How do you feel about the current dream theater?

[Phoenix87x]

[Pinga]

I find it ironic that MP said something in the lines of "we should've kicked out James while we had the chance", because it was HIM who needed to go (and I guess they DID get rid of him while they could, huh). Mangini is such a great fit, and such a better drummer all around. The band will now start to grow.

[chaotic_ripper]

Maybe the best since the IaW/Awake era

Word. I agree about it being a little too early to judge though. About the setlist thing though, I much prefer sticking to a constant setlist every night if it is really strong set and flip flop a couple of tunes for encores. That is better to me than changing every night and getting a lot of shows with shitty sets made up of songs that wouldn't make up most people's top 50...like what we got on the last tour.

[Setlist Scotty]

I have mixed feelings on the matter.

On the one hand, I like that things are more balanced within the band - that the other guys in the band are stepping up to the plate and handling more of the responsibilities within the band. I also like that it sounds like MM is one that really focuses on improving his drumming technique constantly, like I imagine JM and JR doing; MP, as much as I love him, I think was comfortable with his drumming as it was, even if he did try new things. Not to mention that MM really comes off as a super nice and genuine guy (not that MP isn't, IMO). Overall, I like the direction of the new album - I don't miss the harsh vocals that became prominent on the last couple albums (not a fan of the background screaming on BMUBMD either), and I don't miss the prominent influences from other bands that appeared so often previously, going all the way back to FII. I'm also happy that JM and JL were more involved in the songwriting.

However, I do miss the rotating setlists - unlike (apparently) a lot of you, I could see several shows per tour, and it always made it very interesting and exciting. I seriously question the comments regarding how the rotating setlist affected the band's performance - if you heard about how they had an off night several times on each tour, then they might have a point. But I can't say that I recall that being the case, aside from JL having an off night, which I'd bet would be the case whether they had a rotating setlist or not. I also miss having the wide range of official bootlegs that came from MP's archive; I doubt we'll see any more of that stuff, or at least nothing earlier than 2011. The interaction that MP had with the press and fans is also something I miss - while the rest of the guys have certainly stepped up to the plate, none of them have maintained the same connection that MP always had. Another thing that I do think is lacking is some sort of "X" factor in the new album - don't get me wrong, I really like the new album, but I do think that something is missing, now that MP is no longer part of the songwriting equation. That the band relied on the songwriting structures of most of the songs on IaW could be cool, but I find it more of a distraction, since I find myself picking out specific parts of the song and thinking about it's counterpart on IaW.

If I could have my cake and eat it too, I'd wish MP was in DT, that all the guys in DT (including MP) were as invigorated as they appear to be now, that MP had half the influence on the overall decision making and songwriting that he had, and that he had the interest in pushing himself in his ability the way MM does.

[Slain]

I find it ironic that MP said something in the lines of "we should've kicked out James while we had the chance", because it was HIM who needed to go (and I guess they DID get rid of him while they could, huh). Mangini is such a great fit, and such a better drummer all around. The band will now start to grow.

When did Mike say that?

[Infinite Cactus]

I have mixed feelings on the matter.

On the one hand, I like that things are more balanced within the band - that the other guys in the band are stepping up to the plate and handling more of the responsibilities within the band. I also like that it sounds like MM is one that really focuses on improving his drumming technique constantly, like I imagine JM and JR doing; MP, as much as I love him, I think was comfortable with his drumming as it was, even if he did try new things. Not to mention that MM really comes off as a super nice and genuine guy (not that MP isn't, IMO). Overall, I like the direction of the new album - I don't miss the harsh vocals that became prominent on the last couple albums (not a fan of the background screaming on BMUBMD either), and I don't miss the prominent influences from other bands that appeared so often previously, going all the way back to FII. I'm also happy that JM and JL were more involved in the songwriting.

However, I do miss the rotating setlists - unlike (apparently) a lot of you, I could see several shows per tour, and it always made it very interesting and exciting. I seriously question the comments regarding how the rotating setlist affected the band's performance - if you heard about how they had an off night several times on each tour, then they might have a point. But I can't say that I recall that being the case, aside from JL having an off night, which I'd bet would be the case whether they had a rotating setlist or not. I also miss having the wide range of official bootlegs that came from MP's archive; I doubt we'll see any more of that stuff, or at least nothing earlier than 2011. The interaction that MP had with the press and fans is also something I miss - while the rest of the guys have certainly stepped up to the plate, none of them have maintained the same connection that MP always had. Another thing that I do think is lacking is some sort of "X" factor in the new album - don't get me wrong, I really like the new album, but I do think that something is missing, now that MP is no longer part of the songwriting equation. That the band relied on the songwriting structures of most of the songs on IaW could be cool, but I find it more of a distraction, since I find myself picking out specific parts of the song and thinking about it's counterpart on IaW.

If I could have my cake and eat it too, I'd wish MP was in DT, that all the guys in DT (including MP) were as invigorated as they appear to be now, that MP had half the influence on the overall decision making and songwriting that he had, and that he had the interest in pushing himself in his ability the way MM does.

That was very well said good sir.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

I find it ironic that MP said something in the lines of "we should've kicked out James while we had the chance", because it was HIM who needed to go (and I guess they DID get rid of him while they could, huh). Mangini is such a great fit, and such a better drummer all around. The band will now start to grow.

i second the other guy's inquiry in asking when he said that.

[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 ?

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

[Cranky]

I really hope they will carry on in the vein of this new album, especially tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Oh wait.. That's the whole album.
I think that's saying something.

[?]

I think ADTOE is a great album and it sounds more fresh than any DT album in years. I'm happy with their current situation and the guys in the band seem to enjoy themselves too. Sure there'll be no official bootlegs and rotation of setlists is smaller, but I don't think there are THAT many people who go to more than 1 or 2 DT shows on the same tour.