Dream Theater The Alien ~ Reaction and Dissection ~ The Decomposer Lounge

[@KeyOfGeebz]

Hey Gang!! LONG VIDEO - kinda had a coffee-driven ramble on about this song - F#&KING AMAZBALLS!!! Okay den, caffeieeeeen buzz flex'n now so I'm gonna listen to this a few more times! AWWWRIGHT!!

[@Loctorak]

Hey if it's DT related, I'll sit for as long as I have to 😂

[@christopherblowers443]

Please jump back into VEKTOR-RECHARGING THE VOID

[@baddreams3850]

Love the channel! Could you consider a new genre? Post hardcore prog is amazing and hail the sun disappearing syndrome or circa survive the amulet are 2 amazing ones I know you would appreciate

[@JaySay]

Long is always fine! With YT nowadays, the "In it in a Minute to Win it" mentality is def not there anymore. Dream Theater are one of (if not) the best at this style, hands down. Always loved Petrucci since I heard him jamming years ago. DT ftw!

[@rsb4639]

Your try to go

[@mirkecWii]

I swear you have to listen to Octavarium, it will be a long video but you'll undoubtedly love it

[@terrymtbnurse4760]

Have to react to Octavarium, no doubt.

[@colinburroughs9871]

The last real DT effort in a lot of ways. Very JP centric, riff, epic solo stuff

[@zade8586]

@@colinburroughs9871 yes.

[@MaeJazz]

I support this!!!!!

[@markwalker2951]

I am absolutely on board for this!!

[@alanalanis2257]

People need to stop hating on Labrie's vocals. The man's close to 60 and he's still has the stamina to sing at such a powerful level. Check out his vocals with his son's band Falset on their cover of Motley Crue's Kickstart My Heart. He could actually replace Vince Neil.

[@ShadowhispersBand]

Normally I’m not a really big fan of James’ voice, but I really enjoyed it in this song. Probably what surprised me the most here is James.

[@milton1448]

@Big Floppa Morning, for context I have never liked James voice. His overt vibrato forever annoys me. That said, I own much of the DT catalog as I like their music and respect their talent. I just don't care for his voice.

[@aldoelektrika]

Replacing Vince Noel is NOT something that is incredibly hard at this point.

[@shawnwesley8734]

Also there is something to be said about hearing James live as opposed to on KZbin , I caught them on their Scenes From A Memory anniversary tour and I thought he sounded amazing live!

[@SwedeSpeeder]

Someone needs to. Lol

[@cr0wguitar]

This is the best Mangini has sounded with them since joining. So you are not wrong about the drum mix.

[@aidanblackmusic]

I actually loved how he sounded in dramatic turn of events, that album got way more hate than it deserved imo. Many fans were caught up in the whole Portnoy/Mangini thing and didn't take the music for what it is separate from the drummer debate.

[@ScottAndersonYT]

@@aidanblackmusic I’d agree, this new album sounds like it’ll have the best drum mix but for Mangini but ADTOOE is a close enough second. The other drum mixes from DT and TA are really unlistenable IMO.

[@aidanblackmusic]

@@ScottAndersonYT for me the DT drum mix was definitely terrible, TA was better, D/T even better than that, and this slots in between that and ADTOE.

[@Psyggie]

You are SO right! Mangini has been a beast since he joined and I've loved their sound with him in the band but yes, this is on a completely different level!

[@sonicplys64]

My first listen: "What is this? I'm not vibing with this at all. It sounds all over the place. Not impressed." My tenth listen: "ALLLLLIIIEEEEENNN!"

[@Cheese-0x]

Dream Theater songs in a nutshell

[@leoMC4384]

Me too. An acquired taste. 😁😁😁

[@alexburchell1891]

Agreed, they're definitely one of those bands that takes time to get into.

[@fabiobentes]

Same!

[@SwedeSpeeder]

Facts.

