DREAM THEATER Albums RANKED Best To Worst

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  • Опубліковано 14 тра 2024
  • Ranking the albums of Dream Theater best to worst Tier List style through 2021's A View From The Top Of The World. Dream Theater is a progressive metal band known for such classics as Images And Words and Metropolis Pt 2. Full list of albums ranked include:
    00:00 Intro
    00:25 When Dream and Day Unite (1989)
    01:07 Images and Words (1992)
    02:00 Awake (1994)
    03:13 Falling into Infinity (1997)
    04:10 Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999)
    05:22 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (2002)
    06:35 Train of Thought (2003)
    07:13 Octavarium (2005)
    08:05 Systematic Chaos (2007)
    08:55 Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009)
    09:40 A Dramatic Turn of Events (2011)
    10:29 Dream Theater (2013)
    11:18 The Astonishing (2016)
    12:44 Distance over Time (2019)
    13:27 A View from the Top of the World (2021)
    Want to hear more reviews from the best metal albums of 2021? Check out this playlist: • Best METAL Albums Janu...
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    Theme Song: The Hudson Horror - “What The Moon Brings”
    Background art thanks in part to Kim Holm: denungeherrholm.smugmug.com/
    I do not own the rights to any of the featured song clips on this video. All credit to the artists and labels with specific permission granted. These fall under fair use based on sufficient transformation for the purpose of review, promotion, and commentary.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 192

  • @MetalTrenches
    @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +5

    What is YOUR favorite Dream Theater album?
    Don't forget to Like and Subscribe for more reviews!
    Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/metaltrenches
    Join us on DISCORD! discord.gg/7QTAesh5Pp

    • @robertsparling917
      @robertsparling917 2 роки тому +5

      Metropolis, Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory.

    • @chirpywiggins5796
      @chirpywiggins5796 2 роки тому +1

      Images and Words for me but the best solo Petrucci done with them is from At Wits End from Distance Over Time, it's magnificent !!👊

    • @jarrettchristensen_music
      @jarrettchristensen_music 2 роки тому +2

      Octavarium

  • @guitarrerist698
    @guitarrerist698 2 роки тому +67

    It really surprises me that people dont like Falling into Infinity. Its a real, deal progressive rock album through and through.

    • @strangedogg5068
      @strangedogg5068 2 роки тому +7

      and is boring... sooooo boring

    • @Bloorgusgoorge
      @Bloorgusgoorge 2 роки тому +11

      @@strangedogg5068 lines in the sand? Take away my pain? Hollow years? All very unique and different sounding songs so IDrk how it’s so boring

    • @lorenzoturchetta8822
      @lorenzoturchetta8822 Рік тому +4

      @@Bloorgusgoorge yeah also peruvian skies idk how people find them boring

    • @P3rm4frost
      @P3rm4frost Рік тому +3

      It might be a little bit too ear pleasing and too cheese...Based on very poppy choruses and "romantic" moments..but lines in the Sand and You not me I like a lot.

    • @null-island
      @null-island Рік тому +6

      Peruvian skies is one of their best songs

  • @shawnmarcum8078
    @shawnmarcum8078 Рік тому +17

    A band so good, that you could have 4-6 albums be in S-tier if you let yourself go. Musically speaking, they are one of the best to ever do it.

  • @TheRealJoeNathan
    @TheRealJoeNathan 2 роки тому +30

    S: Images and Words, Awake, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory
    A: Black Clouds & Silver Linings, Train of Thought
    B: A Dramatic Turn of Events, Octavarium, Systematic Chaos, A View from the Top of the World
    C: Falling into Infinity, Distance over Time
    D: Dream Theater, The Astonishing, When Dream and Day Unite
    I’ve been listening to Dream Theater since I was a little kid, but Black Clouds made me a fan. I haven’t listened to their debut much, and I never got the hate for Wither (it used to be my favorite song).

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +1

      It's just so saccharine imo. Thanks for sharing your ranking.

    • @howie5th
      @howie5th 2 роки тому +1

      I agree with your Tier C and D choices, except for the self-titled one. It's amazing how albums hit people so differently.

    • @CameronsMusic
      @CameronsMusic Рік тому

      I'm making a cover of Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence side 2. I don't know if I'll release it.

  • @edoardopaolini129
    @edoardopaolini129 2 роки тому +9

    S: Images & Words, Scenes From A Memory, A Change of Seasons, Octavarium, Dream Theater, A View From The Top of the World
    A: Black Clouds & Silver Linings, Awake, Systematic Chaos, A Dramatic Turns of Events, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
    B: Train of Thought, Distance Over Time,
    C: When Dream And Day Unite, Falling Into Infinity
    D: The Astonishing

  • @Albert-Freeman
    @Albert-Freeman Рік тому +5

    Love to see how you gave some love to the 10s albums, they are so underrated...

  • @spencer4359
    @spencer4359 2 роки тому +8

    Ow man I love Train of Thought. Its the album that made me become a fan so maybe its nostalgia. BTW binging your tier list vids. Thanks for keeping these light and funny!

