Classical Composer Reacts to DREAM THEATER: In the Presence of Enemies (Parts 1 & II) | Episode 659

#dreamtheater #inthepresenceofenemies
In this edition of #thedailydoug, I'm returning to Dream Theater to hear and review what I think is the last remaining epic from this band that I haven't yet featured on the channel. In the Presence of Enemies is split into two parts, starting and concluding Systematic Chaos, their ninth album from 2007. I found this 25 minute epic to be coherant, compositionally solid, beautiful, and tragic...full of great riffs, progressions, and playing. It's already one of my faves from this band!
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[@alanalanis2257]

This book ends suite is probably one of the most overlooked and underrated epic on Dream Theater's discography. Words just can't describe how breathtaking and mind blowing ITPOE is. 🤯🤯

[@mr.steinhaus6014]

And listening to them together is the only way to travel.

[@iau]

I think it was their decision to split it. I get that they wanted both to open and end the album, but maybe the song lost its "20min epic prestige" in the mind of the average listener during that process.

[@sandyferati6625]

In my top 5!

[@u.v.s.5583]

Not too luminous sensei, I consider giving my life away for your cause!

[@hablacham]

This album caught a lot of critic upon release and some years after but I bet if another band had done it, it would be praised among prog fans. Also 16 years later it has aged amazingly well, I think, among their catalogue.

[@Jazzerine]

There’s no doubt that your music reviews/reactions are the most instructive and engaging on the internet! Thanks Doug.

[@Doug.Helvering]

So happy that you enjoy!

[@realtoken]

@@Doug.Helvering I enjoy too and second his statement!

[@One_Proud_Papa]

Doug, I'm interested to know if your own compositions have come to reflect some of what you've heard over the last few years.

[@Kumquat_Lord]

Oh absolutely, his analysis is what makes them great. I love listening to music, and hearing him pick up on little details and point them out makes me appreciate the music more

[@CheloWiiU]

I also love that he has like perfect pitch or something, Doug can recognize chords and tonalities immediately 😁

[@DiegoDeschain]

Systematic Chaos is a 10/10 for me. I remember having a hard time digesting it at first, but once I did...one of their greatest albums imo.

[@tikolasola]

The same thing happened to me! I remember it leaked out a bit before release and I was hoping it's not the real album. Octavarium was hard to follow but with more listens SC really grew on me. Perfect blend of energy, aggression and melodic moments. John's solo in Repentance is one of the most underrated solos ever.

[@carlosrobles5591]

No way, like a 6/10. One of their weakest, no doubt.

[@DiegoDeschain]

@@carlosrobles5591 I can understand why people would feel that way about the album, and that's ok.

[@carlosrobles5591]

@@DiegoDeschain 6DOIT is #1, Images #2, Scenes #3, the rest I don't care how they are ranked.

[@leandronc]

I rate this album better than most DT fans. But Forsaken is so bad, I could never give this a 10/10. The rest are all good-great songs.

[@batdibek9601]

If you hear this album for the first time, you should do a reaction video for "Ministry of Lost Souls" too. It's another epic in this album, I think you would love it.

[@nunosantos2679]

I believe Doug has listened to that one live.

[@MrMikeyMikerson]

I second this

[@CxpOnTube]

13:35 that was not 2 different guitar parts - that was keyboard + guitar playing together

[@AcidSolid]

Jordan is unbelieavable

[@m1ndbender3]

Doug, can I just say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for reviewing Dream Theater again. This band has a special place in my heart ever since I heard them back in 2001 for the first time and have continued to this day to be my #1 favorite band. The reason why I love your reviews so much is because you are able to analyze the songs in a way many of us can't truly comprehend because we aren't classically trained. And when I see you get excited about something the band is doing, then you could explain it musically, it just makes so much more sense to me why I loved it in the first place. I can't wait for when you dive into The Astonishing for the first time. It's going to be a loooong video :)

[@na-tv6rn]

I first got into DT right around Octavarium. I can't remember if it was before or after the album came out but my entry point was Train of Thought and I was watching Live at Budokan continuously at that time. I feel like Systematic Chaos was the first album from them that was new while I was a fan since I don't remember Octavarium being released. I can still remember sitting in the basement of my childhood home while I was living home during the summers while in university and having my mind blown by the start of ITPOE on a copy I managed to "acquire"... back in the days before streaming or digital downloads.

