Rule of thumb with DT: usually when you hear a double lead guitar track during an instrumental section is actually a guitar/keyboard unison.

@HoleLeashIt

7 ай бұрын

Especially if you don’t hear keyboards in the background

@HollowGolem

7 ай бұрын

Especially once Jordan joined.

@tompramanaaccount8892

7 ай бұрын

@@HollowGolem i mean Kevin also did a guitar/keyboard unison back then like in Metropolis for example. Might not as complicated as this song, but still a unison nonetheless.

@codespinner2072

7 ай бұрын

It is in this case as well. John's legato is just insane on this track. Watch his right hand with those notes going by.

@portalboy3187

7 ай бұрын

@@tompramanaaccount8892and scarred, 2 in take the time, learning to live and more

Fun fact: Jordan plays the last note of this song with his nose.

@mr198221

7 ай бұрын

I can confirm this 😆

@marvinzimmermann_

7 ай бұрын

@@mr198221+1

@laurabuer4714

7 ай бұрын

I am so not surprised. 😅

@alfonso4740

7 ай бұрын

Now it's called nose? 😂

@Jambayung

3 ай бұрын

lol, the fact fun

"I love it when they play in octaves and- HOLY SHIT" Same.

Mike Portnoy's drum sound on this album changed my life.

@dreamtheaterpantera

7 ай бұрын

Yes

@yomargutierrezf

7 ай бұрын

and he's back 😍😍😍😍😍😍

@erwinwendler4621

7 ай бұрын

As did myungs bass ❤

@faustomadebr

7 ай бұрын

Also Falling Into Infinity, for me.

@cunjoz

7 ай бұрын

​@@faustomadebrtrain of thought and falling into infinity definitely have the crispiest drums

Fun fact 8:35. If you listen closely you can hear morse code being tapped. The translation is "eat my ass and balls" a reference to an in-joke from the Live Scenes From a Memory DVD commentary. When releasing ToT they told fans there was a secret. Someone jokingly said "something is probably in morse code". The discovery wasn't made until MONTHS after the release of the album.

@Kumquat_Lord

7 ай бұрын

There's also an audio clip of Owen Wilson saying "wow" in a pause during the song S2N

@Dieterbe

7 ай бұрын

I thought portnoy had to help everyone to figuring this out , a couple years ago, cause to Mike's surprise no one had ever figured it out themselves? Or am I misremembering?

@soocool78

7 ай бұрын

@@Dieterbe I recall all of this happening from the Mike Portnoy forum on his website that I used to be an active user on. I believe it got found out by a user on there, but its been a longgggg time so I could be mis-remembering.

@NickHollis21

7 ай бұрын

i don't hear it :(

@soocool78

7 ай бұрын

its a small metallic tapping noise, i think in the "right" ear of the mix. it starts about 1 second after the time stamp at the same time as the piano.

There isn't a topic in this world that makes me click a video faster than Doug and Dream Theater. Brilliant brilliant stuff!

@ArtGuitarLTX

7 ай бұрын

Same here!

@blaake1

7 ай бұрын

I’m with ya

@GuitarLife123

7 ай бұрын

jep :)

I know everyone loves Scenes From a Memory and rightfully so, but this song is 100% peak Dream Theater in my book. The absolute pinnacle.

@kaphseen

7 ай бұрын

this whole album really. masterpiece.

@plta1

7 ай бұрын

@five @kaphseen, i soo hope that they will do an album like this again now with MP, like kinda more metal than other albums

@flaviobarbosa6064

7 ай бұрын

@@kaphseen I still think SFAM is the GOAT, but TOT is fantastic.

@AtomizedSound

7 ай бұрын

Different side of the same coin. SFAM was prog rock and this album is straight up more metal driven. Not the pinnacle but still the same coin, different side

@weefek

7 ай бұрын

metro pt 2 is my ultimate

I'm really sad to see that many people who don't like DT usually have the idea that "it's just a band of virtuoso musicians who play complicated music". Man, it's much more than that, the lyrics are fantastic, the emotion that these guys manage to convey in their sound is unparalleled, it's not just about technique. That's why it's one of my favorite bands.

@mr198221

7 ай бұрын

That's why I call them God's band. If he had one 😂

@maxhowlett9661

7 ай бұрын

I think DT's lyrics can be a little hokey when it comes to the more fictional/storytelling type of stuff imo. (Even Met 2 is a little cheesy at parts), But this album, Six Degrees, Awake, I&W and even DToE have some beautiful and carfeully crafted commentaries and lyircal concepts that have real meaning to them.

