Falling into Infinity
Falling into Infinity is the fourth studio album by the American progressive metal band Dream Theater, released on September 23, 1997, through EastWest Records.[1] Produced by Kevin Shirley, it marks the only Dream Theater release featuring keyboardist Derek Sherinian alongside vocalist James LaBrie, guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, and drummer Mike Portnoy.[2] The album blends the band's signature complex progressive metal style with more radio-friendly rock elements, resulting from record label demands for commercial accessibility during a tense writing and production process.[3] Spanning 78 minutes across 11 tracks, Falling into Infinity opens with the epic "New Millennium" and includes standouts like the multi-part "Lines in the Sand" and the introspective "Hollow Years." The full track listing is:- "New Millennium" (8:20)
- "You Not Me" (4:58)
- "Peruvian Skies" (6:43)
- "Hollow Years" (5:53)
- "Burning My Soul" (5:29)
- "Hell's Kitchen" (4:16)
- "Lines in the Sand" (12:05)
- "Take Away My Pain" (5:58)
- "Just Let Me Breathe" (5:49)
- "Anna Lee" (4:10)
- "Trial of Tears" (13:05).[4]
Development
Background
Following the commercial success of their 1994 album Awake, Dream Theater faced increasing pressure from their label, EastWest Records, to produce more radio-friendly material that could appeal to a broader audience, leading to creative tensions within the band by 1996.[5] This demand for accessibility clashed with the band's progressive metal ethos, exacerbating internal disagreements over artistic direction and nearly resulting in mutiny when EastWest insisted on collaboration with pop songwriter Desmond Child for the track "You Not Me."[6] In early 1996, shortly after touring in support of the A Change of Seasons EP, Dream Theater began initial writing sessions for their next album at Dream Factory Studios in East Rutherford, New Jersey, aiming to develop new material amid these mounting external expectations.[1] However, production encountered a year-long delay as label executives rejected early demos and demanded revisions for commercial viability, stalling progress until March 1997 when approval was finally granted to proceed with recording.[1] During these sessions, the band composed several ambitious progressive tracks, including an early version of "Metropolis Pt. 2," a 21-minute instrumental that exceeded EastWest's preferences for shorter, more concise songs and was ultimately excluded from the album.[7] This material was set aside and later expanded into the full concept album Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory in 1999, allowing Dream Theater to reclaim their prog roots after the commercial constraints of Falling into Infinity.[7] To navigate the label's demands while preserving their progressive identity, the band internally decided to hire producer Kevin Shirley, whose expertise in blending artistic depth with mainstream appeal helped mediate between EastWest's expectations and the group's vision during pre-production and recording.[8]Songwriting
The songwriting for Falling into Infinity was a collaborative effort led primarily by guitarist John Petrucci, who composed the music for the majority of the tracks, with the full band credited on most compositions.[2] Lyrics were predominantly penned by Petrucci, though drummer Mike Portnoy contributed the words for "New Millennium" and "Just Let Me Breathe," marking his expanded role in the band's lyricism during this period.[2] Vocalist James LaBrie provided the lyrics for "Anna Lee," his sole contribution to the album's words.[9] Facing pressure from their record label to enhance commercial viability amid concerns over the band's progressive length and complexity, the members adjusted their approach by aiming to craft more concise structures, particularly for potential singles.[10] Tracks like "Hollow Years" and "You Not Me" were intentionally kept under five minutes to align with radio-friendly formats, a departure from the extended epics typical of prior releases.[10] This included collaborations such as Petrucci co-writing "You Not Me" with renowned hitmaker Desmond Child, whose input refined the song's hooks for broader appeal.[10] To achieve more melodic and accessible choruses, the band drew inspiration from non-progressive rock acts, incorporating elements of Elton John's piano-driven balladry and Journey's anthemic songcraft into their compositions.[10] These influences helped balance the album's intricate instrumentation with pop-oriented phrasing, though the core progressive ethos remained intact through Petrucci's riff-based foundations and the group's jamming sessions.[10]Recording
