Dream Theater

Dream Theater (then-Majesty) was formed in Massachusetts in 1985 when guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, and drummer Mike Portnoy decided to form a band while attending Berklee College of Music in Boston. Petrucci and Myung were childhood friends from Kings Park, New York, and met Portnoy of Long Beach, New York while at Berklee. The trio started by covering Rush and Iron Maiden songs in the rehearsal rooms at Berklee.

Myung, Petrucci, and Portnoy joined on the name Majesty for their newly formed group. According to The Score So Far... documentary, they were waiting in line for tickets to a Rush concert at the Berklee Performance Center while listening to the band on a boom box. Portnoy commented that the ending of the song "Bastille Day" (from the album Caress of Steel) sounded "majestic". It was then decided that Majesty would be the band's name.This was referenced in the documentary "The Score so Far", on the second disc of the Score DVD.

The trio then set out to fill the remaining positions in the group. Petrucci asked his high school bandmate Kevin Moore to play the keyboard. After he accepted the position, another friend from home, Chris Collins, was recruited as lead vocalist after band members heard him sing a cover of "Queen of the Reich" by Queensrÿche.Portnoy, Mike (2003). "The Majesty Demos 1985-1986" [CD Liner Notes]. New York: YtseJam Records. During this time, Portnoy, Petrucci, and Myung's hectic schedules forced them to abandon their studies to concentrate on their music, as they did not feel they could learn more in college. Moore also left his college, SUNY Fredonia, to concentrate on the band.

{{listen|filename=Dream Theater - Another Won.ogg|title="Another Won"|description="Another Won" from The Majesty Demos}}

The beginning months of 1986 were filled with various concert dates in and around the New York City area. During this time, the band recorded a collection of demos, titled The Majesty Demos. The initial run of 1,000 sold out within six months, and dubbed copies of the cassette became popular within the progressive metal scene. The Majesty Demos are still available in their original tape format today, despite being released officially on CD, through Portnoy's YtseJam Records (and on InsideOut in 2022, after YtseJam Records was shut down).

In November 1986, Chris Collins left the band after a few months of writing and performing together. After a year of trying to find a replacement, Charlie Dominici, who was far older and more experienced than anyone else in the band, successfully auditioned for the group.{{cite web |url=http://www.prog-sphere.com/interviews/charlie-dominici |title=Charlie Dominici – A Trilogy Concluded, a Career to be Continued |last=Savić |first=Nikola |date=June 16, 2010 |website=Prog-sphere.com |access-date=August 29, 2018}} With the stability that Dominici's appointment brought to Majesty, they began to increase the number of shows played in the New York City area, gaining a considerable amount of exposure.{{Citation needed|date=August 2018}}

Shortly after hiring Dominici, a Las Vegas group also named Majesty{{cite web|url=http://www.gabbo.net/dt/faq/ |title=The Dream Theater FAQ – Graphic Version |publisher=Gabbo.net |access-date=January 2, 2009}} threatened legal action for intellectual property infringement related to the use of their name, so the band was forced to come up with a new one. Various possibilities were proposed and tested, among them Glasser, Magus, and M1, which were all rejected, though the band did go as Glasser for about a week, with poor reactions from fans. Eventually, Portnoy's father suggested the name Dream Theater, the name of a small theater in Monterey, California, and the name stuck.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/aLRo9RT539k Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150429000823/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLRo9RT539k Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLRo9RT539k |title=Mike Portnoy – Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? |publisher=YouTube |date=April 1, 2015 |access-date=January 30, 2016}}{{cbignore}}

With their new name and band stability, Dream Theater concentrated on writing more material while playing more concerts in New York and in neighboring states. This eventually attracted the attention of Mechanic Records, a division of MCA. Dream Theater signed their first record contract with Mechanic on June 23, 1988,Portnoy, Mike (2004). Nathan Edmonds help produce "When Dream and Day Unite Demos" 1987–1989 [CD Liner Notes]. New York: YtseJam Records. and set out to record its debut album. The band recorded the album at Kajem Victory Studios in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. Recording the basic tracks took about ten days, and the entire album was completed in about three weeks.Dominici, Charlie. When Dream And Day Unite liner notes (2004 re-release).

When Dream and Day Unite was released in 1989 to far less fanfare than the band had anticipated. Mechanic ended up breaking the majority of the financial promises they had made to Dream Theater before signing their contract, so the band was restricted to playing around New York City. The promotional tour for the album consisted of just five concerts, all of which were relatively local. The first show was at Sundance in Bay Shore, New York opening for the classic rock power trio Zebra.{{cite web|url=http://www.mikeportnoy.com/dates/tourography/?tour=4 |title=Mike Portnoy.com The Official Website |website=Mikeportnoy.com |access-date=January 30, 2016}}

After the fourth show, Charlie Dominici was let go because the band was starting to feel the limitations of his voice based upon the vocal style they wanted. The band was looking for a singer with a style more like Bruce Dickinson or Geoff Tate, and Dominici's stage presence was not what they wanted for a frontman. Shortly after, however, the band Marillion asked Dream Theater to open for them at a gig at the Ritz in New York, so Dominici was allowed to perform one last time. It would be nearly two years before Dream Theater had a replacement vocalist.

File:James LaBrie 2.jpg

Following Dominici's departure, Dream Theater fought successfully to be released from their contract with Mechanic and set about auditioning singers and writing material for their next album. In their search for a new singer, they auditioned over 200 people, among them former Fates Warning frontman John Arch. Arch ultimately decided that his commitments were more important and he opted not to join the band.{{cite web|url=http://www.fateswarning.com/Media/Interviews/1995/19950101.aspx |title=John Arch Interview by Jeff Wagner (1995) |publisher=Fateswarning.com |access-date=February 9, 2012}} On June 9, 1990, at a gig at Sundance in Bay Shore, New York, Dream Theater introduced Steve Stone as their new singer after playing half the set as an instrumental band. Stone had successfully recorded demos with Dream Theater, but he was fired following a single, ill-fated live performance. According to Mike Portnoy, Stone moved around the stage in a rather odd manner, seemingly doing a bad impression of Bruce Dickinson. Additionally, he shouted "Scream for me Long Beach!" several times throughout the show (Dickinson can be heard saying this on Iron Maiden's live album Live After Death), although they were performing in Bay Shore.{{cite web |url=http://www.mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=29 |title=Mike Portnoy.com The Official Website |website=Mikeportnoy.com |access-date=January 30, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304022550/http://www.mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=29 |url-status=dead }} The audience was immediately turned off by the new singer. It was five months before Dream Theater played another show, this time all-instrumental (under the name YtseJam). Until 1991, the band remained focused in an attempt to hire another singer and writing additional music. It was during this period that they wrote the majority of what would become Images and Words (1992).

In January 1991, the band received a demo tape from Kevin James LaBrie, of glam metal band Winter Rose.{{cite book|author=Colin Larkin|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=PA2006-IA1908|date=May 27, 2011|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=978-0-85712-595-8|pages=2006–}} The band had received the tape just before they were about to commit to another singer. The band was so impressed by his demo that he was flown from Canada to New York for an audition. LaBrie jammed on three songs with the band and was immediately hired to fill the vocalist position. Once recruited, LaBrie decided to drop his first name to avoid confusion with the other Kevin in the band. For the next few months, the band returned to playing live shows (still mostly around New York City), while working on vocal parts for the music written before acquiring LaBrie. Derek Shulman and ATCO Records (now East West), a division of Elektra Records, signed Dream Theater to a seven-album contract based on a three-song demo (later made available as "The Atco Demos" through the Dream Theater fan club).

The first album to be recorded under their new record contract was Images and Words (1992). For promotion, the label released a CD single and video clip for the song "Another Day", but neither made significant commercial impact. The song "Pull Me Under", however, managed to garner a high level of radio airplay without any organized promotion from the band or their label. In response, ATCO produced a video clip for "Pull Me Under", which saw heavy rotation on MTV. A third video clip was produced for "Take the Time", but it was not nearly as successful as "Pull Me Under".

The success of "Pull Me Under", combined with relentless touring throughout the U.S. and Japan, caused Images and Words to achieve gold record certification in the States and platinum status in Japan. A tour of Europe followed in 1993, which included a show at London's famed Marquee Club. This show was recorded and released as Live at the Marquee, Dream Theater's first official live album. Additionally, a video compilation of their Japanese concerts (mixed in with documentary-style footage of the off-stage portion of the tour) was released as Images and Words: Live in Tokyo.

Eager to work on fresh material, Dream Theater retreated to the studio in May 1994. Awake, Dream Theater's third studio album, was released on October 4, 1994. Shortly before the album was mixed, Moore had announced to the rest of the band that he would be quitting Dream Theater to concentrate on his musical interests, since he was no longer interested in touring or the style of music which Dream Theater performed.EastWest Records Press Release. As a result, the band had to scramble to find a replacement keyboardist before a tour could be considered.

Former Yngwie Malmsteen and Dio keyboardist Jens Johansson, who would go on to become a member of Stratovarius, was among the biggest names to audition, but the band members were eager to fill the position with keyboardist Jordan Rudess. Portnoy and Petrucci had come across Rudess in Keyboard Magazine, where he was recognized as "best new talent" in the readers' poll. The two invited him to play a trial gig with the band at the Concrete Foundations Forum in Burbank, California. Although the show was a success, and Rudess was asked to fill the keyboardist position permanently, he opted to tour with The Dixie Dregs instead, since it granted him more personal latitude. Dream Theater hired fellow Berklee alumnus Derek Sherinian, who had previously toured and recorded with Alice Cooper and Kiss, to fill in for the Waking Up the World Tour. By the conclusion of the tour, the band decided to take Sherinian on as Moore's full-time replacement.

Once again finding themselves with a new member, the band did not immediately start working on new material. Fans around the world, united on the YtseJam Mailing List (the most popular form of communication between Dream Theater fans at that point), had begun to put pressure on the band to officially release the song "A Change of Seasons". This had been written in 1989 and was intended to be a part of Images and Words, but at almost 17 minutes, it was deemed too long for studio placement. It had nevertheless been performed live by the band, who continued to revise it in the years leading up to 1995.

The petition was successful, and the group entered BearTracks Studios in New York in May 1995 to rewrite and record the now 23-minute-long song with Sherinian contributing significantly to the final product. The band released A Change of Seasons as an EP along with a collection of cover songs from a live show recorded at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London earlier that year.

After a brief run of small concerts and a short break, the band released a special Christmas CD through their official fan club, consisting of rare live tracks recorded during the band's early years. They continued releasing a new CD each Christmas until 2005.Nine Christmas CDs were released through Dream Theater's fan club before it was closed down in 2005. See [http://www.dreamtheater.net/dtifc.php?p=annualcd DTIFC on Dream Theater.net]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102141152/http://www.dreamtheater.net/dtifc.php?p=annualcd |date=January 2, 2009 }}

Meanwhile, there were several changes at East West, and Dream Theater's main contact within the label was fired. As a result, the new team at the company were unaccustomed to the relationship Dream Theater had with former East West personnel, and they pressured them to write an album that was more accessible. In mid-1997, they entered the studio to write their next album. In addition to pressuring the band to adopt a more mainstream sound, East West recruited writer/producer Desmond Child to work with Petrucci on polishing the lyrics to his song "You or Me". The whole band substantially reworked the song, and it appeared on the album as "You Not Me" with a chorus that bore little resemblance to the original. Child also had a noticeable impact on the album, with a shift towards less complex and more radio-friendly compositions.

The band wrote almost two CDs worth of material, including a 20-minute-long follow-up to the Images and Words song "Metropolis–Part I: The Miracle and the Sleeper". The label, however, did not allow the release of a double album because it felt that a 140-minute record would not be well received by the general public. James LaBrie also felt that the CD should be a single disc.LaBrie, James. (Summer '97) Images & Words No. 14, pg. 5 The unused songs were later released in the YtseJam Records release The Falling into Infinity Demos.{{cite web |url=http://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=6&idproduct=26 |title=Falling into Infinity Demos |publisher=Ytsejamrecords.com |access-date=July 18, 2011 |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401233512/http://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=6&idproduct=26 |url-status=dead }}

The material that made it onto the album proper was released as Falling into Infinity, which received a mixed reception from fans who were more familiar with the band's earlier sound. While the album was moderately progressive-sounding, tracks such as "Hollow Years" and "You Not Me" prompted some to believe it was the dawn of a new, mainstream-sounding Dream Theater. Overall, the album was both a critical and commercial disappointment. Although Portnoy did not speak out publicly at the time, he later revealed in the 2004 DVD commentary for 5 Years in a Livetime that he had been so discouraged during this period that he had considered disbanding Dream Theater altogether.

During the European leg of the Touring Into Infinity world tour, two shows were recorded for a live album titled Once in a LIVEtime, in France and The Netherlands. The album was released at around the same time as the video 5 Years in a Livetime, which covered the years from Kevin Moore's departure to the Falling into Infinity promotional tour.

