Official Dream Theater Thread

[grep]

3 hours ago, bluefox4000 said:

 

 

Money or maybe they just want too, lol.

 

ya know i've stepped back a bit and it's kinda dick to say why bother releasing music.  just cause a few fans don't like it.  I mean i hate the songs but to say they just shouldn't cause i don't like it is WILD, lol

 

Mick

yeah I was kind of joking. Cash grab has been an easy joke to make for hte last 20 years or so, about a lot of bands.

Frankly, I'm happy they are still creating.  More power to them.

They are a nice bunch of guys too. Happy for their success.

Edited December 21, 2024 by grep

[treeduck]

14 minutes ago, grep said:

yeah I was kind of joking. Cash grab has been an easy joke to make for hte last 20 years or so, about a lot of bands.

Frankly, I'm happy they are still creating.  More power to them.

They are a nice bunch of guys too. Happy for their success.

Do you have a copy of the new album early?

[bluefox4000]

1 hour ago, Entre_Perpetuo said:

Sometimes you won’t know even till the albums been out for a while. I really thought A View was a disappointment for the first few weeks, then I came around on it massively.

 

Also yeah those first DoT singles weren’t all that special (aside from NOT being The Astonishing again), but when the album in full was released you could see it was actually one of their tightest works. Plus I don’t think they put out Barstool Warrior ahead of time… which is absolutely bizzare in hindsight.

 

 

i still think those 2 singles are two of the weakest on DoT.  they haven't ever grown on me but the album has for sure.

 

So i believe it or not still think the new album could be good.  i'm honestly still excited at the idea of a New DT album.

 

Mick

Edited December 21, 2024 by bluefox4000

[ytserush]

On 12/21/2024 at 11:10 AM, The Analog Cub said:

With DT, the sum is typically greater than its parts for me, and it's especially true with the last two Mangini albums. I think DoT and A View are some of their best work, but yes if you single out a random song from either it's all too easy to say "yep it's DT following their DT formula again". If the trend is to continue with these guys, Parasomnia is probably best enjoyed in full rather than by a couple singles. We'll see how it shakes out, of course, I wasn't thrilled when Mangini got the boot because of how much I enjoyed the last two albums, but Portnoy coming back isn't inherently a bad thing. I seriously doubt we're gonna be cursed with another cheese-fest like Systematic Chaos.

 

I was shocked that it went down the way it did because "I" thought he didn't he didn't need to come back as things were rolling pretty well as they were. But obviously "they" wanted it to happen. Not thrilled with he way it was done either.  But it doesn't make much difference to me which Mike is there because I didn't have any illusions that anything was going to change the direction of the band. I think I've become more a fan of Portnoy outside of Dream Theater than I am when he was in the band based on the diversity of projects he's been in. It's a little weird to consider that I might enjoy the most recent Flying Colors, Liquid Tension Experiment, and Transatlantic live shows more than any Dream Theater live experience. Tough call for me.

[ytserush]

On 12/21/2024 at 1:55 PM, Entre_Perpetuo said:

Sometimes you won’t know even till the albums been out for a while. I really thought A View was a disappointment for the first few weeks, then I came around on it massively.

 

Also yeah those first DoT singles weren’t all that special (aside from NOT being The Astonishing again), but when the album in full was released you could see it was actually one of their tightest works. Plus I don’t think they put out Barstool Warrior ahead of time… which is absolutely bizzare in hindsight.

 

 

It took me about 6 months after Queensryche's Promised Land was released before it knocked me over to the point where it is my absolute favorite Queensryche record (Rage For Order and LiveCrime are up there though.) Promised Land was released around the same time as Awake and that blew me away from the get go (Although the live show wasn't a good as I'd hoped due to Kevin Moore leaving.) Lie didn't thrill me at first.

Edited January 4 by ytserush

[The Analog Cub]

51 minutes ago, ytserush said:

 

I was shocked that it went down the way it did because "I" thought he didn't he didn't need to come back as things were rolling pretty well as they were. But obviously "they" wanted it to happen. Not thrilled with he way it was done either.  But it doesn't make much difference to me which Mike is there because I didn't have any illusions that anything was going to change the direction of the band. I think I've become more a fan of Portnoy outside of Dream Theater than I am when he was in the band based on the diversity of projects he's been in. It's a little weird to consider that I might enjoy the most recent Flying Colors, Liquid Tension Experiment, and Transatlantic live shows more than any Dream Theater live experience. Tough call for me.

 

LTE is great, and I loved the new one.

 

Flying Colors has some decent stuff but it gets so cheesy at times. Neal Morse has a disposition to make anything he touches so corny, and Casey McPherson and Portnoy pile onto it at times.

 

I liked their second album overall. 

[ytserush]

50 minutes ago, The Analog Cub said:

 

LTE is great, and I loved the new one.

 

Flying Colors has some decent stuff but it gets so cheesy at times. Neal Morse has a disposition to make anything he touches so corny, and Casey McPherson and Portnoy pile onto it at times.

 

I liked their second album overall. 

