Dream Theater Vol. II 8LP Box Set

GRAMMY® Award-winning progressive metal trailblazers Dream Theater released their massively successful Vol. I boxed set in 2024, covering the band's 1992-1999 studio albums. Volume II notably includes the next four highly sought-after studio albums: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (2002), Train of Thought (2003), Octavarium (2005), and Systematic Chaos (2007).

Vol. II highlights Dream Theater's journey through the 2000s, reflecting not only their continuous sonic evolution but also their success in carving out space for progressive metal on international charts. This volume includes the group's iconic Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, which features the 42-minute title track that encapsulates their approach to redefining the boundaries of commercial music. This album also introduces drummer Mike Portnoy's 12-step suite with "The Glass Prison" and continues throughout the next four albums in their discography. The last chord of Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence serves as the opening chord to the group's follow-up album, Train of Thought.

Expanding on the group's heavier live sound, Train of Thought is the group's most traditional metal album, using thicker guitar tones, heavier drums, and intensely targeted lyricism. The album features suites four and five of Portnoy's 12-step suite with "The Dying Soul," a lyrical and musical continuation of "The Glass Prison." Like its predecessor, Train of Thought's final note rings through the beginning of the following, and one of Dream Theater's most essential albums, Octavarium.

Dream Theater's Octavarium was a commercial success, bringing the band to the Top 5 in Sweden, Finland, and Italy, alongside the Top 10 in Germany, Japan, and Norway. The album opens with "The Root of All Evil," parts six and seven of Portnoy's suite. The 24-minute title track features orchestral elements inspired by progressive rock leaders Genesis and Yes.

Peaking at #19 on the Billboard 200, Systematic Chaos is Dream Theater's highest charting album in their career thus far and their first with the metal/hard-rock label, Roadrunner. Leaning into their roots of virtuosic seven-string thrash and metaphorical fiction, Systematic Chaos encompasses the band's consistent progression in the definitions of rock and metal.