  • @DanielSantosAnalysis
    @DanielSantosAnalysis 2 роки тому +11

    I think I saw red when you placed Six Degrees and Train of Thought so low.
    Joking aside, disagreed with a lot of it, but it was interesting to see the perspective of a new fan. I've been listening to them for about 5-6 years now and for awhile I would say they were my favorite band of all time. Nowadays, they're still up there but I no longer have a number 1, I still have strong feelings towards them but other bands share that space with them.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +2

      😂 Always just fun to see responses to these. Glad you enjoyed it 🤘🏻

    • @DanielSantosAnalysis
      @DanielSantosAnalysis 2 роки тому

      @@MetalTrenches I did! It's a good video....... but I gotta rag you one more time, Six Degrees disc 2 is way better than disc 1, you're on crack mate!

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      @@DanielSantosAnalysis No U 😂

  • @stefanustampubolon6059
    @stefanustampubolon6059 11 місяців тому +7

    S: Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory
    A: Octavarium, Dream Theater, A Dramatic Turn of Events, A View from the Top of the World,Black Clouds & Silver Linings
    B: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, Images and Words, Falling into Infinity
    C: Awake, Train of Thought
    D: Distance over Time, Systematic Chaos
    E: The Astonishing
    F: When Dream and Day Unite

  • @jb_50w78
    @jb_50w78 2 роки тому +10

    I actually agree entirely with your ranking except I would put Train of Thought much higher. That was always my go to heavy sounding prog metal album, and I always thought it just sounded way more aggressive and heavy than what most other prog metal bands were doing.
    Also, that’s the album that initially inspired Jason Richardson to play guitar and really focus on practicing and getting better, as he has said in interviews. He became so freakishly good by just learning every single song entirely on that album. DT has inspired and influenced so many bands and musicians, it is just crazy.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +2

      That's pretty cool. Thanks for the factoid.

  • @snstyvr7597
    @snstyvr7597 Рік тому +4

    1. When Dream And Day Unite
    2. Images & Words
    3. Awake
    4. A Change of Seasons

  • @AliyahDayeVocals
    @AliyahDayeVocals 2 роки тому +1

    Nice list! I pretty much only listened to Images and Words and the only songs I keep going back to are another day and pull me under.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +1

      After doing it myself, I'd say it's worth diving in and trying some more albums. They definitely have some standouts.

  • @erikondrums
    @erikondrums 2 роки тому +5

    Great to see a fresh perspective from someone who’s not bounded by nostalgia. Great list!

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks. I was hoping people would appreciate that outsider opinion. Response over all has been pretty positive.

  • @metal_bassist
    @metal_bassist Рік тому +3

    Thank gosh somebody else ranks the astonishing higher than the bottom. I listened to it front to back multiple times and I love it. I would agree with a lot of this except for where Six degrees and Black Clouds are placed.

  • @Jamiehorsley500
    @Jamiehorsley500 2 роки тому +18

    never thought I would see the day, so happy you got into Dream Theater, you're ranking is so different but so is mine and thousands of others who love this band. I tend to rank the modern Dream Theater the lowest lol apart from the self titled which I also love. Illumination Theory 😍

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks for stopping by. I'd be interested to see how people would rank without nostalgia goggles, which is basically what this is for me since I had NO personal connection to any of these albums going in. I just feel like objectively their songwriting and performances have still been getting tighter and tighter. The latest album feels mostly very focused in comparison to a lot of the mid career stuff.

    • @dragosconstantinsoneriu7356
      @dragosconstantinsoneriu7356 2 роки тому +1

      their self-titled it highly underrated xD

  • @browland1
    @browland1 2 роки тому +2

    Awesome video, I agree with most of your rankings. With Train of Thought, that was one of my least favorite albums when I first started getting into Dream Theater but it has since risen to be one of my favorites. It hits different over time and I would say that "In the Name of God" is high on my list of favorite DT songs. I would rank The Astonishing lower because it's an album that I appreciate for the artistry but don't really enjoy listening to, and I would put Black Clouds and Silver Linings higher as well. That's another album that I've come to appreciate more with time. Overall, great list and I'm glad I discovered your channel - subbed!

  • @yaboiN3O9
    @yaboiN3O9 5 місяців тому

    Oh wow, I did NOT expect that ranking for Train of Tgought, I absolutely loved every second of it

  • @amjreptx1
    @amjreptx1 2 роки тому +6

    Dream Theater was my intro to music and the first band I fell in the love with.
    Perfect Albums I absolutely enjoy no complaints 100/100:
    When Dream and Day Unite, Images and Word, Awake, Scenes From a Memory, Six Degrees, Train of Thought, Octavarium, Self Titled.
    Falling into Infinity: This album has grown on me so much over the years. I love the faults/ plus the labels input and interference on this record. I use too think this was there worst record, but I absolutely love it.
    Systematic Chaos: Has some great hits, but the issue for me is that the singles were trying to fit into radio friendly territory and the songs did not sound genuine. Everything seemed formulaic and I felt this is where DT started repeating ideas.
    Black Clouds & Silver Linings: DT lyrics started getting cringy for me on this album, but instrumentation is still phenomenal.
    A Dramatic Turn of Events: I think has the best instrumentation out of a DT album, but I just don't care for the lyrics and the vocal delivery.
    The Astonishing: I wished the entire album sounded like "The Answer." This song gives me a Falling into Infinity feel.
    Distance Over Time: There are some cool tracks, but I still cringe when Labrie sings. Still the song don't feel genuine to me.
    A View From the Top: I suppose I use to like this style of music, but I wish DT stuck to writing heart felt songs similar to "Another Day" "Silent Man" "Hollow Years" "Along for the Ride" and "Disappear."
    These songs have so much weight to them and I could feel and believe what Labrie is saying.