The recording sessions for Falling into Infinity took place from June 2 to July 30, 1997, at Avatar Studios (formerly The Power Station) in New York City, following pre-production at Prince Studios in the same city.[1][11][12] The sessions were overseen by producer Kevin Shirley, marking his first collaboration with the band, and emphasized capturing the raw energy of live performances within the studio environment.[8][13] A key aspect of the production approach involved adapting to Shirley's directive to record each song with unique setups, including varied amplifiers and drum configurations, to foster a sense of spontaneity and band interplay during tracking.[14] Guitarist John Petrucci employed a range of instruments, such as his Ibanez JPM signature models alongside Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul guitars, while drummer Mike Portnoy utilized Tama Starclassic kits with adjustments per track.[15][16] The band described the atmosphere as collaborative and enjoyable, contrasting with prior tensions, allowing them to focus on performance without major logistical hurdles.[1] Prior to these sessions, the band had recorded initial demos in 1996 and early 1997 at Dream Factory Studios in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which served as foundational takes for several tracks.[1] These early versions often featured extended intros and alternative arrangements that were later refined or shortened for the final album, as evidenced by the 2021 official bootleg release Lost Not Forgotten Archives: Falling Into Infinity Demos, 1996–1997, which includes both unused outtakes and alternate renditions of released songs like "Take Away My Pain" and "You Not Me."[17][18]Production
Personnel
The core lineup of Dream Theater for Falling into Infinity consisted of James LaBrie on lead vocals, John Petrucci on guitars and backing vocals, John Myung on bass guitar and Chapman Stick, Derek Sherinian on keyboards, and Mike Portnoy on drums and backing vocals.[11] Additional musicians included Doug Pinnick providing backing vocals on the track "Lines in the Sand."[11][2] Production was led by Kevin Shirley, who served as producer, engineer, and mixer. Engineering assistance was provided by Rich Alvy and Barbara Lipke, with Dave Swope assisting on mixing. The album was mastered by Leon Zervos at Absolute Audio in New York City.[11][2][19]Mixing and mastering
Mixing for Falling into Infinity was conducted by Kevin Shirley at Avatar Studios in New York City during June and July 1997, with additional mixing sessions at Sony Studios in the same city.[20] Shirley's involvement as producer and mixer focused on balancing the band's progressive metal complexity with commercial viability, responding to label demands for radio-friendly song structures and shorter track lengths to broaden appeal.[13] This approach resulted in a polished sound that emphasized clarity and energy, particularly in tracks like "You Not Me" and "Hollow Years," while preserving dynamic prog elements.[8] The album's mastering was handled by Leon Zervos at Absolute Audio in New York City, prioritizing sonic clarity suitable for radio play without fully sacrificing the genre's dynamic range.[20] Zervos's work contributed to the final product's compressed yet vibrant presentation, aiding its commercial positioning.[21] Demo versions from the album's sessions, later released on the 2023 archival release Lost Not Forgotten Archives: The Making of Falling into Infinity (1997), feature rawer production elements, such as less refined drum sounds and unpolished instrumentation, contrasting the final mixes' smoother, more professional finish achieved through Shirley's engineering.[22]Release and promotion
Release history
Falling into Infinity was originally released on September 23, 1997, by EastWest Records in CD and cassette formats.[2] The album peaked at number 52 on the Billboard 200 chart.[23] In 2007, Dream Theater issued an official bootleg titled Official Bootleg: Falling into Infinity Demos 1996-1997, featuring demo recordings from the album's sessions, including unreleased tracks such as "Raise the Knife" and "Where Are You Now?".[24] On January 3, 2025, Rhino/Atlantic released a limited edition vinyl reissue as a remastered 140-gram clear 2LP set.[25]Artwork
