Dream Theater (album)
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Short description|2013 studio album by Dream Theater}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Dream Theater
| type = Studio
| artist = Dream Theater
| cover = DreamTheater2013AlbumCover.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2013|9|23}}
| recorded = January–May 2013
| studio = Cove City Sound Studios, Glen Cove, New York
| genre =
| length = {{Duration|m=68|s=1}}
| label = Roadrunner
| producer = John Petrucci
| prev_title = A Dramatic Turn of Events
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = Live at Luna Park
| next_year = 2013
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Dream Theater
| type = studio
| single1 = The Enemy Inside
| single1date = August 5, 2013
| single2 = Along for the Ride
| single2date = September 9, 2013
| single3 = The Looking Glass
| single3date = February 3, 2014
}}
}}
Dream Theater is the twelfth studio album by American progressive metal band Dream Theater, released worldwide in September 2013, through Roadrunner Records. The album was written, recorded, mixed, and mastered between January and May 2013 at Cove City Sound Studios in Long Island, New York, the same studio as the band's previous album, A Dramatic Turn of Events (2011). It is the first Dream Theater album to include drummer Mike Mangini in the songwriting process.
The band made the album Dream Theater to emphasize that they were moving forward in their career and to make it a reference point for fans. The album's songs are shorter on average than most Dream Theater songs, with the exception of the 22-minute closer, "Illumination Theory". Some songs utilize organic strings, which were arranged by Eren Başbuğ, a Berklee College of Music student. The album features two instrumentals, "False Awakening Suite" and "Enigma Machine", which were the first instrumentals that the band had written for a studio album since Train of Thought (2003). Many of the album's lyrics were motivated by real-life events, such as the Boston Marathon bombings.
Dream Theater moved 34,000 units in the United States during its debut week, charting at number seven and becoming the band's second highest charting album behind 2009's Black Clouds & Silver Linings. For its lead single, "The Enemy Inside", the band received their second consecutive Grammy nomination in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance category. In early 2014, Dream Theater toured Europe and America in support of the album, and recorded their performance at the Boston Opera House for a live release.
Background
Preliminary writing for Dream Theater's twelfth album commenced on the A Dramatic Turn of Events Tour in April 2012.{{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|website=Facebook|access-date=June 9, 2013|date=April 25, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620014510/https://www.facebook.com/johnpetrucciFB/posts/372291789489506|archive-date=June 20, 2013|url-status=live}} During soundchecks, the band would jam and record their ideas, and guitarist John Petrucci would try out independently composed material.{{cite web|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=June 9, 2013|date=July 9, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121064700/http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2012/07/dream_theaters_john_petrucci_p.php|archive-date=January 21, 2013|url-status=live}} They did not enter the recording studio until January 2013,{{cite web|last=Teitelman|first=Bram|title=Exclusive: Dream Theater's John Petrucci Talks About Decision to Remain on Roadrunner; Win a Signed Film Cel|url=http://www.metalinsider.net/interviews/exclusive-dream-theaters-john-petrucci-talks-about-decision-to-remain-on-roadrunner-win-a-signed-film-cell|website=Metal Insider|access-date=June 9, 2013|date=December 7, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620021814/http://www.metalinsider.net/interviews/exclusive-dream-theaters-john-petrucci-talks-about-decision-to-remain-on-roadrunner-win-a-signed-film-cell|archive-date=June 20, 2013|url-status=live}} returning to Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, New York, where they recorded their previous album, A Dramatic Turn of Events (2011).{{cite web|title=Dream Theater // The Milestone Self-Titled Album Out Now!|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/page/News?news_id=122091|publisher=Roadrunner Records UK|access-date=September 23, 2013|date=September 23, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130923213357/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/page/News?news_id=122091|archive-date=September 23, 2013|url-status=live}} The first song that the band wrote was "Surrender to Reason",{{cite web|last1=Bosso|first1=Joe|title=Jordan Rudess talks Dream Theater's self-titled new album track-by-track (Surrender to Reason)|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/jordan-rudess-talks-dream-theaters-self-titled-new-album-track-by-track-584561/8|publisher=MusicRadar|access-date=June 16, 2015|date=September 18, 2013|archive-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630093713/http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/jordan-rudess-talks-dream-theaters-self-titled-new-album-track-by-track-584561/8|url-status=dead}} which bassist John Myung credited with setting the pace for the remainder of writing.{{cite web|last1=Liebman|first1=Jon|title=John Myung Exclusive Interview|url=http://forbassplayersonly.com/interview-john-myung/|publisher=For Bass Players Only|access-date=June 16, 2015|date=March 31, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140719142335/http://forbassplayersonly.com/interview-john-myung/|archive-date=July 19, 2014|url-status=live}}