  • @fredericoa.c.
    @fredericoa.c. Рік тому +1

    This is my first video in your channel, and at the moment this cute voice came out of this skull mask
    just melted my heart

  • @XaoFakeNick
    @XaoFakeNick 8 місяців тому +2

    Awake was never my favorite, but it aged really well. I'd put it above my all time favorite Images and Words.

  • @toddwilliams8128
    @toddwilliams8128 10 місяців тому +3

    Systematic Chaos: continuing to be underrated since 2007.

    • @AndI0td763
      @AndI0td763 5 місяців тому

      Strong album and really better than anything that came after it. I like the album feel more than a lot of the other ones and also a good album cover. I like the more natural feel of the hand drawn looking artwork compared to CG looking covers.

  • @toneman8478
    @toneman8478 2 роки тому +5

    Images and Words and Awake will always be their best material.. there's no debating that

    • @AndI0td763
      @AndI0td763 5 місяців тому +1

      I can get behind that. Awake should also be recognized as top tier.

  • @RalphMakx
    @RalphMakx 2 роки тому +1

    Covered it very nicely - agree with your evaluation here.

  • @hyalinamusic18
    @hyalinamusic18 2 роки тому +5

    Dream Theater is my favorite band. I don't think they have any full on bad albums (as shown by the lowest tier being C), but the weaker ones either have very little I end up coming back to often, or are unnecessarily long. However, every album has at least something to offer. I also haven't listened to the debut yet because it's not on streaming here in the US. I am thinking I'll buy it soon just so I can have listened to their whole discography.
    S, The Masterpieces:
    1. A Dramatic Turn of Events
    2. Metropolis: Pt. 2, Scenes From a Memory
    3. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
    A, Incredible Albums:
    4. Awake
    5. Train of Thought
    6. Octavarium
    7. A View From the Top of the World
    B, A Good Time, but Not Perfect:
    8. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
    9. Distance Over Time
    10. Images and Words
    11. Systematic Chaos
    C, Not Bad, but Not Great:
    12. Dream Theater
    13. The Astonishing
    14. Falling Into Infinity
    Haven't Listened:
    When Dream and Day Unite

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      You can listen to the debut on UA-cam.

  • @spencerlohff9122
    @spencerlohff9122 Місяць тому +1

    Dream theater is the reason I started playing drums

  • @matttonn1869
    @matttonn1869 2 роки тому +3

    I enjoy hearing your perspective, and largely agree with most of this list. I feel like a lot of the post-portnoy era albums get more hate than they deserve. I really liked their self titled as well, which is often hated by many. My only gripes really, are with the overall drum mix. From a musical and songwriting standpoint, I thought it had some amazing tracks.

  • @dasphantom3179
    @dasphantom3179 2 роки тому +3

    1. SFAM
    2. Otavarium
    3. Dramatic turn of events
    4. Images and words
    5. Systematic chaos
    6. Train of thought
    7. Distance ober time
    8. Awake
    9. AWFTTOTW
    10. Black clouds
    11. Six degrees
    12. Astonishing
    13. Dream theater
    14. Falling into Infinity

  • @jasonjames6383
    @jasonjames6383 2 роки тому +3

    AHHHHH!! I'm triggered!! Train of Thought at D!! That's the first album of theirs I listened to so I have an attachment to it :). Six Degrees at C is a bit low too I think. They have a great catalogue, I like most of their albums, love some of them. Good ranking.

    • @williamhopkins1262
      @williamhopkins1262 Рік тому +1

      You are the only person that I have seen on UA-cam that said that the album is underrated. Heavily agree 👍

    • @jasonjames6383
      @jasonjames6383 Рік тому

      @@Heatwave9000 Fair enough, but I don't find the nu metal influence overbearing, and I find it to be one of their heavier albums overall.

  • @seemann2401
    @seemann2401 2 роки тому +1

    Nice list I haven't listened to all their records but the ones I did I'd rank pretty much the same.

  • @jeffreyramosexperience
    @jeffreyramosexperience Рік тому +3

    Images and Words, Awake, Scenes from a memory will always be the top for me

    • @AndI0td763
      @AndI0td763 5 місяців тому

      All easily S tier. Awake #1 for me.

  • @cristiang.7160
    @cristiang.7160 5 місяців тому +2

    Finally someone who acknowledges The Astonishing as good music. I love that double album to death, for me it is easily a great double album

  • @XaoFakeNick
    @XaoFakeNick 8 місяців тому +2

    Also, it is refreshing to see a ranking by someone who is not the biggest fan of the band and can be very objective. BTW, I agree with everything said about James Labrie. I love him but I always thought he is the weakest link. Perfect vocalist for DT in my opinion?: Not newyorker GEOFF TATE.

  • @austinhanna8328
    @austinhanna8328 2 роки тому

    Since you only just recently listened to all of their albums I'm not surprised you put ToT so low because it's definitely one of those albums that has to grow on you. I didn't like it much at first but a few months later I found myself playing it every other day. When you try singing to it is when it's fun.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      Maybe part of the problem is also then that the singing is still my least favorite part of this band in general.

  • @aryasurya2332
    @aryasurya2332 2 роки тому +2

    A Change of Seasons is not an album but………. Hope you review it too 😄

  • @thebroskis6364
    @thebroskis6364 9 місяців тому +1

    I dont know why many people hate on Systematic Chaos (obviously not you) but its awesome.