In 1997, Magna Carta Records' Mike Varney invited Portnoy to assemble a progressive "supergroup" to work on an album, which would become the first in a long string of side-projects for the members of Dream Theater.Portnoy, Mike (1998). "Liquid Tension Experiment" [CD Liner Notes]. New York: Magna Carta Records. The lineup consisted of Portnoy on drums, Petrucci on guitar, Tony Levin on bass, and keyboardist Jordan Rudess, who had finished with the Dixie Dregs. The band assumed the name Liquid Tension Experiment, and would act as a medium through which Portnoy and Petrucci could once again court Rudess to join Dream Theater. In 1999, he accepted an offer to become the third full-time Dream Theater keyboardist, replacing Sherinian.

With yet another new member, Dream Theater entered BearTracks Studio once again to write and record their next album. As a result of an ultimatum from Portnoy, the label gave the band complete creative control. The band began by revisiting the follow-up to "Metropolis–Part I", which had been partially written during the Falling into Infinity sessions but which had not been completed or used on that album. They decided to expand the 21-minute song into a complete concept album, with a story revolving around themes such as reincarnation, murder and betrayal. To avoid stirring up the fan base, a tight veil of secrecy enveloped the writing and recording process. The only things fans were privy to before its release were a track list that had been leaked against the band's wishes, and a release date. In 1999, Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory was released to high critical acclaim, being lauded as the band's magnum opus, despite only reaching No. 73 on the US album chart.

The album was mixed by David Bottrill, but only a few of his mixes made it on the final album. The bulk was remixed by Kevin Shirley, who had produced Falling into Infinity. The rest of the mixes can be heard in the band's official bootleg The Making of Scenes from a Memory.

The subsequent Metropolis 2000 world tour was by far their largest to date, and took over a year to complete. The concerts reflected the theatrical aspect of the album, with the first half of each show comprising the entire Scenes From a Memory album accompanied by a film showing dramatized portions of the story projected onto a video screen behind the stage. For the last date of the North American leg, at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City, actors were hired to play characters in the story, and a gospel choir was enlisted to perform in some sections of the performance. The show was filmed and eventually released in early 2001 as the band's first DVD release, Metropolis 2000: Scenes from New York, which was certified Gold in the US on November 8, 2002.{{cite web|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database |title=Gold & Platinum Searchable Database – August 09, 2014 |publisher=RIAA |access-date=August 9, 2014}}

Since several songs from the second half of the four-hour show had to be cut from the DVD to save space, the band also released the full show on the live CD Live Scenes from New York. The original cover depicted one of Dream Theater's early logos (the Images and Words-era burning heart, modeled on the Sacred Heart of Christ) modified to show an apple (as in "Big Apple") instead of the heart, and the New York skyline, including the twin towers of the World Trade Center, in the flame above it. In an unfortunate coincidence, the album was released on the same date as the September 11 attacks. The album was quickly recalled by the band and was re-released with revised artwork later,{{cite web | url=http://www.mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/12.aspx#213 | title=Mike Portnoy FAQ | website=Mikeportnoy.com | access-date=June 26, 2009 | archive-date=July 17, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717234222/http://www.mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/12.aspx#213 | url-status=dead }} although the few copies which were sold with the original artwork have since become rare collector's items.

Putting the whole ordeal behind them, Dream Theater once again entered BearTracks Studios to record their sixth studio album. Four years after they first petitioned East West to allow them to release a double album, they finally got their chance with Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence. The first disc consisted of five tracks of 7–13 minutes in length, and the second disc was devoted entirely to the 42-minute title track, which remains to date the longest song Dream Theater has written. Many of the song's melodies and musical themes originated in an instrumental piece, written by Rudess, which would eventually become the song's "Overture". Those themes were then expanded by the rest of the band to form individual chapters in a complete story.

Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence was very well received by critics and the press. It was the most publicized of Dream Theater's albums since Awake, debuting on the Billboard charts at No. 46{{cite web| url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=dream theater|chart=all}}| title=Billboard Chart history for Dream Theater }} and the Billboard Internet charts at No. 1.[http://www.dreamtheater.net/archive_dreamtheater.php?y=2002#billboard DreamTheater.net] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725011754/http://www.dreamtheater.net/archive_dreamtheater.php?y=2002#billboard |date=July 25, 2011 }} reported that Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence had reached No. 1 on the Billboard Internet Charts. The subsequent world tour included a select few special "album cover" gigs (see Cover songs section, below), in which they played Metallica's Master of Puppets and Iron Maiden's The Number of the Beast in their entirety.

In 2003, Dream Theater entered the studio to write and record another album. Unlike Scenes from a Memory, which had been written and recorded simultaneously in the studio, the band took a different approach by setting aside three weeks for writing prior to recording. In the middle of the recording sessions for the album, a special tour with two other progressive metal bands, Queensrÿche and Fates Warning, was undertaken in North America. Referred to in the band's promotional material as the "Escape from the Studio American tour", the tour featured Queensrÿche and Dream Theater as co-headlining acts with Fates Warning performing supporting act duties. As a finale for each concert there was an extended encore in which both Dream Theater and Queensrÿche performed together on stage simultaneously, often playing cover songs.

After the tour, Dream Theater returned to the studio to finish the recording of their seventh album, Train of Thought. In contrast to the extended songs of their previous album, the band aimed to write a more song-oriented album, inspired in part by covering the Master of Puppets and Number of the Beast albums on their previous concert tour.Mike Portnoy (2007) "In Constant Motion" Instructional DVD, Train of Thought album analysis. Although the album was a critical success, its more straightforward metal sound alienated many of the band's existing fans, who had been attracted by the band's roots in progressive rock. During this time they also re-released their first two live videos for the first time on DVD, titled "Images and Words: Live in Tokyo/5 Years in a Livetime" on June 29, 2004, through Rhino Records. This release was certified Platinum on March 22, 2006.

Another world tour followed, named the Train of Thought Tour. A modest North American tour was completed by the two bands, which Dream Theater supported Yes, a band that had been a major influence on their own musical style. After this Dream Theater continued to tour the world with their so-called "An Evening With Dream Theater" shows. The latter were captured in another live CD/DVD release, recorded at the famous Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan on their Train of Thought Tour. Live at Budokan was released on October 5, 2004, and was certified Platinum in the US on January 26, 2005.

File:Dream theater live in Parigi 2005.jpg, John Petrucci, James LaBrie, John Myung and Jordan Rudess|alt=The five members of Dream Theater standing together in front of a drum kit and some amplifiers on a stage.]]

After their Train of Thought promotional tour, Dream Theater entered the Hit Factory studios in NYC to record their eighth album. They would become the final group to use the famous studio, which closed on April 1, 2005.{{cite web|url=http://digitalprosound.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=45690|last=Moldstad|first=Frank|publisher=Digital Pro Sound|title=New York's Hit Factory Gets a New Identity|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220093309/http://digitalprosound.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=45690|archive-date=December 20, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

Octavarium was released on June 7, 2005, and took the band's sound in yet another new direction. Its eight songs included a continuation of Portnoy's "Twelve-step" saga ("The Root of All Evil", steps 6–7 in the 12-step plan), as well as the title track, a musically versatile 24-minute epic rivaling "A Change of Seasons". Octavarium received mixed reviews from fans and has been the subject of spirited debate. Octavarium was the last album under their seven-album deal with Elektra Records, which had inherited the contract upon its absorption of EastWest Records.

Dream Theater started the Octavarium Tour extensively throughout 2005 and 2006 to celebrate their 20th Anniversary as a band, including a headlining spot on Gigantour alongside Megadeth and put together by frontman Dave Mustaine, also featuring Fear Factory, Nevermore and Symphony X. During a show on August 2, 2005, in Dallas, the band paid tribute to Pantera's late guitarist Dimebag Darrell by performing the song "Cemetery Gates" as an encore. In addition, was the unexpected appearance of fellow musicians Russell Allen (Symphony X vocalist), Burton C. Bell (Fear Factory vocalist) and Dave Mustaine (Megadeth vocalist/guitarist), who joined the band on stage to perform parts of the song.

Dream Theater later departed from Gigantour 2005 a few dates before it ended and continued on with their own series of concerts, several of which were recorded and released for the band's fanclubs. The 20th anniversary tour concluded with a show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 1, 2006. Though the show had minimal promotion, it was sold out days after tickets were made available. This show, which was recorded for a CD/DVD called Score released on August 29, 2006, through Rhino Records, featured songs from the band's entire history, as well a second half accompanied by a full symphony orchestra (the "Octavarium Orchestra"). This release was the band's third Live DVD release to be certified Platinum in the US on October 11, 2006.

File:Dream Theater 2326994259 c689a5f104 o.jpg

For the first time in their career, the band took the summer off after their show at Radio City Music Hall. In September 2006, Dream Theater entered Avatar Studios to record their follow-up to Octavarium with studio engineer Paul Northfield. Dream Theater's ninth studio album, Systematic Chaos, was released on June 5, 2007. The record marked their first with new label Roadrunner Records, which in 2010 became a wholly owned subsidiary of the band's previous label Atlantic Records. Roadrunner implemented increased promotion for the album and Systematic Chaos reached number 19 on the Billboard 200. It also oversaw the release of a video for "Constant Motion" on July 14, the band's first music video since Hollow Years in 1997. The album was bookended by the two parts of "In the Presence of Enemies", written and conceived as a single piece but split into two halves for the purposes of the album. The other six tracks included the most recent part of Portnoy's continuing Twelve-step Suite with the song "Repentance".

In 2007, the first version of Rich Wilson's Lifting Shadows, an authorized history of the band's first twenty years, was released.{{cite book|url=http://www.dreamtheaterbook.com/ |title=Lifting Shadows: The Authorized Biography of Dream Theater |first=Rich | last=Wilson | publisher=Rocket 88 | isbn=9781906615581 | oclc=857966438 | date=2013 | access-date=March 17, 2025}}

The 2007–08 Chaos in Motion Tour started off in Italy. Dream Theater played in the Gods of Metal concert on June 3, 2007,{{cite web|url=http://www.godsofmetal.it/ |title=Gods of Metal official website |publisher=Godsofmetal.it |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719202238/http://www.godsofmetal.it/ |archive-date=July 19, 2011 }} as well as various other European festivals including the Netherlands' Fields of Rock Festival, UK's Download Festival, the French festival Hellfest Summer Open Air alongside Megadeth, Korn, Mastodon and Slayer. The North American leg of the tour began on July 24 in San Diego, California and wrapped up on August 26 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They played with opening acts Redemption and Into Eternity. The Chaos In Motion Tour continued for the rest of the year and into 2008, playing shows in Asia, South America and, for the first time, Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81636 |title=Opeth To Support Dream Theater In North America – Blabbermouth.net |website=Roadrunnerrecords.com |date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=January 30, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410012728/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81636 |archive-date=April 10, 2009 }}

On April 1, 2008, a two-disc compilation album titled Greatest Hit (...and 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs) was released by the band. The title jokingly references the song "Pull Me Under", the band's only significant radio hit. It also includes three song re-mixes from their second album, Images and Words, five edited versions of previously released songs, and a track from a single B-side. Unlike most greatest hits compilations, Dream Theater was actively involved with the album, coming up with the track listing that they felt best represented their musical careers.

After the release of Greatest Hit, drummer Mike Portnoy organized a new tour called Progressive Nation 2008. Unlike previous Dream Theater tours, performances were held in cities that they had not visited before (such as Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) or cities they had not played in for several years. This tour also marked the first time, since the release of Images and Words, where the group performed in small venues and performance halls.

In September 2008, the band released a DVD set called Chaos in Motion 2007–2008, featuring songs recorded at several shows during the Chaos in Motion tour.

On October 7, 2008, Dream Theater returned to Avatar Studios to begin work on their tenth album, resuming their relationship with Paul Northfield to engineer and mix the record. The album, titled Black Clouds & Silver Linings, was released on June 23, 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/m2268614.aspx |title=Dream Theater – Black Clouds & Silver Linings |publisher=Mikeportnoy.com |access-date=July 18, 2011 |archive-date=March 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317065638/http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/m2268614.aspx |url-status=dead }} In addition to the standard CD, the album was made available on vinyl LP, as well as a 3-disc Special Edition CD that includes the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs from artists such as Queen and Rainbow. On July 1, 2009, the album debuted at No. 6 on Billboard's Top 200 album chart, with first week sales totalling 40,285, making their highest entry on the chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/1124/16276/Holy-Shit-Dream-Theater-debuts-at-6-on-Billboard-Top-200.html |title=Dream Theater debut's at 6 on Billboard Top 200, The Gauntlet |publisher=Thegauntlet.com |access-date=July 18, 2011}} The album featured "The Shattered Fortress", the last in Mike Portnoy's series of songs about his 12-step recovery from alcoholism, as well as the song "The Best of Times", described by Portnoy as "a real heavy personal subject about my dad who passed away during the making of the album ... He was battling cancer throughout its making."{{cite web|url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/dream-theater%e2%80%99s-mike-portnoy-pens-tribute-to-late-father/ |title=Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy Pens Tribute To Late Father |publisher=Metalhammer.co.uk |date=May 1, 2009 |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629081851/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/dream-theater%E2%80%99s-mike-portnoy-pens-tribute-to-late-father/ |archive-date=June 29, 2011 }}

The band also embarked on a second Progressive Nation tour, including the tour's first performances in Europe. Opeth, Unexpect and Bigelf supported Dream Theater in Europe, while Zappa Plays Zappa, Pain of Salvation, and Beardfish were slated to perform on the North American leg. However, Pain of Salvation and Beardfish were unable to tour with Dream Theater and Zappa Plays Zappa because of financial troubles within their respective record labels. The two new bands that filled the vacated slots for the Progressive Nation 2009 tour in North America were Bigelf and Scale the Summit with Bigelf performing on both European and North American legs.

