| The Enemy Inside | |
| Dream Theater | |
| Length | 06:16 |
| Working title | (Unknown) |
| Release date | August 5th, 2013 |
| Lyrics | John Petrucci |
| Music | Dream Theater |
| First live performance | Coliseu do Porto, Oporto, Portugal, on Jan. 15, 2014 |
| Total live plays | 97 |
| Recorded | Cove City Sound Studios |
| Other appearances | |
| Previous song | False Awakening Suite |
| Next song | The Looking Glass |
The Enemy Inside is the first single and the 2nd track from Dream Theater's eponymous 12th album. It was released on the USA Today website on August 5th 2013, prior to the album's release. The single cover was released in sections via their Instagram, and they released the last sections of it on , making the full artwork.
John Petrucci recorded this song using a 7-string guitar in standard tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E).
Single artwork for The Enemy Inside, released on Instagram.
Personnel[]
- Mike Mangini - Drums and percussion
- John Petrucci - Guitar
- John Myung - Bass
- Jordan Rudess - Keyboards, continuum
- James LaBrie - Vocals
Lyrics[]
Over and over again I relive the moment I'm bearing the burden within Open wounds hidden under my skin Pain is real as a cut that bleeds The face I see every time I try to sleep Staring at me crying I'm running from the enemy inside (From the enemy inside) Looking for the life I left behind (Life I left behind) These suffocating memories are etched upon my mind And I can't escape from the enemy inside I sever myself from the world and shut down completely All alone in my own living hell overcome with irrational fear Under the weight of the world on my chest I buckle and break as I try to catch my breath Tell me I'm not dying I'm running from the enemy inside (From the enemy inside) Looking for the life I left behind (Life I left behind) These suffocating memories are etched upon my mind And I can't escape from the enemy inside I'm a burden, I'm a travesty I'm a prisoner of regret Between the flashbacks and the violent dreams I am hanging on the edge Disaster lurks around the bend Paradise came to an end And no magic pill Can bring it back again I'm running from the enemy inside (From the enemy inside) Looking for the life I left behind (Life I left behind) These suffocating memories are etched upon my mind And I can't escape from the enemy inside
Tone[]
The Enemy Inside is played with a 7-string guitar, and remains in 4/4 for most of the song. The first minute of the song is very heavy and technical, and it then enters a syncopated palm muted thrash riff which leads into the first verse. Most of the song has quite a dark and heavy tone, similar to songs on Train of Thought or Awake.
Analysis[]
The music video made it clear that the song is about post traumatic stress disorder, specifically in relation to Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. The music video shows scenes of a veteran in everyday life who keeps seeing flashbacks of his time in service, and can't seem to cope with living without the threat of death.
Dream Theater - The Enemy Inside OFFICIAL VIDEO