  • @joshuahart153
    @joshuahart153 2 роки тому +1

    S-Tier: SFAM, Octavarium
    A-Tier: Images, Awake, Six Degrees, Systematic Chaos
    B-Tier: The Astonishing, AVFTTOTW, Falling Into Infinity
    C-Tier: all the other ones except their first
    D-Tier: When Dream and Day Unite

  • @stevenc5448
    @stevenc5448 2 роки тому +1

    Great tier man. Im more of the long song guy. I enjoy riffs and melodic ideas to simmer and slow roast if you will. Im so glad you approach ranking with honesty, respect and constructive criticism.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks I do my best

    • @stevenc5448
      @stevenc5448 2 роки тому

      @@MetalTrenches i really enjoyed the newer fan perspective. It shows how they can really be "timesless" especially if they still appeal to the younger generations

  • @Mr.Bungle03
    @Mr.Bungle03 2 роки тому +2

    Awake is my person fav
    2.) Scenes
    3.) Images
    4.) Systematic Chaos
    5.) The Astonishing (loveeee it)

  • @yeptoo1148
    @yeptoo1148 2 роки тому +2

    Great: Images and words, A change of season, A view from the top of the world.
    Good: Awake, A dramatic turn of events. Octavarium
    OK: Distance over time.
    Minus: Train of thought.
    These are the records I know😊

  • @giacomojamesPunkRockHeadReact
    @giacomojamesPunkRockHeadReact 2 роки тому +2

    I Don’t agree with you !.. Train Of Thought is a big album, as i am one of my favorites songs , and this record is an A

  • @Oldy-dingo
    @Oldy-dingo 6 місяців тому +1

    Erm... I... dude...Train Of Thought? WTF Trenchy!!! Lol I totally had you putting that at S tier. Good to see someone ranking Systematic Chaos high though. Their most underrated album in my book.

  • @zachattack4666
    @zachattack4666 2 роки тому +2

    Scenes from a memory is probably my all time favorite

  • @marathonxman
    @marathonxman 2 роки тому +3

    As a long time fan we disagree on a LOT of this but I really don’t think they have a bad album so it’s all preference
    Awake
    Train of Thought (really surprised you put this so low tbh)
    Six Degrees
    Scenes From a Memory
    Images and Words
    Systematic Chaos
    Black Clouds
    Octavarium
    A View From the Top of the World
    Falling Into Infinity
    When Dream and Day Unite
    Distance Over Time
    Dream Theater
    Dramatic Turn of Events
    The Astonishing

  • @shawnbowers4836
    @shawnbowers4836 Рік тому +3

    Thank you so much sir for ranking their self titled album so high, it's probably my third favorite Dream Theater album. But it gets so much hate.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  Рік тому +2

      Unwarranted hate

    • @alvarovasquez998
      @alvarovasquez998 Рік тому

      Yeahh men, self-titled is amazing. Enigma Machine, The Bigger Picture, The Looking Glass uffff.

    • @shawnbowers4836
      @shawnbowers4836 Рік тому

      @@alvarovasquez998 Right! And I even like Illumination Theory.

  • @stanflahaut1893
    @stanflahaut1893 2 роки тому +4

    Our ratings are almost opposite. I would put The Astonishing at the bottom. I really liked most of Train Of Thought, especially As I Am and Stream of Consciousness. You can't beat The Miracle and the Sleeper IMO. I tend to lean toward the songs that exhibit a lot of musical intelligence and I love the odd time signatures the most. There's a video of Mike Portnoy out there counting off the time signatures of "Dance of Eternity" its epic.

  • @vinnynatale3733
    @vinnynatale3733 Рік тому +3

    I think there 2013 self titled album is incredibly underrated I love that album

    • @thebroskis6364
      @thebroskis6364 9 місяців тому

      I 100% agree. It was the first DT album I bought and I love it

  • @dandavidson1704
    @dandavidson1704 28 днів тому +1

    Falling into infinity is unbelievably over hated. Yes, it has a few radio friendly songs and cheesy songs but it has some amazing songs and some of dream theaters most grooves and experimental fusion sounds

  • @RWalters81
    @RWalters81 2 роки тому +3

    I was with you on every single ranking except the S/T which is a bottom 3 or 4 record.

    • @mtaffer
      @mtaffer 2 роки тому +2

      I'm one of the few that loves the self titled record I think! I just love the throwback to classic rock and it's very inspirational overall. And I mean aside from the overly long keyboard "disney" part I really love Illumination Theory. I think it's one of their best songs.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      It surprised me but listening to them in a row it really stood out for some reason

  • @Anarchy_Astonishing
    @Anarchy_Astonishing 9 місяців тому +1

    Wow, finally someone talks positive about The Astonishing.

  • @fourseasons4105
    @fourseasons4105 2 роки тому +11

    1. Six degrees of inner turbulence
    2. Metropolis pt. II
    3. Images and words
    4. Train of thought
    5. A dramatic turn of events
    6. Systematic chaos
    7. Awake
    8. Octavarium
    9. Black clouds and silver linings
    10. Falling into infinity
    11. When dream and day unite
    12. A view from the top of the world
    13. Distance over time
    14. The astonishing
    15. Self titled

  • @Patrick-sh9tt
    @Patrick-sh9tt 2 роки тому +1

    This dude knows his music..nice one

  • @howie5th
    @howie5th 2 роки тому +2

    I agree with many of your picks.
    Here are the main albums I would shift:
    Astonishing - F Tier (It's way too bloated to listen to)
    Train of Thought - B Tier
    Octovarium - D Tier (This one never connected with me)
    The other tweaks are minimal.
    A fun exercise.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      Interesting. I do agree that The Astonishing is super bloated. Thanks for sharing.