From the start of the creative process, drummer Mike Mangini contributed as a writer, unlike for A Dramatic Turn of Events, where Petrucci programmed the main drum parts during writing and Mangini recorded his own interpretations of them later.{{cite web|last=Epting|first=Chris|title=Jordan Rudess Updates Noisecreep on the Next Dream Theater Album (Video)|url=http://www.noisecreep.com/2013/01/11/dream-theater-new-album/ |website=Noisecreep|access-date=June 9, 2013|date=January 11, 2013}} Commenting on Mangini's work, Petrucci said, "When people hear the drumming on this album, they’re gonna be pretty freaked out ... I feel like now he’s just Mike Mangini unleashed. It's all him. It's all his creativity, all his decisions and ideas - and man, the guy's an animal."{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151476148432181&set=a.487625947180.264700.7677942180&type=1&theater |title=Dream Theater - Timeline Photos|website=Facebook|access-date=August 1, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130710024925/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151476148432181&set=a.487625947180.264700.7677942180&type=1&theater|archive-date=July 10, 2013|url-status=live}}
During the studio sessions, every band member's instrument was miked and captured as they were writing so that they could simulate ahead of time exactly how the music would sound when it was formally recorded.{{cite web|last1=Rosen|first1=Steven|title=Dream Theater's John Petrucci: 'You Don't Have to Be Afraid'|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/dream_theaters_john_petrucci_you_dont_have_to_be_afraid.html|website=Ultimate Guitar|access-date=January 12, 2015|date=August 12, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831164234/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/dream_theaters_john_petrucci_you_dont_have_to_be_afraid.html|archive-date=August 31, 2014}} Reflecting on his guitar tone, Petrucci joked, "I describe it as a piece of chocolate cake and that was my goal in the studio. It's like I had a nice picture of a layered chocolate cake. Why chocolate cake? Well, chocolate cake is rich, creamy and it has layers." Recording concluded in May,{{cite web|last=Petrucci|first=John|title=DT album is officially wrapped! Looking forward to the mix.|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=566817716703578&set=a.133462500039104.42405.126844294034258&type=1&theater|website=Facebook|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=May 31, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620014601/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=566817716703578&set=a.133462500039104.42405.126844294034258&type=1&theater|archive-date=June 20, 2013|url-status=live}} and mixing was performed by Richard Chycki, who was hired based on Dream Theater's past experiences with him and his history with Rush.{{cite web |last1=Chamberlain |first1=Rick |title=Richard Chycki on recording Dream Theater, Rush and Jagger |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/richard-chycki-on-recording-dream-theater-rush-and-jagger-586060 |publisher=MusicRadar |access-date=May 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200525004519/https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/richard-chycki-on-recording-dream-theater-rush-and-jagger-586060 |archive-date=May 25, 2020 |date=October 11, 2013 |url-status=live}}
Composition
In calling the album Dream Theater, the band tried to define who they were and emphasize that they were moving forward. Reflecting on the decision for Guitar World, Petrucci said, "We wanted to make this album a reference point for [fans] as far as what Dream Theater is all about. That was the goal and the mission, and it set the tone for the entire project."{{cite web|last1=Bienstock|first1=Richard|title=Lord of the Strings: Shred King John Petrucci Discusses Dream Theater's New Self-Titled Album|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/magazine/lord-strings-shred-king-john-petrucci-discusses-dream-theaters-new|magazine=Guitar World|access-date=June 14, 2015|date=November 4, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200525185011/https://www.guitarworld.com/magazine/lord-strings-shred-king-john-petrucci-discusses-dream-theaters-new|archive-date=May 25, 2020|url-status=live}} In an article for Grantland, Steven Hyden noted the album's stylistic similarities to Rush, writing, "There are songs on Dream Theater that are just straight-up Rush imitations, most notably 'The Looking Glass,' which crossbreeds 'Limelight' with 'Freewill' while leaving out Neil Peart's misanthropic individualism."{{cite web|last1=Hyden|first1=Steven|title=Can Dream Theater Be Rock’s Daenerys Targaryen?|url=http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/can-dream-theater-be-rocks-daenerys-targaryen/|website=Grantland|access-date=January 12, 2015|date=October 9, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118103219/http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/can-dream-theater-be-rocks-daenerys-targaryen/|archive-date=January 18, 2015|url-status=live}}
File:Berklee College of Music - IMG 2984.JPG (pictured in 2010). The band and the self-titled album have many connections to the school.]]
