Over the course of various lineup changes, Petrucci and Myung have been the only two constant members, and Portnoy remained with the band until 2010, when he left to pursue other musical endeavors and he has since been replaced by Mangini. After a brief stint with Chris Collins, followed by Charlie Dominici (who was dismissed from Dream Theater not long after the release of their first album), LaBrie was hired as the band's singer in 1991. Dream Theater's first keyboardist, Kevin Moore, left the band after three albums and was replaced by Derek Sherinian in 1995 after a period of touring. After just one album with Sherinian, they replaced him with current keyboardist Jordan Rudess in 1999.
To date, Dream Theater has released fifteen studio albums. The band's highest-selling release is their second album Images and Words (1992), which reached No. 61 on the Billboard 200 chart. Both the albums Awake (1994) and Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (2002) also entered the charts at No. 32 and No. 46, respectively, and received critical acclaim. Their fifth album, Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999), was ranked number 95 on the October 2006 issue of Guitar World magazine's list of the greatest 100 guitar albums of all time. It was also ranked as the 15th Greatest Concept Album in March 2003 by Classic Rock Magazine.
As of 2018, Dream Theater has sold over 12 million records worldwide and has received three Grammy Award nominations (including one win in 2022). Along with Queensrÿche and Fates Warning, the band has been referred to as one of the "big three" of the progressive metal genre, responsible for its development and popularization.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dream_Theater
Studio albums
When Dream and Day Unite (1989)
Images and Words (1992)
Awake (1994)
Falling into Infinity (1997)
Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999)
Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (2002)
Train of Thought (2003)
Octavarium (2005)
Systematic Chaos (2007)
Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009)
A Dramatic Turn of Events (2011)
Dream Theater (2013)
The Astonishing (2016)
Distance over Time (2019)
A View from the Top of the World (2021)
In The Presence Of Enemies Pt. 1
Dream Theater Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Instrumental)
II. Resurrection
I saw a white light shining there before me
And walking to it, I waited for the end
A final vision promising salvation
A resurrection for a fallen man
Do you still wait for your God?
And the symbol of your faith
I can free you from this hell and misery
You should never be ashamed, my son
I can give you power beyond anything
Trust me, you will be the chosen one
I was forgotten, a body scorned and broken
My soul rejected, tainted by his blood
Beyond redemption, a sinner not worth saving
Forever taken from the one I loved
Do I still wait for my God?
And the symbol of my faith
I can lead you down the path and back to life
All I ask is that you worship me
I can help you seek revenge and save yourself
Give you life for all eternity
Servants of the fallen
Fight to pave the way
For their savior's calling
On this wicked day
Through a veil of madness
With a vicious blade
One man rises up
Standing in their way
Redemption
Redemption for humanity
The lyrics of "In The Presence Of Enemies Pt. 1" by Dream Theater is a complex portrayal of the inner human battle between faith and temptation. The song is divided into two sections: Prelude and Resurrection, and portrays a fallen man waiting for salvation. The Prelude is an instrumental opening that focuses on the tension and dramatic elements of the song. The opening features the guitar, symbolizing an intense conflict between different forces within the human mind.
The Resurrection, on the other hand, begins with the lyrical narrative of a person waiting for the end and seeing a white light shining before him. The person waits for a final vision that promises salvation- a resurrection for a fallen man. The singer is then approached by an unknown entity, promising to free him from the misery and hell he's endured, and granting him power beyond his imagination. The entity asks the singer to trust him and worship him, promising him eternal life in exchange for his faith.
The singer, however, is hesitant- Do I still wait for my God and the symbol of my faith? He is convinced by the strange entity. He decides to accept the offer, seeking vengeance on those who have wronged him, and in doing so, he himself rises to become the adversary of his former faith.
Overall, the song is a cryptic portrayal of the human stubbornness of sticking to the unchanging beliefs and the temptation to follow the easy way out. It displays that choice of accepting a new faith, even when it goes against your principles in times of struggle, is an inevitable thought that arises.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw a white light shining there before me
I had a vision of a bright white light shining before me
And walking to it, I waited for the end
As I walked towards it, I anticipated my final moments
A final vision promising salvation
A final image appeared to me, assuring me of deliverance
A resurrection for a fallen man
The vision promised to revive someone who has failed
Do you still wait for your God?
Do you continue to anticipate your deity?
And the symbol of your faith
And the emblem which represents your conviction?