After the Progressive Nation Tour, Dream Theater re-entered the studio to write and record a brand new instrumental track for inclusion on the God of War III soundtrack EP God of War: Blood & Metal. The track, titled "Raw Dog" (God (of) War reversed), marked the first time that the band has written and recorded an exclusive track for an outside project.{{cite web|url=http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/m2443312.aspx|last=Portnoy|first=Mike|title=MP's Forecast for 2010|publisher=mikeportnoy.com|access-date=November 12, 2009|archive-date=February 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210043603/http://www.mikeportnoy.com/forum/m2443312.aspx|url-status=dead}} "Raw Dog" includes the first ever commercially recorded harpejji track, performed by Jordan Rudess, as well as Dream Theater's final recorded performance with Mike Portnoy on drums prior to his departure from the band in 2010. In December 2009, during their Black Clouds & Silver Linings tour whilst visiting Australia, Dream Theater appeared with one support act, Pain of Salvation.{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Bredius |url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/tourdates.php#dtnzaustralia |title=tour dates for Australia, December 1–12, 2009 |publisher=Dreamtheater.net |date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716150258/http://www.dreamtheater.net/tourdates.php |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }} In March 2010, they toured South America with Bigelf. Afterwards, during the summer of 2010, Dream Theater supported Iron Maiden on the US and Canadian legs of their summer tour which were the last shows DT played during 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/Dream-Theater-To-Tour-With-Iron-Maiden-This-Summer-21029.aspx |title=Dream Theater to tour with Iron Maiden this summer 2010 |publisher=Road Runner Records |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312075747/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/news/Dream-Theater-To-Tour-With-Iron-Maiden-This-Summer-21029.aspx |archive-date=March 12, 2011 }}

{{multiple image |perrow = 3

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| image1 = Mike Portnoy (2010) (cropped).jpg

| image2 = Mike Mangini at Moscow 12 Jul 2011 (cropped).jpg

| footer = Drummer Mike Portnoy announced his departure on September 8, 2010, and was superseded by Mike Mangini, who remained until Portnoy rejoined in 2023.

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On September 8, 2010, drummer Mike Portnoy announced that he would be leaving Dream Theater, citing better relationships in other projects, burnout, and his desire for a break as reasons.{{cite web|last=Portnoy|first=Mike|title=Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/mike-portnoy/mike-portnoy-leaves-dream-theater/137362372974878|publisher=Facebook|access-date=July 6, 2012}} Elaborating on the situation for MusicRadar, John Petrucci revealed that originally, Portnoy did not want to leave the band; he only wanted to take a five-year break.{{cite web|last=Bosso|first=Joe|title=Interview: Dream Theater's John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess on the band's future|date=May 11, 2011 |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-dream-theaters-john-petrucci-jordan-rudess-on-the-bands-future-442741|publisher=MusicRadar|access-date=December 3, 2012}} He eventually dropped this number to around one year.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=145872 |title=Mike Portnoy: 'It Would Be A Tragedy If I Never Got To Be On Stage With Dream Theater Again' |access-date=July 24, 2012}} Only after the rest of the band rejected his proposal did Portnoy decide to quit.

After Portnoy left Dream Theater, relationships between him and his former bandmates became strained. In February 2011, Portnoy complained that no one from the band was returning his calls and e-mails.{{cite news|title=Mike Portnoy: Dream Theater Members Are Refusing To Answer My E-Mails And Calls – Feb. 25, 2011|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=154516|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 8, 2012}} However, later Portnoy commented that both Petrucci and Rudess were the only members that stayed in touch with him.{{cite web|url=https://www.tntradiorock.com/mike-portnoy-shattered-fortress-be-prog-my-friend-2017-entrevista-tnt/|title=Mike Portnoy – Shattered Fortress – Be Prog My Friend 2017|last=TNT Radio Rock|date=April 23, 2017|website=TNTRadioRock.com|access-date=January 9, 2020}} Tensions became especially high when Portnoy called James LaBrie "disrespectful" for comments LaBrie made during an interview,{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Chris |title=Mike Portnoy Fires Back At James LaBrie |url=http://gunshyassassin.com/news/mike-portnoy-fires-back-at-james-labrie/ |publisher=Gun Shy Assassin |access-date=July 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313154614/http://gunshyassassin.com/news/mike-portnoy-fires-back-at-james-labrie/ |archive-date=March 13, 2012 }} stating that Dream Theater were "not sad at all" that Portnoy was no longer a band member. By July 2011, LaBrie had not remained in touch with Portnoy.{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Chris |title=Dream Theater's James LaBrie Talks Mike Portnoy |url=http://gunshyassassin.com/news/dream-theater%E2%80%99s-james-labrie-talks-mike-portnoy/ |publisher=Gun Shy Assassin |access-date=July 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607155549/http://gunshyassassin.com/news/dream-theater%E2%80%99s-james-labrie-talks-mike-portnoy/ |archive-date=June 7, 2012 }} Portnoy later stated that he would rejoin the band in a heartbeat, stating: "They are the ones that have closed the door on it. I've only needed a break, and I've had that break. So I'm ready, willing and able. But I honestly don't think they ever will; they've closed their door on it and I think they're too headstrong in having to prove themselves without me. So I wouldn't count on it. But my door is always open."{{cite web |last=Hartmann|first=Graham|title=Drummer Mike Portnoy on Rejoining Dream Theater: 'I Would Do It in a Heartbeat' |website=Loudwire|date=August 2, 2013 | url=http://loudwire.com/mike-portnoy-rejoining-dream-theater-would-do-it-in-a-heartbeat/?trackback=tsmclip|access-date=January 26, 2014}}

A little more than a month after Portnoy's departure, Dream Theater began auditioning for a new drummer in New York City. The drummers who auditioned were Mike Mangini, Derek Roddy, Thomas Lang, Virgil Donati, Marco Minnemann, Aquiles Priester, and Peter Wildoer.{{cite news|title=Dream Theater: 'The Spirit Carries On' Drummer-Search Web Series To Be Released On DVD – Apr. 28, 2011|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=157437|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 6, 2012}} Fates Warning drummer Bobby Jarzombek was also invited to audition, but had to turn down the offer due to scheduling conflicts.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bobby-jarzombek-why-i-turned-down-dream-theater-drummer-audition/|title=BOBBY JARZOMBEK: Why I Turned Down DREAM THEATER Drummer Audition|date=November 16, 2013|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=May 12, 2019}} The candidates were notified whether they had been chosen on November 5;{{cite web|last=Wildoer|first=Peter|title=Re: An Exclusive Look into The Band's Search for a New Drummer|url=http://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22228.msg865423#msg865423|publisher=Dream Theater Forums|access-date=July 6, 2012}} however, the results of the audition were not made public until April 2011 via a three-part YouTube documentary series called The Spirit Carries On.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/2QHMQjH17aw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20110502133950/http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=2QHMQjH17aw Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|title=Dream Theater – The Spirit Carries On Episode 3| date=April 27, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QHMQjH17aw |publisher=YouTube|access-date=July 6, 2012}}{{cbignore}} In the last episode of the series, it was revealed that Mangini was the drummer selected. Petrucci later explained that Portnoy approached them to rejoin after they had selected Mangini; Mangini however, by this time had left his job as a professor at Berklee and committed to Dream Theater full-time, so Portnoy's offer was rebuffed.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dream_theater_explain_why_mike_portnoy_cant_rejoin.html |title=Dream Theater Explain Why Mike Portnoy Can't Rejoin | Music News @ |publisher=Ultimate-guitar.com |access-date=August 9, 2014}}

Dream Theater entered Cove City Sound Studios to begin working on a new album on January 3, 2011.{{cite web|last=Petrucci|first=John|title=First day in the studio and the dawn of a new era for DT. Can't wait to get the music flowing.|url=https://twitter.com/#!/JPetrucci/status/21907283457867776|publisher=Twitter|access-date=July 6, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Wenner |first=Rick |title=Dream Theater @ Cove City Studios |url=http://blog.rickwenner.com/dream-theater-cove-city-studios/ |publisher=Rick Wenner Official Website |access-date=July 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724154235/http://blog.rickwenner.com/dream-theater-cove-city-studios/ |archive-date=July 24, 2012 }} Writing was completed on March 2 and done without Mangini.{{cite web|last=Petrucci|first=John|title=So psyched...we finished writing the DT album last night! On to tracking...|url=https://twitter.com/#!/JPetrucci/status/43193979453444096|publisher=Twitter|access-date=July 6, 2012}} On April 14, LaBrie began tracking vocals and by June 28, the album's mixing and mastering by Andy Wallace were finished.{{cite web|last=LaBrie|first=James|title=Hey Everyone, Finished the first track yesterday. It oozes with emotion. Movin on to the next. Raaaaaaaaaawk.|url=https://twitter.com/#!/Piratecjs/status/60374555499315200|publisher=Twitter|access-date=July 6, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Petrucci|first=John|title=New DT album is all mixed and mastered as of today. First show of the tour in Rome in less than a week! Looking forward to seeing everyone.|url=https://twitter.com/#!/JPetrucci/status/85735011151650816|publisher=Twitter|access-date=July 6, 2012}}{{cite news|title=Dream Theater Taps Andy Wallace For New Album Mix – May 24, 2011 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158572 |work=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=July 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823145122/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158572 |archive-date=August 23, 2011 }} Released worldwide on September 12 and in the United States on September 13, A Dramatic Turn of Events debuted at number one in some countries and attained the eighth position on the Billboard 200,{{cite news|title=Dream Theater's 'A Dramatic Turn Of Events' Lands In U.S. Top 10 – Sep. 21, 2011|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=163574|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 6, 2012}} the band's second ever top ten debut position on that chart after Black Clouds & Silver Linings.{{cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|title=Lady Antebellum 'Own' the Billboard 200 With Second No. 1 Album|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/467358/lady-antebellum-own-the-billboard-200-with-second-no-1-album|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 17, 2012}} Although the album received mixed reviews,{{cite web|title=Critic Reviews for A Dramatic Turn of Events|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/a-dramatic-turn-of-events/critic-reviews|website=Metacritic.com|access-date=July 7, 2012}} it won numerous awards from music publications and its lead single, "On the Backs of Angels", was nominated for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance at the 2012 Grammy Awards, representing the band's first ever Grammy nomination.

Dream Theater kicked off their tour in support of A Dramatic Turn of Events on July 4, 2011, in Rome, Italy.{{cite web|title=Dream Theater announce more summer tour dates|url=http://www.licklibrary.com/news/2011/3/952-dream_theater_announce_more_summer_tour_dates|publisher=Lick Library|access-date=July 6, 2012|archive-date=February 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213065126/http://www.licklibrary.com/news/2011/3/952-dream_theater_announce_more_summer_tour_dates|url-status=dead}} The second leg of the tour took place in North America, where the band headlined with Trivium.{{cite news|title=Dream Theater Announces North American Tour Dates – Aug. 1, 2011 |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=161416 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201085925/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=161416 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |work=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=July 6, 2012 }} After a short break to conclude 2011, the band returned to Europe with Periphery,{{cite news|title=Dream Theater Announce UK Tour for February 2012, Periphery To Support|date=September 8, 2011 |url=http://www.rocksins.com/2011/09/dream-theater-announce-uk-tour-for-february-2012-periphery-to-support-11281/|newspaper=Rock Sins|access-date=July 6, 2012|last1=Giberti |first1=Jamie }} to Asia with Andy McKee, to North America with Crimson Projekct and then to South America for the final leg of the tour.{{cite web|title=Dream Theater And Crimson ProjeKct To Tour Together This Summer|date=April 13, 2012 |url=http://www.theprp.com/2012/04/13/news/dream-theater-and-king-crimson-projekct-to-tour-together-this-summer/|publisher=The PRP|access-date=July 4, 2012}} On August 19 and 20, two shows were recorded at Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a live Blu-ray release by Over the Edge Productions.{{cite news|title=Dream Theater: Buenos Aires Concerts To Be Filmed For DVD Release – July 5, 2012|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=176386|work=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 6, 2012}}{{cite web|title=A video update on the future of Ytsejam Records (Bootlegs) and a DVD.|url=https://www.facebook.com/DreamTheaterADTOE/posts/439511829414846|publisher=Facebook|access-date=July 6, 2012}}{{cite web|title=James Labrie (Of Dream Theater) Interview 06/24/2012 (preview)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs637NXMaJw| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721131755/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs637NXMaJw| archive-date=2013-07-21 | url-status=dead|publisher=YouTube|access-date=July 6, 2012}} After a six-month delay, Live at Luna Park was released on November 5, 2013, by Eagle Rock Entertainment.{{cite web|last=Dream Theater|title=Live at Luna Park DVD Press Release|url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/news/live-luna-park-dvd-press-release-41791|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501013133/http://www.dreamtheater.net/news/live-luna-park-dvd-press-release-41791|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 1, 2014|work=Dream Theater Official Blog|access-date=May 17, 2014}} The tour concluded on September 1, 2012, in Brasília, Brazil.

