Illumination Theory
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Illumination Theory
| cover = Illumintaion Theory.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Artwork for "Illumination Theory" 12" picture disc, released exclusively for Record Store Day 2014.
| artist = Dream Theater
| album = Dream Theater
| released =
| recorded = 2013
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 22:17
| label = Roadrunner Records
| composer = * John Petrucci
| lyricist = John Petrucci
| producer = John Petrucci
}}
"Illumination Theory" is a song by American progressive metal band Dream Theater. The song was released on 23 September 2013, as the closing track of the band's 12th album Dream Theater. It features a string ensemble conducted and arranged by Eren Başbuğ.{{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|work=MusicRadar|publisher=Future|access-date=15 February 2014|date=18 September 2013|archive-date=14 October 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}} The song's lyrics, according to the guitarist John Petrucci, are about things for which people will live, die or kill.{{cite web|title=DREAM THEATER 2013 – Track by Track Interview with James LaBrie & John Petrucci|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPQ6egJDqQo|via=YouTube|publisher=Google|access-date=15 February 2014|date=5 September 2013}} The song's length is 22:17, making it Dream Theater's fifth longest to date.
The entire song was released as a 12" picture disc exclusively for Record Store Day 2014 and limited to 2,700 copies.
Segments
- 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"
The song properly ends at 19:17, leading to a 30-second silence followed by a hidden track consisting of an electric guitar and piano instrumental, clocking the song out at 22:17.
Personnel
;Dream Theater
- James LaBrie – lead vocals
- John Petrucci – guitar, backing vocals, producer
- Jordan Rudess – keyboards, Continuum, GeoSynth App
- John Myung – bass guitar
- Mike Mangini – drums, percussion
;String ensemble
- Violin I – Misha Gutenberg (concert master), Larisa Vollis
- Violin II – Yelena Khaimova, Yevgeniy Mansurov
- Viola – Aleksandr Anisimov, Noah Wallace
- Cello – Anastasia Golenisheva, Valeriya Sholokhova
- Contrabass – Len Sluetsky
;Production
References
{{reflist}}
{{Dream Theater}}
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