[@manuelvillescas8856]

Mangini slaying those drums

[@phil7574]

You should react to "The Count of Tuscany" by Dream Theater

[@Gvillermo93]

💯

[@Gvillermo93]

Or illumination Theory

[@SwedeSpeeder]

Best song in their catalog.

[@N1RKW]

This sort of thing is why Dream Theater has been my favorite band for 30 years. Absolute masters of their craft.

[@colinburroughs9871]

They've been making iterations of this song post Ocatavarium, over and over. It's raw dog pt 20 or something. I didn't know it at the time, but DT knocking off U2 or stuff like that results in better songs (what I'd give for an Anna Lee these days) than Djent Theater or the everything comes back to Metallica phase.

[@N1RKW]

@@colinburroughs9871 - While I definitely respect your opinion, I do have to disagree. I've spent many hundreds of hours listening to all of their albums, and while the style is always recognizably Dream Theater, and they do from time to time make obvious and openly admitted homages to other artists, they are not repetitive in any way that I have picked up on. Each album has been a new musical journey, with new musical and lyrical ideas, and each new album has blown me away completely. The only album that doesn't seem 100% original DT is, ironically enough, the one you mentioned. Falling into Infinity (which has Anna Lee on it) was forced by the record label to be more "pop" sounding, with shorter, more "radio friendly" songs. Even the song Take Away My Pain, a loving ballad written by John Petrucci following the recent death of his father, was given a quicker tempo and a reggae style beat that the band did not want. The band was so upset by the way the label forced their hands that they insisted on 100% control of their music after that, or DT would disband. The very next album we got was Scenes From a Memory, which many consider to be their finest album. While I do enjoy Falling Into Infinity, in my opinion it is the least Dream Theater sounding album of theirs. I very much doubt that we will ever get another "Anna Lee", but there's no doubt in my mind that we will get plenty more enjoyable music from DT. That being said, to each their own. You are, of course, welcome to your own opinion. One of the great things about music is that none of us hear it quite the same way, and we all enjoy it (or not) differently. Kind regards.

[@colinburroughs9871]

@@N1RKW fair enough. I'd point out the FII demos lay out what was the intended product and what's more is it's the test case that JP benefits from editorial direction at times, at least in the formation of tunes (not writing melodies or instrumental passages) . These newer tunes feel like instrumentals with vocal passages tacked on after the fact. There's something going on with these guys that's substantially different than what made them iconic in the 90s'. I don't think it's really a debate, personally, but as you noted, there's a degree of bias/preference that goes into this stuff.

[@N1RKW]

@@colinburroughs9871 - "instrumentals with vocal passages tacked on"... Yup, you have a good point there. That definitely fits this new song! As for the differences now from where they were 20+ years ago, I think that all bands evolve over time. Also, Mike Portnoy, who was their primary motivating force in the 90's (especially while he was battling his addiction), left the band in 2010. John Petrucci has mostly taken over in that role, but also the other band members have been able to add more to the music. Portnoy, who is an awesome drummer and did a great job with DT, was the first to admit that he was a control freak, and was very much in charge of most of the songwriting prior to 2010. The others had their voices, of course, but he was pretty much in control of the direction of the band. Personally, I like how the band has changed since then. I think that they are more open to explore different things, both musically and lyrically, and I enjoy it as I enjoy all of their music. As I said, to each their own. I agree that this isn't a debate. I would call it a discussion between fans with differing viewpoints. Have a great day!

[@colinburroughs9871]

@@N1RKW peace dude

[@lukecampbell801]

How about Coil/Heir Apparent? Anything more by Opeth would be killer, but I would love that duo in particular to be decomposed!

[@theguy8284]

That breakdown in the lotus eater though.

[@grrrom991]

I vote yes on Coil/Heir Apparent, those two tracks together are one of the best album openings ever.

[@jamcam9]

That's a fantastic idea.

[@nelsonjere17]

Dare I say that Opeth is a more actualized version of Dreamtheater?

