Bridges in the Sky

According to Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci, who produced A Dramatic Turn Of Events, this is a "total riff factory." He told MusicRadar: "One of the challenges that I like to present myself with on a song like this is to try to make each riff original and unique and have them weave in and out of different syncopations. As they go by, no pass is ever the same; they're constantly changing.Doing this can be tricky, because it makes everything harder to play and difficult to remember. But I think that's ultimately what makes the song original and interesting - putting that kind of thought into it."

American drummer Mike Mangini was one of seven auditioned to replace Mike Portnoy in Dream Theater at the end of 2010. He was officially announced on April 29, 2011 as the band's new drummer and this song showcases the sticksman's skills. Petrucci told MusicRadar: "The cool thing about Mike Mangini is he's very aware musically of whatever everybody's doing. He matches things so effortlessly. Even if it sounds like a groove is going by, he catches little rhythmic elements with his kick drums, or he'll match fills that go in the same direction as the guitar. And he's constantly changing things up as well. Seeing and hearing him work his magic is incredible. Actually, right at the end is one of the sickest drum parts I've ever heard. It's like a machine gun, the intensity. When he would play it, I would be watching and listening to him, and I was in awe. 'How is this even happening?' I said to myself. 'How is a human being doing this?' He's remarkable."

This song was originally titled "The Shaman's Trance." Its title was changed after the lyrics were written.