Dream Theater

Very good band. I'm actually starting to add them to my collection. John Petruci is outstanding.

I remember reading a lot of hype about them online in the late '90s so I ended up buying Falling Into Infinity and Metropolis Pt. 2. I became bored by them very quickly and discovered progressive rock/metal was not really my cup of tea. They have a number of great songs but their albums are snoozers to me but I have to admit I picked up Black Clouds & Silver Linings out of curiosity (and in part because of the great special edition exclusives) and enjoyed it.

I'll be seeing them this summer with Iron Maiden, which will be cool, but I'd be just as fine if they weren't there at all.

I love these guys. I don't have the whole catalog, but I have a few of their discs. Love the Kevin Moore era.

Images and Words: Great sophomore effort. James La Brie's addition to the band is perfect.

Awake: My favorite album of theirs by far. It has some amazing songs on their. Last of the Kevin Moore era; I do miss his playing.

Some other albums of theirs I do enjoy:

Six Degrees: Good album, need to give it another spin though.

Train of Thought: This is a very heavy album. Almost straight forward metal. I think they wanted to make that one album that was really heavy.

Octavarium: Some really good (Panic Attack, The Root of All Evil) and some OK.

I could go on forever. Need to give the DS era a chance. Jordan is very good but Kevin Moore I think was a better fit.

But what do I know - I'm just a civil engineer.

DT are one of my favourite bands, and I'd agree that Kevin Moore brought something incredible to the band which has been lacking on recent albums. That said, Scenes from a Memory is a fantastic concept album which gives the band room to try some new ideas and paradoxically focused their sound. It's my equal favourite with Images and Words. Six Degrees... is another favourite, and whilst the last two have been good, they haven't been exceptional. The Score DVD is gobsmacking, though -each member is firing on all cylinders. I have the discography bar When Dream and Day Unite. One day!

GrandNational wrote:

Metallic Blaze wrote:

GrandNational wrote:

Metallic Blaze wrote:

OH COOL GRAND!!!

You met Derek in REAL life???!!!

Ya, when I saw him at the table, his face seemed familiar, and then my friend told me that he plays keyboards for Billy Idol, and the light-bulb went off in my head as to who he was.

SWEEET!!!

How long ago was that?

Derek is bar-none, one of my favorite keyboardists ever!

Around 2008 I believe. He actually gave me his phone number and has sent me maybe 5 or so Cd's since, so I have his address as well. Very cool guy, I never asked for the albums. The funny part is, my friend who was going out with him is now engaged to one of his friends. Haha. The irony of it all.

Wow, that's a cool story dude! What cds did he send?

I like all of Dream Theater's stuff, but my top favorites would have to be:

1. When Dream and Day Unite

this is just a phenonimal debut! You can really hear Dream Theater's traditional metal roots in this one, which is why I think I prefer it so much.

2. Train of Thought

though looked down upon by many fans at first, this album in hindsight has proven to be quite a landmark for the band. like someone said earlier in this thread. HEAVY! This was Dream Theater's heaviest album (and almost my favorite!!!)

3. Images and Words

4. The rest

Train of Thought is definitely my fave. never thought traditional prog could get that heavy.

mc666 wrote:

Train of Thought is definitely my fave. never thought traditional prog could get that heavy.

I hope they play some stuff from "Train of Thought" at the concert when they open for Iron Maiden!!!

Metallic Blaze wrote:

Wow, that's a cool story dude! What cds did he send?

His last solo album, some DT bootlegs, a few obscure bands he's worked with and a 3 disk copy of Ayreon's 01011001 that I actually sent to Scott to review, it was a cool package, but I already had it: http://www.nolifetilmetal.com/ayreon.htm

Dang dude, you sure know how to make a fella feel jealous.






LOL J/K bro!!! That's freeking awesome!!!

Love DT and even though they started to loose me a little after Scenes From A Memory, the won me back with their latest masterpiece. I know many people don't like James' voice but he is one of my top vocalists. Also Petrucci is one of my all time favorite guitarists and Mike one of my all time favorite drummers. I'd go for more detail but I'm saving that for when I review their entire discography when my time comes up in the Complete Works thread.

DallasBlack wrote:

Love DT and even though they started to loose me a little after Scenes From A Memory, the won me back with their latest masterpiece. I know many people don't like James' voice but he is one of my top vocalists. Also Petrucci is one of my all time favorite guitarists and Mike one of my all time favorite drummers. I'd go for more detail but I'm saving that for when I review their entire discography when my time comes up in the Complete Works thread.

The guys in DT are the some of the best musicians in the world. John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, and John Myung are all amazing at what they do. The most talented band ever assembled IMO...

John Petrucci's solo album Suspended Animation is freakin' great! I'm a huge DT fanboy. Have all their studio plus many of their live and bootleg collection. My favorite DT album is Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence.

MetalH wrote:

John Petrucci's solo album Suspended Animation is freakin' great! I'm a huge DT fanboy. Have all their studio plus many of their live and bootleg collection. My favorite DT album is Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence.

Wishful Thinking is spine tingling IMO that song smokes.... John Petrucci IMO is the best guitar player in the world the man can do it all....

1.Images & Words 10/10
2.Awake 10/10

Too bad their tour with Maiden isn't playing anywhere near me!

mc666 wrote:

Train of Thought is definitely my fave. never thought traditional prog could get that heavy.

+1

That was the album that pretty much introduced me to 'em.... I couldn't believe how heavy it was.... Great stuff....

In The Name of God was probably my favorite tune on that album...

7thSaviour wrote:

1.Images & Words 10/10
2.Awake 10/10

Too bad their tour with Maiden isn't playing anywhere near me!

Get a ticket and fly out to Albuquerque!

I'm waiting to see if a friend of mine wants to go, if he doesn't I'll just order a ticket for myself and have a good time (too bad I didn't know about it sooner, I could have better seats that what I'm going to have).

DallasBlack wrote:

I'm waiting to see if a friend of mine wants to go, if he doesn't I'll just order a ticket for myself and have a good time (too bad I didn't know about it sooner, I could have better seats that what I'm going to have).

Cool!!!! You;ll get the first show of the tour in Dallas!!!!! DT and Maiden!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!

thejokeriv wrote:

DT and Maiden!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!

Listened to Octovarium on the way in this morning...it was like hearing it for the first time...amazing stuff.

S wrote:

Listened to Octovarium on the way in this morning...it was like hearing it for the first time...amazing stuff.

That is a great album!

I thought that this was pretty cool:


I always thought that Charlie sounded like John Elefante, I guess it's just me that hears that or no one else knows who John Elefante is.

I maintain that "A Change Of Seasons" (as recorded/released by the band in 1995) is the BEST individual song the band has ever put out.