 

I love Casey. The last album they did was ridiculous.  First album was good. Second album was uneven (some amazing songs and others not so much) and the last one kicked it. I like the live albums more but since they released the regular 3rd live album and the Morsefest performance, I can't get past either of those two, Those two have become my regular go to Flying Colors albums. Nearly the perfect set for me. Can't get enough of those two live albums.

[bluefox4000]

On 1/3/2025 at 10:54 PM, The Analog Cub said:

 

LTE is great, and I loved the new one.

 

Flying Colors has some decent stuff but it gets so cheesy at times. Neal Morse has a disposition to make anything he touches so corny, and Casey McPherson and Portnoy pile onto it at times.

 

I liked their second album overall. 

 

i only like FC second album.  To me it's the weakest band Portnoy was in.

 

And i went through a big Morse phase but now he's too cornball. i at least could appreciate the music side.  but he's kida lost his ear for that since around 2019/2020

 

also he dominates any band he's in so it just sounds like Neal Morse.

 

Mick

[The Analog Cub]

5 hours ago, bluefox4000 said:

 

i only like FC second album.  To me it's the weakest band Portnoy was in.

 

And i went through a big Morse phase but now he's too cornball. i at least could appreciate the music side.  but he's kida lost his ear for that since around 2019/2020

 

also he dominates any band he's in so it just sounds like Neal Morse.

 

Mick

 

The second and third FC albums don't feel quite as cheesy overall, but they have their moments I need to skip through. I tried Spock's Beard for a little bit and it feels the same.

 

I thought The Winery Dogs was Portnoy's "weakest" but tastes vary. All three musicians are super talented but the music felt too much like a clone of Mr. Big. It didn't provide me anything "new". Sons of Apollo wasn't much better but at least felt like a Dream Theater more grounded in darker, heavier rock with JSS and Sherinian's keyboard palette.

[ytserush]

Adrenaline Mob was by far my least favorite Portnoy band from the moment I heard it.

[grep]

I don't really have a problem with all of Mike's side projects. The dude was trying to etch out a living, rather than fade into obscurity.  It's not like the stuff is terrible... but yeah, we all have our tastes.

The only stuff out of all that in my heavy rotation are a couple of the Transatlantic songs, and a couple of the covers Adrenaline Mob did. Pretty well done, IMO. The rest is decent and makes it into occasional album rotation.

[bluefox4000]

Taylor Swift Confuses Mike

 

 

Mick

[Mr. Not]

OK, the full album's out in a couple days and I'm excited to listen to it despite being disappointed so far, and not being optimistic. I definitely want to share my first impression, but if the singles are any indication of the rest to come, which I believe they are - then this will be yet another "meh' post-Octovarium Dream Theater album I hardly ever listen to.

 

I heard Night Terror for the first time just over a couple weeks ago without any knowledge of Portnoy's return and my initial reaction was "wow, Mangini's finally starting to sound more organic!" I decided I'd give the singles one more play through before going through with this post, and while they're finally growing on me a bit it's not by much, which is a shame.

 

Here's what I wrote a few days ago in a group chat: 

 

I've listened to the newest three singles a few times each now, and I gotta say I'm disappointed. IDK how in depth I wanna go, but the best thing they've done in a long time is "Untethered Angel" and that song was released over half a decade ago at this point. With Portnoy back they're picking up where they left off with their 2009 style, darker more straight forward riffs/songs, and nothing about it stands out to me. It's very boring by their standards tbh. It seems like they decided to stop innovating ever since 2005's Octavarium, they should be looking to at least re-create something with that complexity and melodic-focused variety rather than going for dark, heavy-hitting metal. It's particularly depressing to see the arguable inventors of Prog Metal fall behind in the scene so badly, which is something I've been thinking for a while now (e.g. I believe Haken was handed the torch). Speaking of Haken, on the album before this one John broke out an 8 string guitar and basically did nothing notable with it other than have a lower chunkier riff than usual -- of all the band members I'd say John's the one who's failing to carry his weight. In their song Night Terror they hardly even make use of odd time signatures aside from during the solo, and even then that bridge is a little lackluster by their own standards. AI generated Dream Theater album coming our way.

 

I know they can't create another Images & Words or Scenes from a Memory, or Octavarium, but I wish they'd use those albums as the blueprint rather than Train of Thought, Systematic Chaos, Black Clouds (which is what they seem to be using for this album). Where will this be on the new album?

 

 

To sum up my opinion: Dream Theaters brighter music is always better than their darker. 

Edited February 5 by Mr. Not

[bluefox4000]

I have to say all 3 singles haave grown on me.  And having portnoy back has settled nicely with me.

 

Do i expect this album to be my fav or some earth shattering work.  No.  but at this stage it's dumb to expect that.  but i am now far more optimistic that i think i'll enjoy it than i was.

 

Do i miss Magini, yes but life goes on.

 

Mick

[Mr. Not]

I really enjoy In The Arms of Morpheus and The Shadow Man Incident.