[@petervargo1696]

Haha. I like to think of The Astonishing like one very long song, similar to Six Degrees. When I thought of it like that, TA made a lot more sense to me. But to be fair, I always liked TA, so... Take my view on it as you will. It has some great music on it regardless!

[@Virtuoso80]

Fun story about this album: Dream Theater put out a message that they needed a crowd of people to do backing vocals for the album. A couple hundred other Dream Theater fans and I waited in the absolute freezing cold outside the Manhattan studio to be a part of it. Turns out some of us (including me) had no chance. Fans who had showed up hours before the announced time had already been given lyric sheets by the security guard (against DT's wishes), and they were the only ones who were ever going to be let in. So, I missed out being on the album, but you can hear the people who got it doing the "Hey, hey, hey!" and first lines of the lyrics in the 4th section.

[@complexdevice]

That's all on the box DVD that i bought with the album when it came out. Super cool!

[@Zestrayswede]

Not to be that guy, but I believe they chant "Heil! Heil! Heil!" _or "Hail! Hail! Hail!", either works_

[@spooty75]

The unison guitar and keyboard solo at the end of Part 1 is straight fire

[@BenTevikMusic]

It surprised me on this re listen how dirty that is. So sick

[@guille7545]

Give me a black heart

[@Jonagold-music]

In the Presence of Enemies Part 1 is peak Dream Theater. Discovered it pretty lately because its one of the less mainstream ones. Don't get why. Superb Mix and Mike's drumming is just straight up satisfying

[@nikelodeon6852]

Unpopular opinion but this is their best epic. I know most people choose between change of seasons and octavarium for good reasons.

[@AtomizedSound]

It’s definitely in the top 3 probably for me.

[@PedroHNuness]

I think so too, but somewhere inside my head, there's a voice screaming "A Change of Seasons" and "Octavarium". I simply cannot pick one.

[@Darmani2MB]

Depending on my mood it's one of those three and Illumination Theory fighting for the first place

[@shagginwagon8447]

I'd have to go with A Change of Seasons, but this is second!

[@behamiltonsrful]

6 Degrees was pretty dam good as well. But I agree, the dynamics and flow of this one is miles above. The little nuances are just the icing on the top...

[@MacTaipan]

I love that transition from The Reckoning into Salvation. Gives me goosebumps every time.

[@nunosantos2679]

Hey Doug. I'd say you're still missing an epic. In The Name of God. And you should get a chance to listen to their instrumentals as well throughout their albums. Really good stuff. Thanks for the video. I wish everyone an amazing weekend 😊

[@saidabdelouahad473]

This premiere is a moment I've been yearning for! This song holds a special place in my heart. It's more than just music, it's a profound journey that hits the reset button on my mind and soul. Each note carries therapeutic power. The anticipation for this episode is electric! 🤘🎶 Can't wait to dive in!!

[@dezmilad]

"Take my money y'all!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 this is instantly one of my all time favourite daily doug reactions. In my opinion Systematic Chaos is an extremely underrated album. It's very interesting that you interpreted the ending as him dying, I always saw the ending as the death of the dark master🤷 Awesome reaction, I knew you'd love this 😁 now you have to listen to Ministry of Lost Souls, it's the 7th track of Systematic Chaos

[@viniciusbalby]

I'm a wise man. I see a Dream Theater reaction from Doug, I CLICK IT! been waiting so long for this song. Great job!!!

[@Alamar1]

From the SCORE album, the full playthrough of Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence with the orchestra is a must. Just epic.

[@andyfox8377]

I 2nd this

[@lanreb920]

@@andyfox8377 and I 3rd 😁🥰

[@mikenardozzi6989]

6DOIT is a very special collection and imo some of the best lyrical notes from dream theater. I always come back to 6DOIT as it a masterpiece and I would love a review of each piece.

