Mikemangioy's 50 degrees of Dream Theater turbulence! (NUMBAH ONE)

[Prog Snob]

Great songs.  Endless Sacrifice is a great song, but from the guitar solo to the end of the song is one of my favorite parts of any DT song.

[jakepriest]

I'd rate Endless Sacrifice much higher. The instrumental passage after the epic drum breakdown  (which is incredibly fun to play) with the crazy triplets is one of my favs and the song finale is epic.
UAGM is definitely a grower. I like the ranking.

[mikemangioy]

next two!

30.This Is The Life (from A Dramatic Turn Of Events, 2011)
The top 30 begins with this ballad from ADTOE.
This is a song that makes you think. As  a drummer I really used to "pretend" I was whatever band's drummer and play fake concerts just by myself. But then I heard this song, especially "Have you ever wished that you were someone else?  Traded places in your mind? It's only a waste of your time". That really made me think. I should abandon that idea and focus more on MY style. This song is really moving, it's like viewing your life in a nutshelll, like if it was a movie or something. And the opening. THAT FUCKING OPENING. After the intro of JP the song starts in the most epic of ways, I can't describe it. Overall the song is pretty anthemic and epic sounding, but the opening and the end especially. Awesome song. Also, great performance by James. Can't wait for the Live At Luna Park version!

29.Ytsejam (from When Dream And Day Unite, 1989)
Sadly, this is the only song from WDADU that made the list. That album has  a bunch of great songs, but compared to the rest of DT discography, they're nothing (except maybe The Killing Hand, although that song never clicked with me  ).
Anyways, this song revolves an obsessive riff that will be stuck in your head just as you hear it. This is also my favorite standalone instrumental by the band, and the live version of it is even better thanks to MP epic drum solo and some little alterations here and there. Great song!

[Ruba]

Sadly, This is the Life does nothing to me.

The Ytsé Jam, on the other hand, is very nice.

[mikemangioy]

28.Scene Two (Overture 1928/Strange Deja Vu) (from Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory, 1999)
Yeah, I put these two together because they're practicly one song. Well, the whole album is like one big song, but you get it. There's no SDV without Overture 1928. These songs set the mood for the whole story, the first one musically, doing like the album in a nutshell,  and the second  lyrically; think about it: we have time travels, strange memories, mysteries, love.. everything that the album can offer. Beautiful incipit for my favourite DT record.

27.The Ministry Of Lost Souls (from Systematic Chaos, 2007)

Inb4 "how could you place this song this high, are you going nuts". Nope, I'm not going nuts. I'm in love with TMOLS, I think it is one of the most under-appreciated DT song to date. I feel that there are very few that can really understand the song as a whole. Anyways, this song = feels. Beautiful and haunting story told with beautiful and haunting (and sometimes quite anthemic) music. I can't help but sing along to it. This song is often criticized for having an instrumental section really out of the place, but I personally like it, even though I agree that comes completely out of nowhere in the context of the song. Really moving piece from SC , which I don't think it is that bad of an album per se. I mean, compared to the other albums (except a few, which are lower) it's nothing, but it's great!

[Crow]

TMOLS is underrated so I'm totally fine with that placement.

[Prog Snob]

TMOLS is underrated so I'm totally fine with that placement.

[GentlemanofDread]

Yet another two great picks, I may put TMOLS just a bit higher 

[mikemangioy]

wow, nice to see some TMOLS love 

[jakepriest]

I find TMOLS really cheesy and boring. The instrumental passage is probably the best part of the song for me. 

[Outcrier]

I feel that there are very few that can really understand the song as a whole.

Really?

[mikemangioy]

I feel that there are very few that can really understand the song as a whole.

Really?

What I mean is that I think there are few people that enjoy it as a whole.

[mikemangioy]

26 - Outcry (from A Dramatic Turn Of Events, 2011)
This song is a big deal personally speaking because it's the song that got me into DT. Mangini played it at a clinic last year and my mind blew up. This is, in my opinion, the most anthemic song by the band, because it talks about the various civil wars that are happening in northen Africa... It's kind of the title track of A Dramatic Turn Of Events because the title of the album was inspired by it. And then of course,there's the instrumental section, which is insane wankery in its highest of levels. And I love it! Great song, also like the lyrics.

25 - The Count Of Tuscany (from Black Clouds And Silver Linings, 2009)
Ok, this is the first one of the epics to appear on the list. This piece is objectively one of the best by the band, but personally, there's better stuff.  So, even though it's not divided officially into sections, this piece is 19 minutes long, and it has four dinstinct parts.

