Dream Theater Top 100 countdown - 2024 Version! (#01 Up!)

[Dave_Manchester]

Got a tonne to catch up on here. Bolded are new entries.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Outcry
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22. The Shattered Fortress
23. Answering The Call
24.
25.
26.
27. Awaken The Master
28.
29.
30.
31.
32. Forsaken
33.
34.
35.
36. Beneath The Surface
37.
38.
39.
40.
41. The Best of Times
42. On The Backs of Angels
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49. The Alien
50.
51. Behind the Veil
52.
53.
54.
55. The Ministry of Lost Souls
56. Sleeping Giant
57. Fall Into The Light
58. Pale Blue Dot
59.
60. Sacrificed Sons
61. Honor Thy Father
62. New Millennium
63.
64.
65.
66. Hell's Kitchen
67.
68.
69. The Bigger Picture
70.
71. Transcending Time (my lowest ranked song from View)
72.
73. I Walk Beside You
74.
75. Never Enough
76. Hollow Years (#TeamBudokan by the way)
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86. Surrender To Reason
87.
88. Vacant (lowest ranked song from ToT)
89.
90.
91.
92. The Looking Glass
93. A Fortune In Lies
94. Ytse Jam
95. Afterlife
96.
97.
98. Constant Motion
99.
100. The Enemy Inside



Of the songs that didn't make my list: Lost Not Forgotten, The Dark Eternal Night and Through Her Eyes are very rare examples of DT songs I actually dislike, although I do quite enjoy the Live Scenes version of Through Her Eyes when Theresa and John liven up the beginning and end a bit. Raise The Knife should have been included, I just listened again and it was an oversight to leave it off. To Live Forever is a nice tune but there are 100 nicer.

And by the way, about the U2 discussion from earlier in the thread - the U2 influence in I Walk Beside You is in the chorus, which is similar to the chorus of Where The Streets Have No Name (to my ears anyway).   

[HOF]

And by the way, about the U2 discussion from earlier in the thread - the U2 influence in I Walk Beside You is in the chorus, which is similar to the chorus of Where The Streets Have No Name (to my ears anyway).   

Good call!

[ReaperKK]