On December 25, 2013, at 06:00:00 EST, as a holiday gift to the fans, Dream Theater released a free electronic 2-CD set of live tracks that were not recorded for Live at Luna Park from their 2011–2012 tour in FLAC format via BitTorrent.{{cite web|last=Dream Theater|title=Happy Holidays From Dream Theater|url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/news/happy-holidays-dream-theater-88331|work=Dream Theater Official Blog|access-date=May 17, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502081225/http://www.dreamtheater.net/news/happy-holidays-dream-theater-88331|archive-date=May 2, 2014|df=mdy-all}} The release date and time were an allusion to their 1994 song "6:00", the intro of which contains a repeated sample of the line "Six o'clock on a Christmas morning" as spoken by Helena Carroll in The Dead.{{cite web|last=Beardsley|first=Rai "Weymolith"|title=Happy Holidays From Dream Theater! (6:00 On A Christmas Morning!)|url=http://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=40260.0|work=DreamTheaterForums.org|access-date=May 17, 2014}}{{cite web|title=The Dead (1987)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092843/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2|work=IMDb (IMDb)|access-date=May 17, 2014}}

Writing for Dream Theater's twelfth studio album commenced on A Dramatic Tour of Events.{{cite web|last=Petrucci|first=John|title=Writing for the next DT album officially commenced while in Osaka the other day. Jet lag seems to open up one's creative channels.|url=https://www.facebook.com/johnpetrucciFB/posts/372291789489506 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/126844294034258/372291789489506 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|publisher=Facebook|access-date=July 10, 2012}}{{cbignore}} During soundchecks, the band would jam and record their ideas, and John Petrucci would bring in material he wrote independently. Following the conclusion of the tour, the band took a break but continued writing. They reconvened in early 2013 to enter the studio.{{cite news|last=Grubbs|first=Eric|title=Dream Theater's John Petrucci On Obsessing Over Rush, Playing "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and More|url=http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2012/07/dream_theaters_john_petrucci_p.php|newspaper=Dallas Observer|access-date=July 10, 2012|archive-date=November 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123172518/http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2012/07/dream_theaters_john_petrucci_p.php|url-status=dead}}

In December 2012, Dream Theater re-signed with Roadrunner Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/board_posts/dream-theater-re-signs-with-roadrunner-records?1354550390 |title=Dream Theater re-signs with Roadrunner Records |publisher=Dream Theater |access-date=December 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207103954/http://www.dreamtheater.net/board_posts/dream-theater-re-signs-with-roadrunner-records?1354550390 |archive-date=December 7, 2012 }} The band's self-titled twelfth album was released on September 23, 2013, as part of the new agreement with Roadrunner. The album sold more than 34,000 copies in its first week and landed on the Billboard 200 chart at No. 7, the band's third consecutive top 10 album. In addition, the album cracked the top 10 in 24 countries including Japan, Germany, Argentina, The Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Australia and United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theaters-new-album-cracks-u-s-top-10/ |title=Dream Theater's New Album Cracks U.S. Top 10 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=October 2, 2013 |access-date=January 30, 2016}} Dream Theater's seventh live album, Live at Luna Park, was released on November 5, 2013.

On July 8, 2014, Dream Theater released The Studio Albums 1992–2011, a box set spanning all albums from Images and Words to A Dramatic Turn of Events.{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-unveils-career-spanning-box-set-the-studio-albums-1992-2011/ |title=Dream Theater Unveils Career-Spanning Box Set: 'The Studio Albums 1992–2011' |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=May 16, 2014 |access-date=May 25, 2014}}

On September 30, 2014, Dream Theater released their eighth live album and film, Breaking the Fourth Wall, which was recorded live from The Boston Opera House on March 25, 2014. During this concert, the band were joined by the Berklee World Strings and the Berklee Concert Choir, directed by Eren Başbuğ, for the second half of the set.{{cite web |last=Bredius |first=Mark |url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/news/one-kind-show-berklee-college-music-90811 |title=One-of-a-kind show with Berklee College of Music! - Dream Theater Official Blog |publisher=Dreamtheater.net |date=January 13, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805231139/http://www.dreamtheater.net/news/one-kind-show-berklee-college-music-90811 |archive-date=August 5, 2014 |df=mdy-all }} The set list for the tour featured the entire second half of Awake, in celebration of the album's 20th anniversary, including the song "Space-Dye Vest", which had never been performed live. The set list closed with a performance of four songs from Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory, in celebration of the album's 15th anniversary.{{cite web|url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/preorder |title=The Astonishing |publisher=Dream Theater |access-date=January 30, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129145202/http://www.dreamtheater.net/preorder |archive-date=January 29, 2016 }} The Along for the Ride Tour concluded on October 30, 2014.

On January 6, 2014, John Petrucci said that Dream Theater were already "planting seeds for album No. 13". He commented: "There are some song ideas and little things like that -- nothing really official, but the seeds just start to get planted. One of the great things about this career is that you have the opportunity every time to go in and start again with a blank slate and think, 'What can we do differently? How can we make this better? Where can we go from here?' Every album has a story, and to constantly have a fresh opportunity to do it is really satisfying."{{cite magazine|first=Gary|last=Graff |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5862286/dream-theater-planting-seeds-for-album-no-13 |title=Dream Theater Planting Seeds for Album No. 13 |magazine=Billboard |date=January 6, 2014 |access-date=January 30, 2016}}

The band headed into the studio in February 2015 to record its thirteenth album.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/james-labrie-dream-theater-will-launch-its-next-world-tour-in-early-2016/ |title=James Labrie: Dream Theater Will Launch Its Next World Tour In Early 2016 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=January 11, 2015 |access-date=January 30, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.simcoe.com/whatson-story/5246821-dream-theater-s-james-labrie-coming-home/ |title=Dream Theater's James LaBrie coming home to Midland |website=Simcoe.com |date=January 7, 2015 |access-date=January 30, 2016}} The album, titled The Astonishing was released on January 29, 2016. It is a concept album set in a dystopian future society devoid of real music, centering on a conflict between a group of rebels and an oppressive empire.{{cite web |url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/theastonishingtracks |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131232732/http://www.dreamtheater.net/theastonishingtracks |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |title=Track Description |work=dreamtheater.net |access-date=January 31, 2016 }} Two singles, "The Gift of Music" and "Moment of Betrayal" were released on December 3, 2015, and January 22, 2016, respectively.

Throughout 2016, Dream Theater went on a tour titled The Astonishing Live to support the album. They played the album in its entirety, with an intermission between the two acts, only playing songs from earlier albums on occasions later in the tour. Their performance was accompanied by a visual representation of the story on background screens. The band also made it a point to play at indoor theater halls such as Radio City Music Hall. In 2017, Dream Theater went on another tour, titled Images, Words & Beyond, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Images and Words. Each night they performed the album in its entirety, as well as "A Change of Seasons", which was originally written during the Images and Words sessions, and other selections from their catalogue.

File:Hellfest2019DreamTheater 01.jpg in 2019.]]

In a May 2017 interview with Rockbook, frontman James LaBrie talked about the style of the band's fourteenth studio album: "It's really important for us that the new album will be our best effort. It should be who we are at that particular moment. [...] But if along the way we feel that there is another album we should recognize once again, then we'll do it."{{cite news|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/dream-theater-wants-to-put-out-a-non-conceptual-album-in-2018/|title=Dream Theater Wants To Put Out A Non-Conceptual Album In 2018|first=Greg|last=Kennelty|work=Metal Injection|date=May 31, 2017|access-date=June 16, 2017}} In December 2017, Dream Theater announced that they had signed a worldwide longterm deal with Sony Music via Sony's progressive music label imprint Inside Out, for the release of the album.{{cite web |url=http://dreamtheater.net/sony-music-signs-dream-theater-to-a-long-term-deal-via-its-insideoutmusic-imprint |title=Sony Music Signs Dream Theater to a Long-Term Deal via its InsideOutMusic Imprint – Dream Theater |date=December 11, 2017 |website=Dreamtheater.net |access-date=December 11, 2017}}

The album was written in June and July 2018,{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj4808mBooZ/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/johnpetrucciofficial/1799455572400441881 |archive-date=2021-12-23 |url-access=subscription|title=First day of DT writing sessions! |work=Instagram |date=11 June 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/dreamtheater/photos/a.487625947180.264700.7677942180/10155408828607181/?type=3&theater |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/7677942180/10155408828607181 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=From John Petrucci: "Nothing says 'we finished writing the music to the new Dream Theater album' better than burgers and beers!" |work=Facebook |date=11 July 2018}}{{cbignore}} and features pieces written collectively and lyrics written by Petrucci, Labrie, Myung and, for the first time ever, Mangini.{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/dreamtheater/videos/532840363804427/ |title=DT14 – Bass Tracking Done! |website=Facebook.com |date=24 August 2018}} In anticipation of the album, the band launched a "treasure hunt" in the form of an alternate reality game, where participants would search for various clues across the internet. The game ultimately led to a site revealing the title of the album to be Distance Over Time. The site also revealed the cover art for the album, its scheduled release date in February 2019, as well as dates for a tour in North America celebrating the 20th anniversary of the band's fifth album Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-new-album-distance-over-time-to-arrive-in-february-first-tour-dates-announced/ |title=DREAM THEATER: New Album 'Distance Over Time' To Arrive In February; First Tour Dates Announced |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=2 November 2018 |access-date=3 November 2018}} On November 6, 2018, a press release from Inside Out officially announced Distance Over Time, with a release date of February 22, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutMusic/posts/10156909567980439 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/289541335438/10156909567980439 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Inside Out Music|website=Facebook.com}}{{cbignore}} Upon release, the album received widespread critical acclaim.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/distance-over-time/dream-theater|title=Distance Over Time by Dream Theater|access-date=May 12, 2019|website=Metacritic.com}}

In April 2020, Metal Addicts reported that Dream Theater was expected to begin working on their fifteenth studio album in 2021.{{cite web|url=https://metaladdicts.com/site/dream-theater-reschedule-australian-tour-to-november/|title=DREAM THEATER Reschedule Australian Tour To November|publisher=metaladdicts.com|date=April 25, 2020|access-date=April 26, 2020}} About the direction of the album, guitarist John Petrucci stated in an August 2020 interview with Ultimate Guitar: "The eight-string project with Ernie Ball Music Man is something we are working on and hoping to have developed as this year goes on. I'm hoping that on the next Dream Theater record I'll be able to explore that."{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/john_petrucci_explains_why_he_left_ibanez_announces_plan_to_use_8-string_guitar_on_new_dream_theater.html|title=John Petrucci Explains Why He Left Ibanez, Announces Plan to Use 8-String Guitar on New Dream Theater|publisher=Ultimate Guitar|date=August 3, 2020|access-date=August 3, 2020}} This would later be confirmed in an interview with Ultimate Guitar in February 2021.{{Cite news|last=Stolzer-Gary|first=Isaac|date=2021-02-26|title=JOHN PETRUCCI Has Confirmed The Use of 8-String Guitar On The New DREAM THEATER Album|url=https://geargods.net/news/john-petrucci-has-confirmed-the-use-of-8-string-guitar-on-the-new-dream-theater-album/|access-date=2021-05-19|website=GearGods|language=en-US}} Also in August 2020, Petrucci also told Spain's Metal Hammer that the band would begin working on their new album in the fall.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-to-begin-work-on-new-studio-album-in-the-fall/|title=DREAM THEATER To Begin Work On New Studio Album In The Fall|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=August 7, 2020|access-date=August 7, 2020}} Recording sessions started at DTHQ (the band's own studio) in October 2020.{{cite web |title=Dream Theater on New Live Album, Onstage Mishaps, Rehearsing in Meat Shops |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/dream-theater-new-live-album-onstage-mishaps-rehearsing-meat-shops |website=Revolver |access-date=November 27, 2020 |language=en |date=2 October 2020}} The band was confirmed on November 27, 2020, to be writing the songs, while LaBrie was writing his parts back home in Canada. When asked in an interview, Petrucci said that the writing sessions were "off to a great start".{{cite web |title=DREAM THEATER Is 'Off To A Great Start' With Writing Sessions For New Album |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-is-off-to-a-great-start-with-writing-sessions-for-new-album/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=November 27, 2020 |date=November 27, 2020}}

