Who here loves Endless Sacrifice?

[Space Invader]

I've always liked it, but I can see how some people might think it's a little too long.

I think this is the general reason why it's not so accepted. I think we can all admit that it has a badass chorus.

Ohhhhh yes.
I loves me some Endless Sacrifice.

[LordCaptainMcKlockenstein]

Am I the only one who really loves most of the song, but really hates the instrumental section? I barely listen to it due to the instrumental section, but  I think the rest of it's great.

:raises hand:

No that's me too. Great song, but the instrumental portion really kills it.

[antigoon]

I wish the rest of the song was as great as the ending.

[setrataeso]

Loooove Endless Sacrifice. 2nd fav on ToT.
I actually really like the instrumental section. It's pretty routine, but the solos are really cool.

[Fuzzboy]

Great song, but the instrumental portion really kills it.

I feel the same way.

[Dcrupi]

One of the first songs I ever heard from Dream Theater.  So I have a serious soft spot for it.

Yes, I love it actually, although the instrumental section does a bit tiresome.

[emindead]

Endless Sacrifice is an awesome song. Hell, Train Of Thought is an awesome album.

Also, the drum break and then the whole breakdown is just an orgasm.

[LCArenas]

Great song, but the instrumental portion really kills it.

I feel the same way.

So do I.

[black_biff_stadler]

I don't mind the song's slow buildup to the instumental section that much but it does bore me just a little bit and I like the chorus as it is but it has always felt just a little forced on the "hey let's grab 'em by the balls w/ an unexpectedly heavy riff!" aspect of it. Other than that I really, really like the instrumental section. Very fun and adventurous and JP's sweep section at 7:34 is deliciously diabolical

[Samsara]

On a whim I decided to listen to Train Of Thought again, and Endless Sacrifice blew me away.

And yet all I can think of is a large portion of this forum disliking it, and so wondered if anyone here really likes it.

Personally, I think it's shot to second favourite after ITNOG.

You remove the five minute instrumental, and insert a more traditional guitar and keyboard solo (minute, max) that fits the song flow, and you have a GREAT tune. But the song is ruined by that instrumental section which is not really needed and distracts from the emotion in the song.

"Endless Sacrifice" is an example of where an outside ear could have made that song just phenomenal. I skip it now, because the ruining of the song with the instrumental just annoys me. But I would have loved it.

[nemesiskoen]

Love the song. Made an accoustic cover of it today and I think it turned out ok. Skipped the instrumental section though

For those interested:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=10634.0

[hefdaddy42]

Am I the only one who really loves most of the song, but really hates the instrumental section?

No.  But I think the strongest part of the song is, basically, everything after the pause at the end of the solos, where MP has that little roll.

Also, I definitely find the song works better live than on CD.

[Dr. SeaWolf]

I used to absolutely adore the song, until I heard the Michael Jackson song "Give in to Me".

I still like the song, but the feeling is gone.  And water can't cover my memory.

[skydivingninja]

Am I the only one who really loves most of the song, but really hates the instrumental section?

No.  But I think the strongest part of the song is, basically, everything after the pause at the end of the solos, where MP has that little roll.

Yeah, that part's pretty badass.  I think if edited to a radio single (as in taking out the instrumental section or make it more concise with some flow a la Metropolis), it would be a great song.

[Marvellous G]

I used to absolutely adore the song, until I heard the Michael Jackson song "Give in to Me".

I still like the song, but the feeling is gone.  And water can't cover my memory.

[ZBomber]

I like the song, but it definitely drags on too long. Would have been great if they structured it a little better and cut out the jam.

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

Am I the only one who really loves most of the song, but really hates the instrumental section? I barely listen to it due to the instrumental section, but  I think the rest of it's great.

:raises hand:

No that's me too. Great song, but the instrumental portion really kills it.

Are you serious? For me the instrumental portion is what makes it. Seriously, it's just epic.

[Samsara]

Am I the only one who really loves most of the song, but really hates the instrumental section?

No.  But I think the strongest part of the song is, basically, everything after the pause at the end of the solos, where MP has that little roll.

Yeah, that part's pretty badass.  I think if edited to a radio single (as in taking out the instrumental section or make it more concise with some flow a la Metropolis), it would be a great song.

