SCORE is, to this day, the best Dream Theater concert of all time, imho. Setlist is impeccable, boys are at the top of their game, orchestra is flawlessly on top and pristine execution, too. There is no live experience like this one.
Absolutely agree. The fan favorite still seems to be Budoken (which I do love), but the levels/panning on that show ruin much of it for me. Score is the show where they got EVERYTHING right as you mentioned - setlist, performance, sound design and the visuals are great as well.
Octavarium is my all-time favorite song from any band. Usually, I want more riffy music, but this song is the most unique, interesting, and climactic song Ive heard. Its perfect.
No one can ever dissuade me from believing the end solo is the greatest solo ever on the record, let alone this live version where Petrucci milks that final note to utter perfection. You can't end an epic in any better form that this. God tier.
This concert was life-changing for me. My best friend, when we used to be bandmates, lend me the DVD and I watched it with my dad, including the documentary of the 20th anniversary, back in 2008. Since that day I fell "in awe" with the band. A dream of mine is to hear this song live. Can't wait to see them live in October for the 40th Anniversary and who knows, maybe that dream comes true.
Mike Portnoy coming back to Dream Theater has to be one of my most favorite things that happened in this 2023/2024 season in terms of music. I hope they can release another Grand Opus like Octavarium and The Count of Tuscany, and I believe Portnoy is key in this happening. Rudess is also more skilled than he used to be. Literally with Petrucci and all of them making up with him, even LaBrie, the future of Dream Theater is finally a hopeful one!
I have seen a couple reactions to this (my favorite for 20 years) song, and I think that yours is by far my favorite. Thx Doug for being so enthusiastic and respectful for this (for me) formidable experience that is Octavarium.
I was actually at this show and some context here is that no one knew going in that there would be an orchestra. They only revealed that after the intermission and immediately went into the full Six Degrees. The screens behind them also showed all the references during Full Circle, including a picture of Owen Wilson
Doug being nostalgic about seeing Portnoy behind the kit, even tho he got into the band after his departure, makes me very nostalgic about seeing Portnoy behind the kit with them . 🥺
I went to the Dreamsonic show in Cleveland and the guy next to me was at this show at radio city music hall. Showed me pictures from it. I instantly felt equal parts jealous and happy for that guy. He was at a show that will live on as one of the greatest shows in rock music history. Dream Theater deserves to be in the Rock Hall.
One of the most amazing shows I've ever been to. Traveled from Peoria to NYC to see it, and was worth every penny. "Sacrificed Sons" played very well with the orchestra also, off the same DVD if you're interested.
This, for me, will always be the greatest song of all time. I love so many genres, so many artists, so many bands....But nothing will ever top this song. It needs to rest in the hall of fame, in a museum.
The emotion Portnoy puts on every single beat, the flawless performance by Myung, Petrucci and Jordan and the highest note ever reached by James make this one of the best DT songs of all time. Every time I press the play button on this tune, I cannot stop before it ends. Hope to listen to it again as Mike rejoined the band.
Every single section of this track showcases a different aspect of DT at their very best. It's amazing how a track that is essentially an album of different parts stitched together is so cohesive and masterful. This track is, to me, DTs magnum opus.
I am PRAYING that they play Octavarium on their 40th Anniversary tour this year 🤩 To me it would be perfectly fitting to bring back 'full circle' to the 20 years since Octavarium album was likely recorded and imagined (most likely began in 2004). I have a ticket to see them in London, being the only UK date, and if I get to witness this live I'm honestly going to cry through the intense emotion and raw admiration of these hyper talented musicians 🥺
The problem is that LaBrie will butcher it live, he can't even hit the notes anymore. He doesn't sound that good in this live recording either, and nowadays he's a sad shell of his former self.
@@AD-oe7gt therefore my question back to you is why don't DT change the tuning of their instruments down so that LaBrie can hit the vocal notes to accompany the key of the music? They're arguably some of the most talented musicians on earth and I've seen other bands perform live in flat tuning (half step down) or even one whole octave down (compared to the original studio recording), in order for the singer to be able to sound half decent. Surely DT could do that as well?
Crazy Dream Theater fact: They released an album called 'Live Scenes from New York', release date:9/11/2001. The cover art of the album? NY in flames.. Crazy coincidence! The albums barely hit the shelves before it was quickly recalled because of the events, so they could change the cover art
And around 150 to 200 copies were sold on those two or three hours the album was on the shelves. They can go up to $200 bucks on eBay now as collector items. And Doug also reacted to Sacrificed Sons, the song they made about that same event. It was the second most powerful song of this concert, and knowing they had played the entire Six Degrees suite just two songs before... Yeah. One of the classiest musical tributes to a tragedy ever.
There are times when Score is my favourite DT album. The track selection was brilliant and the performances of Six Degrees and Octavarium are deeply moving. Loved your analysis of the studio version.
