I just ordered this video, just got it in the mail today and just got done watching it. It's the first DT video I bought. It has pretty much everything you would want. The studio videos (interesting how they were trying to make "Another Day" their single, and "Pull Me Under" became the hit). It has lots of live videos that are well done- sometimes bands aren't as good live, or they aren't recorded well, but this is recorded in detail and DT is known as a great live band. It also has them talking about their music, shows devoted fans, and the guys clowning around. It looks like people really like to see those that they refer to as "GODS" just acting like regular people.

I liked seeing the physicality of how this music is made. John Petrucci gets so into it when he's playing. Mike gives a long energetic solo where he goes crazy on the drums and he looks like he's having an orgasm. John Myung is an amazing bassist, although the way he squinches up his shoulders looks painful. It also showed how they make the notes bend on a keyboard. James seems like he has a strained voice on some of the songs, especially the heavy ones, but others, especially "Wait for Sleep" he has his sweet, sensitive voice back.

Allow me to be female for a second: this video is sexy! Don't get mad at me for saying this- guys check out women (and so do I), so it's only fair. I've been trying to find pics of John Petrucci with long hair and no beard for the longest time. He looks all innocent that way. Mike Portnoy has awesome black curly hair. John Myung has really long straight black hair and he looked great in that kimono. James Labrie has a huge mane of lionlike hair and looks all Renaissance-y, like he should be on a romance cover. Plus they all have that early 90's spandex and tight jeans. Being that this is a video, and you will see what they look like, I think my saying this is relevant. Anyway, how they looked is inconsequential: what really matters is that they are THE BEST BAND EVER!!!

This whole thing makes me nostalgic. They sure have come a long way and came out with lots more great albums. I was only 12 when "Pull Me Under" came out and as soon as I saw it I knew I had to hear more, but this video makes me wish I could have gone to their concerts and all that back then.

This video was definately worth the measly 5 bucks it cost!

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Brandon Russell

Even (especially) if you already have the VHS...

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2004

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I managed to get my hands on Live in Tokyo back in 1995, and the move to capture the content on DVD was a good one. Images and Words was the defining album for Dream Theater, and seeing the performance highlights exactly why. While the band has continued to grow and their style has evolved, its amazing to return back to the roots of this amazing band and really appreciate just how talented these guys are. I'm amazed when I reflect back and realize that I enjoy the music and live shows as much now as I did then. While I believe Jordan has added a musical element that DT was lacking, there's something to be said for looking back 10 years to see where the band has come from.

While perhaps not quite as strong, 5 Years in a Live Time is really a good watch and a good addition to the music DVD collection. And for this price, it can't be beat.

Of course, any DT fan won't need convincing to purchase this DVD set; you probably already have it. But for the casual fan who has a sincere respect for amazing progressive rock music played to perfection by some of the most amazing, talented musicians still active, this set is definitely worth the relatively minimal investment for what you receive.

You won't regret it.

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Jason M. Spencer

dream theater will blow your mind

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2008

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the absolute mastery of music is what prevails. these men are seriously good. ridiculously good. and we get to watch. yes, the music videos aren't my favorite...but they only have a few. the live music will make you watch this again, and again, and again

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2004

Verified Purchase

DT fans, I have been waiting for Live from Tokyo to come out on DVD for since DVD players were on the market. I have had the VHS for the Tokyo show for at least 7 years now. It's my opinion that this was one of their best shows ever recorded. I have seen them many times, even before James joined DT when When Dream and Day Unite was just an import and when Kevin Moore was with them and I have to say that the Tokyo show just rocks. There were all in their prime then. The 2nd DVD in the set is just awesome as well. I was really pleased that they included members of Yes, Marillion and Napalm Death playing with them. I paid about 29.00 for the VHS on the Tokyo show on VHS back in the day, now only half the price and with a 2nd DVD. For the price, you cannot pass this up!

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D. Dessert

great dvd with lots of material

Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2012

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this is a great video. i am a relatively new fan, about 6-7 years. it was fun to see the bad in the earlier years
and to hear the earlier material in a live performance. one thing about DT is that they try to mix up the material so you have a wide variety of songs among the various dvds instead of the same songs over and over. this double disc dvd is also cool when you turn on the band commentary. they actually sat there and watched the both discs over a two day period and gave some insights into the creative aspects as well as some inside info about their gear and previous band members. it makes me wish i had been a fan back then.

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Elias

Excellent, the good old memories.

Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2017

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Excellent, the good old memories.

I learned about Dream Theater years ago, probably was around 20, 22 years ago. By that time there was no internet, only the old record stores. Living outside the USA rendered almost impossible (cost wise) to order this video which I had taped on a VHS from a TV show that showed alternative bands.

After so many years I was able to order the original DVD. One of the best purchases I've ever done.

2 people found this helpful

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LBloom

Great Two DVD Set of Dream Theater

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2010

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As the title states one DVD is Images and Words live in Tokyo and the other is a sort of an "on the road" documentary. If you like "Images and Words" you'll probably like the DVD of the same name. The documentary mostly interviews and reminicses about this particular period in their career when apparently they had just broken through with "Pull Me Under" from Images and Words. Don't try to sit through both dvd's in one day just whenever the mood strikes you. There's probably about three hours worth of concerts, videos and interviews here. I have just found it more enjoyable in small amounts.

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Paolo Busellu

Testimonianza degli esordi

Reviewed in Italy on August 28, 2018

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Chiariamo subito: la qualità delle immagini è quella che è, cioè non eccelsa.
Ma quì ci troviamo agli esordi, all'inizio della loro epopea.
Se volete godere come dei pinguini incappucciati arrapati ( ???), allora le parti live di Images and Words vi porteranno su un'altro pianeta.
Eccezionali, punto.
L'audio, a differenza del video, si comporta molto bene lasciandoti gustare tutte le sfumature dei pezzi.
In sostanza ( e quì ce ne a vagonate ) non posso che consigliarne l'acquisto.
Images and Words è il capolavoro e capostipite per eccellenza del Prog moderno, diede inizio ad un movimento che tutt'ora continua.
Forse non sarete d'accordo, ma non sono più riusciti a concepire un cd come questo che dalla prima all'ultima nota ti lasciasse a bocca aperta; ed è per questo che i dischi diventano epici e capolavori.
Unico.

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R. Q. Metz

If you like Dream theater

Reviewed in Canada on March 9, 2016

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Dream Theater has many works this is just one of their great ones

Hoperocker

Excelente DVD de esta increible banda!

Reviewed in Spain on March 14, 2013

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Increible que puedas comprar este DVD doble por menos de 10 euros!!!

El primero es el Live in Tokyo completo y el segundo juntaron todo la evolucion desde el Change of seasons hasta la gira del Fallin into infinity pasando por supuesto por la grabacion y gira del Awake!

Sin duda mi etapa favorita de una de las mejores bandas de metal progresivo del mundo!

KEEP ROCKING!

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Dmitriy Shkarubo

Long Live DREAM THEATER!!!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2008

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- Disc One: Images and Words: Live in Tokyo is the first home video release from American progressive metal band Dream Theater. It contains most of the band's performance from their August 26, 1993 show at Nakano Sun Plaza in Tokyo, Japan. Also included are the music videos for the songs "Pull Me Under", "Take the Time", and "Another Day", from their 1992 album Images and Words, as well as interview footage and candid, behind-the-scenes footage. Images And Words: Live In Tokyo is a riveting live performance captured in Tokyo, Japan, during Dream Theater's 1993 Music In Progress world tour. Also included are the videos for "Pull Me Under", "Take The Time", and "Another Day",plus band interviews and home video footage that takes you behind the scenes on their first world tour, the making of their album and videos, and much more. Disc One is a live performance filmed in Tokyo, Japan, along with behind-the-scenes footage and 3 music video clips.
- Disc Two: Five Years In A LIVE time is a concert collection spanning 5 years, including shows in Rotterdam and London, plus the 1994/1995 Waking Up The World tour and the 1997/1998 Touring Into Infinity world tour. It also features the videos for "Lie","The Silent Man", and "Hollow Years", along with studio footage recorded during the "Awake" and "Falling Into Infinity" sessions. Over 3 hours of footage available on DVD for the first time. Disc Two is a collection of concerts and studio footage spanning 5 years, plus 3 music video clips. Includes the MTV hit music video for "Pull Me Under"-available on DVD for the first time! Remastered in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound. New Audio Commentary Track Two Discs Jam-Packed with Over 3 Hours of Footage: Mind-Blowing Live Performances,6 Music Video Clips, and Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Interviews Images And Words: Live In Tokyo 5 Years In A LIVE time.
Excellent concert, my estimation 5/5!!!
My favourite DVD, long time.

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