100. Never Enough (17th) I don't get how this is at 100. This song has many cool parts, especially the instrumental break.
99. Wither (66th) Solid song, when it hits, it's great but it doesn't always warrant a listen.
98. The Gift Of Music (92nd) It's alright. Past entry 82 on my list is stuff that just had to be ranked.
97. Vacant (70th) This song is so awesome on its own and how it leads into SoC
96. Afterlife (98th) See: The Gift of Music
95. Forsaken (87th) It's alright, live is good.
94. S2N (NR) Honestly just not familiar enough with this song yet.
93. Our New World (NR) See: S2N
92. The Looking Glass (54th) This is one of the better tracks off of DT12. Great chorus, surprised it is this low.
91. A New Beginning (NR) Couldn't tell you what album it's from.
90. Transcending Time I really don't like DT12 View at this time, with about 5 listens since returning to the forum last year. But this song stuck out and was good enough to make the list.
89. Behind The Veil (NR) See: A New Beginning
88. This Is The Life (33rd) This song is very underrated. It has a huge atmosphere to it and a great buildup to that final chorus.
87. New Millennium (NR) Not much of a fan of FII, and this song was always skippable to me.
86. Constant Motion (35th) Sometimes you need a straightforward song, DT does it great here, and the instrumental section with the bass and piano is cool as hell.
85. Sleeping Giant (NR)
84. The Enemy Inside (36th) Great, straightforward song, and ranks right next to Constant Motion.
83. Surrender To Reason (64th) This was a mistake to place it at 64th, but by the time I was ranking stuff, I didn't care past a certain point. Relistening now and it's alright, should actually be in the 90s or off my list, so an oversight on my part.
82. Only A Matter Of Time (97th) Not bad, something had to be here.
81. Awaken The Master (NR)
80. I Walk Beside You (43rd) What a great song, when DT does more uplifting/major key stuff, it's really great, usually. Feels very underrated to me. This song has layers to it musically, stuff that feels more subtle than usual. Also fun to play on the bass.
79. The Shattered Fortress (22nd) A few clunky transitions aside, amazing song. Only TGP is the better song in the 12-step suite. And of course, that ending "I am RESPONSIBLE!"
78. A Fortune In Lies (86th) Pretty good song, chorus can stuck in your head. Charlie does a fantastic job, though the live version with JLB is stellar.
77. The Best Of Times (62nd) The intro and body of the song are a few minutes too long. The feel of the song is good, though, and that outro solo is top tier.
76. To Live Forever (NR) I do not remember this song.
75. Answering The Call (NR) Don't know it well enough.
74. Through Her Eyes (NR) It's alright, has a couple of nice moments. Maybe could have made my top 100 but not mad about it.
73. Lost Not Forgotten (75th) It's pretty okay. Some cool energy in the chorus.
72. Fall Into The Light (NR)
71. Honor Thy Father (78th) I enjoy this but is far and away the worst song on TOT as well.
70. The Dark Eternal Night (26th) WTF why is this song so low? Don't take it seriously. I did when it first came out and then realized that this is supposed to be a fun song. I love playing the intro riff on the keyboard.
69. The Alien (NR) I do know this song, and it's meh. Maybe more time would move it up.
68. The Killing Hand (96th) In my top 100 for "the killing haaaaaaaand"
67. Ytse Jam (56th) A good instrumental. A highlight of WDADU.
66. The Silent Man (38th) DT on full acoustic mode. Tasteful song.
65. Raise The Knife (57th) Great unofficial song. Chorus is nice.
64. Beneath The Surface (59th) Great song, not far off from the forum. It holds a special place in my heart for carrying me through some depressing times when it came out.
63. Sacrificed Sons (85th) I should relisten, but it is far and away the worst song on the album. It's too long and like hef said, too dated.
62. Pale Blue Dot (NR) No idea what it sounds like, I will try to listen some time this year.
61. The Ministry Of Lost Souls (NR) Not ranked because it blows, it is one if the worst DT songs, and the fact that it made it to #60 is morally depressing. Do better, DTF! FOR SHAME!
60. The Bigger Picture (NR) It's alright.
59. Hollow Years (20th) I ranked it this high based on the LaB version only. They took an okay song (where it would rank much, much lower) and made it much more listenable. And what really propels it is, of course, the guitar solo.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58. Outcry (51st) Great song. And I am glad hef said what he said about this song, he said it around when it came out (I think, or some time after), the downturn at the end is really well done. Dad, that always stuck in my mind for over a decade
57. Hell's Kitchen (21st) DT's second best instrumental. In my mind, a song they HAD to make. It just makes sense and is a shining star on an okay album.
56. On The Backs Of Angels (Highest Finish: 7 (Jamesman42)) I hold this highest finish with pride. I remember when this came out (did this leak?, can't remember now). I was floored by how amazing it was. The whole album would end up being excellent, but this song feels like no other DT song to me. It has the stuff I wish was on BCSL when MP started saying "imagine having Metropolis and all these other songs". No part goes on too long, incredible atmosphere, lyrics are great, that outro is fun, imo they just knocked it out of the park with this one.

Out of curiosity where does ADTOE land on your DT album ranking?

[Jamesman42]

I don't know really, so I will rank the albums now:

SDOIT
8VM
TOT
ADTOE
IaW
Awake
SC
BCSL
SFAM
DT12
FII
WDADU
View

(don't know TA and DoT well enough to rank)

[Wim Kruithof]

Shameless drop from Outcry, as Indiscipline said, stellar Dream Theater classic. Had it at #18.

095: I Walk Beside You     15
094: S2n     spot on
093: Never Enough     7
090: The Alien     21
089: Only a Matter of Time     7
088: Surrender to Reason     5
087: Forsaken     8
086: Through Her Eyes     12
085: The Silent Man     19
084: Constant Motion     2
083: Fall Into the Light     11
082: The Best of Times     5
079: On the Backs of Angels     23
078: Behind the Veil     11
077: Afterlife     19
076: Hollow Years     17
074: Sacrified Sons     9
068: The Enemy Inside     15
067: Pale Blue Dot     3
060: A Fortune in Lies     18
059: Hell's Kitchen     2
054: The Looking Glass     38
053: Raise the Knife     12
050: Wither     49
048: Transcending Time     42
044: Ytse Jam     23
042: The Killing Hand     26
041: Sleeping Giant     44
040: Answering the Call     45
037: The Bigger Picture     23
029: Awaken the Master     52
027: Honor Thy Father     44
018: Outcry     47
017: Beneath the Surface     49
016: The Shattered Fortress     63
010: The Ministry of Lost Souls     51

not rankend: 9 The Gift of Music / Vacant / Our New World / A New Beginning / This Is the Life / New Millennium / To Live Forever / Lost Not Forgotten / The Dark Eternal Night

[Wim Kruithof]

I don't know really, so I will rank the albums now:

SDOIT
8VM
TOT
ADTOE
IaW
Awake
SC
BCSL
SFAM
DT12
FII
WDADU
View

(don't know TA and DoT well enough to rank)

Really can't tell if your list is bottom-up or upside down, which is your favorite, Six Degrees or A View?

