Dream Theater successfully saved ‘A Change of Seasons’.
Dream Theater’s journey with their epic musical masterpiece, “A Change of Seasons,” began long before its official release in 1995. Drummer Mike Portnoy reveals that the track was originally composed back in 1989, following the band’s debut album, When Dream and Day Unite. They had intended for it to be part of their 1992 release, Images and Words, making it a pivotal piece in the band’s history dating back 36 years.
Surprisingly, the delay in releasing “A Change of Seasons” until 1995 was not due to dissatisfaction on the band’s end. Instead, it was their record label, Atco Records, under the direction of A&R executive Derek Shulman, who decided to exclude the lengthy suite from their album Awake in 1994. The label felt that a 75-minute album was too much for a band still in its early stages, causing disappointment and heartbreak for Dream Theater.
Shulman understood the band’s frustration, drawing on his own experiences with progressive rockers like Gentle Giant. He empathized with the group but was wary of transforming Dream Theater’s artistic vision into a radio-friendly format, as seen with their hit single “Pull Me Under.” His memoir, Giant Steps, delves into the delicate balance between artistic integrity and commercial appeal in the music industry.
The news of leaving “A Change of Seasons” off Images and Words hit Portnoy particularly hard. As the first lyrical piece he worked on, its exclusion made him feel like a significant part of his creative voice was missing from the album. The lyrics and concept behind the track held immense personal meaning for him, adding to the disappointment of its shelved status.
After years of waiting, Dream Theater finally received the green light from Atco to release “A Change of Seasons” as an EP in 1995. However, the track had undergone several transformations, with key changes in the lineup and interpretation to fit the band’s current dynamic. Despite the challenges, the band was thrilled to share their long-awaited masterpiece with the world.
Fast forward to 2025, and Dream Theater is back in the spotlight with a reunion tour featuring their Parasomnia album in its entirety. To the delight of fans, they have also included a special performance of “A Change of Seasons,” marking a significant milestone for Portnoy, who hadn’t played the epic live with the band since 2004. The opportunity to revisit the track after all these years brings back a flood of memories and highlights the band’s enduring legacy in the world of progressive rock.