I."The  Arrival":
This is the instrumental intro that lasts 3 minutes or so. The music here is beautiful, and I always imagine JP arriving in Tuscany and being amazed by the landscape. But then he meets TCOT.

II."The Meeting"
This is the heavy section with the "horrible lyrics" (which aren't). JP meets TCOT and he is feared that he would kill him. After a traditional structure (verse/chorus/verse/chorus), there's a bit of a catchy instrumental section ended by a beautiful guitar solo. This has to be my favorite part of the song.

III."Arfraid"
This section is pure ambient music, much like the intro to Octavarium, there's a solo played with a volume pedal by JP, supported by Rudess with spacey keyboards. We understand here that JP is really afraid to die, and he's kinda accepting it. I feel that this section is a bit useless, and could be shorter (contrary to Illumination Theory, but we'll see that later).

IV."Realization"
This. This is one of the most highly acclaimed moments in DT's entire career. Chills down the spines everywhere in this section. It's plain emotional and it makes you cry, no matter why. Here TCOT explains that JP misunderstood his intentions, he doesn't want to kill him. The song ends with the sound of nature: wind, birds and water sound. Beautiful, one of the best outros from the band. I mean, every single epic by DT has an excellent ending, but this is really one of the best.

Great song, really dynamic. I don't think they're gonna play it live, but I would like to see it!

[Prog Snob]

26 - Outcry (from A Dramatic Turn Of Events, 2011)
This song is a big deal personally speaking because it's the song that got me into DT. Mangini played it at a clinic last year and my mind blew up. This is, in my opinion, the most anthemic song by the band, because it talks about the various civil wars that are happening in northen Africa... It's kind of the title track of A Dramatic Turn Of Events because the title of the album was inspired by it. And then of course,there's the instrumental section, which is insane wankery in its highest of levels. And I love it! Great song, also like the lyrics.

*snip*

I thought Outcry was a song for the people living through the wars in the Middle East?   

[mikemangioy]

that too. basically all wars against tiranny.

[Prog Snob]

Either way, great songs!   Though TCOT should be higher!   

[Evermind]

Great song, really dynamic. I don't think they're gonna play it live, but I would like to see it!

They played TCOT at the pre-ADTOE tour in 2011 I think (at least in Europe they did) as the main set closer. I too doubt it'll appear this time.
Great song anyway. Not that keen about Outcry, don't like the instrumental section.

[Crow]

Outcry is totally a song. I enjoy it but it's overshadowed by the better stuff on ADTOE.
Don't say TCOT is objectively good, no song is objectively good because it's all a matter of opinion :V
And I think it's not one of their strongest songs, though over the years I've become averse to big epics like it in general so maybe it's just me, everyone else seems to love it.
Though the part that drags it down for me is what you called your favorite part so

[jakepriest]

Both songs deserve to be higher imo.

[Ruba]

Outcry is amazing! My favourite song on ADTOE, tied with OTBOA.

TCOT is cool.

[mikemangioy]

Ok! We're halfway now.
Time for the next update.
24.Fatal Tragedy (from Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory, 1999)
This is the most live-played song from SFOAM. Why? BECAUSE IT IS A MASTERPIECE.
This song is so cool and the overall atmosphere around it creates a great show to witness. The song has a really haunting vibe, Nicholas here realizes that Victoria was killed and that he has to find how or he's never gonna be "sane" again. It is an exremely important scene, and it is greatly arranged, especially the second verse and the instrumental section at the end.

23.The Dark Eternal Night (from Systematic Chaos, 2007)
How metal can DT get? Well, the answer is Honor Thy Father, but this is the second answer.  In fact, this song is very unusal to DT: it's heavy to the max and it presents distorted vocal unisons between JLB and MP, even growling at some point. Ya know, I! AM! THE! LAAAAAAAAAST!. This song is a funfunfun song to  play and a funfunfun song in general. I don't know if the lyrics are somewhat ironic in a way, or if they have to be taken seriously, but either way, they're still awesome. Then there's the instrumental section, which is basically The Dance Of Eternity Part 2: The Revenge. Amazing song, pretty diverse for DT and I like it.

[Crow]

TDEN higher than Fatal Tragedy... sigh.
Fatal Tragedy is awesome though, yes indeedy. Totally fine with that one 
I might even put it higher than that myself, I dunno~

[jakepriest]

I would always rate TDEN higher than Fatal Tragedy. Both are great  TDEN has one of my most favourite instrumental sections ever. Dem crazy bass drum triplets 

[Outcrier]

Fatal Tragedy is top 10 for me 

[Evermind]

TDEN is really fun-song, yeah. Though Fatal Tradegy is much better in my opinion.

