Granted I have a strong bias for epics, but the best songs of the last 8 years are The Count and Illumination Theory. They still knock it out of the park when they go for the huge multi-section epic.
SixesAlltheway
Ancient Mariner
Saapanael
Ancient Mariner
Absolutely agreed.
JudasMyGuide
Ancient Mariner
Well, in the words of the immortal Cried, let's start listing shit. You know, just random lists.
DT Epics (20+) from Best to Worst by Judas:
1. In the Presence of Enemies - pretty much the only DT epic that doesn't grind to a halt for some of 'em "atmospherics".
At least I don't consider that slow beginning of the second part that. Also simply their most interesting, IMHO. Love it, love it, love it. From the first seconds you know you're Along for the Ride, so to speak (just as you know that with the first seconds of This Dying Soul). Also that split-up thing's cool, just as the split-up of Shine on You Crazy Diamond is. "Dark master within, I will fight for you!"
2. Octavarium - Their second epic I've come to know and love. If the Pink Floyd worship in the beginning was shorter, it might even be my No. 1.
3. Count of Tuscany - Again, 1.) too much "atmospherics" and 2.) "sucking on his pipe" (though that part's funny)... still, I would like to stress I really love the song and that finish/outro/whatever is one of the best endings to an album in my book.
4. SDOIT (song) - very uneven. Killer parts like Overture/Test/SS are balanced with very weak parts like Goodnight Kiss and War Inside My Head. Still, I like it a lot, but I prefer the first disc (thanks to which SDOIT is my #2 album, I guess). Also, I don't care what the band or DT Fora say, I don't think of it as a single song. Just... no. A Mind Besides Itself is more of a single song. So is 12 Step Suite. This one's suite at best. A very uneven one.
5. Illumination Theory - Sorry, but I don't get the overall love. That orchestral part in the middle is as beautiful as your first French kiss is, one of the prettiest moments in the DT catalogue... but the rest is... good, but not something I would sacrifice dogs over.
6. A Change of Seasons - never been a fan. Sherinian's overrated. Good, but inessential. Maybe it'll grow on me, stranger things have happened.
DT Epics (20+) from Best to Worst by Judas:
1. In the Presence of Enemies - pretty much the only DT epic that doesn't grind to a halt for some of 'em "atmospherics".
At least I don't consider that slow beginning of the second part that. Also simply their most interesting, IMHO. Love it, love it, love it. From the first seconds you know you're Along for the Ride, so to speak (just as you know that with the first seconds of This Dying Soul). Also that split-up thing's cool, just as the split-up of Shine on You Crazy Diamond is. "Dark master within, I will fight for you!"2. Octavarium - Their second epic I've come to know and love. If the Pink Floyd worship in the beginning was shorter, it might even be my No. 1.
3. Count of Tuscany - Again, 1.) too much "atmospherics" and 2.) "sucking on his pipe" (though that part's funny)... still, I would like to stress I really love the song and that finish/outro/whatever is one of the best endings to an album in my book.
4. SDOIT (song) - very uneven. Killer parts like Overture/Test/SS are balanced with very weak parts like Goodnight Kiss and War Inside My Head. Still, I like it a lot, but I prefer the first disc (thanks to which SDOIT is my #2 album, I guess). Also, I don't care what the band or DT Fora say, I don't think of it as a single song. Just... no. A Mind Besides Itself is more of a single song. So is 12 Step Suite. This one's suite at best. A very uneven one.
5. Illumination Theory - Sorry, but I don't get the overall love. That orchestral part in the middle is as beautiful as your first French kiss is, one of the prettiest moments in the DT catalogue... but the rest is... good, but not something I would sacrifice dogs over.
6. A Change of Seasons - never been a fan. Sherinian's overrated. Good, but inessential. Maybe it'll grow on me, stranger things have happened.
JudasMyGuide
Ancient Mariner
DT albums from best to worst as rated by Judas on 30th October 2015:
1. Systematic Chaos
2. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
3. A Dramatic Turn of Events
4. Train of Thought
5. Octavarium (you see? It’s fifth! A NUGGET!!!)
6. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
7. Scenes from a Memory
8. Images & Words
9. Falling into Infinity
10. Awake
11. Dream Theater (sorry. I like it, I really do. I just can’t get into it that much. Still better than most of the music in my collection)
12. When Dream and Day Unite
5-6 and 8-9 are pretty much interchangeable.
Coming soon: Jordan Rudess solos, from best to Bebot!
1. Systematic Chaos
2. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
3. A Dramatic Turn of Events
4. Train of Thought
5. Octavarium (you see? It’s fifth! A NUGGET!!!)
6. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
7. Scenes from a Memory
8. Images & Words
9. Falling into Infinity
10. Awake
11. Dream Theater (sorry. I like it, I really do. I just can’t get into it that much. Still better than most of the music in my collection)
12. When Dream and Day Unite
5-6 and 8-9 are pretty much interchangeable.
Coming soon: Jordan Rudess solos, from best to Bebot!
Best song of the last 8 years (in other words, the Roadrunner era) for me would be Illumination Theory. Probably one of the more controversial epics, but I think it's great. The Bigger Picture is up there too.
