How Dream Theater became the Face of Progressive Metal

[@RazBenAri]

If you're as passionate as us about the stories behind famous Rock & Metal bands, and wanna help us create these videos, you're more than welcome to join our Discord server here: ​discord.gg/9hqX4hw Or send me a message on any of my social media links (in the description). We're looking for writers, researchers, video editors and more! Feel free to send me a message even if you're not sure what you could do. Thanks for watching!

[@stevebauer3727]

Would love to see you do one of these on Chris Poland of Megadeth fame and all the stuff he did since which many do not know about...damn the machine, etc.

[@Strings-jg2to]

And now they got a Grammy for their latest album. They deserve it.

[@MAGAMAN]

Their latest album was shit.

[@Strings-jg2to]

@@MAGAMAN it's all subjective.

[@Anonymous-mu5bl]

@@MAGAMAN you’re the shit

[@Goldnfoxx]

@@MAGAMAN Yeah, I've been a DT fan since '94, and the last two albums just haven't really done it for me. I'm happy for them in the extreme if they got the Grammy, though, even if I prefer the atmospheric and melodic approach to albums like Awake to the wall-to-wall, non-stop notes of recent DT. But then, I'm one of the five people on the planet who adores The Astonishing, so what do I know. 😂

[@Goku-vb2nx]

Music taste is subjective overall.

[@damienmartin9398]

A documentary so good, john myung actually talk !

[@captainflamson]

Haha, I was going to say the same thing!

[@smlkgitaris]

🤣you're right

[@UlfhedinnNorsk]

Never knew he talked 🤨

[@Ibenk5]

No, he just a paid actor as John Myung.

[@Peanuts76]

Damn, this joke never gets old, hahahaha

[@Roddrummer]

Isn't it interesting how both Rush and Dream Theater's entire careers were saved by an ultra-ambitious concept album that went dead against their respective record company's desires, and needs for radio singles etc etc....

[@alphawolf8503]

Fuck the hawks but praise dream theater

[@dommguard]

Just shows you how those buisniessmen know nothing about music and as much as an oximoron it is, about buisness either.

[@TheBlackQueen]

Except 2112 isn't a concept album, but I get your point.

[@Roddrummer]

@@TheBlackQueen You are absolutely, 100% correct, and as a 40 year fan I should have known better...

[@austinsatterfield4981]

It shows that everything is in the middle. Where you make art that's sellable, not art that's so unique it doesn't reach people, not radio where it reaches everyone but not art. The goal is to make art that is liked by a large few

[@mpandunky]

Metropolis Pt. II was, for me, one of the best albums ever made. Every song was good, and I love the idea of a persistent story

[@eberaliagahernandez2326]

the best conceptual album ever made, better than " the wall"

[@hatujemeletsplayeryheskyce6460]

@@eberaliagahernandez2326 no

[@feralkitty9378]

@@eberaliagahernandez2326 yes, IMO the wall is pretty bad.. second closest is marillion misplaced childhoood

[@Drizzt_Do_Entreri]

@@eberaliagahernandez2326 First is Metropolis part 2, second imo is Ayreon The Electric Castle as far as concept albums go.

[@AnotherDay-ce6th]

yessssssssssss@@hatujemeletsplayeryheskyce6460

[@AshwinSivakumar]

Change of seasons 23 minute version brought me to Dream Theater in early 2000s, imagine what success they could achieved if they released it as originally planned

[@RanLavi]

Same here. First DT song I heard, and I wasn't even a prog fan then, nor did I play any instrument. Until this day, it's my favorite 10+ minutes song from them, and among my favorites overall. But the original version they played live before the album was about 17 minutes, so if they released it earlier, we might not have gotten the exact masterpiece we have today.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Jordan saved DT!! He was the perfect option! I’ll never forget seeing when he was going into the band and scenes was coming out, I was sooo stoked for that album!! Scenes is one of the best albums of all time!! “The spirit Carries on” from live scenes from NY still chokes me up to this day when James and Theresa sing together and the extended outro is just so passionate and emotional

[@clearjet]

Gonna forgive your misspellings, because it's an awesome song.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

@@clearjet lmao good catch damn now I gotta change it lol

[@jamesgoldman6942]

Absolutely FANTASTIC. I cant describe how much I enjoyed this. You did a fantastic job. Dream Theater will always be my favorite band. I'm about to see them for the 13th time in Dallas, TX. March 19. Thanks again, you did a great job with this.