[Lucien]

37.These Walls (from Octavarium, 2005)
Evil guitar noises, detuned, distorted, growling noises. It sounds like a beast which is slowly coming up to get you. The riff sounds heavy and mean. And then, when you think that everything was gonna fall into a vortex of epic heavyness, the hi-hat gets hit, and one second later..
YOU ARE IN THE HEAVENS.
This is the potential of These Walls. It's a freaking happy sounding song that uses an A tuned guitar. What the heck. The synth in there is just godly, absolutely godly. I love the build-ups to the choruses, which are great, and send me goosebumps, even the bridge and the guitar solo are great. Everything is pure beauty. BUT.
THE FREAKING OUTRO. The outro is just both heavy and happy at the same time, I don't know how it's possible (outside of power metal, of course). The strings in that outro are just..just.. I don't know how to describe it. INB4 Lucien's reply.
The lyrics are also pretty understandable, sometimes we fall in certain situations and we don't know how to get out, so we desperately call for help. Really great song, one of the firsts I ever listened from DT.

[adastra]

Outcry is totally a song.

I completely agree with this fact

[Evermind]

Outcry is totally a song.

I completely agree with this fact

Whoa, I though it was a quest-type game. 

[mikemangioy]

37.These Walls (from Octavarium, 2005)
Evil guitar noises, detuned, distorted, growling noises. It sounds like a beast which is slowly coming up to get you. The riff sounds heavy and mean. And then, when you think that everything was gonna fall into a vortex of epic heavyness, the hi-hat gets hit, and one second later..
YOU ARE IN THE HEAVENS.
This is the potential of These Walls. It's a freaking happy sounding song that uses an A tuned guitar. What the heck. The synth in there is just godly, absolutely godly. I love the build-ups to the choruses, which are great, and send me goosebumps, even the bridge and the guitar solo are great. Everything is pure beauty. BUT.
THE FREAKING OUTRO. The outro is just both heavy and happy at the same time, I don't know how it's possible (outside of power metal, of course). The strings in that outro are just..just.. I don't know how to describe it. INB4 Lucien's reply.
The lyrics are also pretty understandable, sometimes we fall in certain situations and we don't know how to get out, so we desperately call for help. Really great song, one of the firsts I ever listened from DT.

there you are 

[Ruba]

The Dark Eternal Night is definately better than Fatal Tragedy. FT isn't even close to my top 50.

[hefdaddy42]

On the contrary, I think Fatal Tragedy is incredible.  A great fusion of virtuosity and songwriting.  Really cool stuff going on there.

[mikemangioy]

22.Scarred (from Awake, 1994)
I feel like this song is very important in the history of DT. It's one of their first longer songs, and it is performed perfectly.
The initial build-up is great, and the chorus is just plain catchy. I have really no complaints, Scarred is a perfect song as a whole, and I really love the structure and especially the outro which is one of the most epic things that DT ever composed. The lyrics are also great, although I don't quite catch some of it at times. This is one of the song that I would like to see live at the upcoming concert for the new tour 
That's it, this is all I have to say. It's one of those songs that I enjoy but I can't explain why. Whatever, this is one beast of a song 

21.Bridges In The Sky (from A Dramatic Turn Of Events, 2011)
Tum tum tum
Tum tum tum

Tum tum tum
tum tum tum

UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO



...ehm
I don't know about you guys, but each time that BITS gets mentioned, I can't help to scream UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. It's a really strange, but well-placed intro, and I think it opens Luna Park really well. This is, I think, ADTOE's heaviest song, and it has great riffs all over the place - dem triplets are just 
The lyrics are also really great, but the best thing in the song is the chorus. I think that it is my favorite DT chorus. It's epic and anthemic and sing-along-y (if that's a word), and it gives me shivers, especially SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE MYYYYYYY HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND.
The instrumental section is also top notch, especially the ethnical breakdown. It's so groovy. I also love the guitar solo by Kirk Hammett (yeah, he'd wish, but wah pedals).
Great song, great opener for concerts (along with The Root Of All Evil, Overture 1928 and Behind The Veil).

























....SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND *epic Final Fantasy riff* *epic ethnical breakdown* *epic wah solo* *epic keyboard solo* *epic continuum solo* *epic ethnical breakdown*

yeah, I love this song.

[Prog Snob]

Do you like Onomatopoeia by Spock's Beard?

[Crow]

scarred is too low.
both of these are fantastic songs though, I totally agree

[jakepriest]

Scarred is way too low. The slow part after the chorus is one of the best pieces of music DT has ever written. And how come you don't understand me?! 

Bridges In The Sky ranking seems about right