This book ends suite is probably one of the most overlooked and underrated epic on Dream Theater's discography. Words just can't describe how breathtaking and mind blowing ITPOE is. 🤯🤯

@mr.steinhaus6014

7 ай бұрын

And listening to them together is the only way to travel.

@iau

7 ай бұрын

I think it was their decision to split it. I get that they wanted both to open and end the album, but maybe the song lost its "20min epic prestige" in the mind of the average listener during that process.

@sandyferati6625

7 ай бұрын

In my top 5!

@u.v.s.5583

7 ай бұрын

Not too luminous sensei, I consider giving my life away for your cause!

@hablacham

7 ай бұрын

This album caught a lot of critic upon release and some years after but I bet if another band had done it, it would be praised among prog fans. Also 16 years later it has aged amazingly well, I think, among their catalogue.

Systematic Chaos is a 10/10 for me. I remember having a hard time digesting it at first, but once I did...one of their greatest albums imo.

@tikolasola

7 ай бұрын

The same thing happened to me! I remember it leaked out a bit before release and I was hoping it's not the real album. Octavarium was hard to follow but with more listens SC really grew on me. Perfect blend of energy, aggression and melodic moments. John's solo in Repentance is one of the most underrated solos ever.

@carlosrobles5591

7 ай бұрын

No way, like a 6/10. One of their weakest, no doubt.

@DiegoDeschain

7 ай бұрын

@@carlosrobles5591 I can understand why people would feel that way about the album, and that's ok.

@carlosrobles5591

7 ай бұрын

@@DiegoDeschain 6DOIT is #1, Images #2, Scenes #3, the rest I don't care how they are ranked.

@leandronc

7 ай бұрын

I rate this album better than most DT fans. But Forsaken is so bad, I could never give this a 10/10. The rest are all good-great songs.

There’s no doubt that your music reviews/reactions are the most instructive and engaging on the internet! Thanks Doug.

@Doug.Helvering

7 ай бұрын

So happy that you enjoy!

@realtoken

7 ай бұрын

@@Doug.Helvering I enjoy too and second his statement!

@One_Proud_Papa

7 ай бұрын

Doug, I'm interested to know if your own compositions have come to reflect some of what you've heard over the last few years.

@Kumquat_Lord

7 ай бұрын

Oh absolutely, his analysis is what makes them great. I love listening to music, and hearing him pick up on little details and point them out makes me appreciate the music more

@CheloWiiU

7 ай бұрын

I also love that he has like perfect pitch or something, Doug can recognize chords and tonalities immediately 😁

If you hear this album for the first time, you should do a reaction video for "Ministry of Lost Souls" too. It's another epic in this album, I think you would love it.

@nunosantos2679

7 ай бұрын

I believe Doug has listened to that one live.

@MrMikeyMikerson

5 ай бұрын

I second this

13:35 that was not 2 different guitar parts - that was keyboard + guitar playing together

@AcidSolid

7 ай бұрын

Jordan is unbelieavable

Fun story about this album: Dream Theater put out a message that they needed a crowd of people to do backing vocals for the album. A couple hundred other Dream Theater fans and I waited in the absolute freezing cold outside the Manhattan studio to be a part of it. Turns out some of us (including me) had no chance. Fans who had showed up hours before the announced time had already been given lyric sheets by the security guard (against DT's wishes), and they were the only ones who were ever going to be let in. So, I missed out being on the album, but you can hear the people who got it doing the "Hey, hey, hey!" and first lines of the lyrics in the 4th section.

@matthewbehr5725

7 ай бұрын

That's all on the box DVD that i bought with the album when it came out. Super cool!

@Zestrayswede

7 ай бұрын

Not to be that guy, but I believe they chant "Heil! Heil! Heil!" _or "Hail! Hail! Hail!", either works_

The unison guitar and keyboard solo at the end of Part 1 is straight fire

@BenTevikMusic

7 ай бұрын

It surprised me on this re listen how dirty that is. So sick

@guille7545

6 ай бұрын

Give me a black heart

Doug, can I just say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for reviewing Dream Theater again. This band has a special place in my heart ever since I heard them back in 2001 for the first time and have continued to this day to be my #1 favorite band. The reason why I love your reviews so much is because you are able to analyze the songs in a way many of us can't truly comprehend because we aren't classically trained. And when I see you get excited about something the band is doing, then you could explain it musically, it just makes so much more sense to me why I loved it in the first place. I can't wait for when you dive into The Astonishing for the first time. It's going to be a loooong video :)

@na-tv6rn

7 ай бұрын

I first got into DT right around Octavarium. I can't remember if it was before or after the album came out but my entry point was Train of Thought and I was watching Live at Budokan continuously at that time. I feel like Systematic Chaos was the first album from them that was new while I was a fan since I don't remember Octavarium being released. I can still remember sitting in the basement of my childhood home while I was living home during the summers while in university and having my mind blown by the start of ITPOE on a copy I managed to "acquire"... back in the days before streaming or digital downloads.