(Although, since you aren't familiar with #13 & #14, I might have a clue).

[The Realm]

And by the way, about the U2 discussion from earlier in the thread - the U2 influence in I Walk Beside You is in the chorus, which is similar to the chorus of Where The Streets Have No Name (to my ears anyway).   

Good call!

Yes this has always been very obvious to me and is a reason I don't like the song. The similarity is too jarring to my ears.

[Zydar]

Another rough update for me.

Outcry and Hell's Kitchen didn't make my Top 100. On The Backs Of Angels placed #58 though, a fine song from the first album with MM.

[CanuckChum]

61. The Ministry of Lost Souls (22). For me, this is the shining moment of Systematic Chaos, even more than ITPOE. It tells an interesting and moving story, and unlike some other songs on the album, I have no issues with the vocal delivery. I won't argue that it might be a bit too long, but because the song works so well for me, I do not mind.
60. The Bigger Picture (90). Starts out decently, it's the last few minutes that help elevate the song.
59. Hollow Years (Unranked). I am so conflicted with this one. The original studio track is an easy skip for me, but the Budokan version really does so much for it. Ultimately the studio albums factored the most into my rankings, and so it did not make the cut.
58. Outcry (53). That instrumental section is one of the most over-the-top things I have heard from them. It is teetering on the line of being too much, but I just love all the different sounds they go to in fast succession. The piano transition and verse following it are also great.
57. Hell's Kitchen (83). I enjoy Lines in the Sand a lot, and it would not be complete without hearing this first.
56. On the Backs of Angels (24). I'm realizing that a common theme among the songs from ADTOE is great intros, this is no exception. Probably the most immediate song from the album, and the piano solo is wonderful.

[MustActFastToCoverUp]

Had a good run in the beginning of the week with 8 hits in a row, some very close to their actual placement, second half a mixed bag with some no-shows and some high flyers.

73. Lost Not Forgotten my 43. Being honest to myself, this is the song I have the most fun listening to on the whole album.
72. Fall Into The Light 71
71. Honor Thy Father 36
70. The Dark Eternal Night 64
69. The Alien 17. This has grown on me and I like it a lot now. There were times I could listen to it over and over again. My impression here is "firing on all cylinders". MM is fantastic on this.
68. The Killing Hand 69. Great to see a #1 placement (and some Top Ten, too).
67. Ytse Jam 54, the highest ranked WDADU song on my list and, I guess, at the main list, too.
66. The Silent Man 93
65. Raise The Knife NR
64. Beneath The Surface NR
63. Sacrificed Sons 15. The first verses are "mellow DT" at their best IMO. Looking at my list now, it could have swapped places with songs 10 or 15 spots lower, so much good stuff.
62. Pale Blue Dot 12. This is really good. There's a lot going on in a relatively short amount of running time.
61. The Ministry Of Lost Souls got my "honourable" #100 spot. Like some of you, seeing it played live made me appreciate it a lot more. Before that it was one of the songs I wouldn't even consider to be in a Top-list. At this point I didn't expect it to show up in the list at all.
60. The Bigger Picture NR
59. Hollow Years NR
58. Outcry NR
57. Hell's Kitchen 53
56. On The Backs Of Angels 50

[Evermind]

Outcry - #51 - I did not re-listen to the albums when I made the list, and as a result I placed this one way too low. I've just listened to ADTOE today during my long run and this song should be at least in the top 30 for me. Absolutely amazing. I had the impression the instrumental here is too long but today I actually found it very fitting and not too long at all. Oh well.

Hell's Kitchen - not ranked - I don't care about this one at all.

On the Backs of Angels - #27 - I think I ranked it a little bit too high. I still enjoy the song a lot, but it should probably be below Top 30. Very solid song.

[Wim Kruithof]

Outcry - #51 - I did not re-listen to the albums when I made the list, and as a result I placed this one way too low. I've just listened to ADTOE today during my long run and this song should be at least in the top 30 for me. Absolutely amazing. I had the impression the instrumental here is too long but today I actually found it very fitting and not too long at all. Oh well.

That's one of the unique spectrums of Dream Theaters discography... you can revisit songs on any given day and find a couple of new layers in there. So much to discover that it's always an interesting vinyl spin.