The songs on Dream Theater are shorter and more compact on average than on other Dream Theater albums, a conscious decision made by the band during writing that Petrucci later admitted was a challenge for them.{{cite web|title=Dream Theater's John Petrucci: 'It's Really Hard' To Write Short Songs |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theaters-john-petrucci-its-really-hard-to-write-short-songs/|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=January 12, 2015|date=October 28, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118103214/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theaters-john-petrucci-its-really-hard-to-write-short-songs/|archive-date=January 18, 2015|url-status=live}} Two songs on the album made use of a string ensemble conducted by Berklee College of Music student Eren Başbuğ,{{cite web|last1=Balkin|first1=Nick|title=Dream Theater Recruits Berklee Student for Album|url=http://www.berklee.edu/news/dream-theater-recruits-berklee-student-eren-basbug-12th-album|publisher=Berklee College of Music|access-date=January 12, 2015|date=September 11, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118103243/http://www.berklee.edu/news/dream-theater-recruits-berklee-student-eren-basbug-12th-album|archive-date=January 18, 2015|url-status=live}} including the 20-minute closer "Illumination Theory", which keyboardist Jordan Rudess called the band's opportunity to go "crazy" after writing so many concise songs.{{cite web|last1=Bosso|first1=Joe|title=Jordan Rudess talks Dream Theater's self-titled new album track-by-track (Illumination Theory)|url=http://www.musicradar.com/us/news/tech/jordan-rudess-talks-dream-theaters-self-titled-new-album-track-by-track-584561/10|publisher=MusicRadar|access-date=June 14, 2015}} Split into five sections, the track goes through many style and time signature changes, with Loudwire observing, "Jam-packed with a head-spinning mix of quiet interludes, face melting jams and, courtesy of bassist Myung and Mangini, forests full of rhythmic majesty, this suite plays like a mini album in itself."
Dream Theater features two instrumentals, "False Awakening Suite" and "Enigma Machine", the former of which was written specifically to open the band's live shows.{{cite web|last=Bosso|first=Joe|title=Jordan Rudess talks Dream Theater's self-titled new album track-by-track|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/jordan-rudess-talks-dream-theaters-self-titled-new-album-track-by-track-584561/2|publisher=MusicRadar|access-date=July 18, 2015|archive-date=October 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014135048/http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/jordan-rudess-talks-dream-theaters-self-titled-new-album-track-by-track-584561/2|url-status=dead}} They were the first instrumentals that the band had written for a studio album since "Stream of Consciousness" on 2003's Train of Thought. Many of the album's lyrics are based on real events; for example, "The Enemy Inside", which deals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was written in response to the Boston Marathon bombings,{{cite web|last1=Titus|first1=Christa|title=Dream Theater, 'The Enemy Inside': Exclusive Video Premiere|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5719474/dream-theater-the-enemy-inside-exclusive-video-premiere|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 12, 2015|date=September 23, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200607194844/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5719474/dream-theater-the-enemy-inside-exclusive-video-premiere|archive-date=June 7, 2020|url-status=live}} and "Behind the Veil" references the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping.{{cite web|title=Dream Theater - Track By Track With John Petrucci (Timestamp 8:30)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xFtIY8Qs8A|author=Roadrunner Records|publisher=YouTube|access-date=January 31, 2016|date=October 3, 2013}}
Release
In June 2013, Dream Theater announced that their upcoming studio album would be self-titled and released in September.{{cite web|last1=Ouellette|first1=Mary|title=Dream Theater Announce Title + Release Date of New Album |url=http://loudwire.com/dream-theater-announce-title-release-date-of-new-album/|magazine=Loudwire|access-date=January 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608231723/http://loudwire.com/dream-theater-announce-title-release-date-of-new-album/|archive-date=June 8, 2013|url-status=live}} The album's first single, "The Enemy Inside", was made available for streaming by USA Today on August 5,{{cite web|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|title=Song premiere: Dream Theater's 'The Enemy Inside'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/08/04/dream-theater-enemy-inside-premiere/2613895/|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=August 5, 2013|date=August 5, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130805152633/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/08/04/dream-theater-enemy-inside-premiere/2613895/|archive-date=August 5, 2013|url-status=live}} and its second single, "Along for the Ride", was made available for streaming the following month.