[@lukecampbell801]

@@nelsonjere17 yeah, they're definitely the ones I prefer. Their tones and acoustic sections are more interesting. Dream Theater tends to overdo their guitar and keyboard solos, and Akerfeldt is a much better vocalist than Labrie. Overall, dream theater strikes me as kind of dorky, but Opeth always has this dark and menacing feel that I've always been more drawn to.

[@mooncritter721]

Imagine the rehearsal time for just this song to be that tight!! Now imagine a whole album of this musical mastery. These guys are the best!!! No contest!!

[@dominich.9745]

I wonder what it must be like to wake up everyday knowing you are the most talented musicians on the planet?Just incredible playing.

[@briansf7012]

I was waiting for you to get to John's solo at 12:57 of the video. That's how I felt when I heard that tone.

[@chrismiller3898]

Legitimately haven’t heard a better mix than this song in a VERY long time. Every single instrument is so audible at every point. Hats off to John Myung and Mangini for really showing off and making this track soar.

[@sjsphotog]

John Petrucci ( guitarist ) mixed it himself in their brand new personal band studio they built in between the prior and this album. Really shows. John is a mixing genius for sure.

[@armyvet92]

Dream Theater is hands down the best band anyone could possibly listen to !!!! My favorite group . I have been a fan since 1989 !!! and will be until they quit playing or I die.

[@conooor]

five magics by megadeth only original version :D trust me 😎❤️

[@stivenbermudez3358]

Mary friedman is god

[@Gary_M]

Agree with you on the original version. The remaster they did on that album is a disaster.

[@fabiochristoforo]

Best band on the planet. Period. Can’t wait to hear the whole album. Cheers from Brazil! 🤘🏻🇧🇷

[@Wildernesbear]

Arch Echo is touring with them later this year. That would be a great next reaction

[@VastIllumination]

Please do "Arch Echo - Color Wheel"

[@stcmattb]

I'd love to see Arch Echo's "Daybreak" or "Iris." Color Wheel is wonderful but Iris is a masterclass in composition!

[@Brave_New_Tube]

The Dear Hunter - A Night on the Town I promise you, with your composer background, you absolutely will not be disappointed. ❤️

[@markwalker2951]

Very nice choice!!

[@kristianm.6946]

Yes!!! More Dream Theater please 🙏 "Glass Prison" (Studio version) will blow your mind off - a ton of crazy riffs 😉

[@craiggoodreid7262]

Dream Theater FTW! Having been a DT fan since Images and Words this song has quickly become one of my favourites because as you mentioned, that mix just really gives every single band member their own space to shine.

[@kevinlynch2248]

"The bass is the soul, the bottom end" needs to be on a t-shirt Geebz. DreamTheater for the win indeed!

[@danjmcs]

Myung is brilliant and never gets enough recognition... just such a great bass player.

[@tsho6131]

Maybe I’m way off base, but the way this song is engineered and performed, compared to the engineering on virtuoso prog music of yesteryear makes me think of visual-intensive movies of the 70’s and 80’s vs the effects-driven masterpieces of the last 10-15 years. I’m thinking like YYZ is to The Alien as Mel Gibson Mad Max is to Tom Hardy Mad Max. Both are amazing in their own right, but the more recent work benefits greatly from a whole lot of technical and technological advancements from the last couple decades. The trick is not making the technology into the spectacle, but using it to support the artistic vision. I think they succeeded in that here.

[@Spitx]

But the thing is that live they sound incredible too and even the small nuances get it even more rich!! Technically... The best out there to appreciate... Each and every one of them.

[@joelmarquez4629]

🤦🏻‍♂️ go see them live

[@aaronbenton7]

This song is so amazing. The drums are nuts, the bass sounds good...first time i heard this song i was so mindblown. I am again...its so good. They totally deserved the Grammy they won for this.

[@nicolaskuchta1072]

I saw Dream Theater opening for YES, many years ago... that evening was no dull moment!