Petrucci released his first solo album in fifteen years, Terminal Velocity, on August 28, 2020. The album was recorded at DTHQ earlier the same year. Its recording sessions marked the first time in ten years that Petrucci worked with his former Dream Theater bandmate Mike Portnoy, who played drums on all tracks from the album.{{cite web |last1=Munro |first1=Scott |title=Dream Theater's John Petrucci announces new solo album Terminal Velocity |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/dream-theaters-john-petrucci-announces-new-solo-album-terminal-velocity |website=Prog |access-date=20 June 2020 |date=19 June 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Bienstock |first1=Richard |title=Guitar World premiere: Hear John Petrucci reunite with Mike Portnoy on Terminal Velocity |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/guitar-world-premiere-hear-john-petrucci-reunite-with-mike-portnoy-on-terminal-velocity |website=Guitar World |access-date=30 August 2020 |date=7 August 2020}} This collaboration led to speculation of a Dream Theater reunion with Portnoy, which was denied by Petrucci, who told Metal Hammer: "I understand where people are coming from with that. One of the concerns I had, a little bit – not musically at all – but about Mike, is I didn't want people to get the wrong idea."{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/john_petrucci_addresses_speculation_that_mike_portnoy_is_rejoining_dream_theater_stresses_what_fans_need_to_understand.html|title=John Petrucci Addresses Speculation That Mike Portnoy Is Rejoining Dream Theater, Stresses What Fans Need to Understand|publisher=Ultimate Guitar|date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 30, 2020}}

On November 27, 2020, Dream Theater released their ninth live album, Distant Memories – Live in London, recorded at Hammersmith Apollo prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/dream-theater-live-album-distant-memories-metropolis-pt-2/|title=Dream Theater Perform 'Metropolis Pt 2' in Full on New Live Album|publisher=Loudwire|date=September 30, 2020}} On December 1, 2020, the band released the single "The Holiday Spirit Carries On", a medley of holiday songs played in a progressive metal style, exclusively through Bandcamp. The title references the fan-favorite song "The Spirit Carries On" from Scenes from a Memory. The proceeds from sales of the single benefited the band's road crew.{{cite web|title=DREAM THEATER Records Medley Of Holiday Classics, 'The Holiday Spirit Carries On'|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-records-medley-of-holiday-classics-the-holiday-spirit-carries-on/|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=December 13, 2020|date=December 1, 2020}} On January 30, 2021, Dream Theater held a special streaming event titled Images, Words & Beyond Live in Japan, an online broadcast of a concert from the band's 2017 tour, which was originally recorded for Japanese television.{{cite web |title=DREAM THEATER Announce Images, Words & Beyond Live in Japan 2017 Streaming Event; Video Trailer |url=https://bravewords.com/news/dream-theater-announce-images-words-beyond-live-in-japan-2017-streaming-event-video-trailer |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |date=December 23, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2021 |language=en}}

On May 5, 2021, Dream Theater announced a series of albums titled the Lost Not Forgotten Archives, the first release of which is the second set of the Images, Words & Beyond Live in Japan concert. The band added that the Lost Not Forgotten Archives will eventually include every YtseJam Records release on CD, vinyl and digital formats, along with previously unreleased archival material.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-announces-lost-not-forgotten-archives-ytsejam-records-catalog-to-be-reissued/|title=DREAM THEATER Announces 'Lost Not Forgotten Archives'; YTSEJAM RECORDS Catalog To Be Reissued|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=May 5, 2020|access-date=May 6, 2021}}

File:Dream Theater - Live at Gran Teatro Morato, Brescia (6400).jpg

Dream Theater teased the new album on July 26, 2021, revealing that it would have seven songs, with more details to be released on July 28, 2021.{{cite web |title=DREAM THEATER Teases New Album |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-teases-new-album/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=July 26, 2021 |date=July 26, 2021}} On July 28, it was announced that the album was titled A View from the Top of the World, and it was released on October 22, 2021. The album was supported by five singles, "The Alien", "Invisible Monster", "Awaken the Master", "Transcending Time" and "Answering the Call", and music videos were released for each of them.{{Cite web|last=Brown|first=Paul 'Browny'|date=2021-08-13|title=Dream Theater's 'The Alien' Is A Fast Paced Prog-Metal Fantasy!|url=https://wallofsoundau.com/2021/08/13/dream-theaters-the-alien-is-a-fast-paced-prog-metal-fantasy/|access-date=2021-08-13|website=Wall Of Sound|language=en-US}}{{cite web |last1=Lewry |first1=Fraser |title=Dream Theater launch video for epic Invisible Monsters single |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/dream-theater-launch-video-for-epic-invisible-monsters-single |website=Louder Sound |access-date=28 September 2021 |language=en |date=22 September 2021}}{{cite web |title=See Dream Theater's Stunning Video for "Awaken the Master" |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-dream-theaters-stunning-video-awaken-master |website=Revolver |access-date=25 October 2021 |language=en |date=25 October 2021}}{{cite web |title=DREAM THEATER Releases 'Transcending Time' Music Video |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-releases-transcending-time-music-video/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=January 26, 2022 |date=January 26, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-shares-music-video-for-answering-the-call|title=DREAM THEATER Shares Music Video For 'Answering The Call'|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=June 16, 2023|date=June 15, 2023}} The band promoted the album with a concert tour of Europe from April 20 to June 1, 2022. They had previously announced a tour of North America from late October to mid-December 2021 on the same day as the album,{{cite web |last1=Lewry |first1=Fraser |title=Dream Theater announce new album A View From The Top Of The World |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/dream-theater-announce-new-album-a-view-from-the-top-of-the-world |website=Louder Sound |access-date=July 28, 2021 |language=en |date=July 28, 2021}} but announced on September 27 that it had been rescheduled to early 2022, due to safety concerns related to the COVID pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-postpones-north-american-tour-due-to-covid-19-concerns/|title=DREAM THEATER Postpones North American Tour Due To COVID-19 Concerns|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=September 27, 2021|access-date=September 27, 2021}} The rescheduled tour began on February 2, 2022, in Mesa, Arizona.

On April 3, 2022, "The Alien" won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance, giving Dream Theater their first Grammy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2022-grammys-complete-winners-nominees-nominations-list|title=2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners & Nominations List|website=Grammy.com}}

On June 16, 2023, they started the Dreamsonic Tour, a travelling progressive metal festival which also featured Devin Townsend and Animals as Leaders.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/john_myung_suffers_head_injury_performs_with_dream_theater_while_seated.html|title=John Myung Suffers Head Injury, Performs With Dream Theater While Seated|publisher=Ultimate Guitar|access-date=July 25, 2023|date=July 25, 2023}} The tour ended on July 26.

File:MIke Portnoy playing the drums (Rio de Janeiro, 2006).jpg rejoined Dream Theater in October 2023 after thirteen years out of the band.]]

In August 2023, John Petrucci mentioned that studio time for their sixteenth album was slated to begin in late 2023, though James LaBrie later stated it would be more likely the beginning of 2024.{{cite web |url=https://metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/dream-theater-is-plotting-studio-time-for-a-new-album |title=Dream Theater Is Plotting Studio Time For A New Album |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |work=Metal Injection |date=August 1, 2023 |access-date=August 11, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/james-labrie-doesnt-think-dream-theater-will-begin-recording-next-album-before-early-2024|title= James LaBrie Doesn't Think Dream Theater Will Begin Recording Next Album Before Early 2024|date=December 19, 2022|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=October 10, 2024}} On October 25, 2023, Dream Theater announced the departure of Mike Mangini as they were reuniting with Mike Portnoy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2023/10/25/news/dream-theater-officially-reunite-with-drummer-mike-portnoy/|title=Dream Theater Officially Reunite With Drummer Mike Portnoy|date=October 25, 2023|website=Theprp.com|access-date=October 26, 2024}} The reunion resulted from years of gradual reconciliation between Portnoy and individual members of the band, as he disclosed in an interview with Drumeo:

"Starting with John Petrucci maybe five, six, seven years ago or so, we just reconnected—John decided he wanted to do a solo album and he asked me to play on it—So I played on John's solo album. And then a few months later, we did a Liquid Tension Experiment album with John and Jordan. So that brought the three of us back together—And then I think the final piece was me reconnecting with James LaBrie, 'cause James and I hadn't spoken for over a decade. I went to see Dream Theater play [at the Beacon Theatre] in New York, I guess around 2022, and that was my first time seeing James in over a decade. And literally, I'm not exaggerating, within five seconds of seeing each other, it was hugs, kisses and it was like any of the drama and bullshit that happened during all of those years of the split, it just melted away immediately."{{Cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/mike-portnoy-talks-return-to-dream-theater-future-plans|title=MIKE PORTNOY Talks Return To DREAM THEATER & Future Plans|first=Joel|last=Barrios|date=January 1, 2024|website=Metalinjection.net|access-date=October 26, 2024}}

In a group interview with Rolling Stone, James LaBrie addressed his and Portnoy's reconciliation at the 2022 show, stating: "Mike and I are both very emotional and passionate people. And I think that led to the reason for us not coming together until we did. But as soon as I saw him, like he said, I came out of my dressing room, I saw him, and I was like, 'Come here.' And I gave him a fucking hug. And that was it." Petrucci added in the interview that "When Mike left the band, it was traumatic for all of us. We had to figure out how we were going to move our career forward. And those years that went by, they were also healing years because you don’t just have something like that happen, and all of a sudden, you're all best buddies a week later. There's some trauma there that had to heal. Thirteen years was enough time for that to happen and be like, 'Hey, you know what, man? We love each other like we're brothers.'"{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/dream-theater-album-tour-interview-1234998171/|title=Dream Theater on Emotional Mike Portnoy Reunion, First 40th Anniversary Tour Dates|first=Kory|last=Grow|website=Rollingstone.com|date=April 8, 2024|access-date=October 26, 2024}}

Mangini was amicable about his departure, stating "As was said from day 1, my place was not to fill all the roles that Mike held in the band. I was to play the drums in order to help the band carry on. My main role of keeping our live show working tightly on a nightly basis was an intense and rewarding experience. Thankfully, I got to experience playing music with these iconic musicians, as well as some fun times laced with humor."{{Cite web|url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2023/10/dream-theaters-founding-drummer-mike-portnoy-rejoins-the-band-after-a-13-year-hiatus/|title=Dream Theater's Founding Drummer Mike Portnoy Rejoins the Band After a 13-Year Hiatus|first=Danny|last=Laverde|website=Moderndrummer.com|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=October 26, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/mike-portnoy-opens-about-his-return-to-dream-theater-it-just-felt-like-the-time-was-right-to-do-it|title=MIKE PORTNOY Opens Up About His Return To DREAM THEATER: 'It Just Felt Like The Time Was Right To Do It'|date=November 24, 2023|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=October 26, 2024}} With Portnoy's return the band announced plans to record its first studio album with him in fifteen years.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-announces-return-of-drummer-mike-portnoy|title=DREAM THEATER Announces Return Of Drummer MIKE PORTNOY|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=October 25, 2023}}

On November 17, 2023, the band announced former lead vocalist Charlie Dominici's death at the age of 72 that month from unspecified causes.{{cite web |title=Former Dream Theater Singer Charlie Dominici Dies |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/former-dream-theater-singer-charlie-dominici-dies |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=November 17, 2023 |language=en |date=November 17, 2023}}

In February 2024, Mike Portnoy posted pictures from DTHQ on his Instagram account, confirming that the new Dream Theater album was "officially underway".{{cite web |url=https://metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/in-the-studio/dream-theater-in-the-studio-mike-portnoy-shows-off-his-drum-kit |title=DREAM THEATER In The Studio, MIKE PORTNOY Shows Off His Drum Kit |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |work=Metal Injection |date=February 7, 2024 |access-date=February 10, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Dream Theater Officially Begins Work On First Studio Album With Mike Portnoy In 15 Years |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-officially-begins-work-on-first-studio-album-with-mike-portnoy-in-15-years |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=February 10, 2024 |language=en |date=February 9, 2024}}

On April 2, 2024, John Petrucci and Portnoy announced that all of the writing and the drum tracks were completed.{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-completes-writing-first-album-with-mike-portnoy-in-15-years-it-came-out-so-amazing|title=DREAM THEATER Completes Writing First Album With MIKE PORTNOY In 15 Years: It 'Came Out So Amazing'|date=April 2, 2024|website=Blabbermouth.net}} John Petrucci later posted a video on YouTube on May 1, 2024, confirming that the guitar tracks were completed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BmR2MIUQ60|title=Guitar tracking officially completed for the new DREAM THEATER album!|date=May 1, 2024|via=YouTube}} On June 26, 2024, Jordan Rudess announced on his Instagram that all the keyboards had been recorded.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/jcrudess/reel/C8rdXLxpop6/?hl=en|title=Instagram|website=Instagram.com}} On July 30, 2024, James LaBrie posted on his Instagram, a photo of himself in the studio with the caption "Vocals" with a green check mark, and the hashtag "DT16", signifying the vocals had been completed for the new album.{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/jameslabrie.dt/p/C-EAkk4u9Nh/ | title=Instagram }}

On October 10, 2024, Dream Theater released "Night Terror" as the first single for their sixteenth studio album Parasomnia, which was released on February 7, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/dream-theater-to-release-parasomnia-album-in-february-night-terror-single-and-music-video-out-now|title=DREAM THEATER To Release Parasomnia Album In February; "Night Terror" Single And Music Video Out Now|magazine=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|access-date=October 10, 2024|date=October 10, 2024}} The album was highly anticipated, with several publications (including Loudwire, Stereogum and Ultimate Guitar) naming it in their lists of the most anticipated albums of 2025.{{cite news |title=The Most Anticipated Rock + Metal Albums of 2025 |url=https://loudwire.com/most-anticipated-albums-2025/ |access-date=December 21, 2024 |work=Loudwire |date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |title=UG Awards: Top 20 Most Anticipated Albums of 2025 |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/ug-awards-top-20-most-anticipated-albums-of-2025-173766 |access-date=December 21, 2024 |work=Ultimate Guitar |date=December 21, 2024}}{{cite news |title=The Most Anticipated Albums Of 2025 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2291610/albums-coming-in-2025/lists/ |access-date=December 31, 2024 |work=Stereogum |date=December 30, 2024}}

File:Dream Theater Live in Argentina 03-03-08.jpg, Argentina (2008).]]