  • @bcbitchkkv
    @bcbitchkkv 2 роки тому +2

    Spicy! Especially the self-titled album (which is the 3rd worst, imo) :D
    My top 5 is: (1) BC&SL (2) Metropolis pt 2 (3) Systematic Chaos (4) Six Degrees (5) ADTOE

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      That S/T is just really darn consistent and that always appeals to me when considering where an album ranks.

  • @jb_50w78
    @jb_50w78 2 роки тому +2

    Here’s my ranking for Dream Theater albums after thinking about it:
    S: Images and Words, Awake, Scenes From a Memory, Train of Thought
    A: A View From the Top of the World, Octavarium, Systematic Chaos, Black Clouds and Silver Linings
    B: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, A Dramatic Turn of Events, Self-Titled
    C: Distance Over Time, The Astonishing
    D: Falling Into Infinity
    F: When Dream And Day Unite
    And if I were to include A Change of Seasons, I would put that next to Images and Words since they originally intended it to be in that album and it is one of the greatest prog metal songs ever written.
    Also, I think absolutely none of Dream Theater’s albums is actually bad in any way, with the exception of When Dream and Day Unite and Falling into Infinity.

    • @DanielSantosAnalysis
      @DanielSantosAnalysis 2 роки тому

      You're a real one for putting Awake and Train of Thought in S rank.

  • @user-hm4od3wu1z
    @user-hm4od3wu1z 11 місяців тому +1

    Weirdly this video is probably the length of some dream theater songs

  • @DanielSantosAnalysis
    @DanielSantosAnalysis 2 роки тому

    Dunno why but I randomly felt like returning to this video. Still disagree with a lot of it, but it's interesting to hear your perspective none the less. I do feel that over time though and apologies if this is presumptuous on my part, but I think your thoughts on these albums will eventually shift. I say this simply because A LOT of their music I don't think can be appreciated in a handful of listens, there's a lot going on in them and as a result it can be difficult before their albums "click" so to speak. I think that's the case with a lot of music though, but I think that's especially the case when you consider how dense and complex DT's music is.
    Anyways, I should probably re-listen to their discography front to back one of these days to refresh myself on their material, but just going based on how I feel atm, this is how I would currently rank their albums.
    S:
    Awake, Train of Thought, Scenes from a Memory
    A:
    Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, Images and Words
    B:
    Distance Over Time, A Dramatic Turn of Events, A View From the Top of the World, Systematic Chaos, Octavarium
    C:
    Self-Titled, Black Clouds and Silver Linings
    D:
    The Astonishing, When Dreams and Day Unite, Falling into Infinity
    Hopefully you give some of these albums another shot and get a better idea of where fans are coming from when they praise certain ones.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      Thanks for sharing. I think everyone’s opinion can shift over time, but I also think that tastes vary wildly and nostalgia can be blinding. I also just think above all people shouldn’t have to get lectured about which albums they should enjoy more or less. I really think it would be boring if everyone just had the same ranking.

    • @DanielSantosAnalysis
      @DanielSantosAnalysis 2 роки тому +1

      @@MetalTrenches I just want to clear some stuff up so that there's no misunderstandings here.
      I am not at all trying to shame or lecture you into liking anything. Obviously everyone has their own tastes and if something isn't to your liking, that's perfectly fine. Nor do I think everyone should have the same ranking, I know for a fact some fans would think I am nuts for placing Six Degrees and Awake above Images and Words. Honestly all I am saying is that sometimes it can be hard to understand where the appreciation for something comes from and that it can take time before that happens. Also, I don't think I'm blinded by nostalgia, I only got into this band about 5-6 years ago, not 2-3 decades like some folks.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      That’s fair. I just get too many commenters who basically say “you listened wrong” lol

    • @DanielSantosAnalysis
      @DanielSantosAnalysis 2 роки тому +1

      ​@@MetalTrenches Trust me, as a guy that also puts his opinions on youtube and gets people telling him similar things, I am not saying that to you at all, lol. If your opinions on these albums remain completely the same, that's absolutely valid.

  • @martinjelinek3676
    @martinjelinek3676 Рік тому +2

    For me it goes like this:
    S: Scenes from a Memory, Octavarium, SDOIT,
    A: Images and words, Awake, Distance over Time, A view from the top of the world
    B: Systematic Chaos, Train of thought, Black Clouds and Silver Linings
    C: Falling into Infinity, A dramatic turn of events
    D: Dream Theater, The Astonishing,
    E: When dream and day reunite
    F: No F tier. We dont do that here
    Falling into infinity - C tear due to not released demo songs like The way it used to be, otherwise would be D tear
    When dream a day reunite is E because when all things considered, they were in their very begginings.
    Images and Words are not S tier because I feel like.. Its overhyped. Dont get me wrong, I love the album, but there are better albums imo.