@petervargo1696

7 ай бұрын

Haha. I like to think of The Astonishing like one very long song, similar to Six Degrees. When I thought of it like that, TA made a lot more sense to me. But to be fair, I always liked TA, so... Take my view on it as you will. It has some great music on it regardless!

Unpopular opinion but this is their best epic. I know most people choose between change of seasons and octavarium for good reasons.

@AtomizedSound

7 ай бұрын

It’s definitely in the top 3 probably for me.

@PedroHNuness

7 ай бұрын

I think so too, but somewhere inside my head, there's a voice screaming "A Change of Seasons" and "Octavarium". I simply cannot pick one.

@Darmani2MB

7 ай бұрын

Depending on my mood it's one of those three and Illumination Theory fighting for the first place

@shagginwagon8447

7 ай бұрын

I'd have to go with A Change of Seasons, but this is second!

@behamiltonsrful

6 ай бұрын

6 Degrees was pretty dam good as well. But I agree, the dynamics and flow of this one is miles above. The little nuances are just the icing on the top...

In the Presence of Enemies Part 1 is peak Dream Theater. Discovered it pretty lately because its one of the less mainstream ones. Don't get why. Superb Mix and Mike's drumming is just straight up satisfying

I love that transition from The Reckoning into Salvation. Gives me goosebumps every time.

From the SCORE album, the full playthrough of Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence with the orchestra is a must. Just epic.

@andyfox8377

7 ай бұрын

I 2nd this

@lanreb920

7 ай бұрын

@@andyfox8377 and I 3rd 😁🥰

@mikenardozzi6989

7 ай бұрын

6DOIT is a very special collection and imo some of the best lyrical notes from dream theater. I always come back to 6DOIT as it a masterpiece and I would love a review of each piece.

@PedroHNuness

7 ай бұрын

Sacrificed Sons with the orchestra is simply amazing. It gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. Score is an absolute masterpiece, maybe their best live album ever.

Hey Doug. I'd say you're still missing an epic. In The Name of God. And you should get a chance to listen to their instrumentals as well throughout their albums. Really good stuff. Thanks for the video. I wish everyone an amazing weekend 😊

This premiere is a moment I've been yearning for! This song holds a special place in my heart. It's more than just music, it's a profound journey that hits the reset button on my mind and soul. Each note carries therapeutic power. The anticipation for this episode is electric! 🤘🎶 Can't wait to dive in!!

I'm a wise man. I see a Dream Theater reaction from Doug, I CLICK IT! been waiting so long for this song. Great job!!!

"Take my money y'all!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 this is instantly one of my all time favourite daily doug reactions. In my opinion Systematic Chaos is an extremely underrated album. It's very interesting that you interpreted the ending as him dying, I always saw the ending as the death of the dark master🤷 Awesome reaction, I knew you'd love this 😁 now you have to listen to Ministry of Lost Souls, it's the 7th track of Systematic Chaos

Section 4: The Slaughter of the Damned is one of the most badass lyrics I have ever read..this song is 100% a masterpiece

@u.v.s.5583

7 ай бұрын

Most badass lyrics ever are - Master Skywalker, there are too many of them! What are we going to doo?

Been a DT fan for going on 32 years now and I really enjoy your reactions to their music. It's a bit sad that their complexity and talent is lost on your average person, but you serve as a great bridge to explain what we are hearing in a digestible way for the masses. Kudos!

@AtomizedSound

7 ай бұрын

That’s prog in general to the masses my friend

This is such a masterpiece

I actually love how the vocal melodies at the very end of the song is essentially a new arrangement of the guitar solo from the beginning of the song.

@PedroHNuness

7 ай бұрын

DT has this thing. They create a theme/motif and play around them throughout the song/album, and they do it with amazing technique and style. You can hear this all over their discography, 6 Degrees, Scenes From a Memory, and many others. It's kind of a signature of them, if I may.

Wow just yesterday i was like “i cant wait for doug to react to in the presence of enemies”

13:42 - not two different guitar parts, I think they're doing is John Petrucci is playing the solo and Jordan Rudess is mimicking the same exact shredding solo on the keyboards, they did this also in many other songs, it's pretty impressive they can mimic each other's shredding that fast!

