First off, some super thanks to Ken for the free tickets and backstage pass.
Into Eternity were alright. I'll go with Ken and say that I think knowing their material would make their live show a lot better. The vocalist sounds
just like Devin Townsend when he talks though.

Canadians.
Redemption were really great. Awesome stuff. I'll definitely be looking out for them in the future, and snagging an album (or three) when I get the cash. I can get over Ray Alder's bit of vocal troubles for the evening, as it barely impeded his singing, mostly his talking.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect for Dream Theater. Me and Ken had talked a bit about his previous times seeing DT, and the guys around us were all, apparently, adamant DT followers and had seen all the tours since "Images and Words". So we stuck around for the first song, which mostly impressed me with the ferocity of the lights show

hypno: ), and then ducked out to go back stage.
Back stage was really cool.

I got to meet everyone from Redemption, and their manager (who showed us around), and some other cool people. Then we chilled on the tour bus for like 20 minutes, and I just hope I didn't spoil Ken's time looking sour

I'm on a new Melatonin supplement for my insomnia and it's making me feel really wonky between 9:00 PM and midnight, but I was really having a great time.
We went back inside to the show around the end of the Keytar solo (Ugliest keytar ever, and that's a feat... Because all keytars are pretty damn ugly.

) and the rest of the show was awesome. Because I don't really listen to DT, I couldn't name any of the songs, but I enjoyed most of them.
So, Myung stood there the whole time with his really ugly-ass bass that made him look tiny... Which was kind of a disappointment, because I expected so much more out of him

Petrucci moved very little (from what I could see of him), mostly coming to the center once or twice for longer, more "epic" solos. I don't know how Rudess doesn't get dizzy going around in circles with his little mounted keyboard thing

and was he reading music on the little on-board computer on his keyboard? Cheater! Portnoy was was pretty funny, and I can't imagine still playing drums while standing, which he did in just about every song

I ended up watching him for most of the time, anyway. Him, or LaBrie, who looks funny with facial hair. LaBrie sounds great live, but I dunno if it was the PA or whatever but I kept hearing phantom black metal vocals backing him up
Either way, I really enjoyed the show. My basic sum-up is that Dream Theater are a one-trick pony with a really, really cool trick (IMO, the best part was when the screen started lighting up the words LaBrie was singing

That was just terrible.). I'd go see them again if I got the chance, no sweat.
Oh, and my only complaint is standing on that incline made my legs hurt like hell afterwards. I think I even pulled a muscle in my left leg. Stupid theater floors.
Sorry for the giant post.
