Dream Theater - Couple of live observations...July 23rd - Wolverhampton

[Brand X]

First off, I love this band, however I'm not happy that I now can't listen to anything else as it just sounds lame Lol. Anyway - couple of observations that were clear as day from last nights show that are just undeniable:

1) They are now a band rather than 5 individuals. They all looked so relaxed and smiling god-dammit! Lol....this seriously raises the question about the possible negative impact that Mike had/may have had on the band.
2) James voice was great (best I've heard him) and no angst or swearing for the entire night and his singing was much more confident and relaxed....he was just very appreciative and very cool. I don't get these guys that knock James as his style of singing can sometimes waver but in these days of instant uploading to YouTube there is no forgiveness of this.....Jeez - I've heard Geoff Tate have some terrible night and regularly over-reach but he never gets slated.......
3) Mangini is not human - what he can do on the drums defies logic and he fits the band perfectly. The reception for him was just unbelievable.......

Overall a great night and I wish I was going to High Voltage in London tonight!!! (

[ariich]

On that first point, I've always found them to look happy and enjoy themselves on stage a lot, with the exception of JM who would mostly just stand there and play. So I wonder how much has actually changed, and how much your own expectations have affected how you saw it.

The other two points are very cool though, great to hear that James is on form!

[Mladen]

I dunno, I always thought the guys look like they're having fun on stage. I remember us talking about youtube clips from last year's tour with Maiden, we were all like ''Whoa, look at JMX!'' 

But yeah, they're still rockin' out, James and JP maybe a bit more than earlier. 

[olliemedsy]

i was there, and yes, i was amazed at james voice. he nailed the chorus in UAGM, and did you see mike mangini's super fast ride work during the chorus as well. when MP played it, he would play 8th notes, but MM would play 16th notes. the guy is not human.

[Psy]

Wolverhampton, eh? I think that is officially the closest I will ever have ever physically been to DT.

[ElliottTamer]

First off, I love this band, however I'm not happy that I now can't listen to anything else as it just sounds lame Lol.

Oh, I know how you feel...
Btw, I so wish I could go to one of their shows!!!!!

[Brand X]

To qualify my 'enjoyment' statement, yes - every time I have seen them - they have had fun.....however - it nowe seems less forced, and more genuine.....it's hard to quantify, but it's definitely there......great, great band!

[rumborak]

no angst or swearing for the entire night

Aweeeeesome. I really hope that stays, it would remove one of the most embarrassing aspects of their live performances. Their swearing always sounded affected.

rumborak

[IdoSC]

I don't get these guys that knock James

You won't find 'em here, so try another daaaaaaayyyyy.

Nah seriously. The ones you're looking for are either at MP.com, Youtube (specifically - any video of DT covering another band and such), and a few Metal forums.

[VioletS16]

no angst or swearing for the entire night

Aweeeeesome. I really hope that stays, it would remove one of the most embarrassing aspects of their live performances. Their swearing always sounded affected.

rumborak

A lot of bands swear live...it's not a huge thing...but the band gives off a much more positive vibe if they don't.

The one exception is Ozzy.

[Adami]

no angst or swearing for the entire night

Aweeeeesome. I really hope that stays, it would remove one of the most embarrassing aspects of their live performances. Their swearing always sounded affected.

rumborak

A lot of bands swear live...it's not a huge thing...but the band gives off a much more positive vibe if they don't.

The one exception is Ozzy.

Some bands need to curse live, one of those bands is Metallica. When he stopped...............it was just lame.

But DT are fine without it.

[Tomislav95]

I hope they will come to Croatia next year. DT live shows are for me just DVds and YT clips

[Progmetty]

Some bands need to curse live, one of those bands is Metallica. When he stopped...............it was just lame.

It's one thing if you subtly stop cursing but Hetfield went out of his way to show the contrast between the past Metallica and the new one since 2003, when someone you're used to hear saying "C'mon you lazy fuckers", I can't hear mother fuckers", "Metallica is here to kick your fuckin ass" and "fag cunt slut" to their audience is suddenly saying thing like "You are part of the Metallica family", "Metallica loves you!" and "You're beautiful"; the contrast gets so in-your-face and lame that it throw you off sometimes.
We got a "You're beautiful" when I saw them in 2009. And it was right in the middle of Creeping Death and we were chanting "die die die", what am I supposed to say next? "Thanks James, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I love your new highlights!".

[Adami]

I still think the lamest line from Hetfield is from S&M during For Whom the Bell Tolls.


"You betcha!"

[MarkFitDT]

On that first point, I've always found them to look happy and enjoy themselves on stage a lot, with the exception of JM who would mostly just stand there and play. So I wonder how much has actually changed, and how much your own expectations have affected how you saw it.

The other two points are very cool though, great to hear that James is on form!

I was there last night and I know what you are saying but it WAS different last night. The atmosphere on stage was much more relaxed. Mangini was an absolute monster. His playing kept me totally entranced without the need for any spitting or such like. Best DT show i've seen.
Eden's Curse werent very good though imo - the gulf in class between the 2 bands was astronomical.

[dongringo]

Jeez - I've heard Geoff Tate have some terrible night and regularly over-reach but he never gets slated.......

Apparently you haven't seen the Queensryche thread. 

Welcome to the forum. Glad you enjoyed the show. 

