Ok, so i've heard a few dream theater songs (Metropolis I, wait for sleep, the whole a change of seasons medley) and I rather enjoy it (especially a change of seasons). This is unusual because I usually hate metal-ish music, but something about DT is compelling to me.


My question is, what DT should I listen to next? Keeping in mind I'm not a huge metal fan but I love pertucci's more melodic solos and riffs and I like most softer prog rock (yes, pink floyd).

Also, I've seen some official boots (PJ style) of their shows on their website, which are the best shows and are they good live?

Dream Theater are one of my favorite bands.

I highly recommend these (more mellowish) songs:

Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
Sacred
Take The Time
The Silent Man
Space-Dye Vest
Voices
Through Her Eyes
The Spirit Carries On
Under A Glass Moon

anything from 'Scenes from a memory'.

^^^^

Images and Words

Awake



Their best works, IMO.

I agree.

Falling into Infinity is another good album.

I don't have anything past Scenes from a Memory. That was alright, but their earlier works are better.

what about live shows?

DT isn't much of a live band, although you shouldn't by any means pass up an opportunity to see them.

If you like mellower stuff, check out Falling Into Infinity, which although it has some crap (record company problems, you know...), has many quality, more mellow songs. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence also has some great mellower moments as well.

I might also recommend checking out some of their side projects:
OSI
Frameshift
Transatlantic
and, of course, Liquid Tension Experiment

Mike Portnoy Leaves Dream Theater'

Wednesday September 8th 2010

I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write:

After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater....the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.

To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....

After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater...

Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DT guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them...it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break...

Dream Theater was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985...24/7, 365...never taking time off from DT's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was "off" between cycles)...working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band...

But I've come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.

We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here & there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a "hiatus" to recharge our batteries and "save me from ourselves"...

Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather...I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be...

While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes....

Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DT and I talked about "always following your heart and being true to yourself"...sadly I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater...and I would simply be "going through the motions", and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.

I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come...I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played....

I'm sorry to all the disappointed DT fans around the world...I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work...I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)...but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within....

You DT fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me....(and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future MP projects!)

Sadly...

Your fearless ex-leader and drummer,

MP

how crazy is that eh

haven't cared about DT for a while now but this still feels strange

wow.

weird, yeah, but the other guys should've probably listened to him and taken some time off. with the last four or five albums they've just been getting worse and worse. they should've tried the time out to see if they could come back with some sort of inspiration.

either way, look for a reunion within 3 years.

next album is gonna real turrable

though they'll probably all get roid rage in the studio and murder each other before they can finish an album

they should all just quit the band. they have nothing left in the tank as dt.

agreed

also, lol at Mike playing drums for Avenged Sevenfold

haha. yes.

geg, is this the most meaningful exchange we've ever had?

yes!