| Illumination Theory | |
| Cover: | Illumintaion Theory.jpg |
| Caption: | Artwork for "Illumination Theory" 12" picture disc, released exclusively for Record Store Day 2014. |
| Artist: | Dream Theater |
| Album: | Dream Theater |
| Recorded: | 2013 |
| Genre: | Progressive metal, symphonic metal |
| Length: | 22:17 |
| Label: | Roadrunner Records |
| Composer: | |
| Lyricist: | John Petrucci |
| Producer: | John Petrucci |
"Illumination Theory" is a song by American progressive metal band Dream Theater. The song was released on 23 September 2013, as the closing track of the band's 12th album Dream Theater. It features a string ensemble conducted and arranged by Eren Başbuğ.[1] The song's lyrics, according to the guitarist John Petrucci, are about things for which people will live, die or kill.[2] The song's length is 22:17, making it Dream Theater's fifth longest to date.
The entire song was released as a 12" picture disc exclusively for Record Store Day 2014 and limited to 2,700 copies.
The song properly ends at 19:17, leading to a 30-second silence followed by a hidden track consisting of an electric guitar and piano instrumental, clocking the song out at 22:17.