Illumination Theory

Updated on Dec 19, 2024

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Format CD, 12" picture disc Length 22:17 Writer(s) John Petrucci		Recorded 2013 Label Roadrunner Records Composer(s) Dream Theater

"Illumination Theory" is a song by the progressive metal/rock 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. The song's lyrics, according to the guitarist John Petrucci, are about things for which people will live, die or kill. 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

John Petrucci

References

Illumination Theory Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

Contents

Segments

Personnel

References