[@steveforman7643]

Killer cut! Mangini and Myung just beast mode. JP’s solos were epic! What was that crazy note from Jordan? Otherworldly! Can’t wait for the album release. 🎸🔥🎸🤟

[@MuhammadIsmail-fi2ms]

Mike Mangini is d best ever. Dream Theater guys, you nailed it. Materpiece, grande, deep soul. Yeah, they are The Alien(s). 👽🤘🤘

[@littmus32ify]

I've listened to listen song about 5 times now, and it keeps getting better each time. There's so much going on! Freaking amazing track.

[@beatnaf8429]

This is Masterpiece Composing OMG Love you Guys 🎸✌️

[@rtrooperw8115]

They have outdone themselves, which seemed impossible. The MASTERS!🙏🏻🤟🏻

[@andreascala2663]

the alien is Mike Mangini

[@holty2463]

I’ve listened to this song maybe 30 times and still hear new parts I didn’t previously. If this is anything to go by for the new album it’s gonna kick some serious ass.

[@dodgrblu]

This Dream Theater for the win 👇 Space Dye Vest

[@DreiK96]

Lol. Arguably one of DT's most boring songs of all time just like the silent man. DT doesn't even want that in the album. Only for Kevin Moore.

[@Psyggie]

I've been a DT fan since 2000 and in my opinion they're the best band in history! Their versatility with the musical styles and sounds, untouched technical skills, and incredibly deep and meaningful lyrics is what does it for me! I agree about the mix, this may be the best mixed sounding DT song to date out of their ENTIRE discology! I had to listen a good 4 or 5 times to realize it may be a top 10 song by them too! There was too much going on for me the first listen, and I have no music education so I imagine it was wild for you!!

[@auralfixxation6702]

Another thing, Dream Theater isn't slowing down a bit. All of these years later and they still bring it with conviction.

[@Sleepwokkr]

I've been a fan of Dream Theater since 1993. Every new album they release, I'm always afraid that they are finally not going to do it for me anymore. Each song usually takes multiple lessons to appreciate the pure genius of these guys. Usually by about listen number six or seven, I'm hearing it in a different way. And even after 20 or 30 listens, oftentimes there are still things that I'm hearing for the first time because there's so much going on with these guys. By the way, your reaction at 14:23 was absolutely perfect! Priceless, and I wholeheartedly agree with your facial expressions and the words that came out of your mouth. 😂

[@kitchenlab9578]

I think this is one of Dream Theater's best songs.

[@sjsphotog]

And hence why the won the Grammy Award for it

[@stevedocherty1816]

Agree, amazing mix and you can even hear Myung for once, and get to hear just how beautifully his lines compliment what's happening up top.

[@deliriumcb5959]

You need to do Liquid Tension Experiment's "When the Water Breaks"

[@Vegaroth]

I've seen them live in Porto, and I was amazed by the sound quality. It sounded exactly the same as in the DVD, except for the fact they were playing it right in front of me. It was a surreal experience.

[@robertlee6123]

@@medved3027 That's exactly what makes it so fun to watch though..

[@erwinwendler4621]

Big difference with dvd though.. labrie live performance is never desirable :(

[@rinaldiaryanto1469]

@@medved3027 thats how you enjoy this type of music. Go to some pop concert if you wanna go to moving concert.

[@ripleyandrew]

I really like your reactions. I have to say it again. Octavarium and or The Count of Tuscany will give you a better knowledge of the pinnacle of the portnoy years. There is a clear difference.

[@segfault_000]

Mangini comes into his own on this song (and hopefully the whole album) -- the drumming is the best it's sounded since the ADToE in my opinion. I like Portnoy too, and generally like his drumming better than Mangini's, but the "bag of tricks" does get repetitive.

[@vivekiyer9062]

One of the Portnoy nuthuggers. Go get a life.