Throughout their career, Dream Theater's live shows have gradually become bigger, longer and more diverse. Prior to Portnoy's departure, Dream Theater "rotated" its set lists to ensure that fans who attended multiple shows in the same area would not see too many (or any) songs repeated. Portnoy, who constructed the set lists, would take into account the set list from the last time the band was in a particular city for the benefit of fans who saw the band on successive tours.{{cite web|url=http://www.earplugsrequired.com/bands/dreamtheater/dreamtheatermike.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030212131721/http://www.earplugsrequired.com/bands/dreamtheater/dreamtheatermike.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 12, 2003 |title=Earplugs Required |publisher=Earplugs Required |access-date=January 30, 2016}} The practice was abandoned with Portnoy away from the band, and the setlist remained static even after his return on the 40th anniversary tour, but Portnoy noted that the practice of rotating setlists will return eventually.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo13-9KoPc4|title=Coffee with John Petrucci & Mike Portnoy|date=November 19, 2024|via=YouTube|author=Ola Englund|quote= We'll get back to that eventually, but right now the setlist is static for two reasons: First of all it's a fucking great set list [...] the other reason is, we haven't toured together in almost 14 years [...] so we wanted to get our tour legs back and get comfortable again.}}

The band's full world tours, since Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, have predominantly been "Evening with..." tours, in which the band performs for at least three hours without an opening act. Until 2012, such tours did not contain an intermission, but every tour since the Along for the Ride Tour in 2013–2014 until the Distance Over Time Tour had. The show that was recorded for Live Scenes From New York was well over three hours in length, and resulted in Portnoy almost being hospitalized after acquiring severe food poisoning from the food he ate before the show.See the Metropolis 2000: Scenes From New York DVDHansen, Scott & Portnoy, Mike. "[http://mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/12.aspx#74 What's this I hear about Mike being really sick after the Roseland (DVD) show? What happened?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419020014/http://mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/12.aspx#74 |date=April 19, 2015 }}". [http://www.mikeportnoy.com/about/mpfaq MP FAQ] .

There is also a significant amount of humor, casualness, and improvisation attached to Dream Theater's concert. For example, the performance of "A Change of Seasons" on Live Scenes from New York features changes to a series of instrumental breaks, with Myung playing a baseball organ melody, Petrucci playing the opening theme to The Simpsons, and Rudess playing the ragtime section of "When the Water Breaks" from Liquid Tension Experiment 2 (the latter is also heard on the album Live at Budokan). Several songs included on Once in a LIVETime include snippets of others' pieces, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" and Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee." Other quotations include "Mary Had a Little Lamb" during "Endless Sacrifice" on the Gigantour, a calliope-inspired break between verses of "Under a Glass Moon", a quote of "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina"'s main melody played by Petrucci while performing the intro solo of "Through Her Eyes" in Buenos Aires, the Turkish March at a concert in Istanbul, and the opening riff of Rush's "A Passage to Bangkok" at a show in Bangkok, Thailand. On the "20th Anniversary World Tour", Rudess has even thrown in a short "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" theme in a break during "Endless Sacrifice," and during a concert in Israel he started a spontaneous "Hava Nagila", with the rest of the band later joining in. During the band's 2017 tour, a snippet of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" was played during Dream Theater's own song "As I Am".{{cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/concert-review-dream-theater-epic-near-jinxed-india-debut/|title=Concert Review: Dream Theater's Epic, Near-Jinxed India Debut|website=Rollingstoneindia.com|date=October 9, 2017}}

Perhaps the best example of Dream Theater's unpredictable concert structure came during Derek Sherinian's time with the band. At selected shows the band members all swapped instruments and performed an encore as the fictitious band dubbed Nightmare Cinema. They usually performed a cover of Deep Purple's "Perfect Strangers," and, on one occasion, Ozzy Osbourne's "Suicide Solution," At some shows, Sherinian, Petrucci and Portnoy would take the stage together under the name "Nicky Lemons and the Migraine Brothers." Sherinian, wearing a feather boa and novelty sunglasses, would perform a pop-punk song titled "I Don't Like You" with Petrucci and Portnoy backing. During the Chaos in Motion tour, in several concerts before "Trial of Tears," Portnoy and Petrucci would change positions.

File:Dream Theater - 01.jpg

In the Score and Chaos in Motion DVDs, an animation has accompanied certain parts of the songs, showing the band playing along to the music as cartoon characters. On the Score DVD, during the song Octavarium, the band is seen performing in an octagonal shaped maze. As the animation continues Jordan Rudess spontaneously turns into Santa Claus and John Petrucci catches fire.{{cite web|url=http://www.clevver.com/music/video/24600/dream-theater-octavarium-animation.html |title=Octavarium animation |publisher=Clevver.com |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317074428/http://www.clevver.com/music/video/24600/dream-theater-octavarium-animation.html |archive-date=March 17, 2011 }} In "The Dark Eternal Night" from the Chaos in Motion DVD, the band battles against a monster by shooting fireballs from guitars, throwing drum sticks, and screaming.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLK4xtZ3H78|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526211504/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLK4xtZ3H78|url-status=dead|title=The Dark Eternal Night, N.A.D.S Animation. By Mika Tyyska|archive-date=May 26, 2015|publisher=YouTube}}

Dream Theater played and recorded a live performance at the Nippon Budokan Hall on April 26, 2004. It was later released as Live at Budokan on October 5, 2004.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

Dream Theater's largest audience as a headlining act was 20,000 in Santiago, Chile on December 6, 2005.{{cite web |url=http://voicesuk.net/news.php |title=News |publisher=Voices UK |access-date=January 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205152837/http://voicesuk.net/news.php |archive-date=February 5, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The show was released on DVD through Portnoy's YtseJam Records.

In 2007, after their show in Salt Lake City on July 30, Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. signed a proclamation officially marking July 30, 2007 as Dream Theater Day in the state of Utah.

In 2008 Dream Theater started the Progressive Nation 2008 tour, along with Opeth, Between the Buried and Me, and 3. The tour is the brainchild of Mike Portnoy, who stated, "I've been wanting to assemble a package tour like this for many years now. With all of the festivals and package tours that go through America, I've been talking with our manager and agent for over 10 years now about doing something that focuses on the more progressive, musician-oriented side of hard rock and metal. I decided it was time to stop talking the talk, lace up and finally walk the walk."{{Cite news|title=Progressive Nation 2008 – Press Release |url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/news_dreamtheater.php#prognation |work=dreamtheater.net |publisher=Dream Theater |date=November 5, 2007 |access-date=May 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510152306/http://www.dreamtheater.net/news_dreamtheater.php |archive-date=May 10, 2008}}

On February 13, 2009, Dream Theater announced the official line up for their Progressive Nation 2009 tour. The tour was originally set to feature bands including Swedish bands Beardfish and Pain of Salvation, as well as Zappa plays Zappa. On June 22, 2009, Mike Portnoy announced that Pain of Salvation and Beardfish would not be touring the North American leg of the Progressive Nation 2009 tour because of record label complications. In the same announcement, Portnoy stated that the bands Scale the Summit and Bigelf would replace Pain of Salvation and Beardfish on the tour.{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Bredius |url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/news_dreamtheater.php#pnlineup |title=Progressive Nation 2009 North American Tour – Lineup Change |publisher=Dreamtheater.net |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716150250/http://www.dreamtheater.net/news_dreamtheater.php |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }} This lineup change has put Bigelf on both the North American and European legs of the Progressive Nation 2009 tour. The tour's North American leg ran throughout July and August 2009. On March 26, 2009, it was announced that Dream Theater would take the Progressive Nation tour to Europe for the first time alongside Opeth, Bigelf and Unexpect. The tour ran throughout September and October 2009.{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Bredius |url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/tourdates.php |title=Progressive Nation Tour Dates |publisher=Dreamtheater.net |date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716150258/http://www.dreamtheater.net/tourdates.php |archive-date=July 16, 2011}}

In June/July 2010 Dream Theater were the opening band for Iron Maiden during the first leg of their Final Frontier Tour which included Madison Square Garden as one of the many venues. On December 7, 2010, Dream Theater announced on their website that they would be headlining the High Voltage Festival alongside Judas Priest in 2011. In July 2011 they started A Dramatic Tour of Events to promote A Dramatic Turn of Events. In January 2014, they started the Along for the Ride Tour to promote their self-titled album. On December 13, 2016, Dream Theater confirmed 5 UK tour dates for their Images, Words & Beyond 25th Anniversary Tour, starting in Birmingham on April 18, 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.gettothefront.co.uk/2016/12/dream-theater-confirm-uk-dates-25th-anniversary-tour-tickets/ |title=Dream Theater Confirm UK Dates for 25th Anniversary Tour – Tickets – GetToTheFront |access-date=2016-12-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221064453/http://www.gettothefront.co.uk/2016/12/dream-theater-confirm-uk-dates-25th-anniversary-tour-tickets/ |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |df=mdy-all}}

On March 4, 2022, Mike Portnoy attended his first and only Dream Theater show as an audience member at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, taking photos with the band and receiving a shoutout from James LaBrie during the show. The attendance would eventually lead to Portnoy rejoining the band.{{cite web |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/mike-portnoy-attended-dream-theaters-show-last-night-got-a-shout-out-from-the-stage |title=Portnoy Attends DT Show |date=March 5, 2022 |access-date=2022-03-29}}

On April 22, 2023, Dream Theater announced the first edition of DREAMSONIC, taking place in North America throughout June and July and celebrating the summer's ultimate progressive metal line-up. Started in Cedar Park, Texas, on June 16, 2023, they were joined by special guests Devin Townsend and Animals As Leaders. The tour would be Mike Mangini's last with the band.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-12 |title=Dream Theater announce Dreamsonic 2023 North American tour with special guest Devin Townsend, & Animals As Leaders |url=https://dreamtheater.net/dream-theater-announce-dreamsonic-2023-north-american-tour-with-special-guest-devin-townsend-animals-as-leaders/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Dreamtheater.net |language=en-US}}

After rejoining Dream Theater, on April 8, 2024, the band announced their first tour with Portnoy in fourteen years, titled the "40th Anniversary Tour 2024 – 2025", which began with a month-long European leg in October.{{cite web |title=Dream Theater Announces First Tour With Mike Portnoy In 14 Years |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-announces-first-tour-with-mike-portnoy-in-14-years |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=April 10, 2024 |language=en |date=April 8, 2024}}

Dream Theater have covered other artists' work throughout their career. They have performed cover songs live and in studio, with many of those live performances being recorded for official release. A Change of Seasons features Elton John, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Kansas, Queen, Journey, Dixie Dregs and Genesis live covers. Through YtseJam Records, the band have also released full album live cover performances of Metallica's Master of Puppets, Iron Maiden's The Number of the Beast, Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, and Deep Purple's Made in Japan.{{cite web|title=Covers Series|url=http://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCategories.asp?pageStyle=h&idCategory=7|publisher=YtseJam Records|access-date=July 7, 2012|archive-date=November 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122213026/http://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCategories.asp?pageStyle=h&idCategory=7|url-status=dead}} The special edition of Black Clouds & Silver Linings includes a bonus disc with Rainbow, Queen, Dixie Dregs, Zebra, King Crimson, and Iron Maiden covers. Other notable artists covered by Dream Theater include Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, Rush, the Who, and Yes.{{cite web|title=Covers Series: Uncovered 2003–2005|url=http://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=35&idcategory=7|publisher=YtseJam Records|access-date=July 7, 2012|archive-date=February 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205100539/http://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=35&idcategory=7|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Dream Theater covers Rush's The Camera Eye at Toronto show|url=http://www.rushisaband.com/display.php?id=1930|publisher=Rush Is a Band|access-date=July 7, 2012}}

