Dream Theater

Originally formed as a college band by the name of Majesty, Dream Theater's founding members John Petrucci, John Myung and Mike Portnoy dropped out of Berklee College of Music, Massachusetts to pursue their rock'n'roll dreams; and over two decades later are still living them. International superstardom may have eluded them, but within the hard rock/metal scene, they are respected as one of the most progressive and technically brilliant bands of their era. Recruiting front man James LaBrie in 1991, the band's biggest hit came in 1992 when single Pull Me Under shot to Number 10 in the US backed by huge airplay on MTV. Dream Theater's fine individual musicianship has taken the frenetic thrash of the genre into new realms by incorporating elements of progressive rock, collaborating with full orchestras and even turning the title track from album Octavarium (2005) into a 24-minute dark, anthemic metal epic. Tenth studio album Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009) finally brought mainstream success, reaching Number 6 in the US, and in 2010 they headed out on tour as support act for Iron Maiden.