Which band was more influential on Dream Theater: Rush or Sabbath or Maiden?

[WildRanger]

In your opinion which one between these 3 bands and why?

[DTA]

I don't think any member has ever mentioned Sabbath as being an influence. Rush, Metallica, Yes, Maiden, and Marillion seem to cover it.

[ChuckSteak]

The only objective answer to this question would be the one from the band itself.   

[MirrorMask]

I don't think any member has ever mentioned Sabbath as being an influence. Rush, Metallica, Yes, Maiden, and Marillion seem to cover it.

[The Walrus]

Okay, it's like, if Rush and Metallica had a baby together, and Iron Maiden and Marillion had a baby together, and by some miracle those two babies met, and had their own baby together, that baby is Dream Theater.

... I chose Rush.

[ChuckSteak]

Okay, it's like, if Rush and Metallica had a baby together, and Iron Maiden and Marillion had a baby together, and by some miracle those two babies met, and had their own baby together, that baby is Dream Theater.

... I chose Rush.

Pineapple Express. 

[jammindude]

There needs to be an Earth, Wind and Fire option

[gzarruk]

Let's not Rush to any conclusions

[The Walrus]

Okay, it's like, if Rush and Metallica had a baby together, and Iron Maiden and Marillion had a baby together, and by some miracle those two babies met, and had their own baby together, that baby is Dream Theater.

... I chose Rush.

Pineapple Express. 

I love that movie so much. 

[ChuckSteak]

Okay, it's like, if Rush and Metallica had a baby together, and Iron Maiden and Marillion had a baby together, and by some miracle those two babies met, and had their own baby together, that baby is Dream Theater.

... I chose Rush.

Pineapple Express. 

I love that movie so much. 

"This is the product of baby fucking." 

I love that movie too.

[Herrick]

I'd say Rush because they were the common early influence of Petrucci, Myung, & Portnoy. I think Petrucci and Myung got into Maiden after they met Portnoy. When Day & Dream Unite is much more Rush-like than Maiden.

[WildRanger]

Now I see why on this board Rush is more beloved band than Black Sabbath, in fact the most beloved band after DT.

[Elite]

Sons of Apollo

[DragonAttack]

Majesty

[Anguyen92]

Now I see why on this board Rush is more beloved band than Black Sabbath, in fact the most beloved band after DT.

Yes, and?  I didn't care much about Black Sabbath.  Didn't care much when I heard that they were calling it quits as a touring band and didn't feel much when they played their final show in Birmingham, last year.

When Rush played their final show at the Forum in Inglewood (probably going to be my biggest regret, not seeing that particular show or the show before in Irvine, but I was a broke college kid back then) back in 2015 and I saw that picture of Neil arms around in front with Geddy and Alex at the end of the show (and we know he never does that at all), man, that one hit me hard to think that this is actually going to be it for them as a band.

Anyway, I don't think I ever really hear from DT any mentions as Sabbath as a primary influence.  Rush, Maiden, Yes, Metallica.  Definitely.  Sabbath?  Not so much.

[Herrick]

Anyway, I don't think I ever really hear from DT any mentions as Sabbath as a primary influence.  Rush, Maiden, Yes, Metallica.  Definitely.  Sabbath?  Not so much.

Yeah Sabbath was an odd choice for the poll.

[rumborak]

There's an WWRD meme, but no WWIMD meme. So, Rush it is.

[Peter Mc]

I'd say Rush because they were the common early influence of Petrucci, Myung, & Portnoy. I think Petrucci and Myung got into Maiden after they met Portnoy. When Day & Dream Unite is much more Rush-like than Maiden.

I'm sure I read that Myung used to practice bass to a sped up version of the Number Of The Beast album in his youth.  I think the Metallica influence was brought in by Portnoy though.  I wouldn't argue with Rush being the main influence with the long songs, weird time signatures and technical playing, Maiden definitely an influence though in terms of the melodic and vocal style and then there is a thrash influence from Metallica and Megadeth in particular.  I always describe them as Rush meets Maiden meets Metallica.

[bosk1]

I think the Metallica influence was brought in by Portnoy though. 

Both Johns were huge into Metallica as well.

[mikeyd23]

I think the Metallica influence was brought in by Portnoy though. 

Both Johns were huge into Metallica as well.

For sure, JP often talks about how James Hetfield influenced his playing along with guys like Steve Morse and Alex Lifeson.

[gzarruk]

I think the Metallica influence was brought in by Portnoy though. 

Both Johns were huge into Metallica as well.