File:Majesty (old name of Dream Theater) (logo).svg

Despite the band being forced to change their name, Dream Theater adopted a custom logo (known as the Majesty symbol) and wordmark, both of which have appeared on most of their promotional material. The Majesty symbol has been featured on the front cover of every Dream Theater studio album, while the wordmark appears on all except Falling into Infinity. The Majesty symbol is derived from Mary, Queen of Scots' mark,The mark used by Mary, Queen of Scots, is available on [http://www.dreamtheater.net/pics/marysymb.jpg DreamTheater.net]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725012406/http://www.dreamtheater.net/pics/marysymb.jpg |date=July 25, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.marie-stuart.co.uk/images/sun%20embroidery.jpg |title=An embroidery showing the Mary, Queen of Scots, symbol in use |access-date=July 18, 2011}} which was re-worked by Charlie Dominici for use on the album artwork for When Dream and Day Unite.{{cite web |url=http://faq.dtnorway.com/question?questionid=29 |title=What is the 'symbol' DT use? |website=Faq.dtnorway.com |date=November 7, 2003 |access-date=January 30, 2016 |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215633/http://faq.dtnorway.com/question?questionid=29 |url-status=dead }}

In September 2010, a fan of Dream Theater discovered that all of the letters of "DOMINICI" fit together perfectly into the Majesty symbol.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/jfdRfcCe_NM Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20130320154858/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfdRfcCe_NM&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfdRfcCe_NM |title=What does Dream Theater, Majesty and Dominici have in common? |publisher=YouTube |date=September 13, 2010 |access-date=September 28, 2010}}{{cbignore}} When Charlie discovered this, he laughed and mentioned that "it only took them 25 years to figure out the 'Dominici Code!'"{{cite web|url=http://www.dominici.com/forum/index.php?topic=421.0 |title=Someone finally figured out the "Dominici Code!" |publisher=DOMINICI.com Forum |date=September 28, 2010 |access-date=September 28, 2010}} This has earlier also been discovered as shown on the comment section of DTFAQ and in the DTNorway Podcast Episode 2 from 2008, with Charlie Dominici.{{cite web|url=http://dtnorway.com/podcast.xml |title=Echo's Hill Podcast |publisher=DTNorway |access-date=July 18, 2011}}

AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine described Dream Theater's music as a "dense blend of progressive rock and post-Halen metal".

The band is well noted for being one of the early progenitors of the progressive metal genre,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/style/progressive-metal-ma0000002797|title=Progressive Metal|work=AllMusic|access-date=December 12, 2010}} and they are considered a member of the so-called "big three" of the genre, along with Queensrÿche and Fates Warning. The original members, Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci and John Myung, have strong influences from progressive rock bands such as Rush,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqNtIx8UbcE |title=Mike Portnoy on Rush’s Influence |date=2015-04-10 |last=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=2025-05-17 |via=YouTube}} Yes, and Pink Floyd, heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, various speed metal bands, and even the glam metal of the day.{{cite web|url=http://www.rhapsody.com/dream-theater|last=York|first=Will|work=Rhapsody|title=Dream Theater|access-date=December 12, 2010}} John Petrucci described Dream Theater's musical style as a blend of Rush, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Yes, and Metallica, {{Cite web |first=Mark |last=Small |date=1 July 2007 |title=Dream Theater |url=https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-today/summer-2007/cover-story/dream-theater |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=Berklee}} while Mike Portnoy described their style as a blend of progressive rock and heavy metal. They encompass the progressive aspect, influenced by Rush, Yes, Pink Floyd, and Genesis, alongside the metal aspect influenced by Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Black Sabbath. When combined, that's precisely what characterizes Dream Theater.{{Cite web |last=MacIntosh |first=Dan |date=June 22, 2010 |title=Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater |url=https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/mike-portnoy-of-dream-theater#:~:text=Songfacts%3A%20Dream%20Theater,of%20that%20term. |website=Songfacts}} This synthesis created a unique metal that was not traditional of the day: it had distorted guitars and fast riffing, but the music focused more on technical proficiency and precise execution than on heavy metal riffs. The band's music has focused on three main elements: metal, melody, and progressive roots.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/vlbhILPW80A Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20130721135008/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlbhILPW80A&feature=related Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlbhILPW80A|title=Dream Theater – Interview – part 1|last=Portnoy|first=Mike|work=TheCrookedStep.com|date=May 9, 2006 |access-date=December 12, 2010}}{{cbignore}}

In the liner notes for the 2008 Greatest Hit compilation, Mike Portnoy cited artists such as Peter Gabriel, U2, and Journey as inspirations for Dream Theater's softer songs.Greatest Hit (...And 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs) booklet liner notes.

Dream Theater's music has also been described as art rock.{{cite book|title=Legends of Rock Guitar: The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists|author=Pete Prown, Harvey P. Newquist|quote="Dream Theater carved a niche for themselves as an art-rock band with few peers"}}{{cite book|title=Disco, Punk, New Wave, Heavy Metal, and More: Music in the 1970s and 1980s|author=Britannica Educational Publishing|quote="Dream Theater also explored a number of stylistic features earlier associated with art rock."}}

Dream Theater's 2003 album Train of Thought showcased a heavier sound.{{cite web|first=Thom|last=Jurek |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/train-of-thought-mw0000319323 |title=Train of Thought – Dream Theater, Awards |website=AllMusic |date=November 14, 2003 |access-date=August 9, 2014}} This decision was inspired by the positive feedback received from their previous heavier songs on stage.As discussed by John Petrucci in the 20th Anniversary Documentary "The Score So Far", found on the Score DVD

1999's Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory was praised for its display of old-fashioned progressive rock,{{cite web|author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/metropolis-pt-2-scenes-from-a-memory-mw0000251583 |title=Metropolis, Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory – Dream Theater, Awards |website=AllMusic |date=October 26, 1999 |access-date=August 9, 2014}} and was influenced by classic conceptual rock records such as the Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Pink Floyd's The Wall and The Final Cut, the Who's Tommy, and Genesis's The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/muBfZoIsQoA Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20070220195433/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muBfZoIsQoA Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muBfZoIsQoA |title=Dream Theater – Making of Scenes From A Memory |publisher=YouTube |date=August 25, 2006 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}{{cbignore}}

Dream Theater's music usually borrows elements from other musical styles including symphonic rock, symphonic metal, {{nowrap|arena rock}}, soft rock,{{cite news|last=Lewis |first=Catherine P. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/music/dream-theater-album-review/2014/03/27/9bea0904-b04f-11e3-95e8-39bef8e9a48b_story.html |title=Dream Theater album review |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 9, 2014}} and classical music.{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/john-petrucci-2013-interview/ |title=John Petrucci Of Dream Theater Interview |publisher=Ultimateclassicrock.com |date=October 26, 2013 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}

Current members

• John Petrucci – guitar (1985–present), backing vocals (1989, 1996–present){{cite web |last1=Portnoy |first1=Mike |title=MikePortnoy.com FAQ: "How did the idea of Mike and John Petrucci singing backup come about?" |url=http://www.mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/15.aspx#403 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612035252/http://www.mikeportnoy.com:80/aboutmike/faq/answers/15.aspx#403 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=5 May 2018 |website=MikePortnoy.com}}
• John Myung – bass (1985–present)
• Mike Portnoy – drums (1985–2010, 2023–present), backing vocals (1989, 1996–2010, 2023–present)
• James LaBrie – lead vocals (1991–present)
• Jordan Rudess – keyboards, occasional guitar (1999–present)

Former members

• Chris Collins – lead vocals (1986){{Cite AV media notes |title=The Majesty Demos |title-link=The Majesty Demos |others=Dream Theater |year=2003 |first=Mike |last=Portnoy |author-link=Mike Portnoy |pages=5, 6 |type=Liner notes |publisher=YtseJam Records |id=YTSEJAM001}}
• Charlie Dominici – lead vocals (1987–1989, guest 2004; died 2023)
• Kevin Moore – keyboards (1986–1994){{Cite AV media notes |title=The Awake Demos |others=Dream Theater |year=2006 |first=Mike |last=Portnoy |author-link=Mike Portnoy |page=1 |type=Liner notes |publisher=YtseJam Records |id=YTSEJAM010}}
• Derek Sherinian – keyboards (1995–1999,{{cite web |last1=Portnoy |first1=Mike |title=MikePortnoy.com FAQ: "When was Derek made an official member of Dream Theater?" |url=http://www.mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/38.aspx#401 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111220627/https://mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/38.aspx#401 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |access-date=5 May 2018 |website=MikePortnoy.com}} unofficial touring member beginning in October 1994,{{cite web |last1=Portnoy |first1=Mike |title=MikePortnoy.com Tourography: 10/20/1994 – Providence, Rhode Island |url=http://mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=229 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506104140/http://mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=229 |archive-date=6 May 2018 |access-date=5 May 2018 |website=MikePortnoy.com}}{{cite web|title=Dream Theater – 20th Anniversary Documentary| date=September 29, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LduXtT3edlI&t=29m|via=YouTube|publisher=Rhino Entertainment|access-date=5 May 2018}} guest 2004), backing vocals (1997)
• Mike Mangini – drums (2010–2023){{cite web|url=http://www.mikemangini.com/biography.html |title=Biography | Mike Mangini's Official Website |website=Mikemangini.com |date=2011-04-29 |access-date=2020-03-02}}

{{#tag:timeline

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id:lvocals value:red legend:Vocals

id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals

id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars

id:keyboard value:purple legend:Keyboards

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

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at:03/06/1989 color:studio

at:07/07/1992 color:studio

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at:09/23/1997 color:studio

at:10/27/1998 color:live

at:10/26/1999 color:studio

at:09/11/2001 color:live

at:01/29/2002 color:studio

at:11/11/2003 color:studio

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at:06/07/2005 color:studio

at:08/29/2006 color:live

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bar:Moore text:"Kevin Moore"

bar:Sherinian text:"Derek Sherinian"

bar:Rudess text:"Jordan Rudess"

bar:Myung text:"John Myung"

bar:Portnoy text:"Mike Portnoy"

bar:Mangini text:"Mike Mangini"

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width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)

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bar:Labrie from:01/01/1991 till:end color:lvocals

bar:Petrucci from:09/01/1985 till:end color:guitar

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bar:Petrucci from:01/01/1996 till:end color:bvocals width:3

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bar:Portnoy from:09/01/1985 till:09/08/2010 color:drums

bar:Mangini from:11/05/2010 till:10/25/2023 color:drums

bar:Portnoy from:10/25/2023 till:end color:drums

bar:Portnoy from:10/25/2023 till:end color:bvocals width:3

}}

Notes

• Chris Collins was the shortest-serving band member, having only been an official member for a few months; first joining them at the same time as Kevin Moore in the summer of 1986, but parting ways after they did some initial touring following recording their 6-track demo.
• In the wake of Charlie Dominici's departure from the band in October and November 1989{{cite web |last1=Portnoy |first1=Mike |title=MikePortnoy.com Tourography: 10/14/1989 – Bay Shore, Long Island |url=http://mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506173423/http://mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=27 |archive-date=6 May 2018 |access-date=5 May 2018 |website=MikePortnoy.com}}{{cite web |last1=Portnoy |first1=Mike |title=MikePortnoy.com Tourography: 11/14/1989 – New York City |url=http://mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506173511/http://mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=28 |archive-date=6 May 2018 |access-date=5 May 2018 |website=MikePortnoy.com}} the band worked with several singers on a temporary basis before fully committing to James LaBrie; they first worked with John Arch, though he was not seriously considering joining the band, then John Hendricks, then Steve Stone (who had a one-off live appearance with the band),{{cite web |last1=Portnoy |first1=Mike |title=MikePortnoy.com Tourography: 07/09/1990 – Bay Shore, Long Island |url=http://mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107013303/http://www.mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=29 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |access-date=5 May 2018 |website=MikePortnoy.com}} then finally Chris Cintron, who they were ready to commit to and officially welcome into the band before LaBrie's audition arrived.{{cite web |last1=Portnoy |first1=Mike |title=MikePortnoy.com FAQ: "Which vocalists worked with Dream Theater between the time that Charlie was in the band and James joined the band, and in what order?" |url=http://www.mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/38.aspx#267 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111220627/https://mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/38.aspx#267 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |access-date=5 May 2018 |website=MikePortnoy.com}}{{cite web|title=Dream Theater – 20th Anniversary Documentary| date=September 29, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LduXtT3edlI&t=18m21s|via=YouTube|publisher=Rhino Entertainment|access-date=5 May 2018}}
• During the 1997–1998 world tour, the band would switch their instruments around for brief "Nightmare Cinema" interludes in the concerts; John Myung played the keyboard, Derek Sherinian played the guitar, John Petrucci played the drums, and Mike Portnoy played the bass. They would often cover "Perfect Strangers" by Deep Purple during these segments.{{cite web |last1=Portnoy |first1=Mike |title=MikePortnoy.com FAQ: "What Is Nightmare Cinema?" |url=http://www.mikeportnoy.com/aboutmike/faq/answers/15.aspx#87 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612035252/http://www.mikeportnoy.com:80/aboutmike/faq/answers/15.aspx#87 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=5 May 2018 |website=MikePortnoy.com}}
• In 2004, Charlie Dominici and Derek Sherinian joined the band as a one-off on stage during the encore of the March 6th show as guests, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of When Dream and Day Unite.{{cite web |last1=Portnoy |first1=Mike |title=MikePortnoy.com Tourography: 03/06/2004 Los Angeles, CA, USA |url=http://mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=751 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506173425/http://mikeportnoy.com/dates/MPTourography/ShowInfo.aspx?showId=751 |archive-date=6 May 2018 |access-date=5 May 2018 |website=MikePortnoy.com The Official Website}} This was documented on When Dream And Day Reunite.