@faustomadebr

7 ай бұрын

​@@maxhowlett9661Six Degrees is something else. They talked about issues 10 years before any mainstream person did.

@TwoHanderVGC

7 ай бұрын

Well said, my thoughts exactly

@Tuleinaarii

7 ай бұрын

Most people I meet who don't care for DT either don't understand the progressive nature of the music, or they don't like James' vocals. Both are understandable, even though it's why I enjoy them.

"If we allow ourselves to invent reasoning for belief's that are irrational then we open ourselves to being manipulated" -Doug Helvering Well said.

That song man... Dream Theater, a gift to humanity.

@mr198221

7 ай бұрын

This group is indescribable at times. There's nothing like them.

Last note leads into “The Root of All evil” which starts Octavarium. This is one of my favorite DT songs. Glad you are checking it out.

@TheBlackQueen

7 ай бұрын

Also fun fact, Jordan played that last piano note with his nose!

@bernardodc9631

7 ай бұрын

And also, of course, the last note in octavarium as well

"Doing things in the name of god should ony be reserved for breaking cycles of violence, not starting them". I've never been religious but that was some powerful and moving stuff. I've felt the same way but never heard it put quite so elgantly and poingantly as that. Religion has always had the capacity for beatiful acts of kindness, generosity and humanity. It is just a shame that it is so rarely seen throughout history and in the modern day.

@SpamSpade14

6 ай бұрын

You're on the outside looking in. It's pretty tough to determine what a religion ought to do when you don't hold the same beliefs as them. Because they have drives and motivations that you don't share.

James' Screaming at 10:15 is pretty unique to this song as well.

@gub4941

7 ай бұрын

It’s so odd to hear any kind of harsh vocals in dream theater, though honestly it kinda makes me wish there was more

@jarnalyrkar

5 ай бұрын

Only other example I can think of is in the later sections of octavarium (during "trapped inside this octavarium")

For me, Train of Thought is thier best album. The lyrics of this song are most appropriate for the world we live in today.

The end 6/8 section where The Battle Hymn of the Republic comes in never fails to give me goosebumps. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever heard on my life. The juxtaposition of the Hymn against a song questioning people’s actions in the name of their faith is just *chefs kiss*

love watching someone with a trained ear properly take these things apart and understanding what they're doing musically/theoretically. love your videos!

When this masterpiece (all album) was written in 3 weeks still blows my mind.

@shellderp

7 ай бұрын

???

@woodenhoe

7 ай бұрын

Written in 3 weeks, recorded in 3 months. They're not human.

@jorgeavila3385

7 ай бұрын

I can't even organise my bedroom in 3 weeks.

@BCapelas

7 ай бұрын

@@jorgeavila3385 ahahah

That was the DT we all loved. Firing on all cylinders at full speed. Damn, I'm so happy MP is back.

Honor Thy Father is one of my personal Favs in general from Dream Theater.

@nedrini1055

7 ай бұрын

Yes! I wish Doug would react to that one

@faustomadebr

7 ай бұрын

Yep. Strong lyrics and drums for Portnoy.

Besides how you react to DT, I love the way you interpret the lyrics by adding your own perception. I'm from Syria, and I can relate a lot to the meaning behind the lyrics. As a Muslim, when I first listened to this song almost 18 years ago, it made me think and question my beliefs, ultimately leading me to stop believing in religion.

@planetcaravan2925

5 ай бұрын

Syria and neighbours are in a lot of turmoil cause of religion

I love that ending chord on the piano. It feels uncertain and fits the theme of asking the question “does following faith lead us to violence?” Feels like a question mark of a chord.

It took me YEARS to me (and a good pair of headphones) to discover that on 10:05 there's James SCREAMING in the background of those lyrics. Since then, I didn't even know he was able to scream :D And of course, since then I'm obiged to sing along with the backing vocals instead of the lead one :D Here, and "there's a girl in the mirror" one octave above part in Strange Déjà vu :D

The first time I heard this, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" really caught me off guard. So amazing.

See the live version “Live at Budokan” from show in Japan. It’s amazing.

Please do "the best of times" without fail, it's probably most super intense emotional song from them, with a solo to remember for ages.

@revylokesh1783

7 ай бұрын

Yeah, one of Petrucci's absolute finest.

@n1nj4l1nk

7 ай бұрын

Space dye best always hits me the hardest, especially the way James sings "Do you really think I need you?" It's been a long time since I've really listened to DT, I think this might be the catalyst to revisit.