 

 

[bluefox4000]

Ok So my first initial reaction.  I enjoyed that WAY more than i thought i would.

 

To me this sounded like a more put together version of Black clouds.  I must say right of the bat the song that popped for me most within the album was Night Terror. 

 

other Quick notes because it's only first listen.

 

The funky break towards the end of a broken Man.....yes more of that.  it was way too short.

 

I love the general concept of the album being dreams

 

Is it me or does the actual album from a production standpoint sound better than the Singles?  i dunno why but the album Just Sounds better to me.

 

The Shadow man Incident for the big 19 minute epic is awfully straight forward and i for one Appreciate that.

 

the weakest song here for me now that we have the full picture.....Midnight Messiah

 

and the weirdest point i'll ever make and this is coming from me now........Having Portnoy back felt really cozy.  AND zero portnoy growls here......thank you dude!!!!!!!

 

So first knee jerk score.

 

a comfy 8/10.

 

more thoughts soon.

I REALLY liked it.

 

Mick

 

probably write more thoughts as i listen.

Edited February 7 by bluefox4000

[bluefox4000]

oops weird double post

Edited February 7 by bluefox4000

[grep]

7 hours ago, bluefox4000 said:

 

The funky break towards the end of a broken Man.....yes more of that.  it was way too short.

 

 

Listening to the album now and just got past that part.  Yeah, that fun section was really fun. Could have been 2x a long and it would have been fine.  

The cut back to heaviness was too abrupt.... like they couldn't find a way to get back, so just cut and pasted the next section.

Edited February 8 by grep

[treeduck]

On 1/14/2025 at 5:19 PM, bluefox4000 said:

Taylor Swift Confuses Mike

 

 

Mick

Notice how he's got a JOHN t-shirt on.

[treeduck]

9 minutes ago, grep said:

Listening to the album now and just got past that part.  Yeah, that fun section was really fun. Could have been 2x a long and it would have been fine.  

The cut back to heaviness was too abrupt.... like they couldn't find a way to get back, so just cut and pasted the next section.

It's ok, I have the album, all is well.

[bluefox4000]

13 minutes ago, grep said:

Listening to the album now and just got past that part.  Yeah, that fun section was really fun. Could have been 2x a long and it would have been fine.  

The cut back to heaviness was too abrupt.... like they couldn't find a way to get back, so just cut and pasted the next section.

 

 

i've been playing more jazz/funk so that section was like oh my good yes!!!!!! ah it's over, lol

 

Way too short Made me want DT to like try a funk based instrumental.

 

i'd be on board.

 

Mick

[treeduck]

51 minutes ago, bluefox4000 said:

 

 

i've been playing more jazz/funk so that section was like oh my good yes!!!!!! ah it's over, lol

 

Way too short Made me want DT to like try a funk based instrumental.

 

i'd be on board.

 

Mick

Who've you been listening to Kenny G during his coke and whores period?

[grep]

Second listen through - it's classic DT.  Portnoy is back, and it shows.

I hear them going for some of what made SFAM epic.... it's not SFAM, but it's a damned fine Prog Metal concept record. Lots of replay value here.

 

[ytserush]

10 hours ago, bluefox4000 said:

Ok So my first initial reaction.  I enjoyed that WAY more than i thought i would.

 

To me this sounded like a more put together version of Black clouds.  I must say right of the bat the song that popped for me most within the album was Night Terror. 

 

other Quick notes because it's only first listen.

 

The funky break towards the end of a broken Man.....yes more of that.  it was way too short.

 

I love the general concept of the album being dreams

 

Is it me or does the actual album from a production standpoint sound better than the Singles?  i dunno why but the album Just Sounds better to me.

 

The Shadow man Incident for the big 19 minute epic is awfully straight forward and i for one Appreciate that.

 

the weakest song here for me now that we have the full picture.....Midnight Messiah

 

and the weirdest point i'll ever make and this is coming from me now........Having Portnoy back felt really cozy.  AND zero portnoy growls here......thank you dude!!!!!!!

 

So first knee jerk score.

 

a comfy 8/10.

 

more thoughts soon.

I REALLY liked it.

 

Mick

 

probably write more thoughts as i listen.

 

 

Only watched/listened once as I followed along in the artbook.   Very solid. Better than I expected given the knee-jerk negativity in the corners of the Internet I'm in.  A lot of references to older albums. Sounds great too. Definitely some growth here. Some improved arrangements. Least favorite song after the first listen is The Shadow Man Incident. Music sounds kind of stale I'm really beginning to think Petrucci is my least favorite lyricist in the band. James has some great lyrics on this one. That song aside, it sound like a damn good album so far. Hugh Syme did a great job too. Definitely worth the wait of not listening to anything until  it was in my hands.

[grep]

I am hearing Rush references too.  A touch of LVS (same notes I think), a little CX1 (Different notes, same pattern as the intro E-E-D-FsFs).

Gonna be pulling nuggets out of this one for a while.

Also trying to figure out how this one ties into SFAM..... it has to, right?

Edited February 8 by grep