[Evermind]

Outcry ... 71.  Chorus is really nice.  The instrumental breakdown is good - middle-of-the-road as far as instrumental sections go, imo.  James sounds really good, and it sounds like.

Sounds like what?

That's one of the unique spectrums of Dream Theaters discography... you can revisit songs on any given day and find a couple of new layers in there. So much to discover that it's always an interesting vinyl spin.

Very well said. This thread has somewhat reignited my passion and love for the band.

[wolfking]

Outcry - #51 - I did not re-listen to the albums when I made the list, and as a result I placed this one way too low. I've just listened to ADTOE today during my long run and this song should be at least in the top 30 for me. Absolutely amazing. I had the impression the instrumental here is too long but today I actually found it very fitting and not too long at all. Oh well.

Hell's Kitchen - not ranked - I don't care about this one at all.

On the Backs of Angels - #27 - I think I ranked it a little bit too high. I still enjoy the song a lot, but it should probably be below Top 30. Very solid song.

So basically you're saying you should have had Outcry at 27 and Angels at 51! 

[Evermind]

Outcry - #51 - I did not re-listen to the albums when I made the list, and as a result I placed this one way too low. I've just listened to ADTOE today during my long run and this song should be at least in the top 30 for me. Absolutely amazing. I had the impression the instrumental here is too long but today I actually found it very fitting and not too long at all. Oh well.

Hell's Kitchen - not ranked - I don't care about this one at all.

On the Backs of Angels - #27 - I think I ranked it a little bit too high. I still enjoy the song a lot, but it should probably be below Top 30. Very solid song.

So basically you're saying you should have had Outcry at 27 and Angels at 51! 

Yeah that sounds about right.

[Wim Kruithof]

That's one of the unique spectrums of Dream Theaters discography... you can revisit songs on any given day and find a couple of new layers in there. So much to discover that it's always an interesting vinyl spin.

Very well said. This thread has somewhat reignited my passion and love for the band.

Thanks Evermind,

yesterday my A View-limited boxset has been delivered, what a wonderful piece in my 'adoration-corner'.

[jingle.boy]

Outcry ... 71.  Chorus is really nice.  The instrumental breakdown is good - middle-of-the-road as far as instrumental sections go, imo.  James sounds really good, and it sounds like.

Sounds like what?

 

I was going to say that tt sounds like he isn't over-produced or over engineered.  Every album after ADTOE, it sounds to me that many/most of his vocal recordings have been tweaked (fixed?) in the studio to some degree.

[ReaperKK]

Update!

55. Panic Attack
Highest Finish: 9 (Jamesman42)
Number of Lists appeared on: 55 (Adami, Animal, Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, bosk1, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Cool Chris, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, DragonAttack, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, lightningbolt, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, Mladen, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, pg1067, PixelDream, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

I think when 8V came out this was my immediate favorite. I love the opening bass riff and the pace of the entire track.

54. These Walls
Highest Finish: 7 (porcacultor)
Number of Lists appeared on: 56 (Adami, Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, bosk1, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, DragonAttack, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Evermind, Fonzie, hefdaddy42, Jamesman42, jammindude, jeff_kinsley, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, King Puppies and the Acid Guppies, lightningbolt, mariner, Metro, MirrorMask, MoraWintersoul, Mosh, nobloodyname, NoFred, OpenYourEyes311, Peter Mc, pg1067, PixelDream, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaperKK, ReaPsTA, Revenge319, romdrums, Setlist Scotty, Stadler, SwedishGoose, TAC, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

Along with Panic Attack this is one of my favorites from 8M. Maybe JP will bring out the baritone and the 8-string this tour.

53. The Great Debate
Highest Finish: 2 (Fonzie)
Number of Lists appeared on: 50 (Adami, Awaken, axeman90210, Ben_Jamin, bosk1, CanuckChum, CharlesPL, Dave_Manchester, devieira73, Dittomist, Dream Team, DTwwbwMP, energythief, Fonzie, geeeemo, Jamesman42, JiM-Xtreme, jingle.boy, jonny108, JPZealot, KevShmev, Lethean, lucasembarbosa, mariner, Metro, Mladen, Mosh, MustActFastToCoverUp, nobloodyname, NoFred, Peter Mc, PixelDream, Podaar, porcacultor, ReaperKK, Revenge319, romdrums, Setlist Scotty, Stadler, SwedishGoose, The Realm, Toro, Trav86, twosuitsluke, Vmadera00, WardySI, weirdo, Wim Kruithof, wolfking, Zydar)

Love this song, it personally made my top 10. If I had to complain about anything it would be the "news" clips at the start and end of the song.