{{Main|Dream Theater discography}}

• When Dream and Day Unite (1989)
• Images and Words (1992)
• Awake (1994)
• Falling into Infinity (1997)
• Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999)
• Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (2002)
• Train of Thought (2003)
• Octavarium (2005)
• Systematic Chaos (2007)
• Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009)
• A Dramatic Turn of Events (2011)
• Dream Theater (2013)
• The Astonishing (2016)
• Distance Over Time (2019)
• A View from the Top of the World (2021)
• Parasomnia (2025)

Dream Theater have released a series of official bootlegs, demos, and other rarities through YtseJam Records, at the time headed by Portnoy.{{cite web|url=http://www.ytsejamrecords.com |title=YtseJam Records – The Official Dream Theater Bootlegs |publisher=Ytsejamrecords.com |access-date=January 2, 2009}} Starting in 2021, the band announced The Lost Not Forgotten Archives in collaboration with InsideOut, which will reissue all the titles mentioned below along with adding in previously unreleased archival material.{{Cite web|url=https://lostnotforgottenarchives.dreamtheater.net/|title=Lost Not Forgotten Archives : Dream Theater |website=Lostnotforgottenarchives.dreamtheater.net|access-date=July 16, 2021}}

• The Majesty Demos 1985–86 (CD) (remastered and reissued in 2022)
• When Dream and Day Unite Demos 1987–89 (CD) (remastered and reissued in 2023)
• Images and Words Demos 1989–91 (CD) (remastered and reissued in 2022)
• Awake Demos 1994 (CD) (remastered and reissued in 2022)
• Falling into Infinity Demos 1996–97 (CD) (remastered and reissued in 2022)
• Train of Thought Instrumental Demos 2003 (CD) (remastered and reissued in 2021)
• Distance Over Time Demos (2018) (CD, newly released in 2023){{Cite web|url=https://burningshed.com/dream-theater_distance-over-time-demos_cd?filter_tag=Dream%20Theater|title=Lost Not Forgotten Archives: Distance Over Time Demos (2018)|access-date=March 11, 2023}}

• The Making of Falling into Infinity (CD, remastered and reissued in 2023)
• The Making of Scenes From a Memory (CD, remastered and reissued in 2023)

• New York City – 3/4/93 (CD, remastered and reissued in 2022)
• Tokyo, Japan – 10/28/95 (CD)
• Old Bridge, New Jersey – 12/14/96 (CD, remastered and reissued in 2022)
• Los Angeles, California – 5/18/98 (CD)
• Bucharest, Romania – 7/4/02 (DVD)
• When Dream and Day Reunite – 5/6/04 (CD/DVD, remastered and reissued on CD in 2021)
• Santiago, Chile – 12/6/05 (DVD)
• Images and Words – Live in Japan, 2017 (CD, newly released in 2021, second half of the Budokan concert in 2017)
• A Dramatic Tour of Events – Select Board Mixes (CD, newly released in physical formats in 2021)
• ...And Beyond – Live In Japan 2017 (CD, newly released in 2022, first half of the Budokan concert in 2017)
• Live In Berlin 2019 (CD, newly released in 2022, festival show during the Distance Over Time Tour)
• Live At Wacken 2015 (CD, newly released in 2022, festival show during their 30th Anniversary Tour)
• Live At Madison Square Garden 2010 (CD, newly released in 2023, opening for Iron Maiden in 2010)

• Master of Puppets (CD) (remastered and reissued in 2021)
• The Number of the Beast (CD) (remastered and reissued in 2022)
• The Dark Side of the Moon (CD/DVD)
• Made in Japan (CD) (remastered and reissued in 2022)
• Uncovered 2003–05 (CD)

RIAA gold and platinum certifications{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=dream%20theater&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |title=listing of Dream Theater awards |publisher=Riaa.com |access-date=July 18, 2011}}

1. Images and Words (Album) (Gold) – February 2, 1995
2. Metropolis 2000: Live Scenes from New York (Video Longform) (Gold) – November 8, 2002
3. Live at Budokan (Video Longform) (Platinum) – January 26, 2005
4. Live in Tokyo/5 Years in a Livetime Video Longform (Platinum) – March 22, 2006
5. Score (Video Longform) (Platinum) – October 11, 2006

Other platinum and gold certifications

1. Awake (Platinum) (Japan)

Grammy Awards

At the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, Dream Theater won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance for their song "The Alien".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QziielUsiO4|title='The Alien' Wins Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance|website=YouTube|date=April 3, 2022 }}

Burrn! magazine

In 2007 Jordan Rudess was awarded "Best Keyboards Player of the Year."

In 2011, A Dramatic Turn of Events won Best Album and Best Front Cover, while John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess won Best Guitarist and Best Keyboardist, respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.msopr.com/press-releases/dream-theater-win-big-in-burrn-magazines-2011-awards/|title=DREAM THEATER Win Big In Burrn! Magazine's 2011 Awards – Mitch Schneider Organization|last=aaron|website=Msopr.com|access-date=May 12, 2019}}

Guitar World

The album Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory was ranked No. 95 on the magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Albums of All Time.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

Total Guitar

John Petrucci won Guitarist of the year award (2007)

Ultimate Guitar Archive

In 2009, Dream Theater were placed on the Top 10 in Ultimate Guitar's The Greatest Metal Bands of the Decade.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/features/the_top_ten_bands_of_the_decade_metal_continues_to_rule_supreme.html |title=Ultimate Guitar's Best Metal Bands of the Decade! |publisher=ultimate-guitar.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717154132/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/features/the_top_ten_bands_of_the_decade_metal_continues_to_rule_supreme.html |archive-date=July 17, 2011 }}

Classic Rock magazine

Dream Theater won The Spirit of Prog Award at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour 2009 in London.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtisanNewsService#p/search/4/bWBma2xE4q4 |title=Канал користувача ArtisanNewsService |publisher=YouTube |access-date=July 18, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/iggy-pop-awarded-living-legend-at-classic-rock-roll-of-honour-2009/ |title=Dream Theater won The Spirit of Prog Award at Classic Rock Roll of Honour 2009! |publisher=Classicrockmagazine.com |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923220427/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/iggy-pop-awarded-living-legend-at-classic-rock-roll-of-honour-2009/ |archive-date=September 23, 2010 }} They were also nominated for the Album of the Year Award for their album, Black Clouds & Silver Linings in 2009, but lost to AC/DC's Black Ice.{{cite web|url=http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/classic-rock-roll-of-honour-09-nominations/ |title=Classic Rock » Blog Archive » Classic Rock Roll Of Honour '09 Nominations! |publisher=Classicrockmagazine.com |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108044300/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/classic-rock-roll-of-honour-09-nominations/ |archive-date=January 8, 2010 }}

Rolling Stone

On July 25, 2011, Dream Theater were placed on the list "The Best Prog Rock Bands of All Time", chosen by the Rolling Stone Magazine's readers poll.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/readers-poll-the-best-prog-rock-bands-of-all-time-20110720/0318489 |title=Readers Poll: The Best Prog Rock Bands of All Time |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=July 25, 2011 |author=Greene, Andy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805023858/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/readers-poll-the-best-prog-rock-bands-of-all-time-20110720/0318489 |archive-date=August 5, 2011 }}

MusicRadar

The MusicRadar readers poll placed Dream Theater amongst "The 30 greatest live acts in the world today" (as of 2010), peaking at No. 5 on the list, .{{cite web|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/the-30-greatest-live-acts-in-the-world-today-462684 |title=The 30 greatest live acts in the world today |publisher=MusicRadar.com |date=June 16, 2011 |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921122856/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/the-30-greatest-live-acts-in-the-world-today-462684 |archive-date=September 21, 2012 }}

John Myung, from August through September 2010, was voted the greatest bassist of all time. In the same time frame, Mike Portnoy was voted the second best drummer ever, losing out to Joey Jordison. In December 2010, James LaBrie was voted the 15th best frontman of all time (with Axl Rose coming first and Freddie Mercury in second). Jordan Rudess was voted the best keyboardist of all time in a poll conducted from June to July this year, with John Petrucci coming second in a shred-guitarist poll conducted in May this year (losing out to Al Di Meola).

John Petrucci was listed as "Best Prog Rock Guitarist in the World" in 2020 by MusicRadar.{{cite web |title=Prog Rock Best Guitarist in the World |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-10-best-prog-guitarists-in-the-world-today |website=MusicRadar|date=January 2020 }}

Metal Edge

Derek Sherinian was voted "Best Keyboardist" in Metal Edge magazine's 1998 Readers' Choice Awards.Metal Edge, August 1999

Metal Storm

The webzine Metal Storm honored Dream Theater with an award in 2009, when Black Clouds & Silver Linings was voted Best Progressive Metal Album.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2009|title=Metal Storm Awards 2009 – Metal Storm|website=Metalstorm.net|access-date=May 12, 2019}}

The Prog Report

On July 13, 2015, The Prog Report ranked Images and Words at number 1 on their "Top Prog Albums of the Last 25 Years". Four other Dream Theater albums made the list; Scenes from a Memory placed at number 3, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence at number 14, Awake at number 18, and Train of Thought at number 38.{{cite web|url=http://progreport.com/top-50-prog-albums-1990-2015/ |title=Top 50 Prog Albums 1990–2015 |publisher=The Prog Report |date=July 13, 2015 |access-date=January 30, 2016}}

• At Dream Theater's Salt Lake City show, Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. signed a proclamation making July 30, 2007, "Dream Theater Day".{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=77886 |title=Utah Governor Declares Dream Theater Day – July 31, 2007 |access-date=November 2, 2010 |work=Blabbermouth.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004134053/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=77886 |archive-date=October 4, 2010 }}
• Dream Theater were featured twice in the Xbox 360 Game With Fame event. They played Halo 3 in December 2007{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/gamewithfame/2007/1218-dreamtheater-recap.htm|title=Xbox.com – Game with Fame – Game with Fame: Dream Theater Recap|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015200636/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/gamewithfame/2007/1218-dreamtheater-recap.htm|archive-date=October 15, 2008}} and Call of Duty: World at War in June 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/gamewithfame/2009/0620-dreamtheatre.htm|title=Xbox.com – Events – Play Call of Duty: World at War with Dream Theater|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619014130/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/calendar/gamewithfame/2009/0620-dreamtheatre.htm|archive-date=June 19, 2009}}
• In November 2010, Dream Theater was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.

{{Reflist}}

• Bredius, Mark. [http://www.dreamtheater.net/ Dream Theater – The official site]. (Retrieved February–April 2005.)
• Dixon, Brad et al. [http://faq.dtnorway.com/ Official Dream Theater FAQ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419070245/http://faq.dtnorway.com/ |date=April 19, 2010 }}. (Retrieved February–April 2005, moved c. 2007.)
• {{Cite book|last=Hale |first=Mark |title=Headbangers |year=1993 |publisher=Popular Culture, Ink |location=Ann Arbor, Michigan |edition=First edition, second printing |isbn=1-56075-029-4 |chapter=1731 Majesty}}
• Hansen, Scott. (2003). "James LaBrie: As this man thinks". Theater of Dreams 27/28, pp. 26–30.
• Hansen, Scott & Portnoy, Mike. [https://web.archive.org/web/20081220152712/http://www.mikeportnoy.com/dates/tourography.asp?menu=dates Dream Theater Tourography]. (Retrieved February–April 2005.)
• King, Brian. (2003). "JaM Progductions! Interview with John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy". Theater of Dreams 29, pp. 14–20.
• Darino, Cosimo (2023) "Dream Theater – La Discografia Internazionale", Roma, Arcana editore. ISBN 978882-772045

{{Commons category|Dream Theater}}

• {{Official website|http://www.dreamtheater.net}}
• {{discogs artist|Dream Theater}}
• [http://www.prog-sphere.com/2011/07/11/resurfacing-an-interview-with-james-labrie/ 2011 interview with James LaBrie on Prog Sphere] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120914171422/http://www.prog-sphere.com/2011/07/11/resurfacing-an-interview-with-james-labrie/ |date=September 14, 2012 }}

{{Dream Theater}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance}}

{{Authority control}}

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