Say DT's next album has a bonus disc. What'd you want?

[MirrorMask]

We all know how Black Clouds and Silver Linings had, in its limited edition, not one but TWO bonus discs, one was the instrumental version of the album and one was six brand new covers. Let's say on the next album that will be the followup to The Astonishing we will get a bonus disc... what would you want on that?

Since this is all highly hypothetical anything goes for the replies of course. As for me, I'd love a Rudess / LaBrie combo. Just the other day I casually refreshed FB and Rudess was live playing an improv piece on his piano. I'd love for him to sit down with James and conjure up something only piano and voice. Have the bonus disc being a Rudess / LaBrie EP, with 2-3 original songs, a couple of covers and a couple of older DT songs reworked and rearranged just for piano and voice, kinda like the alternate version of Wither.

As a second choice, I remember the acoustic shows of the FII era, they never did something like that before or after again, it was unusual and interesting to have those kind of performances. I would love to hear some of that again, just like in my JR / JLB only scenario they could apply the "New songs + DT songs rearranged + covers" scenario to have 6-7 songs for a bonus EP.

[krands85]

Individual stems for all the tracks of the main album.

[BlobVanDam]

Individual stems for all the tracks of the main album.

That, or demos would be cool, if they record those these days.

[AngelBack]

WDADU played by current lineup.

[goo-goo]

A Making of DVD. I love the behind the scenes stuff.

[Mladen]

A Making of DVD. I love the behind the scenes stuff.

This.

[mikeyd23]

A Making of DVD. I love the behind the scenes stuff.

This.

Yup. This would definitely be my first choice.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

My first preference would be a "Making of" special. My second would be four or five Majesty/WDADU songs re-recorded by the current lineup.

[Renzo]

WDADU played by current lineup.

Hell yes!!

And the re-recording of 'the Killing Hand' should be based on the live WDADRU version..

[V_R11]

WDADU played by current lineup.

I've always wanted that. To this day I haven't heard full WDADU because I can't stand Dominici's voice

[JiM-Xtreme]

WDADU played by current lineup.

As awesome as this would be, I believe the band gave up their rights to that album when they left Mechanic Records... so may not be possible:(

[bosk1]

A Making of DVD. I love the behind the scenes stuff.

This.

Yup. This would definitely be my first choice.

First thing I thought of as well.  Whether it's just a few clips on YouTube or something more extensive like the bonus disk for SC, these are always great.  A "special edition" is always an automatic buy for me if it has a making of DVD.

[hefdaddy42]

WDADU played by current lineup.

As awesome as this would be, I believe the band gave up their rights to that album when they left Mechanic Records... so may not be possible:(

Just the original recordings, if memory serves.  They are still their songs, they can do whatever they want going forward with them, as far as I know.

But this will never happen.  Just get When Dream And Day Reunite.  That's the closest you will get to it.

[Kotowboy]

Either another 90 minute in studio DVD like Systematic Chaos

or the whole new album performed live in the studio.

[hefdaddy42]

Either another 90 minute in studio DVD like Systematic Chaos

or the whole new album performed live in the studio.

Sounds good to me.

[mikeyd23]

or the whole new album performed live in the studio.

Oh yea, some St. Anger stuff, right!? 

I'd love that. A DVD of the band in a studio just playing all the songs. That would be really cool, and something they haven't done previously.

[Adami]

I want a 4k DVD of Hef sitting outside listening and reacting to the album while enjoying a fine cigar and a never empty glass of scotch.

[hefdaddy42]

I want a 4k DVD of Hef sitting outside listening and reacting to the album while enjoying a fine cigar and a never empty glass of scotch.

We'll talk later.

[erwinrafael]

If their next album would have songs like Our New World and Chosen, I want a CD of instrumental versions so I can sing to the songs.

[Mosh]

With the way the band does their live albums these days, I think I'd almost prefer an in studio performance.

[Madman Shepherd]

A Making of DVD. I love the behind the scenes stuff.

This.

Yup. This would definitely be my first choice.

Definitely this.  I know it's "been done" before but it was fascinating as hell.  Sadly, I don't think they'll do something like this because they seem to much prefer writing and recording without cameras constantly around. 

The other idea I had would be a type of unplugged performance in the studio or in a small sound stage.  Have a competition or lottery where you could invite 300 fans or so. 