@CxpOnTube

7 ай бұрын

lol, i've left pretty the same comment, my friend. regards!

@lopolik

7 ай бұрын

@@CxpOnTube oh yeah I just saw it bro, cheers!

@CheloWiiU

7 ай бұрын

Yes it is. It's really impressive how Jordan Rudess can mimic a guitar part, but also very impressive how John Petrucci can play as fast and fluid as a professional pianist ❤

Ha I've been waiting for this from you for a while

@N13900

7 ай бұрын

finally the wait is over

Part 1 is a masterpiece by itself. I’ve seen them in this tour. Petrucci and Portnoy swapped instruments and Mike played Eruption. I gave up on guitar that day lol

Let's goooooo. In The Presence Of Enemies is the first song i've heard from DT back in 2011, and made me fell in love with them. So happy you reacted to them.

I wait for that for one year the best in my opinion.

Unquestionable masterpiece.

I'll never not sing "i do not fight for you... motherfucker!" as Petrucci says in the documentary haha.

@u.v.s.5583

7 ай бұрын

"To those who understand I extend my hand. To the doubters I demand, eat my ass and balls!" - Portnoy & LaBrie.

Such a masterpiece. Another great song in Dream Theaters discography

Amazing song! Thank you as always for the breakdown. And "The Ministry Of Lost Souls" from this album is a must in the future! For some reason I thought you did it, but apparently not

Was literally listening to this two days ago and thinking, "Doug needs to do this one." Awesome!

There’s a really cool documentary on KZread by DT that is the process of making this album. If anyone is interested in it it’s called The Making of Systematic Chaos or Chaos in Progress.

@CxpOnTube

7 ай бұрын

i've watched that crazy amount of times since the release. One of the best "making of"'s out there.

@CheloWiiU

7 ай бұрын

I love that Making Of 😊

A fun alternative listen as one is: In the Presence of Enemies Part 1 Ministry of Lost Souls In the Presence of Enemies Part 2 It just has such an awesome flow to it. Sometimes I kinda wish they'd made it a three parter, honestly. Would be quite an epic to see played live all together!

For my fellow D&D fans, this makes excellent final boss/BBEG music, especially if you can get an instrumental version. I have yet to find one.

They opened with the entire song (Pt. 1 & 2 back to back) when touring for Systematic Chaos... a moment as powerful as being in the first audience to ever hear Octavarium live.

@tumpe6500

7 ай бұрын

From the Helsinki gig I only remember the opening with Also Sprach Zarathustra. I see some videos on youtube where they went on with Constant Motion instead of this. Was there in 2005 for the Octavarium as well.

@tikolasola

7 ай бұрын

​​@@tumpe6500yes that was the intro, ITPOE was the first song.

@AtomizedSound

7 ай бұрын

It depends upon where. I saw them on this gig in Texas in ‘07 and they did not do the entire song. They split it up like the album

@tikolasola

7 ай бұрын

@@AtomizedSound of course. I only saw their show in Helsinki, can't speak for other shows.

Keep on truckin with the Dream Theater. So much great music from them.

Oh man i was waiting for this! Let's do it!!

In the Presence of Enemies is among the absolute pinnacle for me in terms of both musicianship and storytelling. I only wish the 2 parts were released as a single song on Spotify so I get both parts when shuffling my liked songs. I know the live version is a single song but prefer the album version. Anyway, love this music, love DT and love your reactions Doug!

OH HELL YEAAAHHHH... I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SINCE 2021 MAN. FINALLY 🔥🔥🔥

This is my favourite album and favourite track thanks for checking it out

you gotta do Ministry of Lost Souls! It is also an epic with a long instrumental part in the middle. It also has an awesome seemingly never ending solo at the end (and fades out)

Of all the Dream Theater breakdowns you have done, this is the one I’ve been waiting for! Thank you Doug!!

Always wanted Doug to make this React, looking forward to it🙌🏼🙌🏼

Yet another GREAT song from the best band EVER to produce music, keep them coming.

For me it is one of their best, saw it live and this was fantastic.

Sure, all the instrumentation on this piece is surreal. We all agree on that. But lets take a moment to apreciate James interpretation and nuances in all the spectrum and the emotions on this? Breath taking!

I like it when you move your arms like in tom rolls and you surely think ‘damn, I wish I could roll like that!’

Thanks for covering that one man. It was a pleasure to share and revisit that. I haven't heard it in a while and it's all too easy to forget. I need to revisit the whole album now.. lol.

