During their world tour backing the album Train of Thought, which signaled Dream Theater's shift toward heavier thrash-infused prog-metal, the New York band—pioneers of the genre with John Petrucci's guitar wizardry and Jordan Rudess's keyboard flair—performed at Tokyo's iconic Nippon Budokan, a venue graced by The Beatles and Deep Purple before. Captured on April 26 and later released as a triple-CD and DVD set, the over-three-hour spectacle featured 18 tracks, from the blistering "As I Am" and epic "This Dying Soul" with intricate solos to the poignant "Hollow Years" and a full "Beyond This Life" from the Metropolis Pt. 2 suite, balancing raw power and melody before an ecstatic Japanese crowd. Reviewers at AllMusic and Prog Magazine lauded the show for its "virtuosity and emotional depth," praising the stellar lighting and camerawork that made it a 2000s live benchmark, though some enthusiasts missed early staples like "Pull Me Under"; the gig solidified Dream Theater's mastery in progressive metal, captivating international audiences.