@Neuro_6

7 ай бұрын

Probably one of the best guitar solos of all time ⭐️

@AndyGrouch

7 ай бұрын

Its a bit cheesy first but the context brings it to another level, and that solo, my god.

@rahatmahmud5435

6 ай бұрын

​@@revylokesh1783not just petrucci's finest. it's one of the greatest solo of all time

One of my all time favourite Dream Theater songs, especially the live version from Budokan!!

@laurabuer4714

7 ай бұрын

I *love* that DVD.

@Ariaa76

6 ай бұрын

I watched it so many timessssss what an experience! I remember when I was younger and hyped up~ being annoyed how the crowd didn't care enough haha~ but I was not aware and familiar with the JP culture there:D

Portnoy's drum sound is back and thats beautiful.

11:25 literally everyone's reaction listening to this part for the first time lol

@memmnarch

7 ай бұрын

lmao too true

Really love that reaction at 11:25 😅

Violence is horrible. Violence on another's behalf is even worse. I love the use of Battle Hymn at the end to remind us how we can sanction violence not just at the behest of the relious leaders, but of the state as well. Adherence to any hierarchy, religious or otherwise, to the point of murder, is terrifying.

HANDS DOWN one of their best songs!!! Special mention for the analysis and commentary at the end, i totally agree

Full album pleeaaasseee

Looking forward to this one! Absolutely an underrated classic from DT.

@marvinzimmermann_

7 ай бұрын

Hope we‘ll see it on their next tour!!

@liraizh7015

7 ай бұрын

Whats so underrated about it?

@emanuelericossa3643

7 ай бұрын

​​@@marvinzimmermann_ Same here but I think it would be extremely demanding for James to sing it night after night unfortunately

@tnt4020

7 ай бұрын

not underrated at all lol

@marvinzimmermann_

7 ай бұрын

@@emanuelericossa3643 that‘s true. Maybe he can adjust his parts like at the end of the dreamsonic tour where he came up with new melodies for Pull Me Under. Sounded pretty solid.

Oh boy……here we go Can’t wait to see Doug’s reaction

My second favorite Dream Theater song. It’s brilliant, and the Battle Hymn of the Republic in the outro is goosebumps every time.

I think it's about time you react to Spastic Ink, trust me, you won't regret it

@abelardoaguilarcamara3378

6 ай бұрын

Yes sir !

The pinch harmonic near the end (you know the one) is one of my favorite musical moments ever. That drop is crazy on a first tine listen.

@slapp3r439

7 ай бұрын

its actually a natural harmonic on the 5th fret of the b and g string in c standard but eqaully epic

@V.F.D.DaleSalvador

7 ай бұрын

my beginner guitar brain thanks you @@slapp3r439

@machnoman

7 ай бұрын

Epic for sure. One single note gives me chills every time

This is the darkest Dream theater album. My favorite song from this band is In the name of God. It makes me feel powerful after i listen to it. Amazing compositions ,riffs , vocals, you name it. 🤘🏼🔥

As a recommendation, there's this Japanese band that covered Dream Theatre's Dance of Eternity, except they replaced Jordan's keyboard with a violin, and it works so well, they're called Unlucky Morpheus. The violin really gives a different vibe to the sound, the way she can produce different sounds on the violin is really something else. Never quite seen anything like it.

@angrodNumenesse

7 ай бұрын

There's another Japanese group, Demetori, that loves working tributes to other bands into their music. DoE shows up everywhere as well as a lot of other DT stuff.

@TheCyberMantis

7 ай бұрын

Unlucky Morpheus is great. Jill is awesome on the violin.

This is my personal favorite song from Dream Theater. It was this song that got me into the band.back in the day.

This song live is insane

Fantastic goosebump song, even if I have heard it maybe literally 500 times

@mr198221

7 ай бұрын

Right?

@planetcaravan2925

5 ай бұрын

​@@mr198221left

Love this song, and I know it was voted on, but it'd be cool to still see The Best of Times. Mike's most personal track from his time with DT for sure.

Since Mike returned to Dream, what better than receiving it listening to which, for me, is the best album with his best performances, Awake... the sound of the drums, the compositions, its production, I love them

The 'live-at-budokan-version' has, IMO, of the coolest Petrucci solo's up-to-date. An amazing ending to such an amazing concert. I highly recommend to take a look at this as they played it to perfection.

From the 11:23 mark... "I love it when they play in octaves. Holy Shit!" May be the best line ever!

This is a powerful song, ala 'Outcry.'

