Dream Theater

When a band tries something new it alienates the existing fan base. The people that love DT love them because of the way they sound and not because of the way they don't sound. Many acts have tried new directions and have totally messed up by doing so - ask Queensryche about that or look at those who hate the last Opeth release. In fact the musical graveyard is full of the headstones of the bands that "tried something new" and lost their way because of it. I love DT because individually they know how to play their instruments like few other band members can and they do prove that - some call it "w**kery" however I can appreciate skill when I hear it. Their tracks are intricate, well put together and in many cases stunning examples of musical technicality. I for one do not want them to change their music to suite those who are looking for something else.

Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote: Bloodnarfer, I did just read your review and although I like it more than you, I agree with many of your thoughts about it. I kind of sit on the fence with Dream Theater, I always buy their albums, even though they are far from a favourite band of mine or one that I even listen to a lot. But I too think they are in desperate need to trying something new, even though I thought what they do on this newie sounds great on a surface level. Have to say, though, looking back over a band and thinking `Hmmmm, x albums all with the same sound' is a pretty depressing thought.

I think they could write another classic if they put their heart into it.
I might be extra critical of them just because I know they could do better

darkshade wrote: bloodnarfer wrote: [QUOTE=Jim Garten]Its a lot more like Train of Thought than the classics in my opinion. Sounds to me like you only listened to the first two tracks??? The album is closer to Octavarium and Awake as far as comparing DT12 to older DT albums.

I listened to the whole thing, I just got a very metal vibe from it similar to Train of Thought.  I guess now that you mention it it does have more similarities to Octavarium but less varied than that album and some semblence of Awake.  Its just very 'same old same old' and didn't excite me


Edited by bloodnarfer - September 25 2013 at 16:13

darkshade wrote: bloodnarfer wrote: [QUOTE=Jim Garten]Its a lot more like Train of Thought than the classics in my opinion. Sounds to me like you only listened to the first two tracks??? The album is closer to Octavarium and Awake as far as comparing DT12 to older DT albums.

Yep, the new album is nothing like the all-out heaviness of `Train Of Thought', although I've only listened to the first three quarters of the album several times, I haven't got to the final two tracks yet, so no idea if the last few go balls-out with metal....hmmm, that's quite a violent image!

bloodnarfer wrote: [QUOTE=Jim Garten]Its a lot more like Train of Thought than the classics in my opinion.

Sounds to me like you only listened to the first two tracks??? The album is closer to Octavarium and Awake as far as comparing DT12 to older DT albums.

Jim Garten wrote: I'm reading a lot of reviews around comparing the new album to the older classics such as Awake, Scenes... and Images... I started to go off DT after Train Of Thought & Octavarium. Bearing in mind I'm more a fan of the older stuff - what do the panel think? Worth a punt?

I just streamed it on Spotify... I didn't really enjoy it to be honest.  Its a lot more like Train of Thought than the classics in my opinion.  If you're like me and more a fan of the pre-2000 material I'm not sure how much you'll dig it. I ended up giving it 2/5 in my review.


Edited by bloodnarfer - September 25 2013 at 11:23

I'm reading a lot of reviews around comparing the new album to the older classics such as Awake, Scenes... and Images...

I started to go off DT after Train Of Thought & Octavarium. Bearing in mind I'm more a fan of the older stuff - what do the panel think? Worth a punt?

A lot of people are saying the new album is mastered way too hot, like Death Magnetic hot, and the compression kills some of the dynamics, along with the listen itself becoming very tiring after about halfway through the album. If you feel the same as others, you can download the HDtracks version of DT12, which is basically a better produced version of the album.

http://https://www.hdtracks.com/index.php?file=catalogdetail&valbum_code=HD016861760465

Well gents. I finally possess a copy of the new DT album and I've spun this sucker 4 times today. Truth is I am loving it more and more each spin. This is a very good album from DT and it's like a more polished version of ADTOE with Some similarities to other DT classics like 6 Degress, Awake and I&w's.
I also like the use of real String instruments used in the album production and not electronically simulated by Rudess or anything. The viola and Violins are such a nice touch, especially on the 23 min epic 'Illumination Theory' ;)
The drumming is also intriguing and fast! Mangini certainly slams those 'Autobauns' he enjoys using in his drum kit. :)

Anyway guys. I love it. It's better than ADTOE for me. Can't ask for much more.

Prog on. :)

jammindude wrote: I'm seeing more and more of that.    I'm certain there will always be a certain "changing of the guard" on several levels.   (the new Haken is amazing, and how many Yes fans that were actually there when Fragile broke are still singing the praises of Fly From Here...so it goes both ways) I pride myself on *trying* to keep up...but I haven't made any groundbreaking new discoveries since PoS, Porcupine Tree, and Riverside first starting making waves over a decade ago.     I seek to remedy that....Haken seems like a great new place to start.  But I still love my DT.   Moving forward doesn't always been crapping on your heroes.

Well, I guess Haken is a promising new band. I just got Aquarius a few months ago and it certainly didn't disapoint... and I expect to get the other 2 albums at any moment, so I'm kind of exited about that. Now, an even newer band that seems to have been praised very much through last year is "iamthemorning"... I still haven't heard them, but I guess I'll have to give them a chance. Though as far as I understand this guys have absolutley nothing to do with metal.