Dream Theater - Original Album Series (2011)

Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by bassist John Myung, guitarist John Petrucci, and drummer Mike Portnoy, three students at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

The first stable lineup was formed in 1987 with the addition of vocalist Charlie Dominici, who was replaced by James LaBrie in 1991.

In 1994, keyboardist Kevin Moore left the band and was replaced by Derek Sherinian.

However, he also left in 1998 and was replaced by Jordan Rudess, forming a stable lineup that lasted for 12 years.

In the fall of 2010, to the shock of fans, one of the founders, drummer-songwriter Mike Portnoy, announced his departure, and his successor was announced six months later, in the person of Mike Mangini (ex-Annihilator, Extreme, and Steve Vai drummer).

Dream Theater's music, following in the footsteps of Yes and Rush on the progressive side, and Queensrÿche and Metallica on the harder side, is a complex, variable, and often powerful and technical metal music.

The band's style is usually defined as progressive metal, but many other styles can also be found in their music: progressive rock, jazz, thrash metal, classical music, art rock.

They manage to combine the above styles in such a way that a unified musical style that is unique to them is born. The band's compositions are mostly long-winded, and it is not uncommon for compositions to exceed 20 minutes. Their songs are often divided into movements, similar to classical musical poems, the absorption of which requires more careful listening.

Their compositions include energetic metal songs as well as lyrical ballads or expressive, longer, monumental themes. Most of the time, these appear simultaneously, even within a song.

The musicians place great emphasis on virtuoso instrumental interludes, longer solos, and improvisations, with each member using their instrument in a soloistic manner.
Despite the complexity of their playing, it does not turn into virtuosity for its own sake; their compositions remain memorable songs throughout. One of the main characteristics of their sound is James LaBrie's voice, who operates with complicated, high-pitched vocal themes in keeping with the music. The three main characteristics of their music are hardness, melodiousness, and progressiveness.