Agreed if you take out the instrumental section, leave in that MP roll, and just plug in an emotive shorter solo for the radio single. Would have been big (IMO).

[briang]

I personally love the instrumental section. Sometimes I surprise myself.

[yorost]

I love Endless Sacrifice.

[bosk1]

I'm with Samsara for the most part.  To me, it's a song that has a lot of incredible parts, but isn't put together well and just stumbles along in spite of itself and loses me every time.  DT are masters at fitting different elements of music together that you wouldn't normally think would work, whether it be time signatures, musical styles, or whatever.  Often, it works really well.  Sometimes, it does not.  To my ears, ES is one of the best examples in their catalog of a lot of really good things that sound really horrible together and drag the song down.

[chrisbDTM]

i dont care what others say,

instrumental section ftw. i usually skip straight to the 5 minute mark

[Ben_Jamin]

my Fav. off of train of thought. i think the instrumental fits the song nice. really love the groove of the song not to mention the lyrics. the instrumental section to me is the Feelin of desire to see your loved one it's a major part of the song

[TL]

Most of the song is great, but as has been said, the instrumental section should have been shorter. At the very least, they should have left out the circus noises; those few seconds honestly ruin an otherwise enjoyable track.

[contest_sanity]

Most of the song is great, but as has been said, the instrumental section should have been shorter. At the very least, they should have left out the circus noises; those few seconds honestly ruin an otherwise enjoyable track.

Maybe they should do an 11 minute circus song with 5 seconds in the very middle where JP plays a metal riff that doesn't fit...

[LordCaptainMcKlockenstein]

Maybe they should do an 11 minute circus song with 5 seconds in the very middle where JP plays a metal riff that doesn't fit...

I'd totally bitch about it too I bet.

"WTF, I was just enjoying the carousel solo when this crap comes on? Totally ruins the entire song."

[contest_sanity]

Maybe they should do an 11 minute circus song with 5 seconds in the very middle where JP plays a metal riff that doesn't fit...

I'd totally bitch about it too I bet.

"WTF, I was just enjoying the carousel solo when this crap comes on? Totally ruins the entire song."

"How am I supposed to hear Jordan's new clown harmonica app over that frickin' misplaced riff?  Geez JP - do a solo album for god sakes.  This here record is for circus folk only!!!"

[Plasmastrike]

JP just doesn't know how to interject. He should leave the band. The song is upbeat, flashy, has the carnival atmosphere. Then, boom, at 10:31, JP plays those heavy palm muted chords. Listen, I understand they're trying to be creative, but keep that shit out of the real music.

[contest_sanity]

Maybe they should do an 11 minute circus song with 5 seconds in the very middle where JP plays a metal riff that doesn't fit...

I'd totally bitch about it too I bet.

"WTF, I was just enjoying the carousel solo when this crap comes on? Totally ruins the entire song."

"How am I supposed to hear Jordan's new clown harmonica app over that frickin' misplaced riff?  Geez JP - do a solo album for god sakes.  This here record is for circus folk only!!!"

JP just doesn't know how to interject. He should leave the band. The song is upbeat, flashy, has the carnival atmosphere. Then, boom, at 10:31, JP plays those heavy palm muted chords. Listen, I understand they're trying to be creative, but keep that shit out of the real music.

I am really in love with DT's new carnival-oriented sound.  The new website is a bit strange, but cool.  Maybe these changes are what is precipitating the "hiatus."  Perhaps they're finally ditching JP for all his guitar tomfoolery!  LET THE CIRCUS REIGN!!!

https://www.dreamcircus.com

[PuffyPat]

That song is ballin'.

[Plasmastrike]

LET THE CIRCUS REIGNNNNNNNN

[contest_sanity]

That song is ballin'.

That song is clownin'

[nightmare_cinema]

Endless Sacrifice is an amazing song. Train of Thought is an amazing album.

[YtseJamittaja]

Endless Sacrifice is an amazing song. Train of Thought is an amazing album.

^^You said it 

[COB55]

Does anyone else love the riff at 5:43? I know it sounds really out of place from the bit before it, but it's awesome how it takes you by surprise. It is just an incredibly sinister riff and the combination with the organ makes it even better.