Which song from "Systematic Chaos" do YOU think sounds best? (Read carefully!)

[chaossystem]

If Dream Theater's albums were a HORSE-RACE, then this album would be "my dark horse."

I seem to be one of the few who "roots" as storngly for this album as I do.

Sure it's different.

They chose to do some songs in the monster/horror/dark fantasy realm.

To be honest with you, I think that bands like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Metallica, among others, do that sort of thing better.

But it was a nice try and a noble effort on their part.

I think they were just reflecting THAT part of their influences and inspirations on this album.

And I think it would be fair to say that they didn't totally crap it up.

[hefdaddy42]

Since you offered the option, I went with ITPOE Pt 1.

[chaossystem]

I won't be surprised if that one wins.

A lot of people seem to like it.

[CharlesPL]

"Presence" Part One

[Mosh]

Constant Motion. I don't really like anything on this album very much, but Constant Motion is fun and has a killer guitar solo.

[Rodni Demental]

Constant Motion for pretty much same reasons as above poster. 

Fun song, killer guitar solo (and keyboard solo for that matter).

[TheGreatPretender]

It's an awesome album. Hard to pick a favorite, but I went with ITPOE all together. Part 1 is better than Part 2, but if the whole thing is offered, might as well.

[The Letter M]

It's an awesome album. Hard to pick a favorite, but I went with ITPOE all together. Part 1 is better than Part 2, but if the whole thing is offered, might as well.

This. When this album came out, it was their 2nd new one for me after becoming a fan (before 8VM), so I had high expectations for it given what few albums that preceded it. It has some awesome heavy moments, but the epic as a whole is amazing and I like the whole thing.

-Marc.

[The Presence of Frenemies]

I've never understood the camp that loves Part 1 by itself. Like, it's nine minutes long, and 5 1/2 of that is basically just an overture--plus one of the non-overture sections in Part 1 comes back in Part 2. I can understand why some would say Part 1 > Part 2 (The Reckoning is the worst section of music on the album overall), but Part 1 over the song as a whole, or album as a whole? To me, that's like saying that the overtures on SFAM or SDOIT are the biggest highlights. They're all good pieces of music, but they sound woefully incomplete by themselves, and thus it's hard for me to consider them superior to other quality songs.

ITPOE as a whole for me, just barely edging out TMOLS. ITPOE has 20 killer minutes and 5 bad; TMOLS has 15 killer and 0 bad. Toss-up really, but ITPOE has slightly higher highs, I guess.

[Rodni Demental]

I've never understood the camp that loves Part 1 by itself. Like, it's nine minutes long, and 5 1/2 of that is basically just an overture--plus one of the non-overture sections in Part 1 comes back in Part 2. I can understand why some would say Part 1 > Part 2 (The Reckoning is the worst section of music on the album overall), but Part 1 over the song as a whole, or album as a whole? To me, that's like saying that the overtures on SFAM or SDOIT are the biggest highlights.

I see what you're saying, but you see, the reason I like Part 1 over Part 2 is because I prefer the intro (overture if you will) and that one section over the song as a whole. The second Part is where it gets a bit silly and starts dragging in some places. That's my take on why some people might prefer part 1, because they're not as big of a fan of the movements in Part 2.

[fadetoblackdude7]

ITPOE all together....very underrated!!

[chaossystem]

I've never understood the camp that loves Part 1 by itself. Like, it's nine minutes long, and 5 1/2 of that is basically just an overture--plus one of the non-overture sections in Part 1 comes back in Part 2. I can understand why some would say Part 1 > Part 2 (The Reckoning is the worst section of music on the album overall), but Part 1 over the song as a whole, or album as a whole? To me, that's like saying that the overtures on SFAM or SDOIT are the biggest highlights. They're all good pieces of music, but they sound woefully incomplete by themselves, and thus it's hard for me to consider them superior to other quality songs.

ITPOE as a whole for me, just barely edging out TMOLS. ITPOE has 20 killer minutes and 5 bad; TMOLS has 15 killer and 0 bad. Toss-up really, but ITPOE has slightly higher highs, I guess.

Maybe it's because they (not me) hate the lyrics but love the instrumental part.

[TheCountOfNYC]

I seem to be one of the few fans who loves Constant Motion.

[krands85]

ITPOE all together....very underrated!!