[@RazBenAri]

Thank you so much James! That's very nice of you :)

[@dragongamer4753]

I thought their tour was canceled. I need to see their schedule.

[@EM-vd6wi]

Going to the same thing, I'll see them for the first time ever, I'm gonna cry out of immense joy 😭😭

[@TimothyHuffGuitar]

How was it?

[@jamesgoldman6942]

@@TimothyHuffGuitar - Believe it or not I couldnt go. I'm a Head High School Baseball Coach @ Longview, High School, in Longview Texas. This was a rescheduled Dream Theater concert date. I had my original hard ticket from the original date and kept it. We had a scheduled afternoon game that day and with the two hour drive to Dallas I still had plenty of time to make the show. Unfortunately in the 4th inning that day my Sr shortstop got hit in the face (eye and nose )with a really good fastball. After the long game ended where we somehow battled back from a 10 - 0 deficit to win 12 -11. After the game ended I had to go to the hospital to be with my shortstop and his family. By the time he was finally discharged it would have been 9:30 or later til I made it to the venue in Dallas. I still do though have the unused ticket.

[@marsanmarsipan]

Nice storytelling, Raz. Metropolis pt.2 was awsome when it came out.

[@RazBenAri]

Thanks Marius! It really was. I remember my first playthrough, it was mesmerizing.

[@giorgio_matraxia]

Wow, this documentary is very well done, good job!!🔝🎶

[@rvs55]

Images and Words, still the best DT album out there in terms of melody/composition.

[@RickLilShore]

I dunno man, 'Atoma' is pretty darn good... Wait, sorry, wrong DT.

[@igooog]

Pull Me Under, Metropolis I, Under a Glass Moon, Wait for Sleep and Learning to Live are all in my top 10. There's a bit here and there from SfaM, Train of Thought and Systematic Chaos that I really dig but I don't think they've ever topped Learning to Live. Also When Dream and Day Unite is criminally underappreciated.

[@DRUMah_aja]

I love the video . From this video i finally know what happened to the band when they worked each albums : the struggle, expectation from the label, and how hard it was to make a song that people would recognize and love to hear. However scene from a memory came to a final stage for me, with “spirit carries on” this song carried the band to the new level. if i had to ask my friends, what DT’s song they like it must be the spirit carries on. And from that song people would try to listen another song from DT, even they are not rock or even metal music listener. That happened to me. Btw we would like to hear your documentary part 2 : six degrees album, portnoy departures from band, the drummer audition, labrie’s future in band, etc. Very well video. Thank you

[@RazBenAri]

That's not a bad idea, I might do that at some point. Thanks for the support!

[@jebroz4810]

my first song from dream theater was Instrumedley and it was super weird song through my ears, then I heard Metropolis Pt. I and remind me of that medley, I was bit addicted to their songs, everything sounds cool, harmonic and heavy.

[@squonk2902]

Been a fan since I heard Pull Me Under on the radio in '92. Was always a big Rush fan and always looking for something new. This was it. Saw them at a smallish bar here in Milw., for Images and Words, was one of those stages that was only about a foot high off the floor. Talk about an intimate show, that was incredible.

[@Kenji.1ChessPiece]

“Images and Words” - The bar by which all Prog Metal albums are measured! 💯🔥❤️🎸🥁🎤🎹

[@JoolsGuitar]

And fall short.

[@Kenji.1ChessPiece]

@@JoolsGuitar I hope DT or other bands can make “another” Images and Words album.

[@Bloorgusgoorge]

@@Kenji.1ChessPiece legit a dramatic turn of events is like images and words part 2

[@deantalbotdrums]

Nope. Excellent, but doesn’t hold a candle to Metropolis PT II; Scenes from a Memory.

[@captainzeppos]

@@Bloorgusgoorge lol what? not by a trillion light years. i'll make another attempt to listen to it now though i'm pretty sure i'll quit again after the first few minutes of each song. the last bearable album was six degrees. the last good album was metropolis 2.

