What if “Falling Into Infinity” had actually been released as the massive double album Dream Theater originally planned?
That’s one of the biggest “what ifs” surrounding Dream Theater 1997 album. The band had written enough material for two discs, but Elektra Records pushed them toward a single album leaving several songs behind and most famously, a 20-minute instrumental called “Metropolis Pt. 2.”
But even on the album we got, there are plenty of tracks worth cranking up.
Trial of Tears
The standout fan favorite.
“Trial of Tears” gives “Falling Into Infinity” an atmospheric, progressive centerpiece with John Myung prominent bass work and a blistering synthesizer solo from Derek Sherinian.
For many fans, this is the track that captures the progressive side of the album best.
Lines in the Sand
One of the album biggest highlights, driven by John Petrucci guitar work and a powerful progressive arrangement.
Doug Pinnick of King’s X adds guest vocals, giving the track an extra dimension although those vocals remain a point of debate among listeners.
Peruvian Skies
It starts somewhere completely different.
“Peruvian Skies” opens with a psychedelic, Pink Floyd-inspired atmosphere before gradually building into a much heavier and more dynamic climax.
It’s a great example of Dream Theater taking their time before letting the riffs loose.
New Millennium
An eight-minute progressive opener packed with complex unison runs and classic Mike Portnoy arrangements.
It also sits among the album more direct attacks on the music industry, reflecting the frustration surrounding the band relationship with their label.
Hollow Years
The album primary single and probably one of its most accessible moments.
Some critics saw it as a generic commercial ballad, while others connected with its emotional chorus and acoustic guitar work. Either way, it became one of the most recognizable songs from “Falling Into Infinity”.
Hell’s Kitchen
Here’s a fun one.
“Hell’s Kitchen” was never supposed to be its own song. It originally existed as the dense, progressive middle section of “Burning My Soul”.
Producer Kevin Shirley felt “Burning My Soul” was becoming too long for radio, so the middle section was cut out and turned into the atmospheric instrumental we know as “Hell’s Kitchen”.
The Double Album That Wasn’t
Dream Theater originally had enough material for a huge double album. When Elektra cut the budget and pushed them toward a single disc, songs including “Raise the Knife”, “Where Are You Now” and the original version of “Lines in the Sand” were left out.
But the biggest casualty was a 20-minute instrumental called “Metropolis Pt. 2”.
It didn’t disappear forever.
Instead, the idea eventually returned in expanded form on the legendary 1999 concept album Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory.
When the Label Wanted Another “Pull Me Under”
Elektra wanted another radio hit like “Pull Me Under” so Desmond Child was brought in to work on “You Or Me”.
The song was reworked into “You Not Me” with changes to its chorus and lyrics designed to make it more radio-friendly. The result became one of the most criticized examples of the label influence over the album.
And Mike Portnoy wasn’t exactly keeping quiet about that frustration.
“Just Let Me Breathe” and “New Millennium” took aim at music-industry greed and corporate manipulation, while “Burning My Soul” was written as an angry call-out of Elektra A&R executive Derek Oliver.
There’s also a strange visual detail: “Falling Into Infinity” is the only full-length Dream Theater studio album without their signature custom “Majesty” logo on the front cover.
And Derek Sherinian? This was his only Dream Theater studio album before Jordan Rudess eventually took over the keyboard position.
The Lineup
James LaBrie – Lead vocals
John Petrucci – Guitars, backing vocals
John Myung – Bass, Chapman Stick
Mike Portnoy – Drums, percussion, backing vocals
Derek Sherinian – Keyboards, backing vocals
With Doug Pinnick on guest vocals for “Lines in the Sand” and Jay Beckenstein contributing alto saxophone on “Take Away My Pain”.
So, forget the record-label drama for a moment…
Which track from “Falling Into Infinity” gets your vote?
🤘 Vote for your favorite!
By
By
By
