Images and Words

Images and Words is the second studio album by influential American progressive metal band Dream Theater, released in 1992. It was recorded in late 1991 at BearTracks Studios in New York City. The album is the first album to feature James LaBrie on vocals. The album maintains its position as the band’s most commercially successful album to date, and the song Pull Me Under’s status as the only Top 10 hit the band has ever had. This song has also had some very recent success as it has appeared in the video game Guitar Hero: World Tour. Many critics and fans cite this album as a landmark release for the progressive metal genre.

History
After Charlie Dominici’s departure from the band, they auditioned nearly 200 people across the nation before James LaBrie sent the band an audition tape. LaBrie was formerly in the Canadian glam metal band Winter Rose, but saw potential in the band, and thus decided to audition. After a short jam session, the band chose him as their lead singer, and he has been the band’s lead singer ever since.

With LaBrie on board, the band was signed to a seven album contract by Atco Records, and shortly after began recording their new album. The lead single, Pull Me Under gained the band considerable commercial success with its airplay on MTV and radio, garnering them a Top 10 hit on radio charts. When the album was released, it sold at a steady pace, only helped by their relentless touring across the world. Images and Words would go on to be the band’s most commercially successful album, and often is considered a landmark release in the progressive metal genre by many newer bands in the genre such as Tool.