[@mistersmeagol259]

So cool to see you do this one already! 😯 In terms of interesting production to goober over, here's some future Dream Theater options for you, in order of suggestitude: *"Misunderstood"* , *"A Nightmare to Remember"* , *"Sacrificed Sons"* , and *"The Ministry of Lost Souls"* . Enjoy! 🤙🏼

[@ottobahn]

Dream Theater FTW! I agree, James did sound pulled back to the middle a bit. That said, I felt his higher notes sounded cleaner and more powerful than they did on The Astonishing and even their self titled album.

[@chrisandrita2004]

What is absolutely freaking awesome is Dream Theater recorded there whole album at there own building (DTHQ)!!!!

[@mhbackman]

Hell yeah, Geebz! Check out their prog opus 'Scenes from a memory: Part 2' if you want to hear my personal favourite of theirs.

[@joe94c]

If you haven't already, I think you should have a look at Eluveitie: rebirth. It's a Swiss folk metal band with like 8 instruments and 2 singers. From a composer perspective I think you'd love it

[@ShadowhispersBand]

One word: masterpiece

[@bkoker71]

I completely agree that the mix is really good. For me this is the best I've heard Mangini's drums.

[@michaelpebbles6243]

I shared your brilliant reaction on the Main DT facebook page. Let's see how it goes.

[@palantir135]

Yes, I’m that old also that I remember Styx. Try: the day that the world brakes down, by Ayreon. Floor Jansen is in it. Or The Garden of emotions; the electric castle live and other tales by Ayreon. It’s symphonic metal/metal opera.

[@ShadowhispersBand]

Was this DT trying to be Ayreon? 🤔🤔🤔 JK 😉

[@edelcorrallira]

@@ShadowhispersBand Y not? Hehehe

[@ShadowhispersBand]

@@edelcorrallira well played 👍

[@Eincrou]

22:08 With every new Dream Theater album since 2011's _A Dramatic Turn of Events,_ Dream Theater fans are terrified that Mangini's drums will be poorly produced again. Drum sounds on "The Alien" seem good to me. "A View from the Top of the World," will likely be the third album of the Mangini era in a row with acceptable drums, so I think the engineers may have finally figured out how to treat the man's incredible performances with respect. Dream Theater FTW!

[@billtbodger]

You put this out on my Birthday last year and 2 nights ago I got to see it live, all I can say is WOW, what a song and what a show

[@fostena]

Their best performance is Octavarium - Live from the SCORE tour

[@brianwalsh9778]

The drum cam video of this is just flipping insane. Mangini is a machine.

[@Retsea]

This song gets even better with multiple listens!!

[@nedrini1387]

Imagine how much I love it. I’ve already heard it about 20 times

[@rayaamandamico9977]

I thought at first, LTE invited LaBrie to do vocals. The intro was so LTE. The start of the vocal parts reminiscent of The Count of Tuscany! But really great new material. You're right, sound engineering and mixing was spotless!

[@aarondiaz1433]

YOU should have realized it was not LTE by the drumming! Portnoy cannot play like that

[@valeriob7799]

and so this song just won the grammy ... more than deserved :)

[@william7108]

When the lead came in your in Houston so you have a Earthly introspect Inn of the musical storyline notice how it brought you from the opening of the song back down to earth?!

[@greenfilly]

Its aight Really wish you'd do the older stuff.

[@joeyb.8613]

There is really no letting up throughout their entire discography. The Alien reminds me of some of Kansas' early compositions on crack.... DT is truly next level.

[@kithkani]

DT and BTBAM in the same month, heck ya! Digging the Death Wish Mug btw.

[@stonerjoe21]

Dream Theatre A nightmare to remember please! It’s a dark melodic epic journey masterpiece!!

[@sjsphotog]

This song won them their Grammy Award. Long overdue and they finally got into the Hall of Fame as well. No better talent out there. Love love love this band.