Rerecording a few WDADU songs would be great, too, but won't ever happen I'm sure. 

[cramx3]

Give me b-sides.  I'll gladly take stuff DT writes and records that is different than what's on the album. 

[Setlist Scotty]

I'd like to see a mix of B-sides and older songs that were completely rewritten/re-envisioned, along the lines of Caught in Alice's Nine Inch Tool Garden and Surrounded '07. One or two could be acoustic, but I'd like to see how they could take some of the other older songs in different directions.

[JiM-Xtreme]

I'm all for demos/earlier versions of songs personally. I realise that since DT have pretty much written and recorded simultaneously for the last several albums there may not be any need for demos, but I'd find anything like studio outtakes, alternative arrangements of songs or little ideas that ended up not being used really interesting listening. I always find it interesting to learn where things originate from.

I'm sure they could find enough material from between ADToE to TA to fill at least a single disc. Maybe a couple of the tracks from ADToE with JP's drum samples he used, the spoken word intro to TA that was cut out, or the complete outro guitar solo from ANB without the fade-out? 

[Nel]

A jewel case. Not that flimsy thing the BC&SL deluxe was in or a digipak. 

In all seriousness though, I like bonus tracks to be b-sides and if not that, covers. Demos and live tracks never interest me.

[cramx3]

Another cool idea would be what Epica has done their last two albums and have the bonus disc be acoustic versions of a few songs from the main album.  Those songs have been some of Epica's best IMO.  Shows great diversity.  I think DT could do it too.

[Setlist Scotty]

Another cool idea would be what Epica has done their last two albums and have the bonus disc be acoustic versions of a few songs from the main album.  Those songs have been some of Epica's best IMO.  Shows great diversity.  I think DT could do it too.

One or two, OK. But a CD just of acoustic versions of songs? Pass.

[bosk1]

Another cool idea would be what Epica has done their last two albums and have the bonus disc be acoustic versions of a few songs from the main album.  Those songs have been some of Epica's best IMO.  Shows great diversity.  I think DT could do it too.

If it was just "normal" acoustic versions, I wouldn't necessarily be all that interested.  But if it was indeed more along the lines of what Epica has done, JUST TAKE MY MONEY, DT!

[cramx3]

Another cool idea would be what Epica has done their last two albums and have the bonus disc be acoustic versions of a few songs from the main album.  Those songs have been some of Epica's best IMO.  Shows great diversity.  I think DT could do it too.

If it was just "normal" acoustic versions, I wouldn't necessarily be all that interested.  But if it was indeed more along the lines of what Epica has done, JUST TAKE MY MONEY, DT!

Yea, I didn't express further as a straight up acoustic version isn't terribly interesting, but actual arrangement changes and instrumental changes as well, which JR could easily do.  The idea of just making a fun spin off song in a musically interesting way, but as in something that doesn't actually fit on a DT record. 

[Kotowboy]

I notice what bands are doing now is - putting the making of on YouTube instead of on a bonus disc... Probably f--- loads cheaper too.

[cramx3]

I notice what bands are doing now is - putting the making of on YouTube instead of on a bonus disc... Probably f--- loads cheaper too.

And a lot of times those making of videos end up as a bonus on the next DVD or something similar.  I think that works, one to hype the release as these youtube videos typically come out before the release of the album, and two, a way for the fans to own it eventually.  Similar to DT's drummer auditions.

While I do enjoy these types of videos, I wouldn't want that on a bonus disc because they are becoming so common that I'd rather something more unique if it was my choice.

[gzarruk]

My first preference would be a "Making of" special. My second would be four or five Majesty/WDADU songs re-recorded by the current lineup.

This. I really miss the "Making of" videos, it's just a very cool thing to watch. The re-recorded/re-imagined versions of the Majesty demos would be a great option too, something like what Haken did with their Restoration EP 

[rumborak]

A DVD of MM playing the whole album, from beginning to end. Yes, I'm serious.

[Adami]

MM playing the whole album, from beginning to end. Yes, I'm serious.

Like a drum DVD of it? The kind Portnoy did on occasion?

I'd like a the whole album with MM speaking the lyrics in his Boston accent.

[rumborak]

Yeah, a DVD of him playing all that stuff, I think that would be wicked cool.
Alternatively, a mix of the new album where each tom hit is replaced by MM saying "tooooneee".