[@EduardoWalcacer]

Prog is my favorite genre, but I can't get into DT, it's not really my thing. However, I do appreciate what they've accomplished in the musical industry. Great documentary.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Just curious, what is it about Dreams Theaters music, their brand of prog, that doesn’t connect with you. I have a couple of friends that are prog fans that say that too but they never really say why. And that’s absolutely fine. Music is such a personal choice that of course not everyone is going to like a certain band. I’m just curious.

[@Sylarleft]

@@TheAxe4Ever I have the same opinion as Eduardo. For me, it's mainly the vocals, which are a pitch too high for me. But it's also the overall melodies/rhythm. They're good, but they don't hook me like ,for instance: Haken, Soen, Devin Townsend, Opeth, Tesseract, Ne Obliviscaris...

[@konteros9850]

@@Sylarleft you're gonna hate rush then...

[@brockbaldridge7620]

@@Sylarleft I definitely disagree, I especially don’t think Haken brings anything more special musically than dream theater

[@Gevoltful]

They are great band , but it is mainstream , also I don't really understand the word "prog" , I think it is a word for "not so musically advanced people" . I mean , they brought elements of so called art rock to masses . Not a bad thing , but confusing as well.

[@TheMidgardViking]

Awesome. Best in depth documentary on Dream Theater I've seen. Thank you!

[@miahthorpatrick1013]

Thank you for that shout out to Ayreon at 20:31. The Electric Castle in '98 & Metropolis Pt 2 in '99 pretty much kept Prog Metal afloat in the late 90's and into the 2000s and beyond where it was able to sustain life without being on life support.

[@MegaRecRoom]

The new Star One - Revel in Time is amazing! If anyone here doesn’t know who Arjen Anthony Luccasen / Ayreon / Star One is you need to research this, it will lead you to some of the best prog, musicians and vocalist’s you’ve ever heard!

[@miahthorpatrick1013]

@@MegaRecRoom Always nice to hear from a fellow Ayreonaut! Still waiting on my Revel in time earbook to show up in the mail. Every prog fan should know about the magnificence of Arjen Lucassen!

[@colbs237]

Great work Sir! This is very well done and your narration was enjoyable :)

[@RazBenAri]

Thanks a lot Colby!!

[@GES8215]

My GTR player was pettruccis student we used to hang with portnoy and Myung at Rush concerts. When DT was looking for a singer they sent my friends band a bunch of singer audition tapes . Portnoy called us up from Japan once when pull me under video came out and said they were going crazy for them there. Great bunch of guys. One gig at Sundance on Long Island they were trying out a new guy singer that looked like Geoff Tate. He was horrible

[@RazBenAri]

How awesome!! Thank you for sharing that!

[@allencollins6031]

@@RazBenAri fun fact: John Myung grew up one block over from MLB Hall of Fame player Craig Biggio. Biggio a year older.

[@brolsonmusic]

I received Images and Words from the label when a friend and I put out a music fanzine called Moribund back in the early 90s. The tape never left my stereo. Been a lifetime fan ever since! Almost never missed a tour when they come through.

[@edzkymunoz3837]

That was very well put together. I would love to see more and see the next phases the band goes through. I cant have a favorite band since there are so many great bands but DT is in the top tiers with the other all time greats and will always be there.

[@BillyN31]

Images and words is an absolutely amazing album.

[@Sclonez]

I kinda like the irony that the labels messing with the band is what finally got us such amazing music. First the denial to let them record ACOS in 1992, then the petition to record a heavier album got us amazing heavy music and subsequent comercial failure, which lead to the band being pressured to record something, so they recorded a reworked version of ACOS while they figured out what to do. Then FII came with all the drama and the record label not accepting 1997's version of Metropolis part II due to the length, what in the end worked up for the best because DT demanded to be left alone, do whatever they wanted, so they turned the long song por Metropolis part II into the masterpiece that all fans know and love.

[@dubenstein6347]

In a documentary on Netflix the label was adamant R.E.M. trash the song Losing my Religion because to them "no way would a song using a mandolin be radio friendly." R.E.M. had to fight to have it in the album and it's their biggest hit.

[@hungryguitarstudent]

Thanks for the history lesson Raz! Hope you guys cover the next 23 years of DT history! My main takeway: screw label oversight.