I remember very well when Octavarium came out- I actually sat in my basement with the highest quality headphones I owned at 12:01AM taking this record in and, upon listening to the title track, thinking "Did they just top A Change of Seasons?!?" The answer was, without question, abso-freaking-lutely! The best!
Watching Dream Theater perform that must be one of the most stunning live experiences of all time, it's a masterpiece that absolutely tears into and goes rushing down the shivering spine
Up to this day, the SCORE live album is DT's best live version. It's the whole package, and this was back in 2006. That was the very first time that I had the privilege to see them play live, in my own country Venezuela in December 2005. The Octavarium world tour will always be in my heart. Each member on this album was at their prime and the combination of lyrics and melodies is just something quite phenomenal. A huge hug from Buenos Aires 🔥🤘🏼
Let's go! This is my favorite concert from them. It was the first time that i ever heard of these guys when my dad showed this concert to me. Good stuff!
Same here! I had recently been introduced to them from Guitar Hero World Tour (Pull Me Under was on there), and I wanted to find out more about them, and I found the performance of Metropolis from this concert, and I fell in love.
I don't intend to downplay their later works but I think this song is their crowning musical achievement. It just covers so much ground and touches all the bases that made DT great.
This song makes me tear up every single time. This is my favorite song ever written, and I love that I have had the opportunity to see you experience it twice now!
If anyone is curious about how Jordan changes keys on the synth while he's playing the steel guitar in the intro, he's actually not. On the Dark Side of the Moon cover album DVD, they revealed it was actually James Labrie who was playing it every night for Jordan once he was done the Continuum part and started the steel guitar, which needs two hands.
Yeah I know he's there. I mentioned it the way I did so that I can actually say with authority that they confirmed it was James playing it on another DVD. If you just point it out, you tend to get people who go "aRe YoU sUrE?" and I can't stand that.
Spot on! I saw them in Santiago, Chile in 2005 for this tour. I clearly remember seeing James take the synth for that section of the intro in Octavarium. It was really cool to see him interact with the band by playing an instrument, which is very rare for the usual DT show.
@@KevinBX Yes. That time described in Chile, there is a recording of the full song. And James was indeed playing keyboards while Jordan did the Continuum and lap steel solos. Not like they were the most complex parts but it was nice to allow him to do something other than vocals or a tambourine
I've always had a deep connection with this song across many stages of my life. Even more so when I was sectioned with Psychosis several years ago. I'd listen to this a lot in the psych ward and it would give me joy and peace in my daily madness and prevent me from causing unintentional harm to myself or others. The instrumental section would be like a reflection of my insanity and it'd turn the whole situation into a fun time with nothing to worry about. I've come a long way in my recovery since and I haven't listened to Dream Theater for a while. But everytime I do, it's like greeting an old friend, accepting my past self and just being filled with peace and a sense of oneness. It's meditative at this point. Dream Theater music just hits different bro.
Wow!!!! What a piece of music! Exceptional! Also, exceptional Doug is watching you get so excited it is these moves from one movement to another. Just brilliant.
I say the same as @tradamek. I think it's almost 200 times that I've heard this tremendous song. Progressive metal at its best. Octavarium makes use of Rudess's peculiar instrument, the continuum, popularized by himself in the intro of this song. “Floydian” atmospheres flood it. A flute draws a melody of great beauty. Changes of rhythm, diverse textures, epic solos. It has everything.Awesome!
This is undoubtedly their magnum opus, I still get goose bumps hearing it come full circle at the finale. Their 2nd greatest epic composition is "A Change of Seasons".
One of my favorite DT songs, and such an epic live version! Wish I could have seen it live, but they didn't play it on the tours I was able to go. An amazing arrangement of an awesome song! Thank you Doug for reacting to this!
Live version has amazing rhythm control making the sounding mesmerizing. Dough has great sense on the rhythm too. Always love to see him do air drum. You got the progressive rhythm, Dough.
Doug. Watch this entire show live. This is THE best live show anyone has ever done. Best live CD ever: best live DVD ever. Best anything. "Score" is the best🥰
As an auditory-visual synesthete, this song has ALWAYS been an EXPLOSION of color and patterns. It's a true delight, and it demands your attention. It's a complex piece that's just a delightful sensory experience.
I Was at this radio city show with my dad and brother back when I was 18! One of my fondest memories and best concert Ive ever been to! The sound the performance the whole night was magical
You certainly deserve my like even before the analysis begin. Every video I'm more and more impressed with your musical feelings and knowledge. Thanks for sharing this piece of art.
Great reaction Doug! Had a fantastic time at Dreamsonic 2023 in Phoenix on this past Weds. Was great to see the boys again, along with Devi and Animals as Leaders!
I love love love this song. The build at the end all these years later still brings me to tears. Especially when John Petrucci hits that last note it gives me goosebumps! Absolute roller coaster of emotions. That’s for doing it again. Love your reactions.
