I gave it 6. While the music would get an 8 from me I don't like the entire mix: not consistent enough and some weird decisions that have been made.
- Vocals too loud, overpowering the music at times
- Bass is waaaaaay too loud in The Dark Eternal Night
- Not enough use of the rear speakers, at least not on a constant basis
Also: hot mastering! Not nearly as bad as some others out there who're really wrecks, but still. For example: Petrucci's acoustic/clean electric part in the beginning of The Ministry of Lost Souls: no dynamics man! It sounds as loud as everything that comes before and after it.
It is their first record in 5.1 so maybe they'll get it right next time...
I give it a 7. Favorite song is The Dark Eternal Night. BTW, on my copy from Japan the continuity is broken between a couple of songs on the 5.1 version. I suspect it was just the way it was mastered. Has anyone else had this problem. Thanks. Phil Spinner
This CD/DVD-V set is available for $6.99 from yourmusic.com. I am trying to decide whether or not to buy at that price, I still can't decide after reading this thread.
Chris
Buy it. It's worth it. Great album, great mix. The documentary is awesome too.
This bonus DVD is a call to piracy !!! There must be somewhere a high-rez version of Systematic Chaos in surround, and I'd really love to put my hands upon it, because the 5.1 mix was surprisingly good, big basses, breathing instruments, huge use of rear speakers, clean voices... but the Dolby-only track completely ruined it, and the overloud mastering was the last nail in the coffin.
A real DVD-A version of it would sell, I think. Not that much but it would sell.
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