The Enemy Inside Discussion Thread

[eviljust]

Full cover already on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-FDLyW-iQs

Nice one.

Bought the single on iTunes. Yes, JLB is definitely better. But that snare

[Nefarius]

Fourth Listen Reactions:

Holy shit, this SoundCloud stream is such a picture postcard perfect example of how much an overly compressed preview can distort one's perception of a tune. Don't get me wrong, it's still a song that won't make it into my collection of frequently played DT tracks because I definitely prefer songs with more stylistic diversity and tonal dynamics to an all out metal track any day and time.

But it feels like I've actually listened to the song for the first time right now and the reason for that is pretty simple. The first three times it was at home, playing the stream from my computer through a high quality audio interface into a pretty evenly balanced amp with reasonably good speakers. As you may or may not have read in my previous three reaction posts I wasn't exactly very fond of the song.

Now it's a new day and I'm at work and thus was forced to listen to it through the unisolated onboard soundcard of my workplace computer with a lousy plastic headphone jack. At least I had my trusty AKG in ears for at least one quality piece of gear. And suddenly the stream sounded completely different to my ears. The vocals, while still a bit too low, were quite a lot clearer and the low end of the spectrum felt rounder and fuller. It shaped the stream into something that's much more enjoyable than what I've experienced the first three listening attempts. I actually turned my amp down last night, which isn't something I typically do with DT songs. Today I turned the volume up to get more details.

I hope those in doubt about the validity of differences in audio quality and overcompression believe me that it actually has a huge impact when a sucky stream is in essence a hit or miss gamble and might sound good on one system and crappy on another while quality material should sound at least reasonably good in every environment.

The next step to improve my experience will be buying the single from Amazon. I'll check back after that again (consider yourselves warned).

Greetings...
Nef

[Ultimetalhead]

Soundcloud stream is definitely clearer. Didn't really change my perception of the song. Still awesome as all fuck.

[ariich]

Nothing earth-shattering, but an interesting mix of old and new DT.

I think this basically sums up how I feel about it - I can definitely hear elements of both.

[puppyonacid]

Oh yea I forgot...........I think JLB sounds excellent.

I like the fact that there are now 5 members in this band that are always looking to get better and improve and practice regularly to achieve this. I think this shows with JLB as he has pulled himself back after a dodgy period due to the problems he suffered with his voice.

Jp's solo sounds improvised to me. Most of his solos are these days IIRC.

[aprilethereal]

Jp's solo sounds improvised to me. Most of his solos are these days IIRC.

I agree when it comes to the second solo, but the first one seems written out to me. It's still not as good as the OTBOA one IMO.

[YtseJamittaja]

Don't bash me but I get Raw Dog feelings here and there. Similar riffs and stuff...

[Thematt202]

Another day () and I still love it.  It's growing on me with every listen!

[matte.braso]

It reminds me of Fortune in Lies, structure-wise and energy-wise...with some really insane changes of times. Well done, DT!

[Lolzeez]

Yeah the song is good but take a look at THIS

https://www.levinminnemannrudess.com/

[liran95]

Yeah the song is good but take a look at THIS

https://www.levinminnemannrudess.com/

WTF
WHY THE HELL IS IT THE FIRST TIME I HEAR ABOUT THIS?!

[commanderbob]

while I admit it annoys me for the first 5 seconds here, once the guitar comes in underneath the keyboard it actually sounds really cool.

^This for me now.  The more I listen to this I'm thinking we may have a classic addition to the catalog here, not merely a good one.

[cramx3]

I like it a lot. My first thought of the guitar riff was "raw dog" though.

[Kotowboy]

Whenever I get a CD I never do a full run through on the first spin. I do a quick 30-40 second snippet of each song

I always do a 30 second snippet of each song first and then go back and listen to it in full from the start. Just so I can get more excited about what's coming up!

I *Always* listen to the CD from start to finish with new albums. Nowadays - If I can't get teh CD on release day then i'll listen to it on Spotify thru my speakers.

[Kotowboy]

   



Trapped inside this Soon-avarium !!

Post of the year. No contest

Thank You !

[adastra]

Yeah the song is good but take a look at THIS

https://www.levinminnemannrudess.com/

"Jordan Rudess - Keyboars, Continuum, Wizardly sounds....."
oh dear god...  I hope that this "Wizardly-semifunny-comedic-ragtime"-shit doesn't appear on DT12

[BlobVanDam]

Yeah the song is good but take a look at THIS

https://www.levinminnemannrudess.com/

"Jordan Rudess - Keyboars, Continuum, Wizardly sounds....."
oh dear god...  I hope that this "Wizardly-semifunny-comedic-ragtime"-shit doesn't appear on DT12

This post is why we can't have nice things.

[MajorMatt]

Don't bash me but I get Raw Dog feelings here and there. Similar riffs and stuff...

That's one of the first things I thought, especially in the intro.

[adastra]

Don't bash me but I get Raw Dog feelings here and there. Similar riffs and stuff...

That's one of the first things I thought, especially in the intro.

I guess I'm the only one who haven't even heard Raw Dog

[DT_Aus]

Yeah the song is good but take a look at THIS

https://www.levinminnemannrudess.com/

Already got my pre-order! Can't get enough of Levin and Minnemann makes me happy inside; he's a great drummer and a fantastic character to go with it

[cramx3]

Don't bash me but I get Raw Dog feelings here and there. Similar riffs and stuff...

That's one of the first things I thought, especially in the intro.

I guess I'm the only one who haven't even heard Raw Dog

Its only the last portnoy DT song but you aren't missing much. I'm one of the few who does enjoy it though and I totally get a raw dog feeling from this song, specifically the opening guitar riff.