[MirrorMask]

I'm not crazy about Panic Attack, but it's a solid track. Finished at 73 for me, 18 positions lower.

These Walls, on the other hand, is fantastic and one of their best concise songs all around. Great chorus, simple structure, musicianship in service of emotions. Amazing track, anyway DT has so many masterpieces that These Walls finished at 30 for me, 24 positions higher.

The Great Debate failed to rank for me. It's not bad, but I never really connected to it. The "Are you justified" part is cool but all in all.... it's a pass for me.

As I previously said, I did three times the ranking - one with everything, one without "the fat" (nomacs, demos, live jams etc....) and the final one bothering only with songs I knew had somehow a chance to crack the top 100. Out of the 129 songs that I even bothered to rank for a third time, The Great Debate finished last for me at 129. So it's the "worst" of the songs I bothered to rank, not a good result, but at least it made the third attempt, stuff like The Dark Eternal Night and Costant Motion never arrived at the third ranking 

[Indiscipline]

Three strikes. Panick Attack and The Great Debate do nothing for me, These Walls I enjoy but unfortunately it came up at 101.

The Score so far:

21 - A New Beginning
27 - The Best of Times
28 - Outcry
33 - Surrender to Reason
36 - This Is the Life
38 - Hell's Kitchen
45 - Vacant
46 - The Gift of Music
47 - Beneath the Surface
48 - The Silent Man
56 - The Bigger Picture
65 - Pale Blue Dot
68 - Our New World
71 - Behind the Veil
72 - The Looking Glass
79 - Hollow Years
87 - Ytse Jam
89 - Through Her Eyes
90 - Lost Not Forgotten
92 - The Killing Hand
96 - Fall Into the Light
97 - A Fortune in Lies

Not Ranked: 26

[jingle.boy]

3/3 today

Panic Attack ...  39.  Wasn't this the tune that made it on to one of the Rock Band releases?  I played along with that a few times.  Excellent track, but middle-of-the-road ranking on 8vm.  Which goes to show how much I like 8vm

These Walls... 49.  See above.

The Great Debate ... 35.  Sure, it meanders quite a bit, but the musical bits make it a great tune for these ears.  It's a great 7 minute tune packed into 14 minutes.

[Wim Kruithof]

Fonzie, I'm really curious to see why The Great Debate is your second best DT-song ever. Just can't imagine that...

095: I Walk Beside You     15
094: S2n     spot on
093: Never Enough     7
092: The Great Debate     39
090: The Alien     21
089: Only a Matter of Time     7
088: Surrender to Reason     5
087: Forsaken     8
086: Through Her Eyes     12
085: The Silent Man     19
084: Constant Motion     2
083: Fall Into the Light     11
082: The Best of Times     5
079: On the Backs of Angels     23
078: Behind the Veil     11
077: Afterlife     19
076: Hollow Years     17
074: Sacrified Sons     9
070: These Walls     16
068: The Enemy Inside     15
067: Pale Blue Dot     3
060: A Fortune in Lies     18
059: Hell's Kitchen     2
054: The Looking Glass     38
053: Raise the Knife     12
051: Panic Attack     4
050: Wither     49
048: Transcending Time     42
044: Ytse Jam     23
042: The Killing Hand     26
041: Sleeping Giant     44
040: Answering the Call     45
037: The Bigger Picture     23
029: Awaken the Master     52
027: Honor Thy Father     44
018: Outcry     47
017: Beneath the Surface     49
016: The Shattered Fortress     63
010: The Ministry of Lost Souls     51

not rankend: 9 The Gift of Music / Vacant / Our New World / A New Beginning / This Is the Life / New Millennium / To Live Forever / Lost Not Forgotten / The Dark Eternal Night

[Zydar]

Panic Attack - It barely made my Top 100 at #95. Nothing really stands out in my memory.

These Walls - I quite like this one, it settled nicely at #68.

The Great Debate - landed on #48 and is perhaps my favourite off the first disc of 6DOIT. I like the soundscape and atmosphere of the song, and the chorus is great. "Life to save life!".

[HOF]

These Walls is one of the more listenable tracks on 8V, but still not a favorite. Lyrics and vocal melody are just so blah. Musically it's a mashup of The Police, Journey, and Linkin Park, which I guess gets some points for being outside the box.

Panic Attack is one of my least favorite DT songs hands down. Awful noise.