[@lucho.upiachihua]

Very grateful video, man!! Greetings from Trujillo Perú!!! 🇵🇪

[@suchitgangurde3514]

Great video! I got to meet them and watch them live in Stockholm in January 2020 during their Distance Over Time tour where they played Metropolis Part II in its entirety. It was an amazing experience!

[@saiyanjinx8063]

The one and only " SYMPHONY X "

[@alu.304]

Have listened and enjoyed DT since 1991. They still bring it and continue to stay relevant in their genre. For up-n-comers that were influenced to just play their style, Ne Obliviscaris is a great one too. It's a lot like watching a progression of Rush-King Crimson-DT-NeO. All incredible acts.

[@glaubermarcius]

Man! Outstanding work! Congrats!

[@zappa8577]

'''the band who made mainstream an entire music genere''' and that was good

[@Synchedin]

Awesome video dude! Really fascinating how the first 5 albums were so heavily influenced by the label and external factors, thanks for sharing!

[@Peanuts76]

That song paradigm shift, it was put me into progressive scene, mind blown after hearing that song, what a masterpiece!!!! As a teen hearing that song, i wonder who the hell write that song, while i never heard LTE before, i know Dream Theater already, kind a funny how things goin back before internet was norm....

[@305Lfx]

Voices.... is such an important song.. God thank you for everything DT

[@jamesajohnson7283]

As a writer and long-time fan of ALL of DT's music, I was actually pleased to watch this. They are, after all, one of my all-time favorite bands and I loved watching this...they are clearly masters of their domain!!!

[@puturro]

The Scenes from a memory tour probably ff'd up LaBrie's voice for good 😢

[@hugorodrigozapata514]

Para mí Scenes from a memory, metrópolis 2, es el mejor disco de rock de los 90. Hubo grandes discos en los 90, pero creo ni uno superior a éste. Y nunca aparece en los listados de favoritos, creo que mucha gente se ha perdido esta obra de arte, y por cosas de la vida afortunadamente, fue el último gran concierto que pude disfrutar en diciembre de 2019 en Santiago antes que comenzara el covid, en la celebración de los 20 años del disco.

[@j800r_aswell]

Seeing Jordan with hair takes some getting used to. 0.0

[@sportsvid189]

This documentary professionally written, and great!

[@StephanieSmith-e9k]

I love the liquid tension stuff too❤❤❤

[@TheSolbiatii]

My whole changed when I was introduced to DT. Listening to Pull me under was the most intense life shake ever. If I close my teus I can still remember de day my guitar teacher lend me the “Images and Words” and start teaching me the intro.

[@Peanuts76]

But yeah, thank you for this documentary, it definitely took a lot of times to collect all those old footage, what a work man, thanks....

[@slickx1339]

God I love it all. I hope they do another amazing one.

[@michaelwelk8124]

That was a great presentation. Thank you for that!

[@shaunsteele8244]

I never could get into early DT, but I loved their middle period (Scenes from a Memory - Black Clouds and Silver Linings)

[@AlejandroIrausquin]

Many thanks for this! I first learned about the band with Scenes from a Memory around 2001. The guy in the records store at the mall me and my wife also worked was always paying attention to the kind of music I listenee there and looked up, so he approached and told me "I am quite sure you will enjoy this". I have been in debt with since...

[@UlfhedinnNorsk]

Weird! 🤨 AWAKE is my favorite album of theirs. “Mirror” has to be one of their heaviest/darkest sounding tracks.

[@shaylelinger5304]

Great delivery! Keep 'em coming!

[@tomowens7499]

that 'tricky rhythm' part in 'miracle and the sleeper' always made me think of mr bungle

[@AudioReplica2023]

Metropolis part 2 its a Fkin master piece..PERIOD!!!. I remember getting this album from my local library just cuz I wanted to hear some new metal stuff..and I was blown away. Instant DT fan

[@juned_syafitra]

so Mr Kevin Moore went from the band because of the very very much intense and pressure while working' on Awake? wow, it is new to me

[@nicholastotoro7721]

Derek got hosed. Portnoy is talking from both sides of his mouth in that regard and is making it sound like everyone wanted to boot Derek except him. They all wanted Jordan to begin with, but he had already dedicated himself to the Dregs. The keys have sounded like circus music ever since Jordan joined.