[@PedroHNuness]

Sacrificed Sons with the orchestra is simply amazing. It gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. Score is an absolute masterpiece, maybe their best live album ever.

[@MaxB-nv2lp]

Wow just yesterday i was like “i cant wait for doug to react to in the presence of enemies”

[@lehtspelt]

This is such a masterpiece

[@lucasdenis8655]

I actually love how the vocal melodies at the very end of the song is essentially a new arrangement of the guitar solo from the beginning of the song.

[@PedroHNuness]

DT has this thing. They create a theme/motif and play around them throughout the song/album, and they do it with amazing technique and style. You can hear this all over their discography, 6 Degrees, Scenes From a Memory, and many others. It's kind of a signature of them, if I may.

[@mmblaake]

"That's a different kind of church y'all" Greatest commentary out there. Ur awesome dude

[@lopolik]

13:42 - not two different guitar parts, I think they're doing is John Petrucci is playing the solo and Jordan Rudess is mimicking the same exact shredding solo on the keyboards, they did this also in many other songs, it's pretty impressive they can mimic each other's shredding that fast!

[@CxpOnTube]

lol, i've left pretty the same comment, my friend. regards!

[@lopolik]

@@CxpOnTube oh yeah I just saw it bro, cheers!

[@CheloWiiU]

Yes it is. It's really impressive how Jordan Rudess can mimic a guitar part, but also very impressive how John Petrucci can play as fast and fluid as a professional pianist ❤

[@TheKneezee]

Part 1 is a masterpiece by itself. I’ve seen them in this tour. Petrucci and Portnoy swapped instruments and Mike played Eruption. I gave up on guitar that day lol

[@theangryhog]

Been a DT fan for going on 32 years now and I really enjoy your reactions to their music. It's a bit sad that their complexity and talent is lost on your average person, but you serve as a great bridge to explain what we are hearing in a digestible way for the masses. Kudos!

[@AtomizedSound]

That’s prog in general to the masses my friend

[@capitansorete]

Section 4: The Slaughter of the Damned is one of the most badass lyrics I have ever read..this song is 100% a masterpiece

[@u.v.s.5583]

Most badass lyrics ever are - Master Skywalker, there are too many of them! What are we going to doo?

[@gregbarber6213]

Was literally listening to this two days ago and thinking, "Doug needs to do this one." Awesome!

[@DistortedEmerald]

Let's goooooo. In The Presence Of Enemies is the first song i've heard from DT back in 2011, and made me fell in love with them. So happy you reacted to them.

[@CompleteProducer84]

Amazing song! Thank you as always for the breakdown. And "The Ministry Of Lost Souls" from this album is a must in the future! For some reason I thought you did it, but apparently not

[@LSchulz1414]

Such a masterpiece. Another great song in Dream Theaters discography

[@RealDrumPyles]

Ha I've been waiting for this from you for a while

[@N13900]

finally the wait is over

[@yetkangwong1077]

This is my favourite album and favourite track thanks for checking it out

[@samstrolia]

Keep on truckin with the Dream Theater. So much great music from them.

[@qorisuwendopraptomo]

OH HELL YEAAAHHHH... I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SINCE 2021 MAN. FINALLY 🔥🔥🔥

[@richardwoodhouse8404]

Yet another GREAT song from the best band EVER to produce music, keep them coming.

[@BMichel347]

For me it is one of their best, saw it live and this was fantastic.

[@sam-anthonygranell7397]

Of all the Dream Theater breakdowns you have done, this is the one I’ve been waiting for! Thank you Doug!!

[@Gavrev]

Thanks for covering that one man. It was a pleasure to share and revisit that. I haven't heard it in a while and it's all too easy to forget. I need to revisit the whole album now.. lol.

[@mark_from_aus]

In the Presence of Enemies is among the absolute pinnacle for me in terms of both musicianship and storytelling. I only wish the 2 parts were released as a single song on Spotify so I get both parts when shuffling my liked songs. I know the live version is a single song but prefer the album version. Anyway, love this music, love DT and love your reactions Doug!