The cover art for Falling into Infinity was designed by Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis, featuring surreal imagery of a figure falling through infinite glass panels symbolizing disorientation.[2][26] The inner sleeve and booklet photography was handled by Dennis Dunstan, with thematic ties to the lyrics about infinity and personal descent.[2] Packaging consisted of a jewel case with a 12-page booklet including full lyrics and band photos from 1997 sessions.[2]Singles and touring
To promote Falling into Infinity, EastWest Records released two promotional singles in 1997. "You Not Me" was issued as a CD single in the United States, featuring a radio edit (4:16) and the full album version (4:58), aimed at broadening the band's commercial appeal through co-writer Desmond Child's involvement.[27] "Hollow Years" followed as another promo single, including a radio edit (4:13) and the LP version (5:53), with an acoustic rendition—featuring edge and classical guitar overdubs—later appearing on the 2021 archival release Lost Not Forgotten Archives: The Making of Falling into Infinity.[28][29] The label supported these efforts with targeted radio campaigns on rock stations and pitches to MTV, though the tracks garnered limited mainstream airplay due to the band's progressive style.[30] The album was supported by the Touring into Infinity world tour, spanning September 1997 to September 1998 and encompassing over 120 performances across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.[31] Setlists emphasized new material from Falling into Infinity, often opening with "New Millennium" and including extended renditions of tracks like "Lines in the Sand" (frequently exceeding 15 minutes with solos) and "Peruvian Skies," alongside staples such as "A Change of Seasons" and "Metropolis—Part I: 'The Miracle of Lies.'" Supporting acts varied by leg, including Vanden Plas on select European and North American dates.[32] Tour highlights included performances of the album track "Anna Lee" during several U.S. shows in 1998, as well as extended improvisational segments featuring Mike Portnoy's drum solos and John Petrucci's guitar improvisations, which became hallmarks of the band's live energy.[33] The tour concluded amid internal reflections on label pressures from the album's production, ultimately empowering the band to negotiate greater creative autonomy for their subsequent work.[34]Musical content
Style and influences
_Falling into Infinity marks a shift toward more accessible progressive metal compared to the band's previous album, Awake, with songs averaging around 7 minutes in length and incorporating stronger melodic hooks to broaden its appeal. This approach toned down the emphasis on extended virtuosic solos, prioritizing structured compositions and radio-friendly elements while retaining the genre's technical complexity.[35][36] The album draws key influences from 1970s progressive rock acts such as Yes and Genesis, evident in its intricate arrangements and thematic depth, blended with atmospheric elements reminiscent of Pink Floyd, particularly in tracks like "Peruvian Skies." Additionally, pop structures inspired by Elton John appear in ballad-like sections, such as the piano-driven "Anna Lee," contributing to a more melodic and emotionally resonant sound. Keyboardist Derek Sherinian's contributions reflect fusion influences from artists like Bill Bruford and Jeff Beck, adding a rock-oriented edge to the progressive framework.[4][36][37][3] Instrumental highlights underscore the album's blend of technical prowess and accessibility, including extended guitar passages in "Trial of Tears" that showcase John Petrucci's melodic phrasing over sheer speed. Sherinian's keyboard solos in "Hell's Kitchen" provide a concise fusion interlude, emphasizing rhythmic drive rather than elaborate improvisation.[35][36] The production by Kevin Shirley delivers a cleaner, polished mix suited for radio play, with a focus on James LaBrie's vocal melodies layered over the band's instrumentation, reducing the overall density found in prior works. This results in a sound that balances progressive ambition with commercial viability, highlighting the album's transitional role in Dream Theater's discography.[36]Track listing
All music on Falling into Infinity was composed by John Petrucci, unless otherwise noted.[2] The standard track listing is as follows:| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "New Millennium" | 8:20 |
| 2 | "You Not Me" | 4:58 |
| 3 | "Peruvian Skies" | 6:43 |
| 4 | "Hollow Years" | 5:53 |
| 5 | "Burning My Soul" | 5:29 |
| 6 | "Hell's Kitchen" | 4:16 |
| 7 | "Lines in the Sand" | 12:05 |
| 8 | "Take Away My Pain" | 6:03 |
| 9 | "Just Let Me Breathe" | 5:28 |
| 10 | "Anna Lee" | 5:51 |
| 11 | "Trial of Tears" | 13:07 |