DoC's Top 50 Favorite Dream Theater songs, like ever!

[?]

I wish they had Hell's Kitchen'd the instrumental section...

[Scorpion]

A fucking beast of a song, easily my favourite off of Systematic Chaos. I love every second of it, though I am especially partial to the solo after the first chorus and the unison.

[DebraKadabra]

4. The Ministry of Lost Souls

If it wasn't for the out of place middle section...

[Lolzeez]

I wish they had Hell's Kitchen'd the instrumental section...

That would be like 40 times way better.

[hefdaddy42]

I like it a lot, but I would never rank it that high.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

3. Panic Attack

Coming in at number three is another song that I find to be absolutely perfect.  Panic Attack is all that the metalhead in me craves. I love everything about this song, the heavy riffing, the awesome keys that Jordan sprinkles throughout the song, the lyrical content and delivery, that instrumental section, and that furious ending. This song will always be among my favorites of all time.

[Onno]

Panic Attack is great!

[BlobVanDam]

Great song!

I still remember how excited I was for Octavarium after hearing the single releases of Panic Attack and These Walls. If only the album had been more of that, and less of IWBY and NE.

[hefdaddy42]

DO NOT WANT

[?]

Panic Attack at #3? That's... interesting.

[MoraWintersoul]

DO NOT WANT

[wasteland]

Well, interesting and scandalous (to some) opinions are the spice of those threads, aren't they?   

[Lolzeez]

DO NOT WANT

[Destiny Of Chaos]

2. A Nightmare to Remember

Wow! This song absolutely blew me away when I first heard it. This is heavy DT at its very best.  I remember listening to this song over and over again when it came out. The mellower section is my least favorite part of the song, but it does provide tremendous contrast with the rest of the song. I love Portnoy's drumming. I love his vocal part. I like John and Jordan tearing through the instrumental parts of this song. I'm surprised that this hasn't aged well with the average DT fan, but that won't stop me from enjoying it.

[Lolzeez]

DO NOT WANT

Yup. This list is weird.

[Onno]

Yeah, ANTR is amazing 

[GasparXR]

ANTR is really good, and is probably the song on BC&SL that sounds the least like typical Dream Theater. The parts that sound like that, are the solo sections.

[wasteland]

I am waiting for something scandalous for #1 

[BlobVanDam]

Yeah, ANTR is amazing 

This. My favourite off the album, and it blew me away the first time I heard it too. I love how well JLB and JR fit in with the metal sound on this song.

[Rattlehead]

Yeah ANTR is great, it seems to be pretty underrated here.

[Cedar redaC]

The middle section is just fantastic.

[Sycsa]

2. A Nightmare to Remember

I absolutely love this choice. I often go to sleep listening to music and ironically ANTR was my choice almost every night last summer. It's probably the DT song I listened to the most over the years and it's still getting better with every listening. Glad to see the exclusive and illustrious group of people who enjoy "Day after day..." is growing as well.

[kjg308429]

Metropolis. Good choice! When I was absorbed in Metropolis fully, I used to listen it more than 10 times a day. I also like its another version in 20th anniversary album, because the orchestra makes it more splendid. One I can't agree with is that six degrees of inner turbulence is positioned on more low rank than it should be on. I think it has enough quality to deserve higher rank. 

[?]

I used to love ANTR and I still listen to it in full every now and then, but it goes downhill after the amazing Beautiful Agony section.

Looks like Trial of Tears isn't on the list at all... My guess for #1 is ITPOE, although it could also be a surprise pick like These Walls or Misunderstood.

[hefdaddy42]

Wow, I feel physically ill.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

I used to love ANTR and I still listen to it in full every now and then, but it goes downhill after the amazing Beautiful Agony section.

Looks like Trial of Tears isn't on the list at all... My guess for #1 is ITPOE, although it could also be a surprise pick like These Walls or Misunderstood.

Bingo.






1.   In the Presence of Enemies

My favorite song of all time is the progressive metal masterpiece that bookends Systematic Chaos. In the Presence of Enemies grabbed me upon first listen and has relentlessly been my favorite song ever since. I love every second of this song. Every player is on top of his game. The lyrics are outstanding, and the flow is superb. I remember seeing DT 3 times on the same leg during the Chaos in Motion tour. I can die a happier man knowing that I've seen this beast played 3 times in its entirety. I could go on and on about this song, but I'll cut it short by saying that I am so grateful that my favorite band has produced such amazing works.

Thank you for those who have followed and commenting.


50. This is the Life
49. Burning My Soul
48. Space-Dye Vest
47. Stream of Consciousness
46. A Rite of Passage
45. Pull Me Under
44. Strange déjà vu
43. The Great Debate
42. As I Am
41. Lines in the Sand
40. The Best of Times
39. Overture 1928
38. Take the Time
37. The Root of All Evil
36. Caught in a Web
35. A Fortune in Lies
34. Scarred
33. This Dying Soul
32. Hell's Kitchen
31. The Killing Hand
30. Erotomania
29. Learning to Live
28. Finally Free
27. On the Backs of Angels
26. Beyond This Life
25. In the Name of God
24. Honor Thy Father
23. Afterlife
22. The Count of Tuscany
21. Disappear
20. The Glass Prison
19. Outcry
18. Breaking All Illusions
17. The Mirror
16. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
15. Fatal Tragedy
14. Octavarium
13. A Change of Seasons
12. Misunderstood
11. Bridges in the Sky
10. Metropolis
9. Voices
8. Sacrificed Sons
7. Endless Sacrifice
6. Home
5. Lost Not Forgotten
4. The Ministry of Lost Souls
3. Panic Attack
2. A Nightmare to Remember
1. In the Presence of Enemies

[Scorpion]

It's a good song, but... yeah, I had fun following your list. Very unconventional choices.

LIKE PUTTING BMS ABOVE TRIAL OF FUCKING TEARS 

Nah, just kidding. It would be boring if everyone had the same taste.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

LIKE PUTTING BMS ABOVE TRIAL OF FUCKING TEARS 

[hefdaddy42]

Wow.

Well, I agree with Scorpion about it being a good thing that not everyone is the same.  Interesting list, buddy.   

[Lolzeez]

Unique list. Enjoyed this a lot. Thanks mate! 

[Onno]

Very great list indeed. I enjoyed this. ITPOE is an amazing song, it's #9 in my top 50. I still love the fact that BMS is in your top 50, I love that song! It's hated way too much IMO.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Thanks guys!

[BlobVanDam]

I think this has been the most interesting list yet. I've enjoyed this one!

[DebraKadabra]

Unexpected #1 is unexpected.

Interesting list, enjoyed following!

[Ruba]

Fuck yeah ITPOE  ! Love it to bits.