[@phoenix7289]

A fun alternative listen as one is: In the Presence of Enemies Part 1 Ministry of Lost Souls In the Presence of Enemies Part 2 It just has such an awesome flow to it. Sometimes I kinda wish they'd made it a three parter, honestly. Would be quite an epic to see played live all together!

[@u.v.s.5583]

Unquestionable masterpiece.

[@N13900]

Always wanted Doug to make this React, looking forward to it🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@colinheldt1294]

I wait for that for one year the best in my opinion.

[@ampach]

I've been waiting for this for months! Thanks very much for reviewing this masterpiece which also brings a lot of memories for me.. 🙏

[@wickerbasket1585]

You always have a way of taking songs I've already loved, and making me love them even more. Heretic is one of my all time favorite DT moments. Loved watching your reaction!

[@TheIronmarot]

What I appreciate of you the most, is the undeniable passion you put in your reactions. Plus this, as a true Deram Theater fan, I must point out how your knowledge makes me discover some musical aspects I never paid attention to before Thank you man

[@krisjen5612]

Thank you so much for reacting to this song. Been waiting years for this moment. Thanks to the community for encouraging Doug to listen to this. This is my all time fav DT song hands down!

[@dtpc3]

You are an ABSOLUTE master Doug! What a joy it is to see you react and break down a piece like this. I enjoy you analyzing almost as much as I enjoy the piece itself! Keep it up brother. We love you!

[@umututkualtn3601]

Your reactions help me have a great time in my free times, thank you so much for labor🤘

[@Kipex]

Seeing this is a reminder to why DT is my number one. Each of their epics has a moment where I find myself getting all choked up because the music is just so beautiful. I've heard the song countless times over the last 16 years and know most of it on guitar, yet here I am once again choking up at the positive twist at the end of pt2 (in the hour of darkness...).

[@piyushsharma5177]

Oh man i was waiting for this! Let's do it!!

[@edwardmalthouse973]

Thank you for doing this one. It's always been one of my favorite DT epics!

[@Djcimofficial]

Yesssss!!! This was the first DT album I bought after finding them during the tail end of Octavarium. I’m excited for this one!!

[@u.v.s.5583]

I would say systematic chaos is much stronger album than Octavarium.

[@tristan8823]

Seeing this video made my day. You are the man, Doug.

[@AlkanetEXE]

oooohhhhh SO glad you did both parts in one go. this is gonna be good :D

[@shafiqzamri1273]

Thanks Doug! I've been waiting for this episode for 2 years😭🤘🏻

[@alfredoooooooooooooooooooooooo]

you gotta do Ministry of Lost Souls! It is also an epic with a long instrumental part in the middle. It also has an awesome seemingly never ending solo at the end (and fades out)

[@agfhamizan]

In the Presence of Enemies (and the album) is very special for me, it connected of my life. The lyrics so related to my past. I just can say thanks a lot for reviewing this song. 💖🤘

[@chrisk7652]

I love the way your head tilts with a bit of dissonance or a really great passage, just like a dog when it hears something interesting.... So wonderful to see someone so connected to the music as we are.......

[@dapksp25]

So glad you got into Dream Theater..love your thoughts and musical opinions... I've seen every tour from the original Scenes from A Memory tour up until the last Dream Sonic tour ..saw the last two tours in NYC which was so cool getting to take my daughter to those...enjoy the continued DT roller-coaster

[@JoseMTamez]

Excellent! You're the man and like always, excellent review and insight into a band who no doubt is one of the greatest rock bands in our lifetime. As a musician, I look at these guys as a huge influence. I think it's fair to say that much like Rush was for me as a huge influence in my generation, these guys are the same for the next generation of musicians. Mike P. is one of my favorite drummers and he doesn't disappoint on this record. The entire record is like an exercise in changing from one complex time signature to another and having seen these guys on many occasions, they make it sound and look easy.Thanks for the upload and passionate review. Keep them coming sir!