Seeing this video made my day. You are the man, Doug.

These DT reactions make me wonder what Doug would think of The Astonishing; DT's attempt at writing a rock opera. Most fans haven't been kind to it, myself included, but considering Doug isn't a "metal purist" he may not have the same biases against it as most of the fanbase.

Yesssss!!! This was the first DT album I bought after finding them during the tail end of Octavarium. I’m excited for this one!!

@u.v.s.5583

7 ай бұрын

I would say systematic chaos is much stronger album than Octavarium.

Systematic Chaos is my favorite DreamTheater album, thanks

I'm sure it's been brought up, but Awake does have a three-part song cycle that has been dubbed "A Mind Beside Itself". It is the tracks "Erotomania", "Voices" and "The Silent Man". I'm not smart enough to follow the connections like you are!

@coldfuzion99

7 ай бұрын

Absolutely !! 'Awake' is my personal favorite !!

For me it's one of the best Dream Theater albums, along with Octavarium and Scenes from a Memory. Years ago I read Systematic Chaos has the same track structure as Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here: Both divide the main song, In The Presence of Enemies and Shine on your Crazy Diamond in the beginning and the end of both albums... think about, it's kinda curious those coincidences! :D

This album(and this song in particular) has my absolute favorite guitar tone ever. Definitely in my top 3 albums from DT.

Seeing this is a reminder to why DT is my number one. Each of their epics has a moment where I find myself getting all choked up because the music is just so beautiful. I've heard the song countless times over the last 16 years and know most of it on guitar, yet here I am once again choking up at the positive twist at the end of pt2 (in the hour of darkness...).

Oh, yeah, defently staying up for this

Every moment you have a choice: Fear or Love. Serpent and the Dove.... For there is love and Love... Choose ye well.

Part 1 is God tier. Not the biggest fan of part 2, but was great seeing it all live on yhe tour for that album. That Petrucci solo in part 1 is one of his greatest ever, without doubt.

"They get me a groove and then i'm off the beat already, so they're in an odd meter again" 🤣🤣🤣🤣catch us if you can!

This is the first album that I herd from them and it's my favorite.... full of masterpieces. One of my favorites too is constant motion

I'd say, In the name of god, a nightmare to remember and ministry of lost souls are long masterpieces you should check out too

Looking forward to seeing your reaction to "The Ministry of Lost Souls", one of DT´s most beautiful and epic songs

This one gets me everytime! I feel In the Presence is underrated as a Dream Theater epic. I mean, that intro to start an album is just powerful, progressive. I love the soundscapes they explore in this one. They play this one amazingly live BTW.

Thanks Doug! I've been waiting for this episode for 2 years😭🤘🏻

One of my favorites to play on drums!

Hey Doug! If you are looking for some more stuff by Dream Theater, I'd suggest you take a look at The Best of Times, from Black Clouds and Silver Linings. It's my favorite track from them, and I love most of their discography. The songwriting, the lyrics (the backstory of this song is a tear-jerker) and that solo in the end (Petrucci's Magnum Opus in my opinion) all contribute for an absolute masterpiece. I'd really love to have you react to it!

@Arrow2theACL

7 ай бұрын

Doug reacted to The Best of Times in a Fan Favorites episode on his Patreon. Check the directory of reactions in this video's description.

I love the end. Salvation. I do not fight for you dark master.

@u.v.s.5583

7 ай бұрын

George Lucas needed one word where John needed eight. "No." (Darth Vader to Emperor Palpatine)

Love your instant reaction to all of the changes. DT forever 🤘

My favorite album of this magnifc band, no words to discribe, pure feeling

This is one of my favorite pieces they have done personally. Everything about both Pt. 1 and 2 kick ass.

This (whole) song is the star of this which is their last great album. 🥲

This is the Most under rated DT Album. But Train of thought my 2nd favorite Album.

of all the DT songs, this is the one I come back to the most often

You make something that sounds like rocket science to me in normal circumstances (music analysis and theory that is) enjoyable and understandable. I love how you break down where they go and why they go there in the music.

For me "In the Presence of Enemies II" is the best Dream Theater song.

I'm sad to say I am new to DT. I'll definitely be diving into them now though. Their influences from metal and prog bands before them are unmistakable. I heard, Rush, Yes, ELP, Metallica, Pink Floyd and I think a little Genesis all in that 25 minutes. Very cool.

