How do you feel about the current dream theater?

[1993ranger]

been wanted to ask this qns since a long time , how do you feel about the current dream theater? as in their set lists and stuffs without portnoy. for myself , i've been missing portnoy for the fact that their setlists remain the same almost here and there for ADTOE tour . the thing that i don't really fancy about. i mean , i miss having the " different setlists for each gig " the old dream theater was. what's your opinion ?

[MetalJens]

i miss having the " different setlists for each gig " the old dream theater was. what's your opinion ?

Well lets see how this new tour looks first.. they may have had their reasons for sticking to one set list the last year, mainly because Mangini has had a limited amount of time to learn DT songs. I hope they will rotate their set lists more on the coming tours, but we will see..

Nevertheless, I would love it if they play ADTOE back to back on this tour Exited to see the setlist tonight, as I will see them live in Chicago next weekend 

[Jamesman42]

Maybe the best since the IaW/Awake era

[BlobVanDam]

I miss elements of DT with MP, but there are also new elements of DT + MM that were missing on recent albums. All in all, I am very happy with the current lineup.

As they've only done one album, and are only just starting their first tour with MM, I can't fairly make much more judgement than that.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I love the new DT. I don't care if we don't get rotating setlists anymore, I'm sure they put up a hell of a show for this tour that will make your money worth.


Rudess had a point when he said that rotating songs every night damaged the performance. It was a very nice thing to do in its time, but I agree they need to focus on the show as of now.

[reneranucci]

I miss elements of DT with MP, but there are also new elements of DT + MM that were missing on recent albums. All in all, I am very happy with the current lineup.

As they've only done one album, and are only just starting their first tour with MM, I can't fairly make much more judgement than that.

This, exactly.

MP was my favorite member so I feel somewhat detached emotionally from the band, and I'll always miss him. But they decided to go on and I'm happy because they're my favorite band.

[Metabog]

Overall I like it way way way more than the most recent MP days, but I still kind of wish they were as they were during the SFAM/LSFNY times, when I first discovered them. But those times are dead and gone.

[1993ranger]

I love the new DT. I don't care if we don't get rotating setlists anymore, I'm sure they put up a hell of a show for this tour that will make your money worth.


Rudess had a point when he said that rotating songs every night damaged the performance. It was a very nice thing to do in its time, but I agree they need to focus on the show as of now.

agreed , but i, myself miss some of the songs like , " this dying soul , in the name of god" , to me those songs were like classics to a certain extend.

[gm5k]

ADTOE + same consistent setlist...BC&SL + different setlists...

yea, that was easy 

I don't mind the same setlist.  It definitely means a better sounding show on everyone's part.  Just don't pay attention to the tour setlists and be surprised when you see the show 

True, OP, about the Train of Thought style songs.  That era was long gone even with MP in the band, though.  They hadn't written one heavy song since that could match any of the ToT ones, IMO.

[Slain]

I don't mind. If they think it works better for them, that's really all that matters. I'm just excited to get out there and see some of the ADTOE stuff get played. 

[johncal]

I think this is the best DT linup ever. I also think the guys were a little concerned with the lineup change. It was a big change, but being able to pull off everything they have in such a short time is unbelievable. I think you'll see some crazy stuff in the next album, but I think by then the fans will be ready to accept something really different. I think too much change right now would have been too polarizing.

I believe we'll be wowed by the North american Tour and I really think that this tour will be what solidifies MM's position in the band and opens the doors to new things. I think you'll see a DVD and I think the stuff from the new album will be even better live. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we hear somthing we haven't heard yet like a new song or something just nuts.

[senecadawg2]

Maybe the best since the IaW/Awake era

Right here

[gentaishinigami]

Realistically though how many people actually see more than one concert out of the overall crowd?    I have a hard enough time making it to one, much less going to multiple ones across the country.  I get that it would be nice for those who can afford and manage to do that, but I don't really feel it's something the band should work around.  I'd much rather have them have a solid set that never changes with a good stage show and good performances.  Plus, it makes the next tour all that more exciting since you'll get to see likely all new songs on top of whatever new songs they may have released and are touring to support.

[ZKX-2099]

I already really want to hear the next album. I want to hear what Mangini brings to the creative side of things.

[OsMosis2259]

I'm happy with the band right now. The setlist being the same is not really a problem for me because most people like me only really go to 1 show a tour.