[@johnbelfiglio562]

This is my absolute favorite Dream Theater song. Both parts. Thanks for doing this!

[@oelapaloma]

Yo Doug thanks for all your reaction videos. I really appreciate your inside musical knowledge, it makes THE difference to most other reaction channels. Keep 'em coming!

[@jordanshumaker4412]

For my fellow D&D fans, this makes excellent final boss/BBEG music, especially if you can get an instrumental version. I have yet to find one.

[@mylittlepwny3447]

Great song! As a recent subscriber I'm glad you have actually caught you doing a dream theater song on the same day!

[@CxpOnTube]

So happy to see you listening to one of my all time favorites from the great Dream Theater catalog.

[@tikolasola]

They opened with the entire song (Pt. 1 & 2 back to back) when touring for Systematic Chaos... a moment as powerful as being in the first audience to ever hear Octavarium live.

[@tumpe6500]

From the Helsinki gig I only remember the opening with Also Sprach Zarathustra. I see some videos on youtube where they went on with Constant Motion instead of this. Was there in 2005 for the Octavarium as well.

[@tikolasola]

​​@@tumpe6500yes that was the intro, ITPOE was the first song.

[@AtomizedSound]

It depends upon where. I saw them on this gig in Texas in ‘07 and they did not do the entire song. They split it up like the album

[@tikolasola]

@@AtomizedSound of course. I only saw their show in Helsinki, can't speak for other shows.

[@ericsundt9940]

Great stuff. This has been a favorite for a long time. You should seriously look into more of Neal Morse's stuff, too. Some really satisfying long epics.

[@TheDarkEternalCohen]

So glad you’re doing this. One(two) of my favorite Dream Theater songs

[@falloutfan2502]

Great review overall - great song, one of the best. You did comment that you hear two guitars at one point, but that's John and Jordan in unison! I've seen them do it live in concert, and they are -very- good at it. To see another great example, try "Lost Not Forgotten". :)

[@AtomizedSound]

Ooh I’m glad you are finally giving recognition and tackling this one. Definitely a great album and a great epic too!

[@KevinvL]

One of my absolute favourites from DT. Never got why its not as popular as the others. Thanks for reacting to this one. Its very intriguing how much you notice on the first listen. And also how you can interpret so quickly. Love this. Thanks, Doug. :-)

[@gurlerium]

the best reaction challen on youtube.the others are like shows. love to watch and get technical reactions/pointing the special note parts. cheers from TURKEY

[@octavarium4604]

Been a fan of Dream Theater since their Majesty days playing clubs and venues on Long Island, N.Y., Being local boys, mostly. Last show I attended, was at the Paramount in Huntington, Long Island before the pandemic. I enjoy your reviews on their compositions very much, very insightful. It's a breath of fresh air to hear from someone knowledgeable in music theory, and a classically trained composer. Thank you, looking forward to many more.

[@enardone74]

As always a great episode around DT. Very interesting following your harmony description during the entire listening of the track. A very special thank Dug. I try to suggest again to consider the listening of "The Astonishing" entire opera. Usually not very appreciated by the heavy oriented DT fanbase, but i think that it is a great composition work, with amazing melodies and arrangements. Also James made a great job with his voice. And last but not least, it is dedicated to the Music! Thank you so much Dug!!! 😊

[@Untrainedpilot1]

There’s a really cool documentary on KZbin by DT that is the process of making this album. If anyone is interested in it it’s called The Making of Systematic Chaos or Chaos in Progress.

[@CxpOnTube]

i've watched that crazy amount of times since the release. One of the best "making of"'s out there.

[@CheloWiiU]

I love that Making Of 😊

[@SoggyBee]

Amazing reaction, I'm so glad you liked this. This is probably my most favorite DT album. This whole album is absolutely amazing from start to finish. When I put this song on, I just continue listening to the whole album. Constant Motion, Dark Eternal Night, Repentance, Prophets of War, Ministry of Lost Souls all amazing tracks worth listening to!

[@adrianomel]

YESSS one of my fav dream theater songs, cant wait!