The Great Debate is one I liked initially, then felt like I never needed to hear it again. Last time I listened to it I remember thinking it was pretty cool instrumentally and would have been better without the vocals maybe.

[SwedishGoose]

Panic Attack did not rank for me. Listening now I think that is quite fine.
These Walls snuck in at 99. Yeah, I hold thi a bit higher as I listen to it now.
The Great Debate is one I have always loved since the release. It was ranked at 44. Listening to it now I find that it's about rightly placed. Love the guitar and how the debate is held between right and left channel. Great vocal melodies as well.


My ranking so far

19 The Silent Man (66)
28 Through Her Eyes  (74)
32 Awaken the Master (81)
33 Sleeping Giant (85)
37 Our New World (93)
44 The Great Debate (53)
45 To Live Forever (76)
50 Answering the Call (75)
54 Beneath the Surface (64)
57 Pale Blue Dot (62)
59 Transcending Time (90)
64 Sacrificed Sons (63)
65 The Looking Glass (92)
66 Hollow Years (59)
75 The Alien (69)
81 Behind the Veil (89)
87 Surrender To Reason (83)
88 Ytse Jam (67)
89 Forsaken (95)
91. The Gift of Music (98)
94. Never Enough (100)
99 These Walls (54)
100 Honor Thy Father (71)



Not rated
Wither (99), Vacant (97), Afterlife (96), S2N (94), A New Beginning (91), This is the Life (88), New Millennium (87), Constant Motion (86), The Enemy Inside (84), Only a Matter of Time (82), I Walk Beside You (80), The Shattered Fortress (79), A Fortune In Lies (78), The Best Of Times (78), Lost Not Forgotten (73), Fall Into the Light (72), The Dark Eternal Night (70), The Killing Hand (68), Raise The Knife (65), The Ministry of Lost Souls (61), The Bigger Picture (60), Outcry (58),  Hell's Kitchen (57), On The Backs Of Angels (56), Panic Attack (55)

Rated: 23
Not rated: 25

[ReaperKK]

These Walls is one of the more listenable tracks on 8V, but still not a favorite. Lyrics and vocal melody are just so blah. Musically it's a mashup of The Police, Journey, and Linkin Park, which I guess gets some points for being outside the box.

Panic Attack is one of my least favorite DT songs hands down. Awful noise.

The Great Debate is one I liked initially, then felt like I never needed to hear it again. Last time I listened to it I remember thinking it was pretty cool instrumentally and would have been better without the vocals maybe.

It's been a while since I've listened to these walls but where is the police influence?

[Evermind]

Two good songs and the "are you justified" thing.

Panic Attack - #25 - this song is hot. One of many reasons I love 8VM.

These Walls - #24 - this song is also hot and btw all my lipsticks falling into darkness. Another reason I love 8VM.

The Great Debate - not ranked - this song is a hot mess. I even saw it live in 2012 on ADTOE or pre-ADTOE tour (I think) and I still don't think it really works.

[HOF]

These Walls is one of the more listenable tracks on 8V, but still not a favorite. Lyrics and vocal melody are just so blah. Musically it's a mashup of The Police, Journey, and Linkin Park, which I guess gets some points for being outside the box.

Panic Attack is one of my least favorite DT songs hands down. Awful noise.

The Great Debate is one I liked initially, then felt like I never needed to hear it again. Last time I listened to it I remember thinking it was pretty cool instrumentally and would have been better without the vocals maybe.

It's been a while since I've listened to these walls but where is the police influence?

The verses have sort of a similar atmosphere as songs like Walking on the Moon or Wrapped Around Your Finger. The drums in particular seem very Copeland-esque to me.

I was listening to The Police's greatest hits album a lot around the time 8V came out, so that might be why I thought that.

[Fonzie]

Fonzie, I'm really curious to see why The Great Debate is your second best DT-song ever. Just can't imagine that...

095: I Walk Beside You     15
094: S2n     spot on
093: Never Enough     7
092: The Great Debate     39
090: The Alien     21
089: Only a Matter of Time     7
088: Surrender to Reason     5
087: Forsaken     8
086: Through Her Eyes     12
085: The Silent Man     19
084: Constant Motion     2
083: Fall Into the Light     11
082: The Best of Times     5
079: On the Backs of Angels     23
078: Behind the Veil     11
077: Afterlife     19
076: Hollow Years     17
074: Sacrified Sons     9
070: These Walls     16
068: The Enemy Inside     15
067: Pale Blue Dot     3
060: A Fortune in Lies     18
059: Hell's Kitchen     2
054: The Looking Glass     38
053: Raise the Knife     12
051: Panic Attack     4
050: Wither     49
048: Transcending Time     42
044: Ytse Jam     23
042: The Killing Hand     26
041: Sleeping Giant     44
040: Answering the Call     45
037: The Bigger Picture     23
029: Awaken the Master     52
027: Honor Thy Father     44
018: Outcry     47
017: Beneath the Surface     49
016: The Shattered Fortress     63
010: The Ministry of Lost Souls     51

not rankend: 9 The Gift of Music / Vacant / Our New World / A New Beginning / This Is the Life / New Millennium / To Live Forever / Lost Not Forgotten / The Dark Eternal Night