@PedroHNuness

7 ай бұрын

Do not feel sad! Once you manage to go through their discography, you'll realize what an amazing journey it is. Those references are present all over their albums and songs. I feel glad that DT can still get new fans after so many years. Welcome to the Majesty club!!!

Other epics (and slightly less epics) you can add to your repertoire in the future: The killing hand Trial of years A Mind Beside Itself suite Metropolis pt 2 instrumental demo Instrumedley (and please add the Venezuelan percussion version to it) Pale blue for

There is even a movie, Priest,losely based on the Korean horror comic. The protagonist is a priest fighting vampires and demons which are about to destroy humanity, but almost goes over the edge. He saves the world, but not for him.

Systematic Chaos IMO is a more "Straight forward" Metal-Prog album (have no better word to describe it), have a more dominant metal elements than prog, but i like it so much, especially it is one of two DT albums that got me hooked into DT's music (the one being ADTOE). The layering and composition in this album is more simple compared to other albums, but it is a good thing for me 'cause sometimes prog music, that is already "complex" in it's arragement, is better digested when the music is relatively simpler (it is easier to enjoy and sing along without needing to focus so much on the music). Sorry for my confusing words 😁 Edit: and all of the songs are headbangers!!! Even the sad-beautiful TMOLS

I'm always in the presence of enemies soon as I exit onto the freeway system

Oh sweet memories of 2007. I absolutely love Heretic.

Yes! Finally!!! 🔥🔥

This song (or these songs) is based on a Korean Manawha (John Myung influence?),in this,there is a warrior who have a girlfriend but she is kidnapped by the devil,and to save her,he have to fight for him,but at the end he put this to a end fighting against the devil... more or less like this,but FOR ME,this song is about a christian person who is seduced by the devil and at the end,recognizes that this was a huge mistake and comebacks to Christ,I'm a christian guy who made huges mistakes in life,so it always makes me emotional,this lyrics are very powerful in my personal life,the end give shivers all the time,but this part is very it's interesting "I have known you father/ And your sacred quest / Blessed soldier fighting / You shall never rest / I have known you,but do you know me?" It's like Lucifer talking "Hey man,I met God,Jesus,I know their plans,and I know you as well,best than you think,but do you really know who am I?" because all christian know (or at leadt should know) who the devil is,but we fall for him sometimes,it could be a word,action,a thought,so many simple and complex things,we're not perfect,we have to fight the devil every day,but sometimes we fight for him,we lose a little of our faith,some people lose all faith in God,and in this moment of darkness,of weakness,we choose the devil with his beatiful promises,but we lose our souls,we became slaves,slaves of drugs,prostitution,alcohol,money,porn,fame,even food,and is hard to comeback after this,and when we comeback there's something missing because we sacrificed important things like family,friends,health and sometimes we can't recover these things back,so yeah,that's the meaning of this song for me,sorry if I exagerated on this hehehe (now I saw that I made a mistake on the lyrics,is "known YOU father" and not "YOUR father" :v )

I like how you used arabic numerals for part 1 and roman for part II

I have barely listened to this song since 2008 since the themes here is actually what happened to me at the time and it hit so close to home it still makes me incredibly sad to this day.

In the Presence of Enemies (and the album) is very special for me, it connected of my life. The lyrics so related to my past. I just can say thanks a lot for reviewing this song. 💖🤘

I want to invent a pill so can get forget a song and listen to it for the first time again but watching you listen to dream theatre for the first time is pretty damn close

live version from the systematic chaos tour in 2007 is better.Great reaction

Oh hell yeah - I've been asking for this one since forever. My favorite DT song, bar none.

This was my first DT album so this epic is special to me. When I was in college I had a CD player that I used as my alarm so the first few minutes of part 1 are forever ingrained in my mind as wake up music.

There's 2 routes where DT can take their story now: 1. They can continue ITPoE and also do a conclusion of this and proper resurrection. 2. Of course, Metropolis Pt.3 But let's wait and see.... Incredible stuff as always, Doug!

30:28, Doug's reaction when the song ends, I know that feeling very well.

Thank you for doing this one. It's always been one of my favorite DT epics!

I've been waiting for this for months! Thanks very much for reviewing this masterpiece which also brings a lot of memories for me.. 🙏

Happy Saturday y’all! Thanks you Doug, for this new episode!

oooohhhhh SO glad you did both parts in one go. this is gonna be good :D

Doug - Those "2 guitars" you hear in unison in Resurrection are guitar & keyboard - not 2 guitars.

Great song! As a recent subscriber I'm glad you have actually caught you doing a dream theater song on the same day!

I have been waiting for this review, I can now die in peace lol, excited for this one