Dream Theater "Systematic Chaos" details

I always thought Rudess was 45+. He sure looks it. 

The name doesn't bother me.. It's different.  Maybe it's a message to the fans,  saying "if you didn't like Octavarium, don't worry, because this one is different."   But,  like I said,  it IS different.

What bothers me is them being with Roadrunner.  Does this signify that they are going to be more mainstream less prog?   From Roadrunner's wikipedia entry:   "Some of their [Roadrunner] current most successful artists include, Still Remains, Cradle of Filth, DevilDriver, Killswitch Engage,Trivium,Machine Head, Nickleback, Opeth, Slipknot, Soulfly, Dragon Force, 3 Inches of Blood, and Stone Sour."

I've highlighted the bands that worry me.   Nickleback? HOLY CRAP.   Even with Opeth on there, that doesn't really help me.  I don't like Opeth's sound, and certainly wouldn't want Dream Theater trying to sound like them.

In the end, if the music is good, it doesn't matter. I'm looking forward to the 25 minute epic, that gives me hope that "Systematic Chaos" will be more prog focused and not mainstream/indust metal.




Edited by giantenemycrab - February 16 2007 at 08:54

Roadrunner Records has announced the signing of progressive metal pioneers DREAM THEATER. A new studio album, "Systematic Chaos", is due in June. DREAM THEATER will hit the road in support of the album for a world tour, including major festival appearances in Europe.

Since their first studio release in 1989, this U.S.-based five-piece has notched up record and DVD sales in excess of six million and headlined to audiences of 20,000. Having undertaken seven world tours across 42 different countries, DREAM THEATER has established a live reputation that has swept them to arena-status around the globe. They have appeared alongside acts such as DEEP PURPLE, IRON MAIDEN and YES.

Recognized by peers and public alike for their advanced musical expertise, the band (Mike Portnoy, drums; John Petrucci, guitar; John Myung, bass; James LaBrie, vocals; Jordan Rudess, keyboards) has long held the ability to combine complex arrangements with unadulterated songwriting skills, the material often underpinned by riffs as heavy as anything in the METALLICA repertoire.


"This album's got all of the elements we've become known for," reveals Portnoy. "The focus on musicianship, the skull-crushing riffs, the big progressive epics and the heart-wrenching melodies. We've got one of the strongest and most devoted fan bases in the world, and they should certainly be happy with the new material. By working closely with the label we hope to turn a great many new heads too."

"DREAM THEATER and Roadrunner Records have led parallel careers on the cutting edge of metal for many years," say A&R men, Derek Oliver and Dante Bonutto, "We're thrilled to be working with a genuine market-leader, and when you add everything the guys bring to the table to the independent spirit and work ethic of the label, the results can only be exciting in the extreme!"

Prior to teaming up with Roadrunner, DREAM THEATER was signed to a seven-album deal with Warner Music Group worldwide. The deal commenced with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful "Images And Words" (1992), a gold-certified U.S. release, and concluded, in equal style, with "Octavarium" (2005), a Top 40 Billboard outing. In August of last year the band issued "Score", a live album/DVD (recorded at Radio City Music Hall in New York), which went straight to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard DVD charts, knocking PINK FLOYD from the top!

By the following month, the five were holed up at Avatar Studios in New York, working on the new album with veteran engineer/ mixer Paul Northfield (RUSH, QUEENSRŸCHE, PORCUPINE TREE). As usual, Portnoy and Petrucci chose to co-produce the project, which features seven compositions (one a 25-minute epic), and word on the grapevine is that the DREAM THEATER/Roadrunner alliance looks all set to kick off with a classic.

"Systematic Chaos", DREAM THEATER's ninth studio release, arrives at a time when the band is casting a longer-than-ever shadow across the rock and metal landscape. Their influence is being acknowledged by an increasing number of contemporary, cutting-edge acts such as STONE SOUR, TRIVIUM, SHADOWS FALL, OPETH as their fan base continues to grow.

Touring plans will be announced shortly.





Edited by Masque - February 16 2007 at 09:29

Baza wrote: I'don't believe that these old geezers (the youngest of them will turn 40 this year) can make a masterpiece. But it can still be a good album.

...with DT as an opening act!

Avantgardehead wrote: "Systematic Chaos" sounds like an old Dillinger Escape Plan or Meshuggah album. Anyway, I hope the non-epic songs aren't filler like on Octavarium. I enjoy that CD infrequently but the track Octavarium is clearly the best one. And yes, they all look horrible except for Portnoy and I guess Myung.

Fuzz wrote: They all are looking fine. You guys are overreacting. MP, JLB and Myung look fine and Petrucci is still growing out his hair. Jordan is starting to show his age, but so what?

laplace wrote: I can't actually distinguish between the members of Dream Theater. FANBOYS =P

Equality 7-2521 wrote: Somebody has to tell LaBrie that whatever look he's going for isn't working

What does their appearance matter? A great deal of rockers are some of the ugliest sadsacks on the planet. That's why they formed a band. Hopefully, the new album will be better than the last and I'mm banking on the epic being the final installment of the Alcoholics Anonymous suite.