Dream Theater

[Marked Man]

A nice prog song to me with references to some trips in countries where I was not always in comfortable situation (some suburbs in St Petersburg, a weird night in Hamburg, another one in Budapest, incredible meetings in n Istanbul…).

One of my favorite of the album.

By the way, the old style you can listen at on the Images and words : Take the time extended solo in Lost but not forgotten is a masterpiece. My favorite period.

The Ibanez and TriAxis era.

I've been collecting the Lost..Not Forgotten series like candy.

I remember it was a bit of an adjustment when I first heard Awake, but I knew it was after incredible growth and loved it. I was not as convinced by Falling... and knew for sure they must have lost it. But fortunately they came back.

 

[Marked Man]

I totally agree with you. Mangini proposes incredible time signature but not my taste. Portnoy is less clinical with more fun. I am really happy. To me it's a great news.

I cannot figure out how can you say to a friend, composing, recording and touring for 10 years with him: thanks mate, our bro' is back.

Some bands have signature drummers and can't create or give concerts at the same level without them.

Led Zep without Bonzo.

The Police without Copeland.

Even Slayer without Lombardo. Bostaph was a more precise, machine-like drummer, but good songs are living, breathing things. Where's the DNA of the original unit? They lost it and never regained it after.

I am very optimistic for Portnoy's return! I think he would have vetoed much of the Astonishing. But Magani, being effectively a mere employee, was going to follow orders. No different than Cherone in Van Halen. You think he was going to tell EVH "actually, these songs suck, and you shouldn't sing lead"? No way. It's "de plane boss, de plane!!".

 

[Lukhas]

 

[Shawn]

Never been a huge fan but I love the musicianship. I still have their Once in Live Time cd as well as Images and Awake. All great albums.

 

[Sermo Lupi]

Pianote is done by the same people as Drumeo, isn't it?

On the one hand, The Dance of Eternity is basically DT's benchmark song, so I can see why they'd have both Portnoy and Rudess break it down. On the other, it would've been cool to have Rudess go through a different track given that Portnoy's video came out just a couple weeks ago.

Also, I don't think this thread has been updated with the info that DT's in the studio as we speak. Portnoy said they'd be taking a while to put together the record; I think they have the entire year booked off for writing and recording.

 

[Stiman]

Portnoy said they'd be taking a while to put together the record; I think they have the entire year booked off for writing and recording.

Really eh?? I guess that means no touring. Would be pretty awesome if they did a one off show (streamed online).

 

[sneerim]

Seeing the Siamese Monster set up in the studio gives me chills. It’s been 15 years since I was this excited for new DT.

 

[OneTwoThrill]

We need to talk !

 

[RevDrucifer]

Portnoy said they'd be taking a while to put together the record; I think they have the entire year booked off for writing and recording.

I wished they would have taken the whole year, I’m not even sure it took them a full 2 months to start/finish writing and tracking the drums.

 

[Sermo Lupi]

I wished they would have taken the whole year, I’m not even sure it took them a full 2 months to start/finish writing and tracking the drums.

I was somewhat surprised by how quickly things have been moving along as well. The recording aspect doesn't worry me. Portnoy has done so many albums that he could track his drums in a week even if he was half asleep, so most of that time between late January and April would've been spent outlining the song structures.

I'd assume the album will not be out by October, given that the new dates are being advertised as a 40th Anniversary tour. It's possible that they complete tracking by then, hand it over for mastering, and re-name the tour after the first leg of dates. If that's how it goes down, Portnoy's prediction that most of this year will be spent writing and recording the album won't be far off the mark, as that'd put us into late November or December at earliest for a prospective release.

I just hope Portnoy doesn't tip-toe too much during the rest of tracking. When he was in DT, they always seemed to discover the album in the edit; that is, they lay down the basic blueprint, then refine and refine until they feel they've created something that represents their vision of what the Dream Theater sound is.

Portnoy seemed apprehensive about bossing his way around after just returning to the band, but DT sorely needs his critical ear throughout that editing process. Provided they take their time recording the rest of the tracks over spring and summer, I'd assume 'writing' will continue as edits along the way.

On a different note, I hope to catch one of those early shows. The feeling of that reunion is going to be immense!

 

[RevDrucifer]

When he was in DT, they always seemed to discover the album in the edit; that is, they lay down the basic blueprint, then refine and refine until they feel they've created something that represents their vision of what the Dream Theater sound is.

This is my exact gripe with the way they’ve been doing things since SFAM- get in the studio and just blast it out, figure out the arrangements via dry erase boards and Pro Tools instead of just jamming the songs out and letting them develop themselves. It’s been paint-by-numbers Dream Theater ever since.