[@JasperLevi]

Agree wholeheartedly, both about Portnoy talking from both ends, AND Rudess single-handedly ruining the DT sound with his playing.

[@nicholastotoro7721]

@@JasperLevi Exactly, thanks. Mike could at least say “Man… I’m sorry and I was wrong,” but now he’s making it sound like he wanted to keep Derek the whole time LOL!

[@_Only_Zuul]

"awake" is the best dream theater album which should have had the most popular radio appeal but it didn't, not that it matters still my favorite DT album.

[@dreadbull5039]

Great documentary on my all time favorite band! Well done!

[@whitesandsaikat9712]

Very informative.Thanks❤

[@yesrushdt]

I don't call Yes selling out multiple nights at the same venues worldwide during their Yesshows '91 tour completely losing momentum. Genesis, Yes and especially Pink Floyd were still extremely popular back then. It was more so in the mid to late 90's when the momentum for Genesis (post Collins) and Yes (post Wakeman, Bruford, Howe) was lost.

[@nixneato]

Fantastic documentary, thank you

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

If only Petrucci could grow a decent beard I would be a fan. lol

[@samus88]

I can't listen to Pull Me Under anymore. It starts and I already see the 90s flash before my eyes.

[@rebelmetal4233]

Very well done...looking forward to part 2!

[@edusszfx]

Wow! What a fantastic video! Great job man!

[@jeremythornton433]

I hope you can make a continuation of this. I loved it! Thanks!

[@SD-kp1yk]

Love the Kings Park Football Jerseys toward the end. Go KP & DT !!!!

[@JP-bk3vi]

I remember listening to scenes from a memory for the first time - on a CD player in bed, start to finish and it blew my mind. To this date I have never heard anything as good across any genre.

[@chrisporter7200]

Thanks for making this. Great work!

[@andym28]

I saw dt every tour from 93 to 2009. Best gigs I enjoyed were 93 and 98. I found myself leaving early for the rest of the gigs.

[@primeholyassasin20]

This band’s awesome instrumental capabilities are something. The song Panic Attack off of Octivarium is pretty good.

[@nathanaelethan]

Just got back from seeing a DT show in Toronto and it was so good!

[@orororor100]

רז יא רז איזה סרטון מעולה אני הולך לחרוש על התוכן שלך

[@ibenimages]

Great documentary thanks for making this video! 🤟

[@Houlgravely]

Dream Theater certainly have some big peaks throughout their career - Metropolis Pt. 2 and Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence are amazing concept albums, and some of their other releases like Awake and Train Of Thought have some real meat to offer too. But DT are also cursed a bit in a sense too - Images & Words is such a monumental and unique outing that changed what people thought "progressive" metal was capable of. Even the "dated" production on it only adds to its almost otherworldly atmosphere. It just feels like DT will never do an album that good ever again. In a year where the Todd La Torre-led incarnation of Queensryche have come extremely close to the Geoff Tate-lead classics of the 80's/early 90's in sheer quality with Digital Noise Alliance, it just seems strange to me that Dream Theater just seem to get further and further away from what I really loved about their early days. If QR can do it, why can't DT? LaBrie sounds strained by age and the writing on every album since Train Of Thought just seems to have fallen off in various ways. Maybe they need the lineup to get shaken up a bit or something...or maybe even bring in a new vocalist like Michael Ericksen from Circus Maximus or Lance King or something. Dino Jelusick, who has been collaborating with Portnoy on a few projects, is also a strong candidate.

[@jordanhansen4524]

James Russell “The Hustle” Larson! 🔥 Legend

[@mikatu]

While Dream Theater was important and the Scenes from a Memory are a mark in metal history, we can't forget the much more relevant Operation: Mindcrime. That was the album that created the genre and the first prog metal conceptual album. In fact, the scenes from a memory looks a kind of DT version of that album, in terms of concept.

[@GallowayJesse]

Even the track order & structure of the album is very similar to operation: mind crime.

[@stephenv.dedalus8808]

It is NOT the album that "created the genre". Just to name a few: Fates Warning, Watchtower, Voivod, Mekong Delta, Sieges Even, Psychotic Waltz etc. they were and are ALL progressive metal bands. Queensryche is an important band, but is not completly prog like to say Fates Warning. However, the first prog metal bands are Queensryche (but non so proggy), Fates Warning and Watchtower, they're both first true, really "true", prog metal bands.

