Parasomnia [Blu-spec CD2] [Regular Edition]

I've been a DT fan since 2015, immersed in the Mangini era and hearing fans beg for MP's return. Then 2023 brought major news: after huge shows by Metallica and more, plus Creed's reunion, DT stunned us by announcing MP's comeback. By 2024, DT's 40th anniversary was teased alongside a darker album continuing Black Clouds & Silver Linings. The single "Night Terror" preceded the Feb 7 release of Parasomnia. Hype was high, and the album delivered. Parasomnia oozes Scenes from a Memory and Train of Thought energy, with JP's eight-string guitars and Andy Sneap's crisp production. Though not strictly conceptual, each track relates to nightmares. "In the Arms of Morpheus" escalates from city sounds to an overture rivaling Overture 1928, "Dead Asleep" becomes a murder mystery like Scenes 2.0, and "Midnight Messiah" nods to MP-era lyrics. The 19-minute "The Shadow Man Incident" merges Lovecraft references with classic DT flourishes. Even "Bend the Clock" proves a shimmering ballad for JL's vocals. Despite only eight tracks (one ambient), the synergy is electric, reaffirming why we love MP's style. This album leaps into my top five, nestling beside Awake and Six Degrees. If you crave progressive metal or heavier DT riffs, Parasomnia is unmissable. I'd rate it 9/10, as it fuses nostalgia and fresh ideas seamlessly in a triumphant homecoming for the classic lineup.