Downey, California is best remembered for the spacecrafts, fighter jets and B-1 bombers built there over the past three or four decades. But for 3 hours on a warm summer June evening, progressive Armageddon found its way into the city’s sold-out 700 seat community theatrer.

Jordan Rudess, Tony Levin, John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy reunited their successful Liquid Tension Experiment musical project. Since 2008 marked 10 years since prog met prog metal, it wasn’t as simple as Dream Theater meets King Crimson.

It was quite the coup for CalProg promoter Jim “Papa J” Harrel, who corralled this show from his close friendship with drummer, Mike Portnoy. “The show sold out very quickly with little promotion,” Harrel said. He polled the audience during the introductions and at least 80% of those in attendance fancied themselves as musicians in some form or fashion.

The 11 song set opened with “Acid Rain” from the second LTE album which the crowd recognized quickly and enthusiastically. Petrucci’s solo was quick, precise and played in sharply played multiple minor keys. The next few songs came from the first LTE album. “Kindred Spirits” lead out and sounded very Crimson/Floyd like. Next Levin broke out the chapman stick and we got a medley/jam of “Freedom of Speech” and “Another Dimension” with an extended improve/jam in the middle.

The show had several duet and solo moments. Rudess and Petrucci performed a bluesy movie score style piece filled with beautiful arpeggios. A guitar and bass duet turned into a funky version of “When the Water Breaks” which led into another improv jam by the group during the second set. After the jam, the music spun into the Gershwin classic “Rhapsody in Blue” which spiraled back and forth between classical and progressive underscores. The crowd was highly enthused and they were thoroughly entertained by this cover. The band returned for an encore of “Osmosis” and “Paradigm Shift” which were my favorite pieces of the night containing dramatically emotional Jordan Rudess solos.

Jordan Rudess may very well be the most talented keyboard musician I have ever seen. His music can be found in the rock section of most virtual music stores but his diverse talents and Juilliard School of Music background cover so much more territory. In this show, Jordan was found playing his Roland Phantom G8 and it felt like he never stopped playing. I would love to have taken a picture of him turning his head and smiling to the audience when his spinning keyboard faces stage right or left.

Tony Levin’s musical education spans many decades of talented artists. He continues to be a mainstay with Peter Gabriel and King Crimson. Possibly the most respected bassist in rock music today, his resume also include Paul Simon, Steve Gadd, Alice Cooper, Robert Fripp, various members of Yes and Lou Reed. Being the quintessential bassist and most remembered for his Chapman stick work, there is so much more to Levin’s skill and presence than just one of the guitarists who stand next to the drummer. Since the four musicians do not play together often, you could find Levin, standing center stage, constantly making eye contact and using body language with all the other band members.

John Petrucci idolized virtuoso guitarists like SRV, Alan Holdsworth, Al DiMeola and Steve Howe. Petrucci is respected for his variety of guitar styles and his skills were reflected during his solo between “Freedom of Speech” and “Another Dimension.” It was quite noticeable throughout the evening that Petrucci is able to pick at high speeds with both hands, sometimes switching back and forth between them during rifs.

Mike Portnoy is the type of drummer that musicians want to perform and create with. The limelight is unimportant while consistently being on top of the beat is. He is amazingly precise, fast, versatile and fun to watch because of the positive body language that makes his presence a force.

My musical education would not be complete had I not had the opportunity to see this remarkable performance by these amazing musicians.