Exploring the Songs on Dream Theater's Distance Over Time Tour

Dream Theater is on the road in support of their new album, Distance Over Time. The Boston-based prog rockers are on the tail end of a South American tour, before ringing in the New Year with a European trek.

Members John Petrucci (guitars), John Myung (bass), James LaBrie (vocals), Jordan Rudess (keys) and Mike Mangini have been treating fans to new songs like "At Wit's End," "Barstool Warrior," "Fall Into the Light" and "Untethered Angel" as well as oldies like "A Nightmare to Remember" and "In the Presence of Enemies, Part I."

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the band's 1999 album Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory. To celebrate, they've been playing it in full, as well!

Check out one of their recent setlists:

Dream Theater setlist

Cue up our Distance Over Time Setlist Playlist on Spotify, and keep reading for a closer look at some of the songs Dream Theater are playing on tour!

"Untethered Angel"

This track was the first single from Distance Over Time, and was released in 2018. Since the Distance Over Time Tour began, the band has opened with this song 95 times, out of the 98 performances. The song made its live debut in March 2019 and has been played live a total of 97 times.

"Fear is something that rears its ugly head at some point or another in all of our lives," Petrucci said.

"Fear of the unknown, fear of taking chances, fear of making mistakes. If we are not careful, it can be debilitating and sadly prevent us from realizing our true potential. The world we live in can be a scary place and the thought of an uncertain future a terrifying notion, especially for today's young people. Untethering from that fear and giving yourself up to the future's countless possibilities is what will ultimately set you free."
Dream Theater, "Untethered Angel"

"Pale Blue Dot"

This song was inspired by astronomer Carl Sagan's 1994 book, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space, in which he discussed humans' place in the universe. The phrase originated from a picture taken in 1990 by the Voyager 1 space probe, depicting Earth as a tiny little pale blue dot.

Petrucci wrote the song as a reminder to care for Earth, and to care for each other, as well. Some lyrics actually come from Sagan's writing, like the line "spineless cowards, fearless warriors" (Sagan wrote that "every hero and coward" inhabited Earth).

"A bunch of things came together in my life serendipitously that made me want to write about the Voyager mission and Carl Sagan’s famous quote about the pale blue dot," he said.

"It was very specifically about a certain reflection I was doing at that particular point."
Dream Theater, "Pale Blue Dot"

"Through Her Eyes"

"Scene 5: Through Her Eyes" is the final track in Act 1 of Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory, and features James LaBrie on vocals.

The band actually recorded two versions of the ballad – the bonus version is longer than the album version, and is acoustic. Since its 2000 live debut, it's been performed in concert 143 times.

On the Distance Over Time Tour, since Metropolis is played in full, "Through Her Eyes" is usually the 13th song on the setlist, sandwiched between "Beyond This Life" and "Home."

Dream Theater, "Through Her Eyes"

"At Wit's End"

This song touches upon the psychological burden of people who experience some type of violence. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, "At Wit's End" feels especially poignant.

"I really wanted this recording to truly reflect the spirit, joy and passion that went into making the album and for people to walk away feeling some of the organic nature, personality and raw energy that the band captured while together in the studio," Petrucci said, of the writing process. "For me, I think it accomplishes that and I hope that other people will feel the same way."

The song was written by LaBrie, and made its live debut in September.

Dream Theater, "At Wit's End"

Check out Dream Theater's remaining 2019 tour dates below, and head to their website for a full list of dates for 2020!

Dream Theater's Distance Over Time Tour dates:

12/03 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Buenos Aires Arena

12/15 – Santiago, Chile @ Movistar Arena

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