[@elizapark6461]

Happy Saturday y’all! Thanks you Doug, for this new episode!

[@distortedsoul27]

It was this album in which Dream Theater first came to Australia, from what I recall. I went to see them in my city. It was a 40°C (104°F) day and I walked from the city centre in the mid-to-late afternoon to where they were playing at the city showgrounds. It's still the best sounding experience I've had when going to see a band live.

[@ab-gomes]

This is the first album that I herd from them and it's my favorite.... full of masterpieces. One of my favorites too is constant motion

[@jabgibson]

Doug I don't think anybody reacts to Dream Theater as efficiently as you do. I have very much enjoyed all of your DT reactions up until this point, but ItPoE has been a track(s) that I have been waiting for, and you did it as expected, perfectly. Well done.

[@rogerioaugustofonseca6011]

Great video!! Long ago I heard they were no longer performing 3 hours concerts. Therefore they’ve not been playing those long pieces. I was lucky to see live both Octavarium and In the presence of enimies. In both albums tours. Hope they start playing them again with Portnoy back.

[@G.G716]

Spectecular song. Dream theatre always succeeds with making songs that somehow pulls you in. Such a gr8 song both with lyrics and musical harmony. Never boring. By the way great review Doug! With love from Turkiye!

[@michaelpebbles6243]

Well Doug, your in for a treat. This is one of my Favs with the epic band DT. Portnoy was still with them and Jordan is here too. Like I said, one one my favs. Good work man.!

[@erwinwendler4621]

The chorus on this song as well as in prophets of war are amazing! Great casting

[@markpyle3710]

I have been asking Reactors for this Song for YEARS. You are the 1st. Great Reaction. Constant Motion and Dark Eternal Night are two more from this album that need reacted too. Some of their heavier Music.

[@debborich]

I've been listening to this .. what, series? Of first and last songs .. for a very long time. It's honestly one of their best epics. This reminds me so much of the "other stuff" that MP brought to the band, a part that was lost when he left. This is an excellent DT epic to listen to on the way to work.

[@WheelHeadd]

This song is in the list of my top 10 DT songs. Nice review. 🤘🏻

[@Ollidamara099]

Systematic Chaos is my favorite DreamTheater album, thanks

[@heytallman]

This was my first DT album so this epic is special to me. When I was in college I had a CD player that I used as my alarm so the first few minutes of part 1 are forever ingrained in my mind as wake up music.

[@douglascockrell2331]

Great pic. One of my top bands. Thank you

[@JohnsOnStrings]

Oh hell yeah - I've been asking for this one since forever. My favorite DT song, bar none.

[@Pugwash.]

Wow, thanks for introducing me to some music I've never hear before. How epic it is!

[@GustavoGFirmino]

This is another epic from DT. Actually, it’s My favorite song when I go on a long run 😁 nice to see it on the channel

[@stockcomsprite]

My favorite album of this magnifc band, no words to discribe, pure feeling

[@fatalrailgun9972]

I remember when I was 8 I live in california and my Dad took me to new york for a week and I think it was intentially to see them record score. It still remains one of my most cherished memories hard to believe its been 17 years since that show.

[@iluvpepi]

Nearly half an hour of one song and I didn’t notice! What a masterpiece!

[@PersonaX7]

Hey Doug! If you are looking for some more stuff by Dream Theater, I'd suggest you take a look at The Best of Times, from Black Clouds and Silver Linings. It's my favorite track from them, and I love most of their discography. The songwriting, the lyrics (the backstory of this song is a tear-jerker) and that solo in the end (Petrucci's Magnum Opus in my opinion) all contribute for an absolute masterpiece. I'd really love to have you react to it!

[@Arrow2theACL]

Doug reacted to The Best of Times in a Fan Favorites episode on his Patreon. Check the directory of reactions in this video's description.

[@logicturtle9838]

One of my favorites to play on drums!

[@neuroscope9052]

The second crescendo where Jordan comes in with the minimoog always delivers the goosebumps, glorious. I forgot how much I loved this one.

[@brunocallado5196]

What a journey! Very good reaction, Doug!