Finally Free

Dream Theater's 'Finally Free' is a complex narrative that concludes the concept album 'Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory'. The song weaves together multiple storylines involving characters Nicholas, Victoria, and others, blending past and present to tell a tale of revelation, betrayal, and transcendence.

The lyrics begin with a hypnotherapist guiding Nicholas back to consciousness, suggesting that he has been undergoing regression therapy to uncover memories of a past life. The story then shifts to the past, revealing a love triangle between the characters Victoria, her lover Julian (The Miracle), and her brother (The Sleeper). The Miracle, driven by jealousy and desperation, commits a crime and attempts to frame his brother. Victoria, unaware of The Miracle's true nature, plans to leave him for Julian. However, the situation escalates, leading to a tragic confrontation where both Victoria and her brother are killed.

In the present, Nicholas awakens from his hypnotherapy session with newfound clarity. He has learned about his past life and the events that led to Victoria's death. This knowledge allows him to feel 'finally free' from the emotional turmoil that had been haunting him. The song ends with a news report, hinting at a connection between the past events and contemporary occurrences, suggesting a cyclical nature of tragedy and the persistence of certain patterns across lifetimes. The song's intricate storytelling, combined with Dream Theater's progressive metal style, creates a powerful and emotionally charged conclusion to the album's narrative.