Some backwards thinking to the BC&SL era

[hefdaddy42]

I didn't see them on that tour either, but LAB is unbelievable, as are virtually all the bootlegs I heard from that tour.

[pantsofeternity]

Yeah, that tour was my first DT show and I remember them just killing it.  My dad brought me -- he wasn't really familiar with DT, but I played him some before the concert and he was like "Oh, it's like Rush or Yes? Shit, I was worried it would be something lame!" We had a blast -- I still recall Trial of Tears being absolutely brainmelting.  What a setlist.

Also, just gotta say, I was worried this thread would quickly go down the tubes (no offense to the OP, just given the possibly controversial subjects at stake) but this has been a great discussion -- overall, a lot of very fair assessments of the band's career and output.  Nice job.

[BlobVanDam]

So what you're saying is that metalheads ruined DT fandom?

Oh, prog fans ruined it long before that.

[don_waka]

Portnoy leaving the band was the best thing it could happen to Dream Theater 

[BlobVanDam]

In retrospect, Portnoy leaving DT was basically the end of my interest in DT, sadly.

[IDontNotDoThings]

Why's that?

[KevShmev]

He's exaggerating.  I am pretty sure you don't listen to any new music by a band if your interest in them has ended, and I am pretty sure Blob has talked plenty about all three Mangini era albums and what he likes and doesn't like about them. 

[BlobVanDam]

It's not exaggerating, but I guess "excitement" would be less ambiguous than "interest".
I still care enough to check out what they release, but at this point it's only based on my former love for the band rather than my current opinion. I don't anticipate their music with excitement like I used to up until BCASL/ADTOE, and I don't keep up with tours or find any interest in their interviews any more. It's loyalty based on the past.
I want to love their current music, but the magic is gone for me.

[Mosh]

Do you think it's because of MP not being there or more of a coincidence?

[BlobVanDam]

Partially yes and no. The last MP albums are among my lesser favourites, and I rank ADTOE similarly to BCASL, so it wasn't a sudden dropoff. But I also feel they lost a big part of the dynamic that made the band work so well for me, and MM has brought something different to the band that doesn't fill that void for me. Different strokes (no that wasn't a drummer pun ).
And it's not like I've listened to or cared about anything MP has done since DT either. That lineup just had a great balance of elements that I loved, and now it's shifted.

[red barchetta]

Portnoy had that special energy that I will never find again in DT. I am very disapointed in one thing. I thought Mangini would bring something to the music but he had nothing or very little to do with ADTOE's music and probably nothing on TA.

i don't have any idea about Portnoy input in DT's music during his time. He was doing some pretty decent vocals and it is easy to see the difference now. I would not be surprised that he had some good input in the music.

He was not only a drummer but a showman as well. Easy to see that Keith Moon was one of his idols.

[Darkstarshades]

THE FANS want ME back, and I WANT to be back TOO. so WHAT does THAT tell YOU (the fans)?
That THEY have SOMETHING.
 

Speaking seriously, all I can say is that the first change I noticed on post MP albums (other than the drumming) is JLB's voice, after he left, ADTOE and DT12 had this weird effect on his voice, idk how to describe it, which is partially gone on TA.

[red barchetta]

After reading the rest, I don't see nothing "epic" in TA.

I don't think that BCASL has draw as many negatives comments or analysis when it came out than TA. About TA, I only recognize the courage of the band or should I say 2 guys to come out with that.

[Darkstarshades]

Replace ANTR's ROAAAAAAR with LSFNY's ROAR! at Beyond This Life.