| "Illumination Theory" | |
|---|---|
![]() Artwork for "Illumination Theory" 12" picture disc, released exclusively for Record Store Day 2014.  | |
| Song by Dream Theater | |
| from the album Dream Theater | |
| Recorded | 2013 | 
| Genre | Progressive metal, symphonic metal | 
| Length | 22:17 | 
| Label | Roadrunner Records | 
| Composer(s) | |
| Lyricist(s) | John Petrucci | 
| Producer(s) | John Petrucci | 
"Illumination Theory" is a song by American progressive metal band Dream Theater. The song was released on 23 September 2013, as the closing track of the band's 12th album Dream Theater. It features a string ensemble conducted and arranged by Eren Başbuğ.[1] The song's lyrics, according to the guitarist John Petrucci, are about things for which people will live, die or kill.[2] The song's length is 22:17, making it Dream Theater's fifth longest to date.
The entire song was released as a 12" picture disc exclusively for Record Store Day 2014 and limited to 2,700 copies.
Segments
- I. "Paradoxe de la Lumière Noire" (instrumental)
 - II. "Live, Die, Kill"
 - III. "The Embracing Circle" (instrumental)
 - IV. "The Pursuit of Truth"
 - V. "Surrender, Trust & Passion"
 
The song properly ends at 19:17, leading to a 30-second silence followed by a hidden track consisting of an electric guitar and piano instrumental, clocking the song out at 22:17.
Personnel
- Dream Theater
 
- James LaBrie – lead vocals
 - John Petrucci – guitar, backing vocals, producer
 - Jordan Rudess – keyboards, Continuum, GeoSynth App
 - John Myung – bass guitar
 - Mike Mangini – drums, percussion
 
- String ensemble
 
- Violin I – Misha Gutenberg (concert master), Larisa Vollis
 - Violin II – Yelena Khaimova, Yevgeniy Mansurov
 - Viola – Aleksandr Anisimov, Noah Wallace
 - Cello – Anastasia Golenisheva, Valeriya Sholokhova
 - Contrabass – Len Sluetsky
 
- Production
 
- Eren Başbuğ – orchestral arrangements, conducting[3]
 
References
- ↑ Bosso, Joe (18 September 2013). "Jordan Rudess talks Dream Theater's self-titled new album track-by-track". MusicRadar. Future. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
 - ↑ "DREAM THEATER 2013 – Track by Track Interview with James LaBrie & John Petrucci". Google. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014 – via YouTube.
 - ↑ "Eren Basbug orquesta el nuevo álbum de Dream Theater: La Imagen de la Semana (LXXVI)". The Shaman's Blog. 14 May 2013. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
 