[@SoiledWig]

Dream Theater FTW indeed! Always love hearing your insights on the mix and engineering aspects of the recordings. Clarity and placing the instruments in their proper spots along the EQ spectrum are crucial for being able to tell whether the performance was good in the first place.

[@V4Victory93]

I totally agree with you on the mix. So precise and crystal clear with a perfect punch.

[@tonykuriger573]

Enjoying your content. You should totally do a Haken song. Perhaps Puzzle Box or Nil by Mouth.

[@mikkelschlosser3674]

I would love to hear your thoughts as a composer on Lingua Ignota - “Do You Doubt Me Traitor”. And do yourself a favor, and read up on the themes regarding the album “Caligula”, which is the album the song appears on, and the personal experience the artist has gone through. Powerfull and disturbing!!

[@mikkelschlosser3674]

@Cosmonaut it is one of my favorite records.

[@crabuki1273]

I've listened to thousands of hours of Dream Theater since the 90s. They were my favorite band for over a decade. This... sounds like most of Dream Theater. Technical mastery paired with a vague sense that I'm not getting what I want. At this point I'm convinced I never will. I admire them, I will always find enjoyment in what they do, but as I get older, I'm less interested in investing the time for an end product I know won't satisfy me.

[@SwedeSpeeder]

Dream Theater won their first Grammy tonight. 🤘🤘🤘

[@Prognosis__]

Cool. I was going to ask you to do this song but your already made it. Awesome

[@yeptoo1148]

Its a GREAT track 🔥🔥. From a really Great album 👍🇺🇸

[@steezydan8543]

Yeah I dig the hell out of this new DT sound. Petrucci plays a lot of "Dream Theater" style riffs, especially during the solo, but the way it's done is really refreshing, not just complicated for the sake of being complicated

[@Nialligimino]

Not complicated like playing a solo, reversing it, and then learning that?

[@55timboslice]

Heyyy Geebz!!! I discovered your channel recently and I have to say that your reviews are the most detailed and my new favorite of all the different music reviewers out there!!! It's an absolute treat to hear the perspective you share! Anyways, to get to my point, I would absolutely be thrilled if you could take the time to review my favourite song of all time since the release a year and a half ago!! I have seen you review some of my other favorite songs (Reptile, Of Matter), and if you could do a review of the song DARK by INVENT, ANIMATE, I think you will understand why I believe it will be my absolute favorite song forever!!! I truly believe it will blow you away with how perfect it is in every way! 🔥 Much Love my Brother!! 🙏❤

[@swindle2240]

I’m stoked I came across your channel, man! So much deep knowledge and actual dissection of the songs versus just plain opinion. Awesome work. Subscribed!!

[@SpaghettiWithMeatSauce]

Well I can absolutely hear where Between the Buried and Me get their influence

[@13heylady]

Dream theater for the win!!! Always been a fan of theirs!

[@SiD-vs7jg]

Thank you so much for doing this. What a track. If this is anything to go by the new album is going to be an absolute belter.

[@beng1137]

Listen to A Change of Seasons, my favorite of Dream Theater's long epic songs

[@albinlundberg5583]

Long epsiodes really is no problem what so ever! DT for the win!

[@christopherlandry5712]

An amazing Dream Theater song I'd love to see you listen to - To Live Forever, the live from tokyo version from '93, james is completely in his prime and will just blow you away with the notes he cant hit and the power with them. Finished off with a very moving and wide genre range solo, its an easy recommend. Either way, love the videos. Your reactions to the right parts of the music are so entertaining

[@georgelewis9974]

I agree with you on your initial take of The Alien. Everyone in the band is in top form. Dazzling players (and singer) with sparkling musicianship.

[@chrisknapp6091]

The intro reminds me of my all-time favorite DT intro: In the Presence of Enemies. Really solid stuff and I can't wait for the whole album!

