On Tuesday, October 14th, prog-metal titans Dream Theater transformed The Factory into a sanatorium of technical virtuosity and sweeping energy, celebrating a musical journey spanning four decades.
I found Dream Theater in a side-way: I was quite young when the band laid its foundation—only a year old for the release of second LP, Images and Words (a favorite of mine), and four when EP A Change of Seasons dropped, for instance—but when I was 8, I began taking drum lessons. My parents sacrificed much to purchase a Tama Swingstar Silver Drumkit, and of course I committed to practicing every day.
An accessory to the kit was a VHS tape called Out of the Box and Onto the Stage, a 90-minute instructional video that demonstrates how to assemble a drum set and offers basic technique lessons from percussionists Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp), John Tempesta (Rob Zombie), and Mike Portnoy (pre-blue beard and tattoo sleeves).
I watched the tape often, as equally appreciative of the how-tos as the exposure to Tempesta playing bits of “Super Charger Heaven” and “Living Dead Girl” (heavy to an 8-year-old) and Portnoy showcasing clips from live shows with Dream Theater, as well as the sheer size of his drum setup.
I wish I still had that fuckin’ VHS tape—thankfully a YouTuber was forward-thinking enough to upload it here for anyone curious—but regardless, picking up the drums and watching that tape was a bridge to heavy music that I’m still traveling along 25 years later.
And in these years, I’ve continued to drum and enjoy Dream Theater’s discography as it evolves. Metropolis Part 2, Six Degrees of Turbulence and Train of Thought were all seminal records of my teenage era; and it’s been a privilege to have a full catalogue of music to study: the evolution, the highs and lows, the introductions, the goodbyes, the reintroductions, and non-stop innovation.
All of this is to say, what a joy to celebrate Dream Theater 40-years strong.
At Tuesday’s show, the band opened with, “In the Arms of Morpheus,” kicking off its playthrough of latest LP, Parasomnia, a haunting epic featuring long-time members John Petrucci, James LaBrie, John Myung, and Jordan Rudess, while also welcoming back Portnoy.
At this point in their career, the band operates like a Swiss timepiece. Every transition seamless, every tempo change surgically precise, every complex composition navigated with ease. When you watch the band play, each member showcases a comfortability with their instrument, not to mention a genuine thrill to be sharing the stage together again, no one outshining the others.
Portnoy’s reintegrated energy was infectious: flying hair, spinning sticks, and standing up often at the kit to pump his fists and cheer, all while keeping clockwork tempo. His chemistry with guitarist Petrucci, who performed astounding lead guitar work mixed in with breathtaking solos; Myung, who held everything together with moody, grooving bass; and Rudess, whose fingers glided up and down his keyboard as though possessed by some kind of supernatural power, felt fully restored, as if the years apart had been mere moments.
James LaBrie’s vocals were particularly impressive, soaring through each demanding passage, voice showing remarkable preservation and newfound nuance. You can hear the experience in his performance, decades of singing having strengthened his range and handle on material new and old.
And balancing recent and classic material demonstrated the band’s continued boundary pushing. Newer pieces felt confident and road-tested since debuting the material in full last October for a worldwide tour celebrating 40 years, while “A Change of Seasons” highlighted how Dream Theater’s ambitions have grown over time, even as it honors early steps.
Visually, the production was spectacular, turning the stage into a spooky, gothic graveyard leading up to showtime, complete with a soundtrack of notable horror film score work, only to give way to the band’s floor-to-ceiling screens and laser-light spectacle, complimenting their long-form storytelling through song. And during quieter passages, subtle atmospheric lighting imbued ethereal ambiance, transforming The Factory into an otherworldly space.
As the final notes rang out, the standing ovation offered collective catharsis. Dream Theater proved Tuesday that for the better part of half a century, they’re not just surviving but thriving, with the classic lineup hopefully pointing to a new chapter of musical innovation, rejuvenated chemistry, and unlimited creativity.
The band has wrapped up its 2025 tour dates, but International Dates to be announced soon for 2026-27.
I have to say, as is often the case for me, finally seeing Dream Theater live has inspired me to do yet another deep dive into their catalogue. There’s a lot to listen to, and all of it an integral part of the band’s story.
Maybe you’ll join me? | Zach K. Johnson