The way Doug air drums to numerous fills in his reaction shows me that he has definitely heard this song previously. A lot of reaction channels claim this is their "first listen" and the anticipatory reactions clearly show they already know the song well.

Listening to Doug’s words at the end of the song made me appreciate this piece even more! Amazing job!

The "Holy Shit" park was BOTH John and Jordan. Anything sounding double track is always John and Jordan. They're the best

Great reaction, and I really like your sentiment about religion and what it does to people and society when it goes wrong.

This and Octavarium are my absolute favorites of Dream Theater's work. I absolutely love this

@JK-js2td

5 ай бұрын

Those are incredible songs however i would like to nominate the Glass Prison and Change of Seasons as best DT songs

Love it, Doug. You make me wish I researched songs more, because it really does add so much appreciation for a piece, to know the context for it's creation. Especially DT, who time and time again prove to be my favorite band. I've got goose bumps now, haha.

Amazing words after the song. We ALL will change soon.

I remember when I first heard this song, the theme was intellectual and philosophical in nature, because I lived in a peaceful country. Now, the unthinkable has happened : it's become real... now we have beheadings, car attacks, throat slit, knife attacks, murders, and massacres like the Bataclan attack, all in the name of their god. These people hate us, and there's no fixing it. It's tragic. If you can kill in the name of a peaceful book like the Bible, imagine what you can do in the name of a hate filled book... I also think that faith is part of the human experience, and if you take away traditional religions, people will create new beliefs to be militant about. New religions. Like ecology for example, some people are peaceful about it, some people become part of a death cult that wants the destruction of mankind, just like with the old religions. Some people always find a reason to hate humanity and to be violent.

@AnthonysMajesty

7 ай бұрын

Well written

@jonathanhenderson9422

7 ай бұрын

The Bible isn't exactly a peaceful book.

@TheNightOwl11683

7 ай бұрын

​@@jonathanhenderson9422There are several religious texts that aren't exactly peaceful or can be twisted to justify atrocities.

@jonathanhenderson9422

7 ай бұрын

@@TheNightOwl11683 I agree, but OP explicitly mentioned The Bible being a peaceful book and it's not.

@billmurray7676

7 ай бұрын

@@jonathanhenderson9422 I meant the New Testament. I'm from a country that has been pretty much exclusively catholic for centuries, so maybe that's why it was obvious to me. But I know the USA is mostly protestant and you guys also have offshoots, churches and sects that simply don't exist here.

Must watch this song "live in Budokan"... Its a blast! This masterpiece reaching upper level of phenomenal performances ending with great solo of JP...

When they do this live, they show video footage of Jim Jones as well.

As a religious man, that line does following faith lead us to violence also hit me hard. I often ponder the philosophical questions and it all spirals down to subjective doctrines vs objective personal god and vice versa, subjective personal god vs objective doctrines. I love the way DT uses octave in the first song “as I am” and last song of the album, hinting that full circle? It’s good to hear the song especially hearing so many warfares now days.

I think this might be my all-time favorite song, along with Pull Me Under, Lifting Shadows Off A Dream, and Home.

Hey Doug. I love this song. The live version is done with absolute perfection. By the way it's Johns voice singing those high notes.

Shame it's not the live version but I'm glad you decided to check out this fantastic epic. Loving that copy of Terminal Velocity in the background.

My favorite Album by Dream Theater

I'm sure somebody has pointed this out but in the quiet breakdown section, the almost percussion like ticking is morse code for EATMYASSANDBALLSEATMYASSANDBALLS

@hayalaln2302

7 ай бұрын

But where do they say that?

my fav song from album 2 Honor Thy Father 3 Endless Sacrifice

This album is a complete masterpiece. Best DT album and top 20 albums in Metal history in my opinion! It's even more incredible when you know that it was made in just 3 weeks, but these geniuses were in their prime!

Thank you for your very knowledgeable, compassionate and nuanced take on the middle east.

I saw them on this album tour! I'm actually wearing my ToT 2004 hoodie right now.

Brilliant musical, intellectual, and emotional interpretation as always, Doug, I love your show , Especially the dream theater ones hehe 🎸🤘❤️

"Holy shit" during the bumblebee part 😂😂😂 My same reaction too

Jordan Rudess ended that final part of the piano, the F key with his nose!... that's hilarious but true! 😂😂

Absolutely one of my fav DT tunes, but it would have been a special treatment to get the best of Times, for the return of Mike

Excellent video, Sir. Thank you 🙂✌

MP ❤ In life, we always come back to the best, not the worst. And this is something the band has understood very well. Welcome home Mike portnoy

Can I like this video twice? Once for the stellar song choice, second for the great breakdown at the end discussing the themes and message of the song and how it carries over 20 years later.