[Randaran]

The Dark Eternal Night. I love this one much more than most. Every moment is great, even the distorted vocals.

I have to disagree with others here. IPTOE has great lyrics; their silly, fantastic nature only adds to their charm. Slaughter of the Damned is one of the most fun sections to sing along to in any DT song.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

It won't surprise me to see ITPOE Pt. 1 having tons of votes. Pt. 2 doesn't get a lot of love around here, but I think it really works well as a whole, so I voted for the whole song.

[Rodni Demental]

It kinda does surprise me to see ITPOE with tons of votes, cause I figured it was not generally favoured as an epic. I guess it's being compared to the rest of SC here but still.

[BlobVanDam]

I seem to be one of the few fans who loves Constant Motion.

I love that one too, and it's definitely one of my top songs on the album, however I went with TDEN, which I love even more.
Such a brutally heavy and different song for DT, so cleverly constructed, an excellent instrumental section, with a lot of regard for rhythms throughout. Not to mention it has a badass riff, and JM is cranked, and even pulls out a few new tricks of his own.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I seem to be one of the few fans who loves Constant Motion.

I haven't heard that shit in years, wow. I'll give it a spin later and see if I still loathe it 

[RoeDent]

What bit am I supposed to "read carefully"? What makes this poll different from all the other "favourite song" polls you've done in the last few days? I am certain that these polls have been done many many times before.

And again, the thread title bears no relation whatsoever to the poll question.

[Zydar]

My favourite track here is ITPOE 2, but I don't know which "sounds" best.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

In the Presence of Enemies.

[Dublagent66]

I went with TMoLS, mostly because of the instrumental, JP solo and outro.

[JiM-Xtreme]

I'm not going to contribute to this poll, because I'm too afraid I might not have read the question carefully enough.

[XB0BX]

That's tough, I don't think I can pick just one.

[TheGreatPretender]

I went with TMoLS, mostly because of the instrumental, JP solo and outro.

Right on. It really doesn't get the praise it deserves. That instrumental section is godly. If it was on its own, it'd be my second favorite of their instrumentals aside from TDOE. But as it stands, it only enhances a good song and makes it that much more interesting to listen to. 

[Another_Won]

I went with TMoLS, mostly because of the instrumental, JP solo and outro.

Right on. It really doesn't get the praise it deserves. That instrumental section is godly. If it was on its own, it'd be my second favorite of their instrumentals aside from TDOE. But as it stands, it only enhances a good song and makes it that much more interesting to listen to. 

That instrumental part always makes me 

[Dublagent66]

I went with TMoLS, mostly because of the instrumental, JP solo and outro.

Right on. It really doesn't get the praise it deserves. That instrumental section is godly. If it was on its own, it'd be my second favorite of their instrumentals aside from TDOE. But as it stands, it only enhances a good song and makes it that much more interesting to listen to. 

That instrumental part always makes me 

 

[adamack]

I went with TMoLS, mostly because of the instrumental, JP solo and outro.

JP outro = Top 5 DT moment ever.

[chaossystem]

I'm not going to contribute to this poll, because I'm too afraid I might not have read the question carefully enough.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

[Outcrier]

I'm not going to contribute to this poll, because I'm too afraid I might not have read the question carefully enough.

 

[RaiseTheKnife]

Sounds best?  Production-wise?  Voted ITPOE Part 2 - it has some great atmospheric production.  I might be reading this poll too carefully though.

[puppyonacid]

Something to do with "roots" and "dark horses" crapping out albums in the monster/metallica/equestrian category.

Did I read carefully enough? Who's to say?

[chaossystem]

I was refering to the poll itself, not the introduction.

[ToT-147]

I voted for TMoLS.. The instrumental section it's great, specially the final unison (glorious moment), but I love the whole song, since the very begining.. Aside the intro, starting with the JP's arpeggio at 0:51, and then the verses and choruses... It just transports me to another place, a little dark but full of beauty, a bit strange and hopeless but replete with improvement and resilience sensations..

Seriously.. I couldn't say it any other way than at least a little poetic.. That's what primarily gives me the song: gloomy feelings but peacefulness at the same time.. And that is something that not every song can transmit ..

PS: ItPoE pt 3-6 it's great, and it doesn't have to me even "bad" minutes, I like the whole song, but this one gets my vote..