  • @liammcknight3845
    @liammcknight3845 2 роки тому +1

    Been a fan of Dream Theater since I was 8 years old (now 25) and they are definitely one of the best in the game.
    I definintely agree on some of your picks but there are a few I definitely disagree with.
    I'm glad you put Octavarium high but you didn't even mention the song Octavarium? That is definintely Dream Theater's best song they have ever written, followed closely by Count of Tuscany.
    You put the self titled album at B tier which was a very "interesting" choice, and I along with many long term fans would rank it as one of their worst efforts.
    Another one is where you put 6 degrees at C tier. I can't fault you for that as it is definitely most challenging record but it is definitely one of their best as it is very complex, challenging and really pushes the boundaries musically. I think maybe since you are a new listener you didn't grasp that aspect. It took me a good 5 or so years of listening to DT to appreciate that album.
    I'd put black clouds higher myself but I think that is because I saw them on tour during that time so it was memorable plus also Count of Tuscany is one of their best. I'd probably swap Systematic Chaos & Black clouds.
    Finally, I'd put Distance over Time a slot higher. It was actually a nice return to form. It was a focused and concise effort and had some beautiful tracks like Barstool Warrior & Pale Blue Dot.
    Other than that, not a bad list and definitely along the lines of most Dream Theater fans

  • @chrisbarcia8288
    @chrisbarcia8288 9 місяців тому +1

    My top 3 are Awake, WD&DU, and 6 Degrees. They kind of lost me when Train of Thought came out.

  • @vlad1366
    @vlad1366 Рік тому +1

    Dream Theater , Turn events.., black cloud...my trio

  • @czmisfitsfan
    @czmisfitsfan 2 роки тому +1

    I was a diehard fan starting in '96 (Live at the Marquee being my introduction) but my fandom kinda died out around Train of Thought.
    My ranking:
    1. Awake
    2. Scenes
    3. I & W
    4. Six Degrees
    5. Black Clouds
    6. Octavarium
    The rest are either meh or I didn't bother with them.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      Interesting to see Awake at the top. Thanks for sharing.

  • @42k78
    @42k78 10 місяців тому +1

    I thought you were rather nice. I expected more D/F tier albums. An example of a super talented band that doesn't always have the best writing. Didn't they start out as Liquid Tension, an instrumental? They should have kept doing that. By far their best work.

  • @shawnmarcum8078
    @shawnmarcum8078 11 місяців тому +1

    A C tier Dream Theater album is like a b tier average metal album.

  • @Kevinrock98
    @Kevinrock98 6 місяців тому +2

    Sometimes i dont aggre with you, but i admire the fact you give some justice to the mangini era, those albums are great and underrated and got so much hate by portnoy nostalfag fans

  • @149CreepingDeath08
    @149CreepingDeath08 2 роки тому +1

    Ive never heard 2112 pronounced like that, it feels like a crime lol

  • @Cwin-ny6bp
    @Cwin-ny6bp 2 місяці тому

    I was very worried you wouldn’t put Scenes From a Memory in S-tier . Glad to see you didn’t do that. I feel like Awake is a more cohesively strong album than Images and Words because the Kenny G-esque sax sections and some other elements in certain songs felt a little out of place, even if they were bold choices. Completely disagree with your take on As I Am and Train of Thought in general. As I Am is an awesome song. I do agree with you putting Systematic Chaos fairly high.

  • @dasanterre
    @dasanterre 10 місяців тому

    S: Images & Words / Scenes
    A: Octavarium / Systematic Chaos
    B: Six Degrees / Train of Tought / Black Clouds
    C: Awake / Distance Over Time
    D: WDaDU / A View from the Top / ADToE
    F: Falling Into Infinity / Dream Theater / The Astonishing

  • @marioherker4962
    @marioherker4962 2 роки тому +1

    Actually refreshing to see someone not Ranking the astonishing either high as hell or worst. DT fanbase is the most confusing i ever found lol

  • @noseqnombreponer7589
    @noseqnombreponer7589 2 роки тому +2

    Weird how You ranked the least fan favourites albums higher than some of their classics, but this is My list
    Scenes from a memory
    Six degrees
    Octavarium
    Awake
    Train of..
    Images And words
    Systematic chaos
    Falling into Infinity
    Black clouds
    ...and the rest of the albums I don't really care, as they ended up repeating the same fomula over and over

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +1

      That's the fun of talking music... there is no right answer

  • @isaacpunch9295
    @isaacpunch9295 10 місяців тому

    My only hard disagreement is Train of Thought. I discovered DT through my love of drumming and into Portnoy. So I have a biased love for it.

  • @keithbarlow9701
    @keithbarlow9701 3 місяці тому

    I'm slightly confused. Are you saying you hadn't ever listened to Dream Theater prior to making this tier list? Or did you just mean this was the first time you've managed to slog through the entirety of their discography?

  • @alexaro1672
    @alexaro1672 2 роки тому +1

    I went through a huge Dream Theater phase in high school. Fell off from this band as I’ve gotten older mainly because prog tends to bore me. I respect the musicianship but most of the time it’s just not something I want to listen to. Last time I saw Dream Theater I had won tickets off the radio and fell asleep during their set lol.

