Watch: DREAM THEATER Releases 'Night Terror' Video Ahead of 'Parasomnia' Album

February 7, 2025, marks the arrival of DREAM THEATER’s sixteenth album, “Parasomnia,” via InsideOut Music. This time, they’ve reunited with their prodigal son, drummer Mike Portnoy, whose last contribution to the band dates back to 2009’s “Black Clouds & Silver Linings.” And did I mention they’re also rolling out a 40th-anniversary tour? Because if one thing’s certain, this band sure knows how to milk their milestones.

This new album, “Parasomnia,” follows the band’s usual formula—meaning it’s drenched in overly elaborate song structures and loaded with themes that dive into sleep disorders like night terrors and sleep paralysis. You know, real light stuff. Produced by John Petrucci, with Andy Sneap handling the mix and Hugh Syme back for more cover art wizardry, this 71-minute album gives you everything you’ve come to expect from DREAM THEATER—for better or worse. Tracks like “In The Arms Of Morpheus” and “The Shadow Man Incident” practically scream “progressive music” in your face.

The lead single, “Night Terror,” clocks in at just under 10 minutes (because obviously, this band forgot what a short song is), and comes with a video directed by Mike Leonard. The whole thing is as over-the-top as you’d expect. The tracklist is loaded with songs like “A Broken Man” and “Dead Asleep,” because if you’re not catching the sleep theme yet, I can’t help you. For a band that hasn’t really shocked anyone in ages, the album’s title is fitting—much like how you feel stuck in a DREAM THEATER album. “Parasomnia” indeed.

Here’s a tracklist, in case you need a bathroom break during one of these marathons:

1. In The Arms Of Morpheus (5:22)
2. Night Terror (9:55)
3. A Broken Man (8:30)
4. Dead Asleep (11:06)
5. Midnight Messiah (7:58)
6. Are We Dreaming? (1:28)
7. Bend The Clock (7:24)
8. The Shadow Man Incident (19:32)

Nineteen minutes for the closer? Bold move, but if anyone’s stubborn enough to stick it out, it’s the DREAM THEATER diehards.

Now onto the big news: Mike Portnoy’s return. In an interview, Portnoy didn’t hold back his feelings, admitting that this new record picks up right where “Black Clouds” left off. “There’s a certain style that the five of us have when we write together,” he said, which translates to: “Expect more of the same, folks!” But, of course, it’s the classic sound fans have been clamoring for since his departure in 2010, and you know what? Fine. If you liked their albums between 1999 and 2009, you’ll probably feel right at home.

Keyboardist Jordan Rudess wasn’t shy about hyping Portnoy’s return either, saying it was “really emotional, really beautiful.” According to Jordan, the band has been playing it safe without Mike, but now that he’s back, the real magic’s coming. Portnoy has been “respectful,” checking if it’s okay to contribute ideas—so polite for a prog drummer, right? And his influence is all over the new music, Jordan insists, saying fans will “feel it in the music.”

Jordan also threw in some musings about how DREAM THEATER worked their tails off during the years Portnoy was gone. They won a Grammy, mind you, but there’s apparently an unmistakable vibe now that Portnoy is back. He’s “a big character”, says Jordan, and his “skills beyond drumming” bring something fresh. But after hearing this, it makes you wonder—did the band ever actually lose any magic in the first place?

Oh yeah, Rudess had a classic prog-musician moment of reflection. During a studio session, he apparently turned to Petrucci and asked, “Why are we doing this? We could have been making pop music.” Why indeed? But the answer, it seems, is that they just care so much about their craft, about making something that lasts forever. Sure, it sounds grand, but isn’t that what they said five albums ago?

Portnoy’s return means a lot to the band’s core sound—his “film director’s mentality” and experience are supposed to elevate everything. All the while, Rudess keeps reminding us they survived without him. They did, didn’t they? But now that the prodigal drummer has come back, the band’s got their swagger again. And sure, it’s cool—if you’re still into this endless prog journey.