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− | The song is very progressive in tone, with several solo sections included in both parts, most notably an extended unstrumental |
+ | The song is very progressive in tone, with several solo sections included in both parts, most notably an extended unstrumental section during Part 2. The intro to Part 2 is very atmospheric and is remeniscent of horror movie soundtracks. Both section are also quite heavy, with the pop element almost entirely absent. |
==Appearences== |
==Appearences== |
Revision as of 12:33, 9 May 2014
In the Presence of Enemies | |
Systematic Chaos | |
Length | 09:00 (pt. 1), 16:38 (pt. 2), 25:38 (over all) |
Working title | The Pumpkin King |
Release date | June 4, 2007 |
Lyrics | John Petrucci |
Music | Dream Theater |
First live performance | |
Total live plays | |
Recorded | Avatar Studios |
Other appearances | Chaos in Motion |
Previous song | The Ministry of Lost Souls (Precedes Pt.2) |
Next song | Forsaken (Follows Pt.1) |
In the Presence of Enemies one of five Dream Theater songs that eclipses the 20 minute mark. Featured on their ninth studio album, Systematic Chaos it is split into two parts - the first and last tracks, because the band believed that it was a great opener and a great closer for the album. Some people class it as an epic. It's heavy throughout, with a five minute instrumental intro. Part 2 begins in a more atmospheric way and features haunting piano, and chanting during "The Slaughter of the Damned."
Personnel
- John Petrucci - Guitar, backing vocals
- John Myung - Bass
- Mike Portnoy - Drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Jordan Rudess - Keyboards
- James LaBrie - Vocals
Lyrics
Part 1
I. Prelude
(Instrumental)
II. Resurrection
I saw a white light
Shining there before me
Walking to it
I waited for the end
A final vision
Promising salvation
A resurrection
For a fallen man
Do you still wait for your God
And the symbol of your faith?
I can free you from this Hell and misery
You should never be ashamed, my son
I can give you power beyond anything
Trust me you will be the chosen one
I was forgotten
A body scorned and broken
My soul rejected
Tainted by his blood
Beyond redemption
A sinner not worth saving
Forever taken
From the one I loved
Do I still wait for my God
And a symbol of my faith?
I can lead you down the path and back to life
All I ask is that you worship me
I can help you seek revenge and save yourself
Give you life for all eternity
Servants of the fallen
Fight to pave the way
For their saviour's calling
Of this wicked day
Through a veil of madness
With a vicious play
One man rises on
Standing in their way
Redemption
Redemption for humanity
Part 2
III. Heretic
Welcome tired pilgrim
Into the circle
We have been waiting
Everyone's gathered for your arrival
All the believers
Angels fall, all for you, heretic
Demon heart bleed for us
I've been waiting for you,
Weary preacher man
You have been expected
Now we can begin
Let this hollow day of judgment reign
I have known you father,
And your sacred quest
Blessed soldier fighting
You shall never rest
I have known you, but do you know me?
Angels fall, all for you, heretic
Demon heart bleed for us
(My soul is yours dark master, I will fight for you)
Dark master within,
I will fight for you
Dark master of sin,
Now my soul is yours
Dark master, my guide,
I will die for you
Dark master inside
I cannot see his face
But I could feel his spite
A presence from the dead
Abandoned by the light
This shadow will consume him from within
This power that I sense
The rage behind those eyes
Is just a shrouded ghost
A spirit deep inside
The body and the soul both threats
For they are one
Angels fall, all for you, heretic
Demon heart bleed for us
My soul is yours dark master,
I will fight for you
Dark master within,
I will fight for you
Dark master of sin,
Now my soul is yours
Dark master, my guide,
I will die for you
Dark master inside
Dark master, Amen,
I belong to you
Dark master within
IV. The Slaughter of the Damned
Don´t
Bother trying to find them
They will be coming to you
Fight,
Fight and destroy
Until you can´t take anymore
Slay!
Spill the blood of the rebels
They are the children of hell
Flesh,
Of the undead
Stopping at nothing to kill
Sin,
Caught in a moment of weakness
Committed the greatness of all
Sold,
Half of my soul
And now its too late for you
I judge us, my eyes see
I judge and I am just
For I speak of the beast
That lives in all of us
Unwelcome ones
Your time has come
Lord,
You are my god and my shepherd
Nothing more shall I want
War,
Through the abyss
Into the shadow of death
Fear,
There is no evil to fear now
For I know you are with me
My,
Cup overflows
With my enemy's blood
I,
Decay in the house of the lord
Forever, amen
Death,
Will follow me
All the days of my life
I judge as,
My eyes see
I judge and I am just
For I speak of the beast
That lives in all of us
Unwelcome ones
Your time has come
Servants of the fallen
Fight to pave the way
For the savior's calling
On this wicked day
Through a veil of madness
With a vicious play
One man rises up
Standing in their way
It's time for your reckoning
V. The Reckoning
(Instrumental)
VI. Salvation
My soul grows weaker
He knows and he waits
He watches over me
Standing at the inferno gates
In the hour of darkness
The moment I feared has passed
The moment I lost my faith
Promising salvation
My soul is my own now
I do not fight for you,
Dark master
Analysis
The lyrics were inspired by a manhwa (a type of Korean comic, similar to the Japanese manga) named Priest, a horror comic which tells the story of fallen angels, which is what inspired the Dark Master character from the song. In an interview, Petrucci summarises, "It's a story about somebody who loses himself and end struggles with the darkness, symbolized by the Dark Master. And the story ends up really being the darkness within and goes through the different faces where he has to fight demons and things like that.
Tone
The song is very progressive in tone, with several solo sections included in both parts, most notably an extended unstrumental section during Part 2. The intro to Part 2 is very atmospheric and is remeniscent of horror movie soundtracks. Both section are also quite heavy, with the pop element almost entirely absent.
Appearences
- Systematic Chaos - Original recorded version
- Chaos in Motion - Live version