dream" John Myung is an awesome song writer and standing in front of him to see him play a 6 string bass is pretty amazing. John Myung inspired me to buy a bass but i have had to sell it to move overseas,

"Scarred" was played as i took a bathroom break.

It was awe inspiring to hear "Space dyed vest" its took them 18 years to play that song live and it was wonderful to hear it. The sound affect you hear come from a documentary "The trouble with Ryan" about a child with abusing parents.


Kevin Moore did an amazing job writing that song, but its a shame he never got to play it live as he refuses anything to do with his past band.


It was pretty good to hear "Illumination Theory" live. it goes for 22 minutes but its either they could play: Octavarium or "A Change or Season" live. Because it goes over 20 minutes.  I would like to hear "A Change of Season" live someday but maybe next year as its the Ep's 20th Birthday


To celebrate the 15th birthday of "Metropolis part II" they played "1928 overtune" live for the 2nd time in Australia as well as: Strange Deja Vu, "The Dance of Eternity" 


The last song was "Finally Free" I remember listening to this song after i walked out of that shithole dish-washing job at Tequilas on Main after 22 months in that hellhole. That song always makes you realize that your Finally Free from Bullshit and that is what i thought about Dream Theater set list


It was bullshit because it didn't feature any songs off the first 2 record or Octavarium.  Maybe Next year Dream Theater will go back on the road to celebrate 30 years as a band and they might play just one song off every damn album.


I was kinda glad i did see Dream Theater for a 3rd time. It was amazing to see the talents of Mike Mangini live. But at least the band is ageing gracefully especially when 3/5 band members have grown beards to look all so evil.


I don't know when ill get to see Dream Theater live, or will i ever pay more than $100 to see a band live. In 2008 i paid over $100 to see: Bon Jovi, Dream Theater, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest and Def Leppard.


But now that i am leaving Australia for an indefinite  amount of time, i realize that if i stay in Europe, its just going to get cheaper to see bands. So why should i pay $60 to see Anvil next weekend in Sydney where i could see them for less than 40 Euro somewhere in Europe. Hell ticket prices would be so cheaper in a country like Romania


I didn't meet a woman of my dream at that gig, nor did any cougar hit on me. So if you ask me you will never pick up any women at any metal. Cause they are all married or taken. So just go to some bar and talk to women and you will  meet better looking chicks


Also another issue in life there are so many people out there that call themselves fans of Dream Theater but they are not true Metalhead. its either you like Heavy Metal including Prog metal bands or you don't like Metal at all, because you can't call yourself a Metalhead just for liking Dream Theater


At least there were no "sad Pandas" tonight

It has been 5 long years since i last saw Dream Theater.  I just can't believe it has taken them this long to come here. They came to Singapore in May 2012 why not visit Australia. it only and 8 hour fight.

Its my first time seeing Mike Mangini and he does a better job than Mike Portnoy and i guess he doesn't have any say and control in the music they make. Mike Portnoy was too much of a blood control freak!

As for set list i am not expecting to hear anything off the first 2 album (that are my favorites) but i am looking forward to hearing "Space Dyed Vest" its a song Kevin Moore wrote before he back stabbed  Dream Theater and Heavy Metal.  Dream Theater would never play this song live unless they were in the presence of Kevin Moore. 

But now that Portnoy is long they can play it.

If i wanted an awesome set list for Dream Theater it would include


Afterlife
Take the Time
Hollow Years
Space Dyed Vest
Finally free
Solitary Shield
Honor Thy Father
As I am
Root of all evil
On the back of Ages
Learning to Live


Encore
A Change Of Season

Dream Theater was the last band i saw that i paid more than $100 to get in. Hell Olivia Newton-John at the Opera House was only $36 to sit in the back row and yell out "DANGER DANGER" every third song

I haven't been to gigs much in the last few years and to me, its too much of a costly thing. It was worth paying $60 to see Coroner because i got allot of inspiration out of that gig.

In 2014 the only gigs i have been to have been: Living Colour, Hellbringer/Backyard Mortuary, Coroner, Bastardizer


I also think its a sham to pay $60 to get into Anvil when i only paid like $40 to get into the Living Colour/Alter Bridge gig

It would be cheaper to move to Europe and pay $200 AUD+ to see some big names at Hellfest or pay 48 Euros for an amazing Headbangers Open Air with so many cult bands

In 2011 i gave up on seeing: Destruction,  Def Leppard & Heart just so i could go to Headbangers Open Air in 2012.

I my opinion getting laid or getting hit on by a mature lady at a Posh bar is allot better than going to a metal concert and trying to get a girlfriend.  Cougars are so much attractive than metal lady but you never know they might be METALHEADS UNDERCOVER.

Apologies for tthe lack of updates. My note ok is shitting itself after 3 years and I have had to go by a 2nd hand net book with Linux off ebay for 60 bucks.