  • @mobafan3713
    @mobafan3713 18 днів тому

    My favourite is Octavarium

  • @davidburns6284
    @davidburns6284 2 роки тому +1

    Never been a big fan of DT. A little too happy sounding and the vocals are too mainstream for my taste. However, I do enjoy Images & Words and I love Train of Thought because they finally got heavy for an entire album with great big riffs and cut out all that happy sounding crap.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +1

      They've got some other ones like that

  • @brodybazzini6729
    @brodybazzini6729 Рік тому +1

    I actually really like This Dying Soul. The rest of Train of Thought is kinda meh for me though

  • @sharpywilliam4513
    @sharpywilliam4513 2 роки тому

    Putting The Asstonishing ABOVE black clouds and silver linings... hell putting Asstonishing that high is pure heresy, smh..

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      Opinions are like buttholes… everyone’s got one

  • @fyraga9654
    @fyraga9654 Рік тому

    It really surprises me your ranking this albums with one listen, like noo, NOOO!

  • @Hamptainment
    @Hamptainment 2 роки тому +1

    Did I hear you say twenty one one two?

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      You did. I have heard so many people say that album name completely differently

  • @nknathan2004
    @nknathan2004 2 роки тому +1

    A view is the best one I have ever listen. I like the whole album. The alien is the best.

  • @thekingofstillwater5890
    @thekingofstillwater5890 Рік тому

    Gonna heavily disagree with ya dude. Here's my take:
    S tier): Images and Words, Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory, Octavarium, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, Train of Thought, Black Clouds & Silver Linings
    A tier): Systematic Chaos, A Dramatic Turn of Events
    B tier): Falling into Infinity, Distance over Time, Dream Theater, The Astonishing
    C tier): Awake
    D tier): When Dream and Day Unite
    Haven't Heard Yet): A View from the Top of the World

  • @CptTachyon
    @CptTachyon 2 роки тому +1

    15) The Astonishing (I do respect this album a lot though for trying something different)
    14) Scenes From A Memory (Aside from Home and, to a lesser extent Strange Deja Vu and The Spirit Carries On, I just don't see why this of all the albums got such praise)
    13) When Day and Dream Unite
    12) Falling Into Infinity
    11) Self Titled
    10) Images and Words (Unlike Scenes, I do get why it's so lauded. Respect the landmark nature of the album, but no real stand out songs for me except Pull Me Under at a push)
    9) A View From On Top Of The World (Could move up, needs more time to sink in)
    8) Train of Thought
    7) A Dramatic Turn of Events
    6) Systematic Chaos
    5) Black Clouds and Silver Linings
    4) Distance over Time
    3) Octavarium
    2) Awake (What I thought Images and Words was going to be)
    1) Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (I do agree the first disc is better than the 2nd, but the 1st disc is an absolute 10/10)

    • @joshuahart153
      @joshuahart153 2 роки тому

      Well that’s… controversial lol

  • @nickygoods131
    @nickygoods131 2 роки тому +2

    I gotta say, I've been a Dream Theater fan since Octavarium. With the follow up Portnoy albums it made every album more and more exciting. I was lucky enough to get to see Dream Theater during their last tour with Portnoy too. Now that we are a handful of albums in with Mike Mangini, it's been a much nicer ride. Personally, I always saw DTs weakness with Portnoy's awful vocal passages and even worse lyrical input. So I'm going favorite Portnoy era album: Octavarium, Favorite post Portnoy: A dramatic turn of events. Thanks Icarus! 🤘🤘

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you! Have you heard Portnoy’s son’s band?

    • @nickygoods131
      @nickygoods131 2 роки тому +1

      @@MetalTrenches not that I believe. I know he drums for Code Orange now. As far as his father, I own a disturbing amount of Portnoy's musical output.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +1

      @@nickygoods131 He’s in a nu metal band called Tallah. Actually pretty rad. Did an interview with the vocalist.

    • @nickygoods131
      @nickygoods131 2 роки тому +1

      @@MetalTrenches oh wow! I've heard Tallah a few times, great band! I had no idea Portnoy's son was their drummer! Very cool 😎

    • @bcbitchkkv
      @bcbitchkkv 2 роки тому +1

      THANK YOU!! Finally someone who shares my opinion. Especially his nasal vocals on chorus like Constant Motion kills me.
      GREAT drummer and songwriter, but dear fucking lawd let the singers do the singing.

  • @pairofjeansreviews2034
    @pairofjeansreviews2034 2 роки тому

    Trenches really said Mangini era > Portnoy era... respect.... i disagree.... but respect

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +2

      I love Portnoy, but I feel like they have really been still honing their sound even now while most bands in their position just phone it in.

    • @pairofjeansreviews2034
      @pairofjeansreviews2034 2 роки тому

      They’re definitely keeping it moving. As much as I dislike The Astonishing, it was quite an impressive thing to take on 13 albums into their career

  • @jonathanvoorhees6793
    @jonathanvoorhees6793 11 місяців тому

    No way you just shat on Train of Thought like that.

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  11 місяців тому

      I love how some of you act like I just kicked your dog. It’s just a complete stranger’s personal opinion on MUSIC. Not that serious.

