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© 2012 Martin Sandberg

This is a shot that I took at the Dream Theater concert at Hovet on the 25th of January.

It is my entry in the Fotosöndag group on the 29th of January when the theme is Heaven - Hell (Himmel - Helvete).

This image symbolises Heaven and Hell on many levels for me.

1. The music by Dream Theater is Heaven for me but I am sure a lot of people would find it to be Hell.

2. The concert experience. Standing up front of the stage for a couple of hours, packed in amongst a lot of other fans. I find it Heaven, some might find it Hell.

3. James LaBrie's voice. I find it Heavenly but I know some find it sounds like Hell. He is the member of the band that has had the most critisism against him from the fans.

4. James LaBrie has gone through Hell with a ruptured vocal cord due to a food poisoning incident a long time ago. His vocal health is heavenly now due to good physical maintainance and good vocal training.

5. Mike Mangini's position in the band as replacement for Mike Portnoy. A founding member of the band and one of the most influential members during the later years. For Mangini it is heaven to be in the band but some fans can not accept anyone else than Portnoy drumming for the band and they try to make it hell for him.

© 2012 Martin Sandberg

© 2012 Martin Sandberg

I had to upload a shot where the mick stand was visible. Love the s-shape of that stand and the foot in the shape of the Majesty symbol...

© 2012 Martin Sandberg

© 2012 Martin Sandberg

Mike Mangini was very impressive and a good fit for the band.
I was sorry to hear that Mike Portnoy left the band but now with the new album and having seen Mangini live I think this bodes well for the future....