I am traveling soon in December and I will get back to Europe for sometime

People complain that I don't spend enough time in one nation. So I'm going to spend 2 weeks in Kuching Borneo over January before I go I to Europe

I got some mega cheap flights to Kuching and even from Bangkok to Oslo and onto Warsaw

I don't know if I will come back to Australia but I might as well come home in February to work on things and get another tax return. By the time December comes along it will have been 17 months since I last traveled

I was just going through my photo album this week and i came across a photo of a time when i met Bryce Courtney in 2005 when he was promoting his book "Whitehorn"

This was 2005, I was 20, working as a night fill clerk at BIGW , i had no access to a scanner (when my friends scanner didn't work) and i got a Multi function printer ffrom dad the following year

Bruce was a well respected Author for what he wrote about in his long life. Sadly he left this world in 2012 aged 79.

I'm just glad i got to meet him

 I hardly go to concert these days or gig if you might call it. The only bands I have seen in 2014 has been: Living Colour, Backyard Mortuary, Hellbringer, Coroner, Elm Street and Bastardizer.

 
Last Saturdays gig at the Bald Face Stage was another gain to see Bastardizer for the 5th time since 2013. I have always seen Bastardizer as another band to put Australia on the map of Metal after what Hellbringer has done in Europe.
 

I only went to this gig to see 2 bands: Tyrannic & Bastardizer. All the other bands including Undergang from Denmark didn't really interest me that much. Plus I had work on in my private location Sunday at 10am. With the onset of daylight saving I ended up seeing the clock go from 1.59am to 3:00 AM on Sunday 5th October.


I hardly go to gigs these days because I have a life that has meant to live and money spent on better things. It was good to pay $15 to get in but I can’t be doing this thing every Saturday.

I have sacrificed going to various gig since 2011 and that has helped me get overseas to some 15 nations on 2 continents.  But still I can’t see myself wanting to retire from going to concerts or gigs. If I wasn't going to watch, photograph and record “Bastardizer” then I would have to be writing about the last 30 nations I have been to since 2010.
 

Tyrannic was first up. I first saw them pen for Hellbringer in 2013. The band now consists of James Lewis (Hellbringer, Ex-Teratornis/Bastardizer) on Guitar and Marco on Drums and Vokills. Ever since Dan got behind the mic and kit in Exciter it has started a craze of singing Metal drummer that can be seen in band such as: Autopsy, Cauldron Black Ram and others I can’t think of

 

Tyrannic have been together since 2010 and have only put out 2 demo tapes. I think it’s time Marco get some Metalhead’s together to make an album or EP at least. James Lewis can never tired of being in different bands every year. Just as long as he keeps himself occupied with Hellbringer, he will never get bored.

 

This is the 5th time I have seen “Bastardizer”, but I haven’t had my fix of Blacken thrashed roll since June 2014 Coroner gig. It was great to see Rayzor Ray behind the bass while sporting a motorbike styled hat.

 

New material had been recorded from the dark forces of 4 Metal legends of Sydney.

It to be released on a split EP with “Whipstriker” from Brazil. That band is even getting praised by pornstar Laure Rosenoire



Bastardizer opened up with their killer anthem “Bastards, bullets, bitches and Beer”. Its such a welcoming song into the coven of pleasure, just bring it all in. If you don’t like this music then “GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE”
 

“Bathory & Lust” its all about the countess that killed 650 people but never stood trial because she did it all for lust. Vokkilist Chris Beesley uses the most killer parts of his vocals near the very end. No wonder it his style of singing that module the band sound together

The rough talent of drummer Jackson King puts the song into kick before launching into “Eurkea”. Being a true Australian band means to sing songs about the Eureka rebellion in the 19th century.   Not only thaty you should be flying the Eureka flag on stage;

Billy Morgan does a killer song on this record and he always nails it live.

Two new Tracks “Demons Unleashed” and “Up The Ante” were unveiled in Sydney for the first time ever. These 2 new song are going “straight to the Record room” in peoples collection. One this Split EP is out everyone will be wanting a copy

 

“Up the Ante” is such a killer track.

 

“Pentagram of Pleasure” Its another awesome track off the debut LP. This song would probably turn toyr Satanic girlfriend on with a flick of a switch. Satanic mass always has hot chick in minimal clothing and this song does the mass justice.
 

The last song of the night was” Sacrifice” a  cover off the legendary Bathory record “

 
It was 30 years ago to the date Bathory released their self titled debut record. This album is a landmark in Black and Thrash metal. 30 years on it has influenced a fuck load of band including my mates in Bastardizer.

 

I first listen to “Bathory” LP in 2009 and first I thought  “Fuck this is such a killer record” listening to it again 5 years later It has inspired me to: Buy a new Ipod, a 2nd hand netbook and  to travel overland to Stockholm next year to pay my respect for Quorthon and Dead in the cemetery.



All I could say is :that was well done Bastardizer”

 

After Bastardizer went off stage I didn’t really seem to care about the other band. I did watch a bit of Destructor but I couldn’t care less about what else was on. Sorry that I didn’t stick around for the main band but my job is helping me get overseas again in the next few month.


Next Bastardizer gig is in the CBD with “King Fate” mid December in Sydney.