I don't understand my love for Prophets of War

[PwnsomeWin]

The fact that I love Prophets of War is probably amazing enough on this forum. But what's really odd is that I never get sick of it. In fact, it just keeps getting better. A few months ago, it lingered just below my top 10; 12 or something. Right now, it's #4. FOUR.

Also I'd like to ask why this song is hated so much. That is all.

[hefdaddy42]

I don't understand my love for Prophets of War

Neither do I.

[Mladen]

The song's got an infectious beat, it's catchy and melodic all around and it has a stellar performance by James LaBrie. I hope that helps you understand your love for the song at least a bit. 

[KevShmev]

Funny thing for me is, I probably like this song, or dislike it less, more than most, yet I still consider it one of their 10-15 worst/least best studio album songs.

[Madman Shepherd]

The song's got an infectious beat, it's catchy and melodic all around and it has a stellar performance by James LaBrie. I hope that helps you understand your love for the song at least a bit. 

Yes.  Cool riffs.  Excellent performance by LaBrie.  It also helps that I agree with the message. 

[ytserush]

My favorite song from my least favorite album. I like it a lot, actually.

[Aythesryche]

I like it. Good driving song, too.

[425]

It's also the song where they just threw as many different experiments into the pot as possible, and yet it still feels cohesive. I mean, there's the group vocals, the Queen vocals, the rap and the dance beat, at least. I don't absolutely love the song, but the more I listen to Systematic Chaos the more some of the songs start to stale and the more it becomes apparent that Prophets of War simply refuses to stale and in fact has probably improved over time.

[npiazza91]

It's ok, I don't really have anything against it.  It's pretty forgettable to me.  I don't really care for Systematic Chaos as a whole, and this is just one song in a group a forgettable ones on the album.  I think for me, the album gets overshadowed by the other ones and this being a forgettable song (on a forgettable album, no less) doesn't really help its case. I really do have to listen to the entire album again straight through, though.  It's been a while.

[Jaffa]

Ranking it as a top five Dream Theater song seems a bit extreme to me, but I do think it's a great song.

[rumborak]

Who actually wrote the lyrics? They are the main reason I don't particularly like the song.

[lithium112]

JLB wrote the lyrics to PoW.

I think this song is awesome! It probably wouldn't make my top 20 but that's only because there are so many other amazing songs. It, along with the rest of SC, sounds like a song they had fun writing and playing.

[425]

Who actually wrote the lyrics? They are the main reason I don't particularly like the song.

You know, you bring up a valid and interesting point. JLB's two forays into political lyrics (POW and Sacrificed Sons) both present views that I pretty strongly disagree with. For whatever strange reason it's never bothered me too much—I still like both songs, though "God on high, our mistake" in SS bothers me to some degree—but I certainly understand why someone else would.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I haven't listened to this song in ages. I remember the Portnoy spoken part that was not awesome at all and the profit/prophet wordplay.

8 years ago (!!!) when Systematic Chaos was about to be released someone posted fake lyrics to the song, and they were absolutely hilarious. I hope someone remembers. 

[King Postwhore]

Why would you be so upset at a POV about a senseless act.   No matter where a senseless act happens I question why a human being or a supposed deity would do or allow such a thing.


Talking about SS.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Why would you be so upset at a POV about a senseless act.   No matter where a senseless act happens I question why a human being or a supposed deity would do or allow such a thing.


Talking about SS.

Your brand new floor

[King Postwhore]

DL I am totally missing your point but I'm because I'm a fool to miss it!

Also that question was aimed at425.  maybe that was the confusion.  Got to get my butt to bed.  Later!

[425]

Why would you be so upset at a POV about a senseless act.   No matter where a senseless act happens I question why a human being or a supposed deity would do or allow such a thing.


Talking about SS.

The part of that line I don't like is "our mistake." It carries the implication that 9/11 was somehow the fault of America or of mankind in general.

Edit: I should say that aside from that the lyrics to SS are just astounding, simply fantastic. It's only the two words "our mistake" that bother me.

[Rodni Demental]

I love Prophets of War aswell; so unique. 