{{cite web |title=Dream Theater: New Song 'Along For The Ride' Available For Streaming |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-new-song-along-for-the-ride-available-for-streaming/ |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130921021217/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-new-song-along-for-the-ride-available-for-streaming/ |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |date=September 9, 2013 |url-status=live}} The album was premiered by Rolling Stone on September 16 via a free online stream,{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Ryan|title=Dream Theater Channel Prog Metal in 'Dream Theater' - Premier|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dream-theater-channel-prog-metal-in-dream-theater-premiere-20130916|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=September 21, 2013|date=September 16, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130921021238/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dream-theater-channel-prog-metal-in-dream-theater-premiere-20130916|archive-date=September 21, 2013|url-status=live}} and was officially released one week later, on September 23. In its debut week, Dream Theater sold over 34,000 copies in the United States to land at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart,{{cite web|last1=Bowar|first1=Chad|title=Dream Theater + Metallica Albums Debut in Top 10 of Billboard 200 Chart|url=http://loudwire.com/dream-theater-metallica-albums-debut-in-top-10-of-billboard-200-chart/|magazine=Loudwire|access-date=November 7, 2015|date=October 2, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200614004622/https://loudwire.com/dream-theater-metallica-albums-debut-in-top-10-of-billboard-200-chart/|archive-date=June 14, 2020|url-status=live}} making it the band's third-consecutive top ten debut and second-highest charting album ever behind 2009's Black Clouds & Silver Linings, which debuted at number six.{{cite web|title=Dream Theater - Chart history|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/301301/dream-theater/chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 7, 2015}} During the album's release week, the band released a music video for "The Enemy Inside", which drove awareness for Save a Warrior, a foundation dedicated to helping veterans heal from the effects of combat.{{cite web|last1=Titus|first1=Christa|title=Dream Theater, 'The Enemy Inside': Exclusive Video Premiere|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5719474/dream-theater-the-enemy-inside-exclusive-video-premiere|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 17, 2015|date=September 23, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200607194844/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5719474/dream-theater-the-enemy-inside-exclusive-video-premiere|archive-date=June 7, 2020|url-status=live}} Dream Theater remained on the charts until November 9,{{cite web|title=Billboard 200 - Week of November 9, 2013|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2013-11-09|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 31, 2016}} and as of January 2016, it has sold 87,000 copies total in the United States.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128220102/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |title=Upcoming Releases |website=Hits Daily Double}} In February 2014, the album's second and final music video was released, this time for "The Looking Glass".{{cite web |last1=Bowar |first1=Chad |title=Dream Theater Unveil 'The Looking Glass' Video |url=https://loudwire.com/dream-theater-the-looking-glass-video/ |magazine=Loudwire |access-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200614005700/https://loudwire.com/dream-theater-the-looking-glass-video/ |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |date=February 5, 2014 |url-status=live}}
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/dream-theater-deluxe-edition-mw0002559805 |title=AllMusic Review |first=Thom |last=Jurek |publisher=AllMusic |year=2013 |access-date=September 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200615003006/https://www.allmusic.com/album/dream-theater-deluxe-edition-mw0002559805 |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |url-status=live}}
| rev2 = Grantland