  • @mr11maiden43
    @mr11maiden43 2 роки тому +3

    My ranking would be this:
    15 Debut
    14 Falling into infinity
    13 Self titled
    12 The Astonishing
    11 A view from the top of the world
    10 Awake (50/50 album. Half is top notch material half is just gud)
    9 Distance over time
    8 Six Degrees
    7 ADTOE
    6 Octavarium
    5 Images and Words
    4 Black Clouds
    3 Systematic Chaos
    2 Train of Thought
    1 Metropolis pt 2

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      Definitely seeing some Train Of Thought defenders

  • @Charmape
    @Charmape Рік тому +2

    My top 5 fav to regularly listen to: Panic Attack, Home, At Wit's End (minus the last min), The Path That Divides, Another Day
    5 least fav
    D tier - Scarred, 6: 00, The Great Debate
    F tier - Lie, Repentance
    Fav: ADTOE (1), Images (2)
    Very good tier - Train of Thought (3), SC (4), Scenes (5)
    Good tier - WDADU (6), Octavarium (7)
    OK tier - DoT (8), Black Clouds (9)
    Wouldn't choose to listen to album as a whole, cherry picking some songs are fine: Six Degrees (10), The Astonishing (11), Awake (12), DT (13), Falling Into Infinity (14), A View (15)
    Fav tracks from each album
    Afterlife/Only a Matter of Time
    Learning to Live/Another Day
    Voices/Space-Dye Vest
    Peruvian Skies/Hollow Years (live vers.)
    Home/The Dance of Eternity
    The Glass Prison/Misunderstood
    Tie between As I Am, This Dying Soul, Endless Sacrifice, In the Name of God
    Panic Attack/ I Walk Beside You/Sacrificed Sons
    The Dark Eternal Night/Constant Motion
    Wither. On Black Clouds- I think 5/6 of the songs are too long. Like the core equally between A Nightmare to Remember, The Count of Tuscany and The Best of Times.
    On The Backs of Angels, Outcry, Breaking All Illusions and Beneath the Surface
    The Enemy Inside
    The Path That Divides/Ravenskill/Begin Again
    S2N/At Wit's End
    A View: Nothing

  • @rogeroliveira6566
    @rogeroliveira6566 2 роки тому +1

    Astonishing and Self Titled better than Six Degrees? WTF

  • @Dreamwar19
    @Dreamwar19 2 роки тому +3

    15 The astonishing
    14 Dream theater
    13 Distance over time
    12 A view from the top of the world
    11 A dramatic turn of events
    10 systematic chaos
    09 black clouds and silver linings
    08 falling into infinity
    07 when Dream and unite
    06 octavarium
    05 train of thought
    04 six degrees of inner turbulence
    03 metropolis part 2 scenes from a memory
    02 awake
    01 images and words

  • @FaustianSpirit1997
    @FaustianSpirit1997 2 роки тому +3

    15) The Astonishing
    14) When Dream And Day Unite
    13) A View From The Top Of The World
    12) Black Clouds And Silver Linings
    11) S/T
    10) Falling Into Infinity
    9) Distance Over Time
    8) Systematic Chaos
    7) Octavarium
    6) Train Of Thought
    5) A Dramatic Turn Of Events
    4) Awake
    3) Images And Words
    2) Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
    1) Metropolis 2 - Scenes From A Memory

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому

      Whoah for a minute I read this wrong and though you had Metropolis last. I was gonna say "You are a brave man to make that public" lol

    • @FaustianSpirit1997
      @FaustianSpirit1997 2 роки тому +3

      @@MetalTrenches And Astonishing as #1? I'm not THAT crazy.

  • @robertsparling917
    @robertsparling917 2 роки тому +2

    My ranking:
    S: Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory, Distance Over Time
    A: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, Train of Thought, Awake
    B: A View from the Top of the World, Images and Words, Octavarium
    C: Falling into Infinity, Systematic Chaos
    D: Black Clouds and Silver Lining, A Dramatic Turn of Events
    F: Self-titled, When Dream and Day Unite, The Astonishing

  • @neilkenneth859
    @neilkenneth859 2 роки тому +1

    The Astonishing = auto-F Tier

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +2

      I was expecting to feel that way but disc 1 is pretty good imo

  • @_williampettersson_
    @_williampettersson_ Рік тому +1

    Black Clouds & Silver linings is definitely my favourite album

  • @WeltAusEis
    @WeltAusEis 2 роки тому +2

    so glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like TOT that much

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +1

      There should always be room for criticism

  • @BagofSchmidt
    @BagofSchmidt 2 роки тому +2

    Finally someone else who dislikes train of thought

  • @petelewis7801
    @petelewis7801 Рік тому

    I'm not saying your opinions are wrong (after all, art is subjective) but you need to go back and do it all again, ranking the albums correctly

  • @dgmwitz
    @dgmwitz 2 роки тому

    bruh

  • @Wetfeet569Gaming
    @Wetfeet569Gaming 2 роки тому

    Lol ranks Octavarium and dosent mention the title track. DA FUK. Train of thougth was dream theaters heavy side at there best

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  2 роки тому +1

      Not sure if it was your intention, but this comment comes off as the definition of why Dream Theater fans have a bit of a bad reputation.

  • @calico_shard1153
    @calico_shard1153 Рік тому

    Twenty One-One Two? It's TWENTY ONE TWELVE

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  Рік тому +1

      It always amazes me when out of an entire video, THIS is what someone would choose to dedicate their time to responding 🤦🏻‍♂️

  • @shaihulud7316
    @shaihulud7316 Місяць тому

    Ranking these albums after one visit is sheer hilarious and your opinions on Train of Thought is beyond awful

    • @MetalTrenches
      @MetalTrenches  Місяць тому

      Shame someone with such a great name could have such sour grapes over someone else’s opinion. You’re not the main character, my dude.

  • @holtsinger6065
    @holtsinger6065 2 роки тому +1

    This list is wrong dude