It worked with SFAM because there was a well of inspiration/new member to draw from, but it’s been a continuous decline with each album release ever since for me.

 

[kamello]

This is my exact gripe with the way they’ve been doing things since SFAM- get in the studio and just blast it out, figure out the arrangements via dry erase boards and Pro Tools instead of just jamming the songs out and letting them develop themselves. It’s been paint-by-numbers Dream Theater ever since.

It worked with SFAM because there was a well of inspiration/new member to draw from, but it’s been a continuous decline with each album release ever since for me.

acshually

it worked in SFAM because many of those ideas were in development for atleast 2-3 years, there are a few demos around youtube.

I don't think Portnoy's approach is bad, as the band have the time and money to retrack anything they wish, it's different from us mere mortals that have to schedule tracking between work, family, drug addict members, etc.

but I agree that I hope they really take the time with this one and *actually* retrack if they think something isn't working

 

[yan12]

I have not listened to DT in a long time for the reasons mentioned above. Everything sounds like exercises turned into songs.
I listen to certain songs of recent vintage, but mostly for guitar work and solos. The solo to breaking all illusions is one of my faves.
But compared to complete songs from the earlier days, like lines in the sand, the writing is just not there for me.

It seems disjointed and not in a good way. Prog is not an excuse for sub-par writing when you have musicians of this caliber. Having 12 great ideas crammed into 9 minutes doesn't always work well.

I listen to Michael Romeo's War of the Worlds II, the disc without vocals. The construction of the music is so well thought out and cohesive I find it amazing it comes from one persons mind. The layers of sounds placed where they are is spectacular to me. And of course, his solos are legendary and flow exceptionally well.

I hope the new DT record is a gem, but I am fearful it will be much of the same.

 

[SalsaWood]

Labrie and Portnoy are the only aspects of the band which grate on me. I hate prog singing and prog drum tones. I don't need everything on an album to sound like Disney's Tarzan OST on steroids. I love some of their older albums, I've seen them live two or three times, but christ I cannot stand Labrie's vocals or Portnoy's drums anymore.

 

[RevDrucifer]

Labrie and Portnoy are the only aspects of the band which grate on me. I hate prog singing and prog drum tones. I don't need everything on an album to sound like Disney's Tarzan OST on steroids. I love some of their older albums, I've seen them live two or three times, but christ I cannot stand Labrie's vocals or Portnoy's drums anymore.

I can totally understand the vocals…..but I’ve loved Portnoy’s drum tones ever since Falling Into Infinity. I’ve been bugging Toontrack and Portnoy via Twitter for like 6 years to do a Portnoy SDX with his Purple Monster and Siamese Monster because I LOVE the sound of those kits so much.

 

[SalsaWood]

Ever since he started using more of the roto-toms or whatever those bongo sounding abominations are, and intrusive reverb effects, I have been totally turned off by all of his actual drums. It's nothing against his skills or creativity of course. I think Systematic Chaos is probably the point where the drum production kind of became sterile and kind of hollow to my ears. I feel like ALL I hear is the damn skins.

 

[OneTwoThrill]

Your point of view can be understood.
I hated Train of Thought and now I like it a lot.
The same for the recent ones. I spent a lot of time in playing on the CD (yeah CD owner in 2024!) just to have fun and I discovered many pleasant moments. Not entire epic songs, but real cool prog solos.
A new beginning for instance has a great ending but I still hate the chorus.
Breaking all illusions is what I call a jewel.

Many other parts worth an in depth listening especially the last album, which is for me a real good one.

Can't wait for the new one! Speculations in my head are driving me totally crazy.

 

[Crungy]

I can totally understand the vocals…..but I’ve loved Portnoy’s drum tones ever since Falling Into Infinity. I’ve been bugging Toontrack and Portnoy via Twitter for like 6 years to do a Portnoy SDX with his Purple Monster and Siamese Monster because I LOVE the sound of those kits so much.

Holy shit a purple monster kit would be nuts

 

[ToRNOuTLaW]

I have some hope for innovation in the songwriting on the new record, now that Portnoy is back.
But 80€ for the concerts in Germany is much more than I am willing to spend for LaBrie's abysmal live singing.

 

[DrewH]

I'm looking forward to seeing them on this next tour. I haven't seen them since A Change of Seasons. Hampton Casino Ballroom in Hampton NH. Back when they were still playing a lot of clubs. It's been almost 30 years! Time flies. I'm not really a concert guy anymore but something tells me this might be it for them in their current iteration. Hopefully I'm wrong but I think Portnoy was brought back for the last rodeo. Labrie is 60 and Jordan is 67!