[@revylokesh1783]

I used to love DT. They were my favourite band. But ever since JR joined, who is most certainly an absolute virtuoso, it seems to me that their music relies more and more on guitar/key unisono riffage and scale-runs without end. After a while I find that it gets utterly boring. All of the guys are masters of their craft. But compositionally, I tend to very much prefer their older albums like I&W, Awake, A Change of Season, and Falling into Infinity. There's something incredibly wonderful on those albums: the guitars and keys don't play the same things, most of the time. When Petrucci is riffing, they keys play complex/extended chords underneath, either sustained, or arpeggiated. I find that a lot more satisfying.

[@plap111]

They just keep getting worse and worse. The old stuff is absolutely genius. I do still like Scenes from a Memory, 6 Degrees, and Train of Thought with Jordan, but they go downhill from there. Octavarium is pretty good, but there's just a few gems. Same with Systematic Chaos and Black Clouds. aDTOE could've been good, but you really felt the departure of Portnoy. Everything since then is just uninspired prog music. It just feels like they're only writing because "it's time to write another album". Everything sounds like they just started a 5 minute jam and recorded whatever riffs they came up with.

[@juansolis4796]

They are formulaic and sounds the same . and I agree, i love their first albums, up until 6 deegres. I actually stopped listening to them in the Train of thought album; really don´t like that album at all.

[@CruedEP]

I'm with you and everybody responding to you. x2 on all of it. ESPECIALLY re: Jordan.

[@colinburroughs9871]

@@plap111 I think this might be a generational thing to some extent. If you grew up with or were a seasoned music listener/musician in the 90's, DT mattered in a way that the folks who've found them subsequent to that largely don't see. Though there are some hardcore fans that think it's all good. Rush would do a record in a style, then on the next it'd take a turn and on the next most of what was on the first (in a run of three) isn't detectable. DT has been on auto pilot for a long time now.

[@biaxident1984]

100000% agreed. I think Portnoy's direction and vision really kept the members from just going into mindless riffing with no real structure or direction. They're very cut and paste now. Such a shame.

[@filipec.storck]

Epic song!!! Amazing reaction ❤️🔥🤘🏻

[@Cornwall1298]

You absolutely need to check out Arch Echo, they're supporting Dream Theater on their upcoming tour

[@davidedemurodominijanni9889]

Oh... and by the way... *Dream Theater* for the win... *Therion* for the double win!!!!!

[@punman5392]

John Myung’s bass tone on this track kicks a ridiculous amount of ass. Also who would have thought that 17/16 could groove this hard. James LaBrie kills the vocals on this track, too

[@Spitx]

Dream Theater ftw xD the one who taught me guitar the most once showed me their album metropolis pt2 and while at first many things were hard to absorb or digest and wouldn't really pull me that much into their work, small passages and works kept me compelled to get back for more and more and it then became a need... It's so awesome and so misunderstood due to the complexity to a normal everyday commercial mainstream listener

[@daveayers3236]

This comes from a huge DT fan who's been with them since Images & Words: As much as I love these guys, I feel they have become formulaic. They sound more like a band trying to BE Dream Theater than what they were when I fell in love with them. Yeah, still amazing musicians turning out music better than 90% of what's out there...and nowhere near the level of creativity they once had. If you want to dig into the truly experimental/creative stuff, here are my suggestions: Space-Dye Vest, Erotomania/Voices/The Silent man (could just do Voices, but this is really a suite of songs), Lines in the Sand (one of the most beautiful mid-sections ever), Peruvian Skies, Home, Blind Faith, Disappear, Misunderstood, Endless Sacrifice, In The Name of God, These Walls, Sacrificed Sons. At this point, I hear too many recycled textures, passages, tones from their past. Hate to say it, because I still love them, but... As good as this is to those new to them, they have been MUCH better. They set their own bar to high that it's nearly impossible to meet it consistently after 30+ years, I think.

[@nedrini1387]

What the hell do you expect? There are only seven notes. How much difference do you think anybody can come up with? I was blown away the first time I heard this song and I’ve listen to it about 20 times and dream theater happens to be my favorite band.