[@Peanuts76]

Thanks, new knowledge here, ill try to see that album myself...

[@MaxLeGrand33]

Good work. Thanks.

[@dyllicarray2266]

We love DT and kudos to them for having the guts to carry on! 👏🎵🎸

[@Ifyernotawakeyet]

It's amazing how one can be exhausted after a 15-20 minute song, while the band chugs along!

[@davidwaller2218]

Really good documentary! Thanks! 😎👍

[@ChristopherAJames]

Even before Queensrÿche, there was Fates Warning, who I believe were the REAL Pioneers of Progressive Metal! 🤘🏻

[@davelevey9074]

Saw Fates Warning supporting Dream Theater back in 1995 in London

[@KevinSmith-em7zk]

great video dude loved it!

[@franzfleur7472]

Great work Raz!

[@afghaninurrma6617]

Thank you thank you thank you a bunch brother for this 🙏👍❤️

[@AnnWahlquist]

i love Derek sherinian... he's a genius

[@ChrisHollandGuitar]

Great documentary, well done!

[@clockmaker1]

Great video, thank you!

[@RazBenAri]

Thanks for watching Julio!

[@swordmonkey6635]

Your outro comments dove-tail nicely with most of Rush's career path... which I think Dream Theater would love. Rush defied almost all commercial expectations regarding rock and critics and rock fans had a hard time trying to label their music. Talent shines through in both Rush and DT's cases. Dream Theater sounds like Rush and Yes had a baby and then let Metallica babysit it. Iron Maiden would occasionally drop by and spoil the baby with gifts. lol

[@TheMicj38]

It's a shame this is so short. Would have like a lot more depth and a continuation beyond Metropolis Pt 2

[@scylla4342]

Kicking out Sherinian was their first unforgivable sin, but Rudess' additions to the band is unmatched though

[@JasperLevi]

I agree. I hold Rudess singlehandedly responsible for ruining Dream Theater's sound with his stupid plinky elvish piano runs that JUST DONT belong in ANY DT song. He could be one of the greatest keyboard players out there, but here he does not belong.

[@agusjunaidi1991]

Nice documentary, love it

[@TimothyHuffGuitar]

Caught in a Web is my favorite from Awake

[@Ripp3r1986]

Felt sleepy just lookin' at the thumbnail.

[@nicholasfondriest2945]

About time someone tells it how it is, without this band not giving up, many other bands never even try. DT maybe the biggest, most important band nobody knows. The influence on musicians alone too become great players should earn them praise. just research people around the world covering there music on you tube. We are lucky they never quit.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

This was cool!! Scenes was and is the best concept album ever!!!! So glad I got to see if front and center!! So close I touched James boot and JP put his pic in my hand at the end! $25 tickets! Best night of my teen life!!

[@tattoofred]

Gracias por tus geniales videos. saludos desde España :)

[@bryllecortes9780]

In my opinion, Fates Warning (or maybe Queensryche) started the whole Progressive Metal movement. Dream Theater became famous across the US and the world because of its images and words (as well as scenes from a memory).

[@ETAI106]

Toda Raz 👊🏻😎👊🏻

[@TheEasyeman]

Well done, but no mention of Majesty and I would love part II

[@qbonk1104]

Indonesian here,,thank you..

[@ozoneswiftak]

Wish every song was like pull me under. More catch phrase lyrics. But musically, these guys were incredibly good.

[@ialone7487]

Great job.

[@decypher0815]

At least in Germany WDADU created a huge buzz among the metal crowd, it was the highest reviewed album by Rock Hard magazine at that point and everyone who was into really good stuff liked it. Plus the timing was right, it hit during the new wave of prog metal with bands like Fates Warning, WatchTower, Sieges Even, Hades, Realm, Crimson Glory and others releasing insanely great stuff. I never did get used to LaBrie's voice but I can see why people would prefer him over Dominici. It's been amazing to follow their journey either way, every band that has been together for such a long time has their highlights and their lows, no different for Dream Theater, but what always amazes me is how genuine they approach their music, they're fully committed and stand behind what they do.

[@iwanjf]

Well done my friend. 👍👍