[Madman Shepherd]

It seems like James has more interaction with the crowd and has more to say.  Not that its anything ground breaking, just that he does more frontman type of stuff like pumping up the audience, telling them how much they appreciate the support, asking a guy to put his sign down so people behind him can see...I wonder if thats one of the things MP and him butted heads on.  If so, its just one more reason why I am happy Mike Portnoy is not in the band anymore. 

[VioletS16]

no angst or swearing for the entire night

Aweeeeesome. I really hope that stays, it would remove one of the most embarrassing aspects of their live performances. Their swearing always sounded affected.

rumborak

A lot of bands swear live...it's not a huge thing...but the band gives off a much more positive vibe if they don't.

The one exception is Ozzy.

Some bands need to curse live, one of those bands is Metallica. When he stopped...............it was just lame.

But DT are fine without it.

Well, they don't NEED to, unless it's a lyric. Skipping a swear in a lyric is like, "WTF, seriously?? Are you child-proofing a metal concert??", but I think a ton of swearing just makes it sound like swearing just to sound cool. "I swear, cuz I'm kewl like that yo... mutha f***a."

[Adami]

Most bands? True.

Metallica? Necessary. Just watch any metallica DVD from Cunning Stunts or earlier and you tell me his cursing is pointless.

[dongringo]

but I think a ton of swearing just makes it sound like swearing just to sound cool. "I swear, cuz I'm kewl like that yo... mutha f***a."

I couldn't stand that about MP.

[Brand X]

I always thought DT to be above that, so when James / Mike did it - it always sounded a bit lame/forced.........Metallica is almost the polar opposite - the music/lyrics/attitude DEMAND swearing..........without it...again...seems a bit lame...they were just more 'together' lon Saturday night than the previous times I've seen them....

[wammabe]

I've always found it really funny when James swore live. Couldn't really imagine it until I actually saw it on youtube videos.

[Mosh]

At the Maiden show that was the first thing I had ever heard come out of his mouth was a swear. Not even a vocal line. Just for fun, these are the observations I had at the show (Remember I had no idea what DT was, never heard a song, and only knew Mike Portnoy from interviews)

1: As I Am kicked ass
2: The keyboard player sure likes to rock
3: why doesn't this band have a bass player? (I was in the very back so it looked like JM had a guitar)
4: These guys are monsters on their instruments

The best opening act I have ever seen. The only act that prompted me to buy one of their albums.

[BlobVanDam]

no angst or swearing for the entire night

Aweeeeesome. I really hope that stays, it would remove one of the most embarrassing aspects of their live performances. Their swearing always sounded affected.

rumborak

Do they swear that much? I've never really noticed it. To be honest, JLB's between song banter is often awkward enough whether he's swearing or not.

[Mbarak]

JLB's swearing during Canadian rap > all other swearing he ever done

"back home, with that fucking thing, gonna give it to my...WIFE!"

[ZirconBlue]

no angst or swearing for the entire night

Aweeeeesome. I really hope that stays, it would remove one of the most embarrassing aspects of their live performances. Their swearing always sounded affected.

rumborak

Do they swear that much? I've never really noticed it. To be honest, JLB's between song banter is often awkward enough whether he's swearing or not.

I disagree.  I think JLB's banter is especially special.

[DJay32]

Some bands need to curse live, one of those bands is Metallica. When he stopped...............it was just lame.

It's one thing if you subtly stop cursing but Hetfield went out of his way to show the contrast between the past Metallica and the new one since 2003, when someone you're used to hear saying "C'mon you lazy fuckers", I can't hear mother fuckers", "Metallica is here to kick your fuckin ass" and "fag cunt slut" to their audience is suddenly saying thing like "You are part of the Metallica family", "Metallica loves you!" and "You're beautiful"; the contrast gets so in-your-face and lame that it throw you off sometimes.
We got a "You're beautiful" when I saw them in 2009. And it was right in the middle of Creeping Death and we were chanting "die die die", what am I supposed to say next? "Thanks James, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I love your new highlights!".

I came in here just to point out... I think that's a Metallica nugget. The bolded text in the quote. NUGGETS HAVE DRIFTED TO METALLICA. 8D

[tristl]

 
i was in rome on the 4th of july and before from 07 to 09 5 times ,
once in 07 in porto mp was arguing with a security guy during the concert, he is a control freak,
otherwise they seemed to have fun.
but the difference i felt in the rome concert, it feels more like a unit, jlb is doing the same things just a little more alittle more intense, they are smiling a lot and the sound is more balanced.
in recent years i had more and more the feeling soundwise it was becoming mp and the boys.
just keep on going boys!!

[Slain]

At the Maiden show that was the first thing I had ever heard come out of his mouth was a swear. Not even a vocal line. Just for fun, these are the observations I had at the show (Remember I had no idea what DT was, never heard a song, and only knew Mike Portnoy from interviews)

1: As I Am kicked ass
2: The keyboard player sure likes to rock
3: why doesn't this band have a bass player? (I was in the very back so it looked like JM had a guitar)
4: These guys are monsters on their instruments

The best opening act I have ever seen. The only act that prompted me to buy one of their albums.

That's awesome to hear that you got into them from the Maiden shows. We talked on DTF about whether we thought that the Maiden shows would attract a lot of new fans or not, and it's good to see that it worked