[@daveayers3236]

@@nedrini1387 Dude, relax. I didn't insult your mom. And, as noted, I've been listening to them for almost 30 years, and I consider them my favorite, after Rush. And...my opinion is they've gotten stale. This is an amazing piece of musicianship, and it also sounds a lot like most of what they have been doing for 10 years in terms of composition. Didn't say the song or the band sucks. I am saying they have been better. I can love the band and not love everything they do.

[@dodgrblu]

yeah since after Octavarium they've gone downhill, and I've been constantly requesting Space Dye Vest so that Geebz can get a different DT experience

[@nedrini1387]

@@dodgrblu To be honest to me Octavarium is a little overrated. They’ve had so many great songs since then including this one

[@ElginLordawn]

@@nedrini1387 there’s twelve notes.

[@kristianm.6946]

The Glass Prison - studio version. This song has the most insane guitar riffs - it will make you jump in your chair.

[@francescgonyalons9936]

So Jordan is playing tasteful and James is singing great!!! First and last reaction I watch from you!!!

[@isenbergj]

What can you say. This is the greatest band on the planet.

[@dimitriid]

John doubles the guitar parts during recording but indeed, Jordan subs them while playing live. His keys settings sounds different enough from recording that you can tell is there but close enough that doesn't interferes at all. Must say Jordan really must spend untold hours setting up his keyboard sounds because I've heard no other player that can double heavily distorted guitars for rhythmic parts and get away with it but he certainly does I was there live to hear it.

[@Kipex]

Yes. This is one of the often unmentioned great things about the band. I feel like a lot of bands would fall apart musically if they didn't have a second guitar player, but in Dream Theater both the bass and keyboard do such a fantastic job at supporting everything while Petrucci is going off with his soaring solos.

[@paramourcat]

There are distinct portions of this song where you can audibly hear that Jordan is doubling or harmonizing the guitar parts, just like he would do live. I believe he has always been doing it on albums just like he would live. There ARE sections where sometimes John will layer a rhythm guitar underneath a lead part just to keep it going, but these are infrequent.

[@DreiK96]

I'm not a fan of Petrucci doubling guitar parts. It's drowning the bass.

[@DanielGonzalezC]

And if you own any of Jordan's apps, where he includes many many of the patches he uses with DT, you'll hear how SPOT ON are all his JP lead patches. He practically manages to recreate the sound.

[@mitchwarren1600]

DT are playing on the edge of human capability! It’s Overwhelming !

[@jesseaull4425]

Dream Theater for the WIN!!! That kicked ass!!!!!!

[@allenhuling598]

Fantastic band, fantastic song, and some really great comments, Geebz! DT for the win!!

[@arpeggioblues5924]

May I suggest : "Dance of Eternity" Dream Theater.. their most complex and difficult piece to date

[@philmiller99]

"5, 6, 7 times".....LOL!!!! Ive listened way more than that and am just now really getting this.

[@BourhilOthmane]

You re my favorite man on youtube ! Such a lovely musician, I like when I see you reacting like me with ur face ! Haha

[@JohnnyOlsson]

I've mentioned this before, and I'll probably keep nagging about it until it gets done: I would love to see you do a reaction and dissection of Barock Project's "Gold" or "The Longest Sigh". Really great band and I think you would appreciate their work.

[@JohnSmith-fl4bj]

Yeah, for sure. Got into Barock Project fairly recently and some killer music with great compositions. Had never heard of them until recently.

[@randalljones4370]

Soooo, this is what happened when Tarkus grew up? (just kidding, there were a few similar passages, but I'm not sure how to reference them and I didn't write down the timestamps. You really know how to take the bite that cannot be chewed.

[@kileyriley1937]

Please react to Dir En Grey's 2013 live performance of Macabre! It's a bit on the long side but it is absolutely worth it! I would love to get some of your know how on them :)