This album is amongst their most naturally wired, mature, spontaneous, heavy, virtuoso and real life connected album (a bit similar to their Awake youthful energic album): an underrated thematic hefty symphony, for a once in awhile pleasurable reminder.

Wow that conclusion was spot on Doug. As usual I've enjoyed your reaction and intelligent perspective on things and I agree 100% with you on this one paroticular song, which is one of my all time DT favourites. Cheers!

I hope the next album is heavy like this

This is one of my absolute favorite Dream Theater songs. It's powerful both musically and lyrically. Really glad you caught the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It's mixed pretty low but is such an awesome choice in that finale. When the transition to the main theme comes back at 13:10, it's like a mix of anguish of those who suffer from these acts (the lead melody line) and epic grandeur in the minds of the people doing these things (the powerful chords and open soundscape behind the melody). Thanks for listening to it.

Fittingly enough the first song of Octavarium is "The Root of All Evil" and if I'm not mistaken it starts with the deep piano note from Jordan (which is also the endnote from Octavarium so the album loops :D ).

Love your commentary at the end. Well said sir.

ToT is one of my favorite DT albums.....even though it's a little divisive with the fans. As I am, Honor thy Father, etc....I love it.

You need to watch the Live at Budokan version. They actually show images of Jim Jones and all the 900 plus committed suicide there, Branch Davidians, Warren Jeffs, and the cult that committed suicide in 1997 when Hale Bopp comet came through. It was the encore and was 15 minutes of magnificence.

One of the best collections of exclamations and facial expressions yet!

Still watching this, but wanted to confirm that John's guitar is tuned down to C standard for this track. In the interest of completion, for each track on the album: As I Am - C Standard This Dying Soul - Standard tuning, but on a 7-string Endless Sacrifice - D Standard Honor Thy Father - C Standard Vacant - N/A Stream of Consciousness - Eb Standard In the Name of God - C Standard Also, a fun fact on the making of the album is that that final F that Jordan plays in this track he plays with his nose, lol. You get to see that on the behind the scenes, making-of documentary.

I didn't really gave this album a chance after hearing this is too heavy, but I gave it a shot about two weeks ago, and I instantly regretted not giving it a chance earlier...😢😢😢...the lyrics might not relate..but god, the music and melody just hits me in every way possible, like it decrypts all the complicated feelings inside of me...

I love this song

John Myung bass is insane

The Budokan version would have been outstanding too! Crushing track!!

@JK-js2td

5 ай бұрын

Yeah its better than studio version

Every single time i listen studio verison, i wait for the guitar solo outro in budokan

I always have goosebumps when listening to this song. Always. Great choice for your channel. Works for any religion; might be at different historical points, but any.

My word, I'd forgotten how good Portnoy was on this track and album- what a sound! So stoked he is back.

One of my all time favorites from DT. Great freaking song!

There's some morse code in there ;D in that breakdown part - not sure if it's been mentioned.

Watching Daily Doug's reaction is like going back to those younger days when I was listening to DT songs with some old friends. That amazed feeling at the end of every song, just like what you did, is so nostalgic! Thanks Doug, I’ve never skipped a bit watching your videos

That Petrucci solo still blows my mind to this day, what a cool solo, love the vibe of it with how breakneck and winding it is while the bass and drums are doing this fun sped up groove

It is Always A fun Day Mike Portnoy is 1 of the Best drummers Ever And Mike Porcaro Agees

when this got out I bought it... man... I lived with this album for months.. I would sleep to it, play guitar to it, eat to it, travel, bath, school.... on repeat from 1st song to the last...and repeat again

May I submit for consideration: DT Tuesdays (this way we can still have Metal Mondays). 😎✌🏻🤘🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

insightful stuff doug. cheers!

20:40 While religion undoubtedly plays a major role in what's currently going on between Israel and Palestine (and has been going on for decades), I think it is a misstep to attribute it as the driving force in any of this. The relationship between Israel and Palestine is one defined by two empires in decline (first the Ottoman empire, then the British empire) and the warring of states. If this is something you really want to understand in a deeper way, I highly recommend "The Roads to Foreign Policy Dynamics" video by Beau on his 2nd channel, The Roads with Beau. It's still just a starting point, but it gets much closer to the core of what's really going on in the current moment, which is largely independent of how we got here.