"Oh my !!! Jacob's Dream's self-titled album was decent, but nothing spectacular. Theater of War is miles beyond that album. This album starts out full throttle and never lets up.The production is flawless, all of the instruments can be clearly heard. Every song is great. There are no filler tunes to be found. Jacob's Dream is an all-around band, they produce great songs without focusing simply on one member (guitarist, vocalist, etc.). The riffs found on this album are so sweet to these ears. Its tough to pick faves when every song is great, but I'd say "The Warning" and "Traces of Grace" are among the best. For musical comparisons, think Dio, Iron Maiden, or old Queensryche. I'll be surprised if a better metal album is released this year."
More solid Iron Maiden/Queensryche influenced power metal.
Joe White | Layton, Utah United States | 06/16/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Jacobs Dream's self-titled debut (from 2000) was an excellent American power metal release that effectively combined various aspects of Fates Warning, Iron Maiden and Queensryche. All right, I'll admit that mixing Maiden, `Ryche and Fates Warning is kind of like mixing a golden retriever, a Labrador retriever and a Chesapeake Bay retriever: In the end, you still end up with a retriever. While merging influences from the aforementioned bands isn't exactly groundbreaking, with Jacobs Dream you still get a good band (even though this formula doesn't work for all bands). Some detractors would say that originality isn't Jacobs Dream's strongest attribute and to a degree, I concede that point. In the end, however, who cares how Jacobs Dream arrived at their sound? An album-any album--should be judged by the songs, not by who the band sounds like. Jacobs Dream write great songs and that's what counts most. "Sanctuary" (which ranks a nine out of ten) is a fierce rocker with excellent vocal melodies, especially the chorus. The vigorous "Theater of War" (ranks a seven out of ten) shows the bands ability to change pace quickly as the song moves from slow to fast to slow again. "Traces of Grace" (another nine) is a compelling, swiftly moving song with an almost Metallica-like opening and brawny riffs. Showcasing more muscular riffs "Wisdom" (an eight out of ten) is another tune that swiftly changes pace. "The Warning" (a seven) moves briskly with a tough riff that carries the song throughout. Track six, "Sarah Williams" (ten out of ten), is a powerful ballad that tells the story of a young lady who was killed by a drunk driver and it's told through the apologetic drunk's point of view which makes this song an emotional powerhouse. "De Machina Est Deo" (ranking a nine) is an instrumental that recalls many European power metal bands along with Metallica as it moves fast and furiously. "Black Souls"(a seven) is aggressive, fast and brutal but lacks engaging vocal melodies. Finally "Critical Mass" (another seven) is heavy and aggressive but like "Black Souls" it suffers from the lack of strong melodies.Vocalist David Taylor sounds like a cross between Maiden's Bruce Dickinson and Queensryche's Geoff Tate with maybe a bit of Geddy Lee thrown in (apparently, some think this combination a bad thing-go figure) . The vocal melodies remind me of Queensryche and Fates Warning while the music is reminiscent of Queensryche, Iron Maiden and even Metallica (the Metallica similarities aren't major). I may be drawing upon too many comparisons, but this is my attempt to give the listener a good idea of what the band sounds like. My constant comparisons to Iron Maiden and Queensryche are probably a bit overboard and I need to point out that Jacobs Dream does clearly have their own style. To sum up, I really like this album. The strong song writing and the engaging performances make this CD as strong as Jacobs Dream's debut."
Enjoyable album
Joe White | 04/13/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Each song is well crafted and well executed, resulting in a very musically adept and soncially powerful album."
Ready for war
tom turkey | earth | 05/12/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is so much more focused than the self titled release. It rocks from end to end. I dare anyone to listen to Theater of War right after listening to the self titled release and tell me that there is anything lacking on theater of war. The only drawbacks (if you could call it that) i hear is the flat and dry production, little depth or seperation. Very in your face.
The self titled cd was very eclectic and open to the listeners interpreations where as this cd just rips you head off and hands it to you!"
Awesome
tom turkey | 07/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great album! Heavy music with awesome lyrics. I also have the first c.d. and love it. This one does have a little more kick to it though. If you love prog. metal I recommend you buy this one."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
