hrrmm. i wasnt aware of a 9 minute version. i better check it out.
a little surprised you initially found it boring part way thru or that they lacked compositional awesomeness (maybe it will really 'click' with a couple more spins). i've been crazy addicted to the song since finding it last summer. maybe it can partly be attributed to the fact its a fresh take (fresh for me) on a style of daniel's i haven't been newly exposed to in over a decade, but i really love everything about the song; the melodies and emotion are there, and i find the arrangement and dynamics nothing short of superb (and dat whistle!).
the album also features a short instrumental track that leads into Threnody; they go together quite nice.
i also found a song by an Israeli band called Ephrat that DG guested on in 08. not bad, though i never got super into it. its also mixed/mastered by hero of the forum, steven wilson.
and as much as i love both Threnody and A Vampire's View, i still think my ultimate DG guest appearance is Spastic Ink's "Melissa's Friend" (i think my wife considers it my theme song or something)...if there are any DG fans out there that are ALSO technical prog metal fans but have been living under a rock and HAVEN'T heard this song, go do so now!...just watch out, you might cream your pants.