Album Review — Falling Into Infinity (1997) — Dream Theater
Released on 23 September 1997, Falling Into Infinity is the fourth studio album by American progressive metal band Dream Theater. It came at a turbulent period in the band’s history, marked by record‑label pressure to compose more accessible songs and a rare external collaboration in songwriting. The result is one of the most debated entries in DT’s catalog — both criticized and appreciated for its blend of “progressive” ambition with more melodic, radio‑friendly elements.
The album was recorded in June–July 1997 at Avatar Studios (formerly Power Station) in Manhattan, New York, and produced by Kevin Shirley. It’s also notable as the only Dream Theater studio album to feature keyboardist Derek Sherinian following Kevin Moore’s departure.
Tracklist
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New Millennium – 8:20
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You Not Me – 4:58
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Peruvian Skies – 6:43
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Hollow Years – 5:53
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Burning My Soul – 5:29
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Hell’s Kitchen – 4:16 (instrumental)
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Lines in the Sand – 12:05
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Take Away My Pain – 6:03
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Just Let Me Breathe – 5:28
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Anna Lee – 5:52
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Trial of Tears (I. It’s Raining / II. Deep in Heaven / III. The Wasteland) – 13:05
Total length: ~78 min — one of the band’s longest studio albums.
Album Credits
Artists (Dream Theater):
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James LaBrie – lead vocals
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John Petrucci – guitars, backing vocals
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John Myung – bass, Chapman Stick
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Derek Sherinian – keyboards, backing vocals
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Mike Portnoy – drums, backing vocals
Additional Contributions:
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Doug Pinnick (of King’s X) – additional vocals on “Lines in the Sand”
Production:
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Producer: Kevin Shirley
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Engineer & Mixing: Kevin Shirley
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Mastering: (Various)
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Cover Art: Storm Thorgerson
Label: EastWest Records
Musical Style & Themes
Falling Into Infinity blends progressive metal complexity with melodic and hard rock influences — a stylistic shift compared to the heavier Awake and the purely progressive edge of Images and Words. Tracks range from anthemic‑leaning pieces like “You Not Me” to emotive ballads such as “Hollow Years” and epic prog suites like “Lines in the Sand” and **“Trial of Tears”*.
Many songs explore personal and psychological content, while others delve into broader themes:
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“New Millennium” opens with forward‑looking energy.
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“Peruvian Skies” mixes technical proficiency with atmospheric themes.
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“Trial of Tears” stands out as a multi‑section prog epic.
Despite its technical elements, the album leans more heavily on melody and structure than earlier DT records — partly due to external pressures during its creation.
Background & Production Challenges
The writing and recording of Falling Into Infinity were fraught with creative conflicts. The band had originally prepared double the amount of material, but the record label refused to release a double album and pushed for more radio‑friendly tracks. This resulted in rewriting, re‑editing, and shelving several songs — including an unfinished Metropolis Pt. 2 sequel that later became its own concept album.
The label also brought in pop songwriter Desmond Child to co‑write lyrics for You Not Me, making it one of the few DT songs written with an outside contributor.
Mike Portnoy has openly noted that the band wasn’t fully happy with the final released version due to these influences.
Reception & Legacy
Falling Into Infinity received mixed reactions from both critics and fans:
📉 Critically: Reviews were lukewarm, with some considering it less compelling than previous albums. One review aggregator gives it about 60/100, noting it as “the band’s weakest effort since their debut.”
👥 Fan Reactions: Many long‑time fans were disappointed by its more commercial leanings and simpler song structures, though over time some tracks have become cherished live staples.
📊 Commercial Performance: The album debuted at No. 52 on the US Billboard 200 and had modest sales, illustrating it didn’t significantly expand the band’s mainstream reach.
Despite the initial controversy, songs like “Hollow Years”, “Peruvian Skies”, and “Trial of Tears” have endured as concert favourites and are praised for their emotional depth.
Fun Facts & Trivia
🎹 Only Sherinian Studio Album: This is the only Dream Theater studio release featuring keyboardist Derek Sherinian, making it a unique entry in the band’s history.
🎸 External Co‑Writer: You Not Me was co‑written with Desmond Child, a rare example of Dream Theater working with an outside songwriter.
📝 Label Interference: The album’s creation was heavily influenced by the band’s label, which steered them toward a more accessible direction — something that led to future efforts being self‑produced.
🎤 Demo Archive: An extensive set of demo recordings (later released unofficially through fan club and archival series) shows how Falling Into Infinity originally had more material and different versions of several songs.
🎶 Prog Elements Still Strong: Despite its reputation, several tracks (especially Lines in the Sand and Trial of Tears) are viewed as classic progressive metal structures, blending complexity with emotional power.
Did You Know?
🔹 Metropolis Pt. 2, the sequel to the Images and Words track Metropolis—Part I, was initially conceived during these sessions but cut, later forming the band’s critically acclaimed concept album in 1999.
🔹 Some fans believe that without the interference and compromise during this era, Dream Theater’s next works might have taken a very different artistic direction — possibly delaying or altering Scenes from a Memory entirely.
Conclusion
Falling Into Infinity remains one of Dream Theater’s most intriguing and contentious albums. Its mix of melodic accessibility, progressive ambition, and commercial compromise places it uniquely in the band’s discography. While not as universally revered as Images and Words or Metropolis Pt. 2, it nonetheless contains some of their most memorable songs and captures a band at a creative crossroads.
For fans of progressive metal and Dream Theater’s evolution, Falling Into Infinity offers both emotional ballast and structural surprises, even if it remains a work of contrasts.