I can free you from this hell and misery
I can liberate you from this affliction and anguish
You should never be ashamed, my son
You must not feel guilty, my child
I can give you power beyond anything
I can grant you strength beyond measure
Trust me, you will be the chosen one
Believe in me, you will be selected
I was forgotten, a body scorned and broken
I was ignored, a mistreated and shattered being
My soul rejected, tainted by his blood
My spirit was repudiated, tainted by his blood
Beyond redemption, a sinner not worth saving
Beyond salvation, a transgressor who is not valuable enough to be rescued
Forever taken from the one I loved
Forever separated from the one I had feelings for
I can lead you down the path and back to life
I can escort you along the route and revive you
All I ask is that you worship me
All I request is that you adore me
I can help you seek revenge and save yourself
I can aid you in seeking retribution and rescuing yourself
Give you life for all eternity
Provide you with everlasting life
Servants of the fallen
Followers of the devil
Fight to pave the way
Struggling to prepare the path
For their savior's calling
For the summons of their messiah
On this wicked day
On this evil day
Through a veil of madness
Via a barrier of insanity
With a vicious blade
Using a cruel weapon
One man rises up
One man emerges
Standing in their way
Preventing them from moving forward
Redemption
Deliverance or absolution
Redemption for humanity
Deliverance or absolution for all people
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Danang Setiawan
"In The Presence Of Enemies, Pt. 1"
[Music: Dream Theater / Lyrics: John Petrucci]
[I PRELUDE ]
[Instrumental]
[II RESURRECTION ]
I saw a white light
Shining there before me
And walking to it
I waited for the end
A final vision
Promising salvation
A resurrection
For a fallen man
Do you still wait for your God
And the symbol of your faith?
I can free you from this Hell and misery
You should never be ashamed my son
I can give you power beyond anything
Trust me you will be the chosen one
I was forgotten
A body scorned and broken
My soul rejected
Tainted by his blood
Beyond redemption
A sinner not worth saving
Forever taken
From the one I loved
Do I still wait for my God
And a symbol of my faith?
I can lead you down the path and back to life
All I ask is that you worship me
I can help you seek revenge and save yourself
Give you life for all eternity
Servants of the fallen
Fight to pave the way
For their saviour's calling
Of this wicked day
Through a veil of madness
With a vicious blade
One man rises up
Standing in their way
Redemption
Redemption for humanity
"In The Presence Of Enemies, Pt. 2"
[Music: Dream Theater / Lyrics: John Petrucci]
[III. HERETIC ]
Welcome tired pilgrim
Into the circle
We have been waiting
Everyone's gathered
for your arrival
All the believers
Angels fall
all for you
heretic
Demon heart
bleed for us
I've been waiting for you,
Weary preacher man
You have been expected
Now we can begin
Let this hollowed Day of Judgment reign
I have known you father
And your sacred quest
Blessed soldier fighting
You shall never rest
I have known you but do you know me?
Angels fall
all for you
heretic
Demon heart
bleed for us
(My soul is yours Dark Master, I will fight for you)
Dark Master within, I will fight for you
Dark Master of sin, now my soul is yours
Dark Master, my guide, I will die for you
Dark Master inside�
I cannot see his face
But I could feel his spite
A presence from the dead
Abandoned by the light
This shadow will consume him
from within
This power that I sense
The rage behind those eyes
Is just a shrouded ghost
A spirit sealed inside
The body and the soul both threats
For they are one
Angels fall
all for you
heretic
Demon heart
bleed for us
(My soul is yours Dark Master, I will fight for you)
Dark Master within, I will fight for you
Dark Master of sin, now my soul is yours
Dark Master, my guide, I will die for you
Dark Master inside�
Dark Master, amen, I belong to you
Dark Master within�
Heil! Heil! Heil! Heil!
Heil! Heil! Heil! Heil!
[IV. THE SLAUGHTER OF THE DAMNED ]
Don't
Bother trying to find them
They will be coming to you
Fight,
Fight and destroy until you can't take anymore
Slay
Spill the blood of the rebels
They are the children of hell
Flesh,
Of the undead
Stopping at nothing to kill
Sin,
Caught in a moment of weakness
Committed the greatest of all
Sold,
Half of my soul
And now it's too late for you
I judge us
my eyes see
I judge and I am just
For I speak of the beast
That lives in all of us
Unwelcome ones
your time has come
Lord,
You are my god and my shepherd
Nothing more shall I want
Walk,
Through the abyss
Into the shadow of death
Fear,
There is no evil to fear now
For I know you are with me
My,
Cup overflows
With my enemy's blood
I,
Decay in the house of the lord
Forever, amen
Death,
Will follow me
All the days of my life
I judge us
my eyes see
I judge and I am just
For I speak of the beast
That lives in all of us
Unwelcome ones
your time has come
Servants of the fallen
Fight to pave the way
For their savior's calling
On this wicked day
Through a veil of madness
With a vicious play
One man rises up
Standing in their way
It's time for your reckoning
[V. THE RECKONING ]
[Instrumental]
[VI. SALVATION ]
My soul grows weaker
He knows and he waits
He watches over me
Standing at the infernal gates
In the hour of darkness
The moment I feared has passed
The moment I lost my faith
Promising salvation
My soul is my own now
I do not fight for you
Dark Master
ShredderMetal
[I Prelude - Instrumental]
[II Resurrection]
I saw a white light
Shining there before me
And walking to it
I waited for the end
A final vision
Promising salvation
A resurrection
For a fallen man
Do you still wait for your God
And the symbol of your faith?
I can free you from this Hell and misery
You should never be ashamed my son
I can give you power beyond anything
Trust me you will be the chosen one
I was forgotten
A body scorned and broken
My soul rejected
Tainted by his blood
Beyond redemption
A sinner not worth saving
Forever taken
From the one I loved
Do I still wait for my God
And a symbol of my faith?