For sure, JP often talks about how James Hetfield influenced his playing along with guys like Steve Morse and Alex Lifeson.

Yes, when JP talks about his rhythm guitar parts/sounds, he always mentions classic Metallica albums like MOP as big influences.

[Peter Mc]

Again, and this is purely from my increasingly unreliable memory, I seem to remember JP saying that, prior to meeting Mike Portnoy at college, they'd never listened to Metallica. That's not to say that they didn't subsequently become big fans and it has not influenced his playing but I have always understood that Portnoy introduced the two Johns to the world of thrash metal.

[KevShmev]

I'd say Rush because they were the common early influence of Petrucci, Myung, & Portnoy. I think Petrucci and Myung got into Maiden after they met Portnoy. When Day & Dream Unite is much more Rush-like than Maiden.

I'm sure I read that Myung used to practice bass to a sped up version of the Number Of The Beast album in his youth.  I think the Metallica influence was brought in by Portnoy though.  I wouldn't argue with Rush being the main influence with the long songs, weird time signatures and technical playing, Maiden definitely an influence though in terms of the melodic and vocal style and then there is a thrash influence from Metallica and Megadeth in particular.  I always describe them as Rush meets Maiden meets Metallica.

Even though Dream Theater doesn't really sound like them, I think Yes is the main influence when it comes to their super proggy elements. 

[Herrick]

Again, and this is purely from my increasingly unreliable memory, I seem to remember JP saying that, prior to meeting Mike Portnoy at college, they'd never listened to Metallica. That's not to say that they didn't subsequently become big fans and it has not influenced his playing but I have always understood that Portnoy introduced the two Johns to the world of thrash metal.

Yes. In the 20th Anniversary Documentary Petrucci said, "Even Metallica. I remember him turning me on to Master of Puppets."

Anyone know which bands were the main early influence on Moore?

[Setlist Scotty]

Early on (while they were in Berklee), the two bands that they had in common were Rush and Iron Maiden. So those two bands had the strongest influence early on. However, over time, and especially once MP left, JP's mantra of WWRD has been followed often. (I just wish he'd use that mantra regarding rotating Evening With setlists and click tracks in a live setting)

[Herrick]

Early on (while they were in Berklee), the two bands that they had in common were Rush and Iron Maiden. So those two bands had the strongest influence early on. However, over time, and especially once MP left, JP's mantra of WWRD has been followed often. (I just wish he'd use that mantra regarding rotating Evening With setlists and click tracks in a live setting)

What's WWRD?

[KevShmev]

What Would Rush Do?

[ChuckSteak]

Whirlwind With Random Dogs? 

[MirrorMask]

Whirlwind With Random Dogs? 

Next tour they're gonna resume the cover albums tradition, and play Transatlantic's The Whirlwind in full and Raw Dog as encore 

[gzarruk]

Whirlwind With Random Dogs? 

Next tour they're gonna resume the cover albums tradition, and play Transatlantic's The Whirlwind in full and Raw Dog as encore 

With special guests: The Winery Dogs

[ChuckSteak]

Whirlwind With Random Dogs? 

Next tour they're gonna resume the cover albums tradition, and play Transatlantic's The Whirlwind in full and Raw Dog as encore 

With special guests: The Winery Dogs

And I will be like: shut up and take my money! 

[Herrick]

What Would Rush Do?

That was my guess but the part about Petrucci & WWRD threw me off. Other than The Looking Glass, I don't see him trying to emulate Rush all that much.

[Dublagent66]

What Would Rush Do?

That was my guess but the part about Petrucci & WWRD threw me off. Other than The Looking Glass, I don't see him trying to emulate Rush all that much.

Agreed.  Especially not lately.

[bosk1]

What Would Rush Do?

That was my guess but the part about Petrucci & WWRD threw me off. Other than The Looking Glass, I don't see him trying to emulate Rush all that much.

I wouldn't say "emulate" is the right word.  But a heavy Rush influence has been present from the band's inception.  I think it just varies in terms of how obvious it is.  I hear a LOT of Rush on WDADU.  And I don't think various fans making Rush connections on various albums on throughout the entire timeline is a coincidence.  To me, after WDADU, it was pretty subtle until recently.  I hear it a lot on DT12, most prominently on The Looking Glass, as you mentioned, and Surrender To Reason.  And of course, TA draws inspiration from 2112.  So lots of Rush on the last two albums. 

[rumborak]

There were also non-musical WWRD moments. When Rush started doing funny animated shorts about themselves, DT quickly followed suit. JM playing the Moog Taurus is probably another one.