| rev3 = Loudwire
| rev3score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/dream-theater-dream-theater-album-review/ |title=Dream Theater, 'Dream Theater' - Album Review |first=Chris |last=Epting |magazine=Loudwire |date=September 18, 2013 |access-date=September 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200615003006/https://www.allmusic.com/album/dream-theater-deluxe-edition-mw0002559805 |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |url-status=live}}
| rev4 = PopMatters
| rev4score = 3/10{{cite web |last1=Ezell |first1=Brice |title=Dream Theater: Dream Theater |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/175696-dream-theater-dream-theater/%20Ezell,%20Brice%20-%20Dream%20Theater:%20Dream%20Theater/ |magazine=PopMatters |access-date=June 16, 2015 |date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200615003505/https://www.popmatters.com/175696-dream-theater-dream-theater-2495719141.html |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |url-status=live}}
| rev5 = Revolver
| rev5score = 3.5/5{{cite web |last1=Chichester |first1=Sammi |title=Review: Dream Theater — Dream Theater |url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/review-dream-theater-dream-theater.html |magazine=Revolver |access-date=January 23, 2016 |date=September 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122094323/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/review-dream-theater-dream-theater.html|archive-date=January 22, 2016|url-status=dead}}
| rev6 = RTÉ.ie
| rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last1=Guerin |first1=Harry |title=Music Review - Dream Theater - S/T |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/reviews/music/2013/1013/480124-dream-theater-s-t/ |publisher=RTÉ.ie |access-date=February 21, 2016 |date=October 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200615004041/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/music-reviews/2013/1013/480124-dream-theater-s-t/ |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |url-status=live}}
| rev7 = Sputnikmusic
}}
Dream Theater received generally positive reviews from music publications. AllMusic felt that it was one of the band's best albums, concluding, "it holds inside it everything a fan could want, yet also expands the reach of American prog metal." Many critics were particularly complimentary of "Illumination Theory", which Revolver described as "stunningly ambitious". Grantland's Steven Hyden, whose introduction to the band was through the self-titled album, wrote, "I drank this cocktail, and I’m glad. Dream Theater is a blast." For "The Enemy Inside", Dream Theater received their second consecutive Grammy nomination in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance category.{{cite web|last1=Childers|first1=Chad|title=2014 Grammy Nominees for Best Metal Performance: Anthrax, Black Sabbath, Dream Theater, Killswitch Engage + Volbeat With King Diamond Read More: 2014 Grammy Nominees for Best Metal Performance: Anthrax, Black Sabbath, Dream Theater, Killswitch Engage + Volbeat With King Diamond | url=http://loudwire.com/2014-grammy-nominees-best-metal-performance-anthrax-black-sabbath-dream-theater-killswitch-engage-volbeat-king-diamond/|magazine=Loudwire|access-date=June 17, 2015|date=December 7, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131211222639/http://loudwire.com/2014-grammy-nominees-best-metal-performance-anthrax-black-sabbath-dream-theater-killswitch-engage-volbeat-king-diamond/|archive-date=December 11, 2013|url-status=live}}
Critics reacted favorably to Dream Theater's attempt at writing more concise songs. In their review, Loudwire commented, "The band also seems to be expanding their appeal beyond the faithful with some punchy, stylish and tuneful songs that seduce immediately. Good thing, too. Because the more people that can hear an album like this, the more faithful there will be." RTÉ.ie had a similar reaction, writing, "Sure, the did-they-really-just-play-that? double takes arrive by the half-minute on their latest magnum opus (self-titled for extra definitiveness), but chances are you will come away from Dream Theater singing a chorus rather than throwing air guitar/bass/drums/keyboards/violin/conductor's baton shapes."
Some critics noted that the album was too similar to previous Dream Theater albums. PopMatters felt that the band was no longer offering anything new, observing, "For quite awhile, the sky was the limit for Dream Theater; now that they’ve ascended, however, the creative air is running thin." Sputnikmusic also wrote that the album sounded familiar, but ultimately gave it an overall positive review, saying that it did "a bit better than recent efforts in the band's formulaic approach to anti-formulaic music."