I can lead you down the path and back to life
All I ask is that you worship me
I can help you seek revenge and save yourself
Give you life for all eternity
Servants of the fallen
Fight to pave the way
For their savior's calling
On this wicked day
Through a veil of madness
With a vicious blade
One man rises up
Standing in their way
Redemption
Redemption for humanity
[III Heretic]
Welcome tired pilgrim
Into the circle
We have been waiting
Everyone's gathered
for your arrival
All the believers
Angels fall
all for you
heretic
Demon heart
bleed for us
I've been waiting for you,
Weary preacher man
You have been expected
Now we can begin
Let this hallowed Day of Judgment reign
I have known you father
And your sacred quest
Blessed soldier fighting
You shall never rest
I have known you but do you know me?
Angels fall
all for you
heretic
Demon heart
bleed for us
(My soul is yours Dark Master, I will fight for you)
Dark Master within, I will fight for you
Dark Master of sin, now my soul is yours
Dark Master, my guide, I will die for you
Dark Master inside
I cannot see his face
But I could feel his spite
A presence from the dead
Abandoned by the light
This shadow will consume him
from within
This power that I sense
The rage behind those eyes
Is just a shrouded ghost
A spirit sealed inside
The body and the soul both threats
For they are one
Angels fall
all for you
heretic
Demon heart
bleed for us
(My soul is yours Dark Master, I will fight for you)
Dark Master within, I will fight for you
Dark Master of sin, now my soul is yours
Dark Master, my guide, I will die for you
Dark Master inside
Dark Master, amen, I belong to you
Dark Master within
[IV The Slaughter of The Damned]
Don't
Bother trying to find them
They will be coming to you
Fight,
Fight and destroy until you can't take anymore
Slay
Spill the blood of the rebels
They are the children of hell
Flesh,
Of the undead
Stopping at nothing to kill
Sin,
Caught in a moment of weakness
Committed the greatest of all
Sold,
Half of my soul
And now it's too late for you
I judge as
my eyes see
I judge and I am just
For I speak of the beast
That lives in all of us
Unwelcome ones
your time has come
Lord,
You are my god and my shepherd
Nothing more shall I want
Walk,
Through the abyss
Into the shadow of death
Fear,
There is no evil to fear now
For I know you are with me
My,
Cup overflows
With my enemies' blood
I,
Decay in the house of the lord
Forever, amen
Death,
Will follow me
All the days of my life
I judge as
my eyes see
I judge and I am just
For I speak of the beast
That lives in all of us
Unwelcome one
your time has come
Servants of the fallen
Fight to pave the way
For their savior's calling
On this wicked day
Through a veil of madness
With a vicious blade
One man rises up
Standing in their way
It's time for your reckoning
[V The Reckoning - Instrumental]
[VI Salvation]
My soul grows weaker
He knows and he waits
He watches over me
Standing at the infernal gates
In the hour of darkness
The moment I feared has passed
The moment I lost my faith
Promising salvation
My soul is my own now
I do not fight for you
Dark Master
Desmolas
In The Presence of Enemies really shows what Labrie is capable of. He gets so much shit for his inconsistent vocal, but when he nails it, he fucking NAILS it.
Tyler Jacobson
Labrie understands how to sing at a high level. Back in the day he used to nail performances all the time. Now he’s just this shell of his former self. Maybe it’s the constant touring singing these insane songs where he’s got to be insanely dynamic all the time just wearing his vocal cords down. Maybe it’s 100% percent the injury. The criticisms against him are 100% legitimate but he’s not this shitty singer people say he is. He’s a world class singer that just seems to be washed up or what would be the worst of all, lazy.
John Doe
@Tyler Jacobson he ruptured his vocal chords from throwing up after getting food poisoning in '94. He may not be perfect but he's a damn good vocalist. I'd love to see anyone bounce back after something I've that.
Blackasthesky
It's normally not my taste, and I would not consider myself a DT fan, but I enjoy a lot of their work.
And although LaBrie's style does not nail my personal taste, I find that it matches the music perfectly. I really appreciate that DT never replaced him or anything -- that's what some people just seem to "expect" on the web. Not cool. He is part of this work, and rightfully so. If you dislike it, you do not have to listen.
Kevinrock
@Blackasthesky they never replace him because all the other members dont let portnoy, When he was in the band he wanted to replace labrie
Patricio Mendez
Only sometimes nailing it is the definition of inconsistent.
bghtoda
00:00 — I. Prelude
04:19 — II. Resurrection
08:53 — III. Heretic
15:08 — IV. The Slaughter of the Damned
18:18 — V. The Reckoning
22:03 — VI. Salvation
Joseph Beguhl
Individually, the two songs are great, but put them together and you have an absolute monstrosity of prog metal mastery. Amazing !
Kate Murphy
Joseph Beguhl thank you 🙏.
Spyros PETS
It's one song, actually. Just divided into two tracks.