Progressive metal fans across the globe are getting their prayers answered this year as Dream Theater unleash their masterpiece, their first-ever self-titled studio album. As longtime fans dive into the new music, they will be immersed in complex metal with memorable melodies that will embed themselves in your brain long after your first listen. As you can expect, one of the best ways to digest this opus is dropping the needle on the vinyl edition.

If you're a fan of vinyl, you're in luck as Dream Theater give you a couple of different options. Fans looking to head down the first route can pick up the double-LP housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket with an embossed cover displaying the eerie artwork designed by Hugh Syme. Accompanied with high-quality FLAC files, this is a package that will soothe any audiophile as the records are pressed on heavy duty 180-gram vinyl.

"I think it's really important to release albums on vinyl," guitarist John Petrucci tells Noisecreep. "It is an art form that should be included with everything that's happening now."

For Dream Theater fans who want to experience that art form Petrucci mentions, there is another option aside from the standard double-LP: the limited edition box set. This is a fan's dream as all of the goodies are housed in a custom box with Syme's artwork on the front. Crack the seal on the box and you'll be welcomed with a plethora of items from gel stickers for your smartphone to the aforementioned FLAC files and 180-gram double-LP of the album. Also included is a copy of 'Dream Theater' on CD as well as a 5.1 audio mix of the album on a second CD. For fans who want to do some remixing, included in the box is a 2 GB USB drive that includes all of the isolated musical tracks of 'Behind the Veil,' the sixth song on the album. Also on that USB drive is a 30-minute documentary that highlights the audition process of drummer Mike Mangini.

The coolest thing in the limited edition box set, though, has to be the exclusive clear 7-inch pressing of 'The Bigger Picture.' It's a one-sided single that comes in a sleeve with custom artwork for the song. That sleeve is nicely wrapped in a wax-sealed package. This clear 7-inch is reason enough to pick up the box set as you won't find it anywhere else.

Vinyl fans, rejoice! You are in good company with Dream Theater, not just because of the killer experience they've created with their latest album, but because they get what it's like to to be a vinyl fan. Petrucci explains, "The size of it, the way that it looks, the way that it feels … that has always been a big part of the record buying process. It's something that's kind of lost when you just download something." For more from Petrucci and his appreciation of this medium, check out the video below.

If you're searching for one of the best new albums in 2013, definitely take a closer look at 'Dream Theater.' Packed with a sound longtime and new fans will both appreciate, Dream Theater's latest endeavor proves to not just be a near-perfect sounding album, but a pretty cool vinyl experience as well.

John Petrucci's Vinyl Breakdown
Current Favorite Vinyl: Trivium – ‘In Waves’ Box Set
All-Time Favorite Vinyl: Yes - 'Yessongs,' Pink Floyd - 'The Wall'

Dream Theater's John Petrucci Discusses Vinyl [Exclusive]

Unboxing Dream Theater's 'Dream Theater'

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