The 3 albums before DT12 are much more in the "meh" category for me. ADTOE is good but it's missing that special something that I love about Dream Theater. Honestly my favorite song on it is On the Backs of Angels. The epics feel way too bloated for me. Bridges In the Sky, for example, great song until you get to the instrumental and then all the momentum is lost. After the instrumental you just go back to the chorus again. It's just a normal song structure bloated into 12 minutes or whatever.
Black Clouds is pretty underrated I think. Maybe not so much on this forum but among DT fans in general. It has some pretty low moments, but the highs make up for it I think. It has some stunning moments, like the Beautiful Agony section of ANTR, the end guitar solo in The Best of Times, and the first few minutes of TCOT (not that the whole song isn't awesome, but that beginning is some of their best instrumental work period).
Systematic Chaos is the worst DT album. It has some good things, but the positive doesn't outweigh the negative. The overall direction and sound of the album was a misstep for the band, in my opinion. Everything sounds too forced and uninspired. And The Ministry of Lost Souls is a serious candidate for my least favorite DT song.
The 3 albums before DT12 are much more in the "meh" category for me. ADTOE is good but it's missing that special something that I love about Dream Theater. Honestly my favorite song on it is On the Backs of Angels. The epics feel way too bloated for me. Bridges In the Sky, for example, great song until you get to the instrumental and then all the momentum is lost. After the instrumental you just go back to the chorus again. It's just a normal song structure bloated into 12 minutes or whatever.
Black Clouds is pretty underrated I think. Maybe not so much on this forum but among DT fans in general. It has some pretty low moments, but the highs make up for it I think. It has some stunning moments, like the Beautiful Agony section of ANTR, the end guitar solo in The Best of Times, and the first few minutes of TCOT (not that the whole song isn't awesome, but that beginning is some of their best instrumental work period).
Systematic Chaos is the worst DT album. It has some good things, but the positive doesn't outweigh the negative. The overall direction and sound of the album was a misstep for the band, in my opinion. Everything sounds too forced and uninspired. And The Ministry of Lost Souls is a serious candidate for my least favorite DT song.
Best songs of the last 8 years are in order, On The Backs Of Angels, Bridges In The Sky and Build Me Up, Break Me Down
CriedWhenBrucieLeft
Meme Only Account
I am immortal, that is correct...
Doesn't seem random enough to me...DT Epics (20+) from Best to Worst by Judas:
1. In the Presence of Enemies - pretty much the only DT epic that doesn't grind to a halt for some of 'em "atmospherics".
2. Octavarium - Their second epic I've come to know and love. If the Pink Floyd worship in the beginning was shorter, it might even be my No. 1.
3. Count of Tuscany - Again, 1.) too much "atmospherics" and 2.) "sucking on his pipe" (though that part's funny)... still, I would like to stress I really love the song and that finish/outro/whatever is one of the best endings to an album in my book.
4. SDOIT (song) - very uneven. Killer parts like Overture/Test/SS are balanced with very weak parts like Goodnight Kiss and War Inside My Head. Still, I like it a lot, but I prefer the first disc (thanks to which SDOIT is my #2 album, I guess). Also, I don't care what the band or DT Fora say, I don't think of it as a single song. Just... no. A Mind Besides Itself is more of a single song. So is 12 Step Suite. This one's suite at best. A very uneven one.
5. Illumination Theory - Sorry, but I don't get the overall love. That orchestral part in the middle is as beautiful as your first French kiss is, one of the prettiest moments in the DT catalogue... but the rest is... good, but not something I would sacrifice dogs over.
6. A Change of Seasons - never been a fan. Sherinian's overrated. Good, but inessential. Maybe it'll grow on me, stranger things have happened.
That's a better looking list!DT albums from best to worst as rated by Judas on 30th October 2015:
1. Systematic Chaos
2. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
3. A Dramatic Turn of Events
4. Train of Thought
5. Octavarium (you see? It’s fifth! A NUGGET!!!)
6. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
7. Scenes from a Memory
8. Images & Words
9. Falling into Infinity
10. Awake
11. Dream Theater (sorry. I like it, I really do. I just can’t get into it that much. Still better than most of the music in my collection)
12. When Dream and Day Unite
5-6 and 8-9 are pretty much interchangeable.
Coming soon: Jordan Rudess solos, from best to Bebot!
Not much listing going on there...
You should have numbered that, NP; taken a new line for each title, etc.Best songs of the last 8 years are in order, On The Backs Of Angels, Bridges In The Sky and Build Me Up, Break Me Down
Ain't nobody got time fo dat.
CriedWhenBrucieLeft
Meme Only Account
That's a slippery slope, NP...
The Flash
Dennis Wilcock did 9/11
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
I totally agree about DT12 and Systematic Chaos, but I find Black Clouds to be absolutely horrid.
JudasMyGuide
Ancient Mariner
I don't hear nu metal in it at all, but iryo! 
As someone who grew up when nu-metal was the big thing, allow me to settle this by listening to the song.
JudasMyGuide
Ancient Mariner
Oh yeah, the four years old Build Me Up, Break Me Down brouhaha.
It's all because they've stolen a line from Guns 'n Roses, really (1:37):
I like the song (BMUBMD, that is) and I think it fits the album. There.
It's all because they've stolen a line from Guns 'n Roses, really (1:37):
I like the song (BMUBMD, that is) and I think it fits the album. There.