[Nekov]

Don't know if it's been posted yet but here's the link for people outside the US

https://smarturl.it/theenemyinside

[Zydar]

Which is the best quality file and where can I buy/download it?

[Bolsters]

I can't be bothered going through the 20+ pages of the thread I haven't read yet, so forgive me if this was mentioned. But, has anyone else noticed the crackling on the guitar at a few points in the intro? Particularly in the right channel. It's there at the start, but most noticable on the riff at 0:58. It's not constant and only pops up a couple of times, but it's there. The only other part of the song it appears though is underneath both of JP's guitar solos, but it's less prominent. Otherwise, the rest of the song is fine.

Do any of you hear it?

[me7]

I can't be bothered going through the 20+ pages of the thread I haven't read yet, so forgive me if this was mentioned. But, has anyone else noticed the crackling on the guitar at a few points in the intro? Particularly in the right channel. It's there at the start, but most noticable on the riff at 0:58. It's not constant and only pops up a couple of times, but it's there. The only other part of the song it appears though is underneath both of JP's guitar solos, but it's less prominent. Otherwise, the rest of the song is fine.

Do any of you hear it?

What version are you listening to?

[Estiui]

If TEI is to DT what BMUBMD is to ADTOE, I'd be extremely happy.

The song is growing on me through each new listen I give, but I don't think it will grow much more. It's a limited song for DT, but still the best single with OTBOA since, at least, Forsaken.

It's weird, but I feel a strong power metal vibe not only with the drums but also with some chord progressions.

[mikeyd23]

If TEI is to DT what BMUBMD is to ADTOE, I'd be extremely happy.

Yeah I would agree with that! If TEI turns out to be the equivalent to BMUBMD, then I will be a happy camper as well.  And that is very possible!

[Podaar]

Still loving the song. This is my favorite single since Pull Me Under!

The iTune version is much clearer than the streaming sample from yesterday IMO. The cymbals sound much better, the keys aren't drown out by the guitars, I can hear the snarling pig much better at high volume, the guitar is much fuller and James seems to come through clearly (although he could be louder and it wouldn't hurt the song at all). I really like the guitar tone on this song and have high hopes for the rest of the album but...you knew it was coming...I kinda preferred the scratchier (raw?) guitar tone from the stream better. Definitely not a deal breaker for me.

[The Boomr]

Yeah the song is good but take a look at THIS

https://www.levinminnemannrudess.com/

"Jordan Rudess - Keyboars, Continuum, Wizardly sounds....."
oh dear god...  I hope that this "Wizardly-semifunny-comedic-ragtime"-shit doesn't appear on DT12

This post is why we can't have nice things.

Agreed.

[lyfeternl]

After listening to this about 20 times yesterday and on repeat via Spotify while working out this morning, I can honestly say this is an absolute beast of a song!

Mangini is a complete powerhouse during the first minute of the song and continues throughout. I love the different drum beat patterns for each verse as well as the half-time for the last chorus going into the outro.

Those riffs for the verse are extremely catchy and awesome! It harkens me back to SoC (favorite instrumental) which is a great feeling. I also love when JR comes in with the strings/pad behind the verse riff prior to JLB singing...chills!

Also, I love the "prog instrumental" as well as JP's solo. I feel it's tasteful and follows the overall melody of the song well all the while throwing in some face-melting licks to remind us how godly he is.

All in all, super stoked about the new album and this is quite possibly the best "single" DT has ever released!!!! (Let's face it, a 9-minute song is not a true single)  

[Whatsername]

Don't bash me but I get Raw Dog feelings here and there. Similar riffs and stuff...

That's one of the first things I thought, especially in the intro.

I guess I'm the only one who haven't even heard Raw Dog

Nope, I haven't either. xD

I can't be bothered going through the 20+ pages of the thread I haven't read yet, so forgive me if this was mentioned. But, has anyone else noticed the crackling on the guitar at a few points in the intro? Particularly in the right channel. It's there at the start, but most noticable on the riff at 0:58. It's not constant and only pops up a couple of times, but it's there. The only other part of the song it appears though is underneath both of JP's guitar solos, but it's less prominent. Otherwise, the rest of the song is fine.

Do any of you hear it?

YEP. I didn't notice it on the Soundcloud stream but listening to it through Spotify I heard it. I assumed it was an intentional effect?

[Spark Mandrill]

I really love this track. Mangini is a monster on it, and James sounds excellent. He seems to really be singing in a comfortable range and the chorus is reasonably catchy. Really looking forward to listening to this record, the track is easily my favorite of the early releases since 8VM.

[adamack]

If TEI is to DT what BMUBMD is to ADTOE, I'd be extremely happy.

The song is growing on me through each new listen I give, but I don't think it will grow much more. It's a limited song for DT, but still the best single with OTBOA since, at least, Forsaken.

It's weird, but I feel a strong power metal vibe not only with the drums but also with some chord progressions.

I feel like I'm the only person who loves BMUBMD 

I feel like it is the perfect length, perfect arrangement, and sounds so amazing from a sonic perspective with those orch hits and one of my favorite outros to any song ever.

Back to the thread topic though, seems like TEI has been getting a ton of newly found love after hearing the high-quality iTunes version, and that is AWESOME!!!

So glad I found this forum...great community with lots of really respectful people who all share great taste in music.

[Nefarius]

You don't find DTF.
DTF finds you.

Greetings...
Nef

[dparrott]

Don't bash me but I get Raw Dog feelings here and there. Similar riffs and stuff...

That's one of the first things I thought, especially in the intro.

Me too.  Even the guitar tone reminds me of it.