=Supporting tour=
In promotion of the album, Dream Theater toured Europe and North America in early 2014.{{cite web|title=Dream Theater Announce Their "Along for the Ride" Tour|url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/news/dream-theater-announce-their-along-ride-tour-85531|website=Dream Theater Official Website|access-date=June 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427143211/http://www.dreamtheater.net/news/dream-theater-announce-their-along-ride-tour-85531|archive-date=April 27, 2014|url-status=dead}} The tour's setlist featured both old and new material, including nine songs off of Awake (1994) and Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999), which were celebrating anniversaries.{{cite web|author=Metal-Rules.com UK Team|title=Dream Theater @ Wembley Arena, London|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/metalnews/2014/02/17/dream-theater-wembley-arena-london/|website=Metal Rules|access-date=January 23, 2016|date=February 17, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200723002400/https://www.metal-rules.com/2014/02/17/dream-theater-wembley-arena-london/|archive-date=July 23, 2020|url-status=live}} On March 25, the band performed at the Boston Opera House with the Berklee Concert Choir and Berklee World Strings in an event that was dubbed their "homecoming".{{cite web|last1=Small|first1=Mark|title=Dream Theater’s Homecoming|url=https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-today/summer-2014/dream-theater’s-homecoming|publisher=Berklee College of Music|access-date=June 14, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200723002619/https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-today/summer-2014/dream-theater%E2%80%99s-homecoming|archive-date=July 23, 2020|url-status=live}} The concert was recorded and eventually released on September 30 as part of the Breaking the Fourth Wall live collection.{{cite web|title="Breaking The Fourth Wall" Live Blu-Ray / DVD|url=http://www.dreamtheater.net/news/breaking-fourth-wall-live-blu-ray-dvd-109041|website=Dream Theater Official Website|access-date=June 14, 2015|date=August 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822063736/http://www.dreamtheater.net/news/breaking-fourth-wall-live-blu-ray-dvd-109041|archive-date=August 22, 2014|url-status=dead}} It debuted at number one on various music video charts, and the band donated part of the proceeds to the Dream Theater Scholarship Fund at Berklee.{{cite web|last1=Parys|first1=Bryan|title=Dream Theater Donates Proceeds to Berklee Scholarship|url=https://www.berklee.edu/news/dream-theater-donates-proceeds-berklee-scholarship|publisher=Berklee College of Music|access-date=June 14, 2015|date=September 30, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200723003118/https://www.berklee.edu/news/dream-theater-donates-proceeds-berklee-scholarship|archive-date=July 23, 2020|url-status=live}}
Track listing
All titles and song lengths taken from the Dream Theater liner notes.
{{Track listing
| all_lyrics = John Petrucci, except where noted
| all_music = Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, John Myung, James LaBrie, Mike Mangini, except where noted.
| title1 = False Awakening Suite"
(instrumental)
- "I. Sleep Paralysis"
- "II. Night Terrors"
- "III. Lucid Dream
| length1 = 2:42
| music1 = Petrucci, Rudess
| title2 = The Enemy Inside
| length2 = 6:17
| title3 = The Looking Glass
| length3 = 4:53
| title4 = Enigma Machine
| note4 = instrumental
| music4 = Petrucci, Rudess, Myung, Mangini
| length4 = 6:01
| title5 = The Bigger Picture
| length5 = 7:40
| title6 = Behind the Veil
| length6 = 6:52
| title7 = Surrender to Reason
| note7 = lyrics: Myung
| length7 = 6:34
| title8 = Along for the Ride
| music8 = Petrucci, Rudess
| length8 = 4:45
| title9 = Illumination Theory"
- "I. Paradoxe de la lumière noire" (instrumental)
- "II. Live, Die, Kill"
- "III. The Embracing Circle" (instrumental)
- "IV. The Pursuit of Truth"
- "V. Surrender, Trust & Passion
| length9 = 22:17
| total_length = 68:01
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Japanese edition bonus track
| title10 = The Enemy Inside
| note10 = instrumental
| length10 = 6:17
}}
Personnel
All credits taken from the Dream Theater liner notes.{{cite book|title=Dream Theater Liner Notes|year=2013|publisher=Roadrunner Records}}
Dream Theater
- James LaBrie – lead vocals
- John Petrucci – guitar, backing vocals, producer
- Jordan Rudess – keyboards, GeoSynth iPad app, Seaboard
- John Myung – bass, Moog Taurus pedals
- Mike Mangini – drums, percussion
String Ensemble
- Misha Gutenberg – violin
- Larisa Vollis – violin
- Yelena Khaimova – violin
- Yevgeniy Mansurov – violin
- Aleksandr Anisimov – viola
- Noah Wallace – viola
- Anastasia Golenisheva – cello
- Valeriya Sholokhova – cello
- Len Sluetsky – double bass
Production
- Richard Chycki – engineering, mixing
- James "Jimmy T" Meslin – assistive engineering
- Kevin Matela – assistive mixing
- Dave Rowland – assistive mixing
- Eren Başbuğ – orchestral arrangement, conducting
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Hugh Syme – cover and album design
- Larry DiMuzio – photography
Charts
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Dream Theater}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dream Theater}}