Live at Budokan (Dream Theater album)

Live at Budokan is the fourth live album by American progressive metal band Dream Theater on October 5, 2004, available on either 3 CDs, 2 DVDs, or 1 Blu-ray Disc. It was recorded at the Nippon Budokan Hall on April 26, 2004 in Tokyo, Japan.

Due to time constraints, the songs "The Great Debate", "Under a Glass Moon" and "Caught in a Web", which was set to include an extended drum solo, were removed from the setlist at the last minute, although it can be seen recorded in Osaka as part of the extra features of the DVD and Blu-ray versions. Additionally, during the credits, an instrumental version of the song "Vacant" is played in the background.

According to the Commentary Track on their "When Dream And Day Reunite" Official Bootleg Live DVD during the first few minutes of the live concert Jordan Rudess had an equipment malfunction that played either the incorrect sound, no sound at all, or random notes 1/2-step upward in pitch. Nevertheless, Rudess mimed playing the correct parts as he realized they would have to be re-recorded during post-production. This technical error may be the reason for the additional 8-minute Improv Jam during the included performance of "Beyond this Life". Rudess played his Kurzweil K2600 as a master keyboard in live shows up to this point, but it seems he began using a Korg OASYS in subsequent Dream Theater albums, starting with Octavarium, the first DT Studio Album released after this tour.

The live DVD was re-released on Blu-ray, on October 18, 2011.

Track listing

All music by John Petrucci, John Myung, Jordan Rudess, Mike Portnoy except where noted.

CD

Disc one

Disc two

Disc three

DVD

Disc oneThe entire Budokan concert:

1. "As I Am" – 8:34
2. "This Dying Soul" – 12:12
3. "Beyond This Life" – 19:34
4. "Hollow Years" – 9:19
5. "War Inside My Head" – 2:30
6. "The Test That Stumped Them All" – 4:53
7. "Endless Sacrifice" – 11:20
8. "Instrumedley" – 12:09
9. "Trial of Tears" – 13:58
10. "New Millennium" – 7:59
11. "Keyboard Solo" – 3:59
12. "Only a Matter of Time" – 7:25
13. "Goodnight Kiss" – 6:14
14. "Solitary Shell" – 5:51
15. "Stream of Consciousness" – 10:55
16. "Disappear" – 5:55
17. "Pull Me Under" – 9:00
18. "In the Name of God" – 17:36
19. Credits – 3:11

Disc twoDocumentary and Extra Features:

• "Riding The Train Of Thought": Japanese Tour Documentary – 29:46
• John Petrucci "Guitar World" – 6:27
• Jordan Rudess "Keyboard World" – 6:43
• Mike Portnoy Drum Solo – 12:08
• "The Dream Theater Chronicles": 2004 Tour Opening Video – 5:43
• "Instrumedley" Multiangle Bonus – 12:03

Blu-ray

Contains all content from the DVD set on one Blu-ray Disc, with the concert being presented in 1080p and remastered audio and the extra features largely in 480p.

Personnel

• James LaBrie – Lead vocals, percussion
• John Petrucci – Guitar, backing vocals
• Jordan Rudess – Keyboards
• John Myung – Bass guitar, Chapman Stick
• Mike Portnoy – Drums, backing vocals

Production

• Produced By John Petrucci & Mike Portnoy
• Recorded & Engineered By Nigel Paul
• Assistant Engineer: Jon Belec
• Mixed By Kevin Shirley
• Digital Editing: Patrick Woodward
• Mastered By Howie Weinberg

Charts

RIAA Certifications

These statistics were compiled from the RIAA certification online database.^[4] They only apply to the DVD.

• Gold - January 26, 2005
• Platinum - January 26, 2005

References

1. "Dutchcharts.nl – Dream Theater – Live At Budokan" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
2. "Offiziellecharts.de – Dream Theater – Live At Budokan" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
3. "Italiancharts.com – Dream Theater – Live At Budokan". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
4. "Gold and Platinum database". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2008-01-31.