The Dark Eternal Night Appreciation Thread

Tis BOOLsheet · November 20, 2013, 03:56:45 PM

As a guitar player, I find some cool stuff in the riffs. But I think as a whole piece, the song is embarrassing. The lyrics, phrasing of the melody and the vocal (not JLB's fault) are not good. Whoever told JLB to sing that the way he did, made a poor artistic choice. It's funny how even some members of the band hate that vocal.

BlobVanDam · November 20, 2013, 07:10:49 PM

Quote from: Tis BOOLsheet on November 20, 2013, 03:56:45 PM
As a guitar player, I find some cool stuff in the riffs. But I think as a whole piece, the song is embarrassing. The lyrics, phrasing of the melody and the vocal (not JLB's fault) are not good. Whoever told JLB to sing that the way he did, made a poor artistic choice. It's funny how even some members of the band hate that vocal.

This is an appreciation thread.

Tis BOOLsheet · November 20, 2013, 07:14:02 PM

I appreciate many of the guitar riffs

TheGreatPretender · November 20, 2013, 07:23:29 PM

The song is awesome. It kinda bugs me that people complain that they don't like this song, and then they complain that DT is always playing it safe and doesn't do anything new or experimental. TDEN is probably one of the most unique DT songs ever. They're never done anything like it, and they probably never will again. So if people don't like it, they should stop complaining that DT is playing it safe and doesn't experiment enough. Personally, I'm all for having songs like this every once in a while, and I think the lyrical content is pretty awesome. It'd be better if it rhymed a little more, but as far as the imagery goes, I love it. The chorus is awesome too.

KevShmev · April 13, 2014, 07:48:25 AM

(bump)

robwebster · April 13, 2014, 08:15:25 AM

Amazing song. I'm very pleased that it seems to be gaining currency even among the people who really don't rate Systematic Chaos. It's absolutely a standout, and one of the most essential songs of the 2000s. It's like someone turned The Dance of Eternity into a proper, full-blooded metal song, and made it catchy, and melodic, and crushingly heavy, and it's incredible.

Audacious and ludicrous, it's thoroughly Dream Theater and yet remains completely unique within DT's catalogue four albums on. I don't spend much time ranking songs - the difference between a 21 and a 20 is so negligible that they'd juggle on a daily basis - but The Dark Eternal Night is solidly top ten stuff. The instrumental tells a story, it drives forwards, and while it's absolute chaos it's also hummable, every riff is memorable, and it makes perfect sense. DT firing on all cylinders. Alienating the more conservative members of their fanbase in the process, but that's fine. Art by committee isn't really art. Top tier, one of my very favourites.

Also, I'd never heard that banjo cover before, and it's bloody incredible.

Ravenfoul · April 13, 2014, 08:16:41 AM

TDEN was one of the big songs I got into years back, to me it showcases a branch of DT I really enjoy.

ThatOneGuy2112 · April 13, 2014, 08:50:31 AM

Great, crushing song. It may not be my favorite off of SC but I think it definitely has its place. Nearly crap myself during that section from 6:00 to 6:40; it's so sludgy and rifftastic.

BlobVanDam · April 13, 2014, 08:56:17 AM

Quote from: robwebster on April 13, 2014, 08:15:25 AM
Amazing song. I'm very pleased that it seems to be gaining currency even among the people who really don't rate Systematic Chaos. It's absolutely a standout, and one of the most essential songs of the 2000s. It's like someone turned The Dance of Eternity into a proper, full-blooded metal song, and made it catchy, and melodic, and crushingly heavy, and it's incredible.

Audacious and ludicrous, it's thoroughly Dream Theater and yet remains completely unique within DT's catalogue four albums on. I don't spend much time ranking songs - the difference between a 21 and a 20 is so negligible that they'd juggle on a daily basis - but The Dark Eternal Night is solidly top ten stuff. The instrumental tells a story, it drives forwards, and while it's absolute chaos it's also hummable, every riff is memorable, and it makes perfect sense. DT firing on all cylinders. Alienating the more conservative members of their fanbase in the process, but that's fine. Art by committee isn't really art. Top tier, one of my very favourites.

Also, I'd never heard that banjo cover before, and it's bloody incredible.

Well said.
At the same time it manages to be nothing like any other DT song, and yet a song that only DT could have done.

jammindude · April 13, 2014, 05:28:16 PM

When I make myself a mix CD of DT from this era, TDEN is the *only* representation this album gets. Hands down, this song is the saving grace of SC...

OnTheBacksofAngela · January 26, 2016, 10:39:20 AM

Yes, I agree. This is a really nice song and Portnoy's vocals does an extremely good job with this song.
The riffing as any said is fantastic and so is rudess' jingle. Honestly, I don't know why people slam on Portnoy's vocals here. It just adds to the badassery of the song. A god is taking over the world and he's an all powerful god. Portnoy's vocals does well giving us a sense of urgency.
Possible the most technical instrumental they have done. Portnoy is really good here with his double bass. Myung is also pleasurable to listen too, Rudess with his jingle and Petrucci with the slam dunk. Rudess' outro riff is also heavenly. Wouldn't you agree that this is a fantastic song? And kudos to Portnoy's vocals.

Thoughtspart3 · January 26, 2016, 01:24:31 PM

I love this song too. It is perfectly heavy, melodic, and technical. One of their best riffs imo. I usually don't like long outros but that riff is awesome. I think Mike's vocals really fit with the monster they are suppose to represent. Like someone else pointed out the contrast between the distorted and the clean works really well. If you are not into fantasy lyrics I could see why you might have a harder time buying into the whole concept.

Pragmaticcircus · January 26, 2016, 02:50:48 PM

Can we make a ITPOE thread? I think thats one of their best epics behind A Change Of Seasons

Kotowboy · January 26, 2016, 02:52:27 PM

Quote from: Pragmaticcircus on January 26, 2016, 02:50:48 PM
Can we make a ITPOE thread? I think thats one of their best epics behind A Change Of Seasons

You can !

Pragmaticcircus · January 26, 2016, 02:54:04 PM

Quote from: Kotowboy on January 26, 2016, 02:52:27 PM
Quote from: Pragmaticcircus on January 26, 2016, 02:50:48 PM
Can we make a ITPOE thread? I think thats one of their best epics behind A Change Of Seasons

You can !

Thanks for your permission sir Kotow

Podaar · January 26, 2016, 03:02:41 PM

Quote from: Pragmaticcircus on January 26, 2016, 02:50:48 PM
Can we make a ITPOE thread? I think thats one of their best epics behind A Change Of Seasons

There's already one listed in the index stickied at the top of the page. But just in case, here's a linky https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=35605.0

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The Dark Eternal Night Appreciation Thread