A Dream come true

ONCE a headbanger, forever a headbanger. This adage proved to be true at Dream Theatre's maiden concert last week in Kuala Lumpur.
The American band – ­comprising founding ­members John Petrucci and John Myung, drummer Mike Mangini, lead singer James La Brie, and ­keyboardist Jordan Rudess – was in town as part of a tour ­celebrating the 25th ­anniversary of its fan­-favourite album, ­Images and Words.
Unless you are a devoted fan of the progressive metal band, you would not have guessed that the combined age of the five current members is 268 years. And all their years of ­experience only amplified their mad musical skills.
Before the start, a sea of fans in all-black ­attire, most in skinny jeans, some in leather boots, were already waiting eagerly outside the concert venue, KLCC Plenary Hall.
It was a harmonious mix of millennials, people in their 50s, and even a family or two with young children sucking on milk bottles.
The event, organised by IME Asia, started right on time at 8.30pm, with the band ­performing The Dark Eternal Night, much to the delight of concert-goers.
Besides providing the vocals, lead singer La Brie also served up quips in-­between songs to a crowd of 2,500 progressive rock and metal enthusiasts.
One moment which drove fans into a frenzy was when La Brie asked bassist ­Myung a question, to which Myung replied with a single (albeit unintelligible) word.
The enigmatic bassist played with soul, seemingly ignoring the world while living up to his stoic stage persona.
From The Gift of Music to As I am, each of Dream Theatre's performance of hit songs that night were met with fervour from the crowd.
Even a short intermission after ­Breaking All Illusions did not dull the moment.
The band came back for the second half of the setlist with arguably its most popular piece and current number one on Spotify, Pull Me Under.
In-between songs, band ­members would ­occasionally thrust up the iconic hand ­gesture of the sign of horns, often ­mirrored by ­concert-goers, as if in silent ­mutual ­understanding.
The drums were an integral part in the success of the show. Infectious and high-octane, the energy spurred on by Mangini was even more prominent when he helmed the stage for his solo performance.
Undeniable talent and years of practice showed with every beat of the drum to Metropolis, with Mangini in total control of his instrument.
In another one of La Brie's quick quips, he explained that Rudess was quite the blues fan off the stage.
That was a cue for Rudess to showcase his beautiful ­keyboard ballad intro to Wait For Sleep, showing a softer side to Dream Theatre.
The night ended with a demand for an encore, with the audience chanting: "We want more!" And the band obliged, ­performing for close to another 30 minutes.
All in, the concert was brilliant, considering that fans were truly entertained, right to the very end.
You know Dream Theatre has managed to deliver, when concert-goers excitedly discuss their favourite parts of the show while exiting the building.
It's really true what they say, once a headbanger, forever a ­headbanger.