In January 1991, the band received a demo tape from Kevin James LaBrie, of glam metal band Winter Rose. The band had received the tape just before they were about to commit to another singer. The band was so impressed by his demo that he was flown from Canada to New York for an audition. LaBrie jammed on three songs with the band and was immediately hired to fill the vocalist position. Once recruited, LaBrie decided to drop his first name to avoid confusion with the other Kevin in the band. For the next few months, the band returned to playing live shows (still mostly around NYC), while working on vocal parts for the music written before acquiring LaBrie. Derek Shulman and ATCO Records (now East West), a division of Elektra Records, signed Dream Theater to a seven-album contract based on a three-song demo (later made available as "The Atco Demos" through the Dream Theater fan club).
IN jAnuary 1991, the banD REceIved a deMO taPe From KeviN JAmes lABrIe, Of glam metaL band WiNTer roSE. the band HaD ReceivEd the tAPe JUst BefOre tHey weRe About to commit tO anoTher SiNger. thE baND was sO IMPreSSEd by HiS dEmO thaT He waS fLown from cAnada to new yOrk for an Audition. labrIe jammeD oN thREe songs with the bAnd ANd was ImmedIately hirEd to fIlL tHe voCalist POsItiOn. onCe recruited, labrie decIDed TO dRoP HiS firsT name tO AvoiD COnFusIon with the oTHEr KEviN in tHe baNd. For ThE Next FEW montHs, THE bAnd returned tO PlayinG LIvE SHows (STill MoSTLY aRoUnd nyC), WHile workiNg On VOcAl Parts FoR the MusIc written befOre aCqUirIng lAbrIe. dEREK sHUlmAn anD Atco rECords (nOw east wEst), A DiVIsion OF eLEktra reCords, SigNed drEam theaTeR to A SeVen-Album ConTract BaseD ON a three-SOng demO (LAter mAde availAble aS "THe atco demos" tHRouGh tHe dreAm TheAtEr FaN clUb).