It's epic for me. The lyric "Turn to the Sun. Don't be frightened of the shadows it creates") are so profound, especially when married to the notion of medical advances. There are things in my life that wouldn't exist without the courage of the pioneers.

I'm not really a 'lyrics guy' and I wouldn't have clue what most songs are about, but this one resonates with me.
Musically, there are some great parts. I really enjoy MP's fills etc

I get why it might be 'meh' for some, but, I also have New Millennium at my number 6!

[Mladen]

Panic attack was my #16. It was only once I started putting the list together that I realized how much I love this song. It's spectacular.

These walls, on the other hand, didn't make it. I do enjoy it quite a bit, though.

And then there's The Great debate, which was my #10. What a masterpiece, not a dull moment in the entire song. It's unfortunate that it didn't crack the overall top fifty, but I do find it underrated in general.

[Cool Chris]

Thought I had a good shot at being the highest ranker for Panic Attack at #10. Did a double-take when I saw that's where it ended up after going through the ranker, but when I looked at my final spreadsheet and the songs below it, it felt like it was in the right spot. I always thought this would be a great song for a wrestler's entrance music.

It's been a while since I've listened to these walls but where is the police influence?

The suckiness? 

[PixelDream]

I still can't find the list I submitted to ReaperKK but these three songs I love a lot.

Actually Octavarium is an album that has kept on growing for me. I liked it a lot when it came out but I was also disappointed that they lost that 'edge' Train of Thought had.

Nowadays 8VM is actually one of my most played DT albums. I feel it has a great balance of all their ingredients and of course the octave theme is very clever and brilliantly executed. I even like the ballads on there and Never Enough is pretty cool.

Panic Attack - great, love the frantic energy

These Walls - I'm sure this is somewhere in my top 20 at least. Amazing songwriting, all the melodies ooze emotion. Now that's a GREAT chorus. Like, couldn't be better and more memorable.

The Great Debate - a real classic, I've always loved this one. The mirrored drum intro and outro is one of MP's strokes of genius. I actually really enjoy the samples and the overall mood is just so ominous, I love it.

[CharlesPL]

Panic Attack - 75
These Walls - 95
The Great Debate - 71

[Jamesman42]

I don't know really, so I will rank the albums now:

SDOIT
8VM
TOT
ADTOE
IaW
Awake
SC
BCSL
SFAM
DT12
FII
WDADU
View

(don't know TA and DoT well enough to rank)

Really can't tell if your list is bottom-up or upside down, which is your favorite, Six Degrees or A View?

(Although, since you aren't familiar with #13 & #14, I might have a clue).

Meant to number the list, whoops. SDOIT is the best them.

[Jamesman42]

