Editing Dream Theater (section)

=== ''Train of Thought'' (2003–2004) ===
In 2003, Dream Theater entered the studio to write and record another album. Unlike ''Scenes from a Memory'', which had been written and recorded simultaneously in the studio, the band took a different approach by setting aside three weeks for writing prior to recording. In the middle of the recording sessions for the album, a special tour with two other progressive metal bands, Queensrÿche and Fates Warning, was undertaken in North America. Referred to in the band's promotional material as the "Escape from the Studio American tour", the tour featured Queensrÿche and Dream Theater as co-headlining acts with Fates Warning performing supporting act duties. As a finale for each concert there was an extended encore in which both Dream Theater and Queensrÿche performed together on stage simultaneously, often playing cover songs.

After the tour, Dream Theater returned to the studio to finish the recording of their seventh album, ''[[Train of Thought (Dream Theater album)|Train of Thought]]''. In contrast to the extended songs of their previous album, the band aimed to write a more song-oriented album, inspired in part by covering the ''Master of Puppets'' and ''Number of the Beast'' albums on their previous concert tour.<ref>Mike Portnoy (2007) "In Constant Motion" Instructional [[DVD]], ''Train of Thought'' album analysis.</ref> Although the album was a critical success, its more straightforward metal sound alienated many of the band's existing fans, who had been attracted by the band's roots in [[progressive rock]].<ref name="score so far" /> During this time they also re-released their first two live videos for the first time on DVD, titled "Images and Words: Live in Tokyo/5 Years in a Livetime" on June 29, 2004, through Rhino Records. This release was certified Platinum on March 22, 2006.<ref name="riaa.com" />

Another world tour followed, named the Train of Thought Tour. A modest North American tour was completed by the two bands, which Dream Theater supported Yes, a band that had been a major influence on their own musical style. After this Dream Theater continued to tour the world with their so-called "An Evening With Dream Theater" shows. The latter were captured in another live CD/DVD release, recorded at the famous [[Nippon Budokan Hall]] in [[Tokyo]], Japan on their [[Train of Thought Tour]]. ''[[Live at Budokan (Dream Theater)|Live at Budokan]]'' was released on October 5, 2004, and was certified Platinum in the US on January 26, 2005.<ref name="riaa.com" />