Is Dream Theater a good place to start with Dream Theater?

Yes, Dream Theater is recommended as a starting point for new Dream Theater listeners. Complex arrangements intertwine with soaring melodies, delivering a rich tapestry of progressive metal that challenges and captivates. Released in 2013, this self-titled album marked Dream Theater's return after the departure of founding member Mike Portnoy. As their twelfth studio album, it showcases the band's evolution, featuring new drummer Mike Mangini who had joined prior to their previous release, 'A Dramatic Turn of Events'. This album reflects a period of reinvention and consolidation for the band as they embraced their legacy while exploring new musical territories.

Who is Dream Theater for?

Dream Theater works well if you're into gradual build to epic finale, immersive two-part listening experience and dynamic shifts in intensity.

How many songs are on Dream Theater?

Dream Theater has 18 tracks, running approximately 136 minutes.

Dream Theater

Dream Theater · 2013

136 min · 18 tracks · progressive metal

Complex arrangements intertwine with soaring melodies, delivering a rich tapestry of progressive metal that challenges and captivates.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Enemy Inside Start here — This track delves into themes of inner turmoil and mental health, underscored by dynamic shifts in tempo and mood that epitomize the band's signature style.
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Illumination Theory: I. Paradoxe de la lumière noire — As an ambitious multi-part epic, this track encapsulates the album’s thematic depth and showcases the band’s technical prowess with complex time signatures and elaborate arrangements.
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Behind the Veil — This song merges atmospheric soundscapes with powerful instrumentation, creating a haunting yet captivating experience that resonates with the album's overarching narrative.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100

Foothills

Higher than 48% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions but suffers from repetition in its tracklist, impacting cohesion.

What we noticed

The last track concludes with a gradual fade-out, allowing for an extended resolution that contrasts with the album's more aggressive moments.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

gradual build to epic finale
immersive two-part listening experience
dynamic shifts in intensity
intricate melodies for detail-oriented listeners
cathartic exploration of deep themes

Maybe skip if you

prefer quick, standalone tracks
seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows the band's continued evolution and success after a lineup change.
Themes: inner turmoil· mental health struggle
Moods: Intense· Dreamy
Career context: Released in 2013, this self-titled album marked Dream Theater's return after the departure of founding member Mike Portnoy. As their twelfth studio album, it showcases the band's evolution, featuring new drummer Mike Mangini who had joined prior to their previous release, 'A Dramatic Turn of Events'. This album reflects a period of reinvention and consolidation for the band as they embraced their legacy while exploring new musical territories.
Stylistic neighbors: Symphony X· Opeth· Fates Warning

New to Dream Theater? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

1 False Awakening Suite: I. Sleep Paralysis / II. Night Terrors / III. Lucid Dreams 2:42
2 The Enemy Inside Start here 6:17
3 The Looking Glass 4:53
4 Enigma Machine 6:01
5 The Bigger Picture 7:40
6 Behind the Veil 6:52
7 Surrender to Reason 6:34
8 Along for the Ride 4:45
9 Illumination Theory: I. Paradoxe de la lumière noire / II. Live, Die, Kill / III. The Embracing Circle / IV. The Pursuit of Truth / V. Surrender, Trust & Passion 22:17

Disc 2

1 False Awakening Suite: I. Sleep Paralysis / II. Night Terrors / III. Lucid Dreams 2:41
2 The Enemy Inside Start here 6:17
3 The Looking Glass 4:53
4 Enigma Machine 6:01
5 The Bigger Picture 7:41
6 Behind the Veil 6:52
7 Surrender to Reason 6:34
8 Along for the Ride 4:44
9 Illumination Theory: I. Paradoxe de la lumière noire / II. Live, Die, Kill / III. The Embracing Circle / IV. The Pursuit of Truth / V. Surrender, Trust & Passion 22:18