The deroute and decline of DREAM THEATER!

DREAM THEATER's 2021 release "A View From the Top of the World' has been rated a mere 280 times. 

Edited by earlyprog - February 01 2023 at 13:41

There's also an overall decline in active users here. PT's In Absentia has 2705 ratings. C/C has 301.

Necrotica wrote: I'd say it's a matter of Dream Theater being in a holding pattern these days; they're past their point of peak relevance and significance now, so now most of their work is being consumed by the more dedicated and hardcore fans, as opposed to a wider audience. I'm not sure if I would necessarily call it a decline, as much as simply the natural peak/valley cycle of these types of bands. Same goes with Iron Maiden: most people know what to expect from a new IM album, and it's clear that they'll never release a Number of the Beast or Powerslave again, but that doesn't really deter a smaller, more dedicated crop of fans from still checking the new stuff out. Personally, I actually thought A View from the Top of the World was Dream Theater's best record in a decade

Very well said. I feel you make some pretty good points. DT are way past 1992 with their peak innovations. Honestly, I love DT but I didn’t run out and buy their latest record.
A view from the top of the World isn’t leaps and bounds different than Distance over time. I would say it is redundant, but not in a really bad way. The music is absolute quality but I’m just not in the mood for another Distance Over time.

Will call it a matter of taste.

Edited by progbethyname - February 01 2023 at 16:26

You know what guys. I could really use another Train of Thought and they hire a different producer and mixer.
I know DT have already captured that heavy spirit, but I honestly feel it is when they are at their best.
I think it is technical brilliance. Kevin “caveman” Shirley is a creative mixer, but for gods sakes don’t let him master the album. It’ll be hot. Lol.

mathman0806 wrote: There's also an overall decline in active users here. PT's In Absentia has 2705 ratings. C/C has 301.

Grumpyprogfan wrote: I wouldn't say DT has declined. Sure, their music is samey, but they are still making money, and they need to pay bills. So rock on DT. It's the consumer's choice if they want to support any artist. And fans come and go.

Decline is a harsh word. I perhaps wouldn’t describe the difference in direction and production value in that vain.

The important thing to note is that DT have gone into different directions and some are definitely more palatable than others depending on you! The individual.

For me. I love the Train of thought album. When they went balls to the walls to create the heaviest and most relentless thing imaginable, I thought this is when they were at their best.


Of course. That is my taste. What is yours? I think this thread should be about what era or albums does one appreciate the most from Dream Theater ?

It is not a decline, but a difference in style and listener preferences.

mathman0806 wrote: There's also an overall decline in active users here. PT's In Absentia has 2705 ratings. C/C has 301.

I agree on one thing that Myung is always buried in the mix, which is horrible. He is a great bass player and should be more out front.......Again, the production that Petrucci is doing is not the best decisions.

I would not say it's a decline, more like stagnation. They've become a bit predictable. 

Jared wrote: Cristi wrote: I would not say it's a decline, more like stagnation. They've become a bit predictable. I find it difficult to know where they should go, if anywhere to be honest and feel that they are damned if they do and damned if they don't... I think the last great album they made was probably Octavarium. After that, they took a slightly different direction with SC and parts of BC&SL, which ended up being an unsuccessful cul-de-sac they came out of after Mike's departure. ADTOE was actually very solid, but it offered nothing new while XIII seemed to me a bit of a safe 'DT by numbers' before we had tA, which was erm... anything but predictable..   They then returned to a slightly more interesting 'DT by numbers' with DoT... They seem to be stuck somewhere between the devil of pleasing their loyal but ageing fanbase and the deep blue sea of experimentation with all the risks that go with it...