100. Never Enough (17th) I don't get how this is at 100. This song has many cool parts, especially the instrumental break.
99. Wither (66th) Solid song, when it hits, it's great but it doesn't always warrant a listen.
98. The Gift Of Music (92nd) It's alright. Past entry 82 on my list is stuff that just had to be ranked.
97. Vacant (70th) This song is so awesome on its own and how it leads into SoC
96. Afterlife (98th) See: The Gift of Music
95. Forsaken (87th) It's alright, live is good.
94. S2N (NR) Honestly just not familiar enough with this song yet.
93. Our New World (NR) See: S2N
92. The Looking Glass (54th) This is one of the better tracks off of DT12. Great chorus, surprised it is this low.
91. A New Beginning (NR) Couldn't tell you what album it's from.
90. Transcending Time I really don't like DT12 View at this time, with about 5 listens since returning to the forum last year. But this song stuck out and was good enough to make the list.
89. Behind The Veil (NR) See: A New Beginning
88. This Is The Life (33rd) This song is very underrated. It has a huge atmosphere to it and a great buildup to that final chorus.
87. New Millennium (NR) Not much of a fan of FII, and this song was always skippable to me.
86. Constant Motion (35th) Sometimes you need a straightforward song, DT does it great here, and the instrumental section with the bass and piano is cool as hell.
85. Sleeping Giant (NR)
84. The Enemy Inside (36th) Great, straightforward song, and ranks right next to Constant Motion.
83. Surrender To Reason (64th) This was a mistake to place it at 64th, but by the time I was ranking stuff, I didn't care past a certain point. Relistening now and it's alright, should actually be in the 90s or off my list, so an oversight on my part.
82. Only A Matter Of Time (97th) Not bad, something had to be here.
81. Awaken The Master (NR)
80. I Walk Beside You (43rd) What a great song, when DT does more uplifting/major key stuff, it's really great, usually. Feels very underrated to me. This song has layers to it musically, stuff that feels more subtle than usual. Also fun to play on the bass.
79. The Shattered Fortress (22nd) A few clunky transitions aside, amazing song. Only TGP is the better song in the 12-step suite. And of course, that ending "I am RESPONSIBLE!"
78. A Fortune In Lies (86th) Pretty good song, chorus can stuck in your head. Charlie does a fantastic job, though the live version with JLB is stellar.
77. The Best Of Times (62nd) The intro and body of the song are a few minutes too long. The feel of the song is good, though, and that outro solo is top tier.
76. To Live Forever (NR) I do not remember this song.
75. Answering The Call (NR) Don't know it well enough.
74. Through Her Eyes (NR) It's alright, has a couple of nice moments. Maybe could have made my top 100 but not mad about it.
73. Lost Not Forgotten (75th) It's pretty okay. Some cool energy in the chorus.
72. Fall Into The Light (NR)
71. Honor Thy Father (78th) I enjoy this but is far and away the worst song on TOT as well.
70. The Dark Eternal Night (26th) WTF why is this song so low? Don't take it seriously. I did when it first came out and then realized that this is supposed to be a fun song. I love playing the intro riff on the keyboard.
69. The Alien (NR) I do know this song, and it's meh. Maybe more time would move it up.
68. The Killing Hand (96th) In my top 100 for "the killing haaaaaaaand"
67. Ytse Jam (56th) A good instrumental. A highlight of WDADU.
66. The Silent Man (38th) DT on full acoustic mode. Tasteful song.
65. Raise The Knife (57th) Great unofficial song. Chorus is nice.
64. Beneath The Surface (59th) Great song, not far off from the forum. It holds a special place in my heart for carrying me through some depressing times when it came out.
63. Sacrificed Sons (85th) I should relisten, but it is far and away the worst song on the album. It's too long and like hef said, too dated.
62. Pale Blue Dot (NR) No idea what it sounds like, I will try to listen some time this year.
61. The Ministry Of Lost Souls (NR) Not ranked because it blows, it is one if the worst DT songs, and the fact that it made it to #60 is morally depressing. Do better, DTF! FOR SHAME!
60. The Bigger Picture (NR) It's alright.
59. Hollow Years (20th) I ranked it this high based on the LaB version only. They took an okay song (where it would rank much, much lower) and made it much more listenable. And what really propels it is, of course, the guitar solo.
58. Outcry (51st) Great song. And I am glad hef said what he said about this song, he said it around when it came out (I think, or some time after), the downturn at the end is really well done. Dad, that always stuck in my mind for over a decade
57. Hell's Kitchen (21st) DT's second best instrumental. In my mind, a song they HAD to make. It just makes sense and is a shining star on an okay album.
56. On The Backs Of Angels (Highest Finish: 7 (Jamesman42)) I hold this highest finish with pride. I remember when this came out (did this leak?, can't remember now). I was floored by how amazing it was. The whole album would end up being excellent, but this song feels like no other DT song to me. It has the stuff I wish was on BCSL when MP started saying "imagine having Metropolis and all these other songs". No part goes on too long, incredible atmosphere, lyrics are great, that outro is fun, imo they just knocked it out of the park with this one. 
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55. Panic Attack Highest Finish: 9 (Jamesman42) This is much lower than I thought it would be. Still, I am oddly proud again to have a highest finish. This song is awesome from the time it opens and ends with the negative track. There is a great energy here, and as someone who gets anxiety attacks, very relatable song. Need more stuff like this DT!
54. These Walls (30th) Awesome, straightforward song. The prechorus is probably my favorite part, and the somewhat subdued guitar solo is a nice change of pace.
53. The Great Debate (29th) Longer song but I dig the Tool vibes. The production and feel of the album really makes this song even better than it probably should be, if that makes sense.