Metal Wani’s Daniel Jaramillo recently had a chat to Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess. They discussed Dream Theater’s 25th Anniversary tour of Images And Words, the significance the album has in the history of heavy metal by inspiring so many bands, why he doesn't like Images And Words, the response from fans to the album at live shows, having longevity as a band, and the challenges that technology and a fast changing world brings.

Rudess also talks about how "the spirit of melody and emotion in the music" has kept Dream Theater alive for decades, whether the band would consider doing another anniversary tour for Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes From A Memory, and if he’s had the chance to see Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress live. He also throws light on the musical direction of the next Dream Theater album.

Check out the interview below.

Dream Theater has announced the third and final leg of their Images, Words & Beyond 25th Anniversary Tour, which sees the pioneering group celebrating the 25th anniversary of their milestone RIAA gold-certified album, Images & Words. The North American headline dates kick off October 25th at Oakland’s Fox Theatre. The trek takes the band throughout the US, including dates at NYC’s Beacon Theatre and L.A.’s Wiltern, as well as a stop at the Sony Centre in Toronto.

Like previous legs, the show will be presented as an “Evening with Dream Theater,” with no opening act. The tour will feature an unparalleled live set of Images & Words in its entirety, along with fan favorites from their deep, widely-acclaimed catalog.

Said founding guitarist John Petrucci of the upcoming trek, “We are so psyched to bring our Images, Words & Beyond tour to North America this fall! It's hard to believe that it's already been 25 years since Images was released! We've been having a blast playing those songs each night, and sharing memories and stories from our time in the studio back in 1992. We know that this is such an important album to so many of our fans, both old and new, so we plan on making this a really special night by playing I&W in its entirety as well as breaking out some rare material, and a few of our latest tunes, in order to make this landmark evening compete. We hope to see all of you there! Don't miss it”

For more information (and all up to the minute pre-sale and ticketing information,) visit dreamtheater.net.

Dream Theater recently concluded the European leg of the Images, Words & Beyond 25th Anniversary Tour, playing to sold-out crowds across Europe. The upcoming North American run caps off a year-long celebration of their ground-breaking album, Images & Words. After a short break in early 2018, the band will return to the studio to begin work on a follow up to their most recent opus, The Astonishing.

Tour dates:

October
25 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
26 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
28 - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
29 - ABQ, NM - Kiva Auditorium
31 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theater

November
2 - Wichita, KS - Orpheum Theatre
3 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater
4 - Peoria, IL - Peoria Civic Center
6 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theater
8 - Pittsburgh, PA - Palace Theatre
9 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
10 - Buffalo, NY - Rapids Theatre
12 - Toronto, ON - Sony Centre
14 - Albany, NY - The Palace Theater
15 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
16 - New York, NY - Beacon Theater
18 - Asbury, Park, NJ - Paramount Theater
19 - Philadelphia, PA - Merriam Theatre
27 - Baltimore, MD - The Lyric
28 - Raleigh, NC - Memorial Auditorium
29 - Nashville, TN - War Memorial Aud.

December
1 - Austin, TX - Bass Hall
2 - Dallas, TX - The Pavilion
3 - Houston, TX - Cullen PAC