[Infinite Cactus]

I dig it. Mangini has always been one of my favorite drummers. And while I like MP and liked his backing vocals up to 8VM, I found myself starting to dislike him and his influence towards the end. He is an incredible musician, but I'm kind of glad he's gone in a way. I also started getting tired of all the videos, interviews, music videos being primarily MP. I get it, he was the face of the band. But still....

[Jaffa]

The only reason I'd really care about rotating setlists is so that I could be surprised by what they play when I go.  And even that could be solved just by not paying attention to the conversations about the setlists. 

So, I'm happy with the current Dream Theater.

[johncal]

To me the only way rotating set lists matter is if I have the time and money to see multiple shows....... which I don't. I wonder how many actually do?

[Major Thirteenth]

To me the only way rotating set lists matter is if I have the time and money to see multiple shows....... which I don't. I wonder how many actually do?

There will be some variation, however a different set list every night is not in the cards and never will be. Number one, changing the set lists fucks up the light show. The light show needs to be preprogrammed and benefits from consistency in the set lists. Number two, James is older now and the set lists have to be designed to conserve his voice for a long tour. Number three, with the huge catalogue of songs in DT's repertoire, it is no longer possible to have every song on demand and ready to go. Playing a DT song is obviously not a trivial exercise and demands practice and rememorization. Hardly feasible in your 20's, not happening in your 40s. I would rather hear a high quality set list that is thoroughly rehearsed, produced (lighting, sets, etc), and executed with the benefits accrued from repetition.

[Lowdz]

I'm sure the rotating setlist thing had stopped already before MP quit? The last tour I saw two shows it was the same setlist.

I'm just glad there is still a DT as this time last year that may not have been so, and we wouldn't now have the awesomeness that is ADTOE. Oh yeah, and Adrenaline Mob... hmm

[JimmyJava]

The only reason I'd really care about rotating setlists is so that I could be surprised by what they play when I go.  And even that could be solved just by not paying attention to the conversations about the setlists. 

So, I'm happy with the current Dream Theater.

Exactly. If you don't wanna see the setlists for upcoming tours, don't look it up. Simple as that.

[Madman Shepherd]

How do i feel about the current dream theater?

...better than ever.

[Chaotic_AK]

Maybe the best since the IaW/Awake era

Agreed on that!

[Progmetty]

Better than ever.

[theseoafs]

We currently have no reason to believe that the rotating setlists will not be resurrected.

[Tumdace]

been wanted to ask this qns since a long time , how do you feel about the current dream theater? as in their set lists and stuffs without portnoy. for myself , i've been missing portnoy for the fact that their setlists remain the same almost here and there for ADTOE tour . the thing that i don't really fancy about. i mean , i miss having the " different setlists for each gig " the old dream theater was. what's your opinion ?

Why would different set lists matter unless you went to see multiple gigs?

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I love the new DT. I don't care if we don't get rotating setlists anymore, I'm sure they put up a hell of a show for this tour that will make your money worth.


Rudess had a point when he said that rotating songs every night damaged the performance. It was a very nice thing to do in its time, but I agree they need to focus on the show as of now.

agreed , but i, myself miss some of the songs like , " this dying soul , in the name of god" , to me those songs were like classics to a certain extend.

In the Name of God¡?

[energythief]

I'm happy with the band right now. The setlist being the same is not really a problem for me because most people like me only really go to 1 show a tour.

[Major Thirteenth]

We currently have no reason to believe that the rotating setlists will not be resurrected.

There will be 2 or 3 variants. What will not be happening anymore is the different set list every night scenario as it used to exist when Mike did the set list.

[johncal]

I'm going to miss MP's skills though, like at the end of this video testing out the new Tama Drums. WOW. I'm just glad things worked out the way they did. Just showing it, not judging it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaa9f0R0cnI

[Kotowboy]

2:25 = Endless Sacrifice fill ?

[johncal]

2:25 = Endless Sacrifice fill ?

Don't need a question mark, that's definitely it.

[Adami]

2:25 = Endless Sacrifice fill ?

It's not so much the "Endless Sacrifice fill" as it as a very standard fill that he also used in Endless Sacrifice.

[johncal]

I guess I just can't imagine Mangini kicking over a brand new prototype set of Pearl drums. Although I will admit with the drums being bigger than him that it might be difficult.

[KISS 76]

Well, I'm not happy all the drama went down & that Portnoy ended up leaving but on the other hand I love the new CD & I'm glad that the band DIDN'T take 5 years off & Mangini fits the band so well & they have gone back & re examined some of the things that got them to where they are. I can't wait to see them live or for the next live Blu-Ray release.