Dream Theater

Instru Mental contains a good majority of the music that was to be released on their debut release, When Dream and Day Unite. Although the sound and production quality are not very good, there are some decent performances that Dream Theater fans will want to hear. "The Ytse Jam" is always enjoyable, and this is the first recording of the now-classic tune. "After Life," "The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun" and "The Killing Hand" all appear on When Dream and Day Unite. "Cry for Freedom" sounds as if it has vocals as well, and will probably reappear at some point on a future recording or at one of their live shows. "Resurrection of Ernie" finds the band leaving their high school metal approach behind and exploring various tonalities that would later become a staple in the band's definitive sound. It is clear after hearing this song that they were definitely not your average local band. The drum solo here is weak and suffers from poor sound quality, but the "Guitar Player" spotlight is excellent. Although John Petrucci sounds exactly like Steve Vai during "Indulge in Reverie," he displays an original and even jazzy voice on the "A Late Summer's Rain" section. His chops are cleaner than most metal players and he tends to rely more on alternate picking rather than speed tricks. This recording offers a glimpse of the excitement that was to come from this dynamic band. ~ Robert Taylor, All Music Guide