And I'm not sure if I'm alone on this one, but I also think the MP spoken part is one of the best and most epic experimental moments in DTs music which is why I think it can be great to take risks and try a few experimental ideas sometimes.

[BlobVanDam]

Why would you be so upset at a POV about a senseless act.   No matter where a senseless act happens I question why a human being or a supposed deity would do or allow such a thing.


Talking about SS.

The part of that line I don't like is "our mistake." It carries the implication that 9/11 was somehow the fault of America or of mankind in general.

I take it as meaning the mistake is humanity killing/fighting each other, causing our own demise, as suggested by the next line of the verse. "Will mankind be extinct?" I highly doubt DT/JLB would imply it was America's fault.

[RaiseTheKnife]

^^^^  my interpretation as well ^^^^^^^

[wolfking]

I don't understand my love for Prophets of War

Neither do I.

You're quick man, well played.  My thoughts exactly on the thread title.

[King Postwhore]

Why would you be so upset at a POV about a senseless act.   No matter where a senseless act happens I question why a human being or a supposed deity would do or allow such a thing.


Talking about SS.

The part of that line I don't like is "our mistake." It carries the implication that 9/11 was somehow the fault of America or of mankind in general.

I take it as meaning the mistake is humanity killing/fighting each other, causing our own demise, as suggested by the next line of the verse. "Will mankind be extinct?" I highly doubt DT/JLB would imply it was America's fault.

That's how I took it as well and why I asked 425.

[Cruithne]

I've always liked Prophets Of War. I maintain that the production/mix/mastering (whichever's to blame) lets the song down when the riff comes in @1:14, which I feel ought to be absolutely towering the first time it appears but as it is is a little underwhelming.

Also, I could do without the intrusion of the narrative vocals from MP 

[Zydar]

One of the few good songs on this album. I've always liked it, especially that big riff at 1:14 and the chants from the fans they brought in.

Plus it has a danceable beat

[PwnsomeWin]

I don't understand my love for Prophets of War

Neither do I.

C'mon man, you really think I didn't see that coming?

[425]

The part of that line I don't like is "our mistake." It carries the implication that 9/11 was somehow the fault of America or of mankind in general.

I take it as meaning the mistake is humanity killing/fighting each other, causing our own demise, as suggested by the next line of the verse. "Will mankind be extinct?" I highly doubt DT/JLB would imply it was America's fault.

That's pretty much how I took it (I did say "or of mankind in general," after all). It still doesn't sit right with me, because it says "our mistake" as an inclusive statement that seemingly includes all of humanity. I'm firmly of the persuasion that the blame for 9/11 should be directed exclusively at the terrorists who carried out the attacks and those who taught them the doctrines that led them to do so ("words they preach I can't relate/if God's true love are acts of hate"), so anything that even implies a more general target for the blame, as the word "our" does in that context, just makes me feel rather uncomfortable. 9/11 was not an indicator of "we're all killing each other, oh the mistake of mankind," it was a violent act committed by a specific group of evil individuals.

[Madman Shepherd]

One of the few good songs on this album. I've always liked it, especially that big riff at 1:14 and the chants from the fans they brought in.

Plus it has a danceable beat

Here is the dance remix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCdedrXu1wI


Anybody recognize the guy that made that video?

More importantly, where can we get the dance remix?

[Zook]

I really wish this song didn't exist.

[Tom Bombadil]

This song is in a constant battle with Burning My Soul for worst DT song. But I'm glad to see someone actually likes it.

[Zook]

Burning My Soul isn't that bad.

[Tom Bombadil]

Burning My Soul isn't that bad.

I admit I only listened to it once, but once was enough...

[425]

What did you find so repellant about Burning My Soul that you literally listened to it only one time?

[Zook]

It's silly for sure, but not cringeworthy like Prophets of War.

[Dublagent66]

   BMS is light years better and that's not saying a whole lot.  PoW has a guitar riff very similar to a Foo Fighters song called My Hero.  Not very original and to be quite honest, this song doesn't even sound like DT except for JLB's vocals.  Not sure what they were thinking because it's so far away from everything else on the album.