Favourite Dream Theater Epic?

Prog Snob wrote: M27Barney wrote: Spirit of radio - not heard that for ages - I was hoping that DT was going to cover 2112 and Hemispheres like they have covered other stuff - that would be AWESOME.... They already covered 2112...

Prog Snob wrote: M27Barney wrote: Spirit of radio - not heard that for ages - I was hoping that DT was going to cover 2112 and Hemispheres like they have covered other stuff - that would be AWESOME.... They already covered 2112...

ON CD???

M27Barney wrote: Spirit of radio - not heard that for ages - I was hoping that DT was going to cover 2112 and Hemispheres like they have covered other stuff - that would be AWESOME....

i've always new of DT, but never really got into them.  last fall i randomly decided to go see the live and get their most recent album.  seeing them live was tantamount to a rush show.  an awesome prog-metal geek fest.  the band is so gracious.  so, i'm slowly collecting their albums going backwards from ADToE.  my favorite epic at this point is Count, but i love Best of Times too.  yeah, they do where their influences on their sleeve, but it's more of a tribute and love for the genre.  hell, i love that riff at the beginning of Best of Times as much as i love Spirit of Radio.  and pettruci is a rare bird...he's technically proficient AND can write a memorable melody.  those two usually don't go together.  

M27Barney wrote: I am not buying ito the DT as a heavy Rush tribute band.....I think that the closest they get to rush is the start of COT - and lets be honest thats probably as good as any of the most superlative rush efforts - 1975-1980 (then the synth-pop era of rush begins).....A lot of DT stuff has more than a nod to Floyd/Genesis/Yes with bits of sabbath/purple/metallica blended in....

Actually, my first impression of Dream Theater back when I first heard them (in the mid-90's) was that they were ripping off Rush and Metallica

However, while it's obvious those were two key influences, I've since changed my view of them.  I think it's safe to say that they were innovative, though I'm not sure I'd say they are anymore.

They are obviously highly skilled, and when I'm in the mood for soulless shredding, they fit the bill nicely.  Which isn't to imply that they are completely soulless as a band, as I don't think they are.  The ballads mentioned are a good case in point, though I find even some of the more energetic and complex stuff has some feeling and soul to it.......with my favorite epics of theirs (remember the thread topic? ) being good examples of this.

I guess for me, I'm not a big metal fan.  But if I feel like hearing some metal, I usually pull out DT.


Edited by infandous - September 28 2012 at 10:29

Guys, isn't there a DT fan thread on ProgArchives somewhere you can go and take these 'dicussions'? It's rather gumming up a couple of other not-so-related threads (like the drumming one).

Snow Dog wrote: Oh God a DT fan love-in.

Smores...another awful invented word.

dtguitarfan wrote: Prog Snob - best to just ignore the idiots.  Believe me, complaining only gives them more strength.  Yeah, there is way too much negativity towards music around here - and it's not just DT.  You just see people hating on DT more because they are the ones selling millions of copies of their album these days (with the only other Prog band that is comparable in sales being Rush).

. Right on my friend. You see it for what it is. I was just a bit upset because some (in this forum) felt dt had no individuality or innovation I should say. I will always defend my band with logic. I feel your not a rational prog fan if you don't think dt are innovative. Whats up with that? Anyway, like what you had to say. Thank you

Prog Snob wrote: I think the idea just a love story would have been quite bland. Adding the reincarnation theme gave it a bit of an interesting twist. It's no Operation:Mindcrime, but I don't get the "you better have something to say" comment. Can't a story just be a good story without it having "something to say?"

Sure, but I don't think it's a good story. As I said, I'm not interested in love triangles and reincarnation by themselves and the story has nothing else to offer besides that. If you think differently, good for you.

Prog Snob wrote: However they are an extremely rare combination of talent these days and I feel bad for people who can't see that.

Oh, I totally see that. I realize that my dislike for most of the stuff Dream Theater have done besides Images and Words boils down to preference in the end.

Prog Snob wrote: I've read some posts claiming that Dream Theater are repetitive and only play unnecessarily complex arragments as fast as they can. This is just purely ignorant....and this is why.... Another Day, Surrounded, Wait for Sleep, Eve, The Silent Man, The Mirror, Lifting Shadows Off a Dream, Space Dye Vest, Don't Look Past Me, You Not Me, Hollow Years, Take Away My Pain, Anna Lee, Strange Deja Vu, Through Her Eyes, One Last Time, The Spirit Carries On, Finally Free, Misunderstood, Disappear, Goodnight Kiss, etc etc..

I don't agree with the charge that Dream Theater are repetitive and unnecessarily complex, but let's play devil's advocate: "Just because they throw in some ballads from time to time, that doesn't mean the rest of their stuff isn't emotionless, needlessly complex and all the same."

progbethyname wrote: I just got a little frustrated that people were saying dt lacks innovation.

The guy you accused of saying that, JS19, didn't even say it. He said that "they aren't the most innovative or technical", that's all.


Edited by HarbouringTheSoul - September 28 2012 at 07:35