The Enemy Inside Discussion Thread

[sueño]

I'm just at the 4:42 mark and I like it a lot! 

[Dark Castle]

I feel like I just enjoyed this more than the majority of the opinions I've read so far. Blew my expectations away really, especially with this being the 'single'. If I had to pick the worst part (just to be negative) it would the vocals and they aren't even bad. And no this isn't a Periphery guitar tone

Seriously, this song is blowing me away, and I'm a little shocked by the negativity I'm seeing.

[RoeDent]

I find considerably more negativity here than on Twitter. Everyone there absolutely LOVES the song (myself included)!

[The Boomr]

I hope my review isn't one of the ones giving people negative vibes (I'm sure it is :/). I Did like the track. I just tend to talk about the nitpicky things first, before I'll start talking about things I really love. And I haven't relistened yet. That comes later today.

Forgot to talk about comparing it to OTBOA though. I think I liked OTBOA more; but it's hard to make that call, cause I remember thinking OTBOA was just ok, and then when I heard it within the context of the album it seriously clicked in my head like OH, that's what this track is! I'm pretty certain this track will do that too.

[Joshin U]

Joshin, I'm starting to love you

what kind words 

I feel like this could be the "Constant Motion" of the album

Regardless of the surprising amount of negativity I have seen regarding TEI, there is no way in hell anyone can convince me that it isn't LEAGUES above CM.

[duncan3dc]

Here is my review: ENERGY, POWAAAAHHHH
Awesome track 
@ 4:43 Aren't those JR's notes that were midi'ed over here??

What is this midi thing people are talking about?

You've seen a video of a guy performing it (posted on 5/8) using various patches on his keyboard

[Perpetual Change]

I don't think the mix sounded great, but it certainly sounded like the industry standard for a metal band, which sadly (and fortunately) makes it better sounding than the last couple of DT abums 

[Ruba]

I get a bit OTBOA feel from the verses. It's not a bad thing.

[TL]

I find considerably more negativity here than on Twitter. Everyone there absolutely LOVES the song (myself included)!

Um, most people here seem to like it.

Anyway, found the official Canadian stream (no thanks to Canadian Roadrunner);
https://puregrainaudio.com/audio/dream-theater-the-enemy-inside-song-stream-exclusive-canadian-premiere

Liking this song so far, especially after a few listens. I definitely get what some people mean by the slight OTBOE vibe in places.

[wolven74]

The more I listen I hear a lot of influences in this song from Shattered Fortress and maybe some 6DOIT, but as a whole it sounds unique in it's own right.

Absolutely no complaints. This has me all kinds of for Sept 24.

[TheGreatPretender]

I dislike that JLB's vox remind me of his solo work.

I dislike that it DOESN'T remind me of his solo work. I think he sounds great on his recent solo stuff. With DT, it really feels like he's been playing it really safe and staying in his comfort zone since ADTOE.

But the way I see it is, this album is gonna rule just for the music itself. And if I want to get my JLB fix, I'll just resort to Impermanent Resonance.

But the fact that he just doesn't reach the heights he used to, even in mid 2000s means that this album will probably not surpass 8VM or SC for me. And definitely won't surpass SFAM or I&W, but I wasn't expecting it to.

[sueño]

I usually don't like when DT goes too heavy but this was pretty bad-ass! Heavy but yet with alot of prog elements, just what I like in a good prog metal tune.

Sounds like Symphony X in a few places (2:30) and wait did I just hear a power metal groove from MM (2:46).

I don't know why people care about the production so much, as long as the song is good I usually don't care about stuff like that , unless it's something completly fucked up of course. If JLB is a little low or MMs snare sounds muffy or what ever I could not care less because in the end that's all about taste and preference and a million other reasons that I don't know about.
Overall i'm very happy with the song which I didn't think I would when I heard it was a heavy one.

I give this:  out of 5.

THIS

I'm sure I am not qualified to critique each aspect of ANY song, if I'm honest.  Unless a mix is so horrible I can't hear the tune for the loud drums, etc., things like "compression", "muffled-ness", et. al. don't matter to me.  I can hear the song; I like it or I don't.  I am not at liberty to judge their production values.

I do find it odd, however, that others will judge folks' opinion of a song because they have or don't have a superior sound system ... or really don't care about those sorts of details.     They just like the music.

[Ruba]

Hmmm. It's a pretty good Dream Theater song. Nothing groundbreaking, but somewhat enjoyable. I think it will grow after a few listens.

[TL]

With a band like DT, there's often a lot going on, and having more breathing room in the mixing and mastering lets you actually hear all of the nuances and subtleties. If you don't care about the mix, that's fine, but it seems weird to be critical of people who just want the song to sound as good as possible.

Anyway, some guy on youtube has already put up a bass cover of the opening of the song. You have to love DT fans ;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kHKtbnOHy0

[ColdFireYYZ]

I'm on my second listen and I like it a lot more than I initially did! 

[The Boomr]

I dislike that JLB's vox remind me of his solo work.

I dislike that it DOESN'T remind me of his solo work. I think he sounds great on his recent solo stuff. With DT, it really feels like he's been playing it really safe and staying in his comfort zone since ADTOE.

But the way I see it is, this album is gonna rule just for the music itself. And if I want to get my JLB fix, I'll just resort to Impermanent Resonance.

But the fact that he just doesn't reach the heights he used to, even in mid 2000s means that this album will probably not surpass 8VM or SC for me. And definitely won't surpass SFAM or I&W, but I wasn't expecting it to.

Hmm, interesting. I guess I should give his solo works more listening time. I just remember listening and thinking that I hated his tone and style compared to his tone and style on BC&SL (not making a statement about the record overall--JUST his vox on it). I can certainly agree that he's been playing it safe and staying too much in his comfort zone, lately, which I remember him in an interview for ADTOE saying something to the effect of "My vocals are more mature on this album" haha. But I always likened the playing-it-safe aspect to be similar to his solo work...Hmmmmm

[Deve]

Didn't like the drums and mix on first listen - it's really grown on my though. Just listened to it through a sound system with a subwoofer and holy crap, the kick drum really punches you straight in the face.

Also, I can't believe people are hating on the keyboard "breakdown" at ~4:40. THAT'S MY FAVOURITE PART OF THE SONG! The keyboard solo is also probably the best I've heard from Jordan in a while. It was pretty interesting rhythmically, which (IMO) have been missing from his solos for a while. All the recent keys solos I can recall are just speed and notes. Coupled with the "wah" guitar in the background, it just sound so damn cool. Really, the cool, "this is gonna catch you off guard" attitude is why I started to like DT in the first place. The cool and wacky sounds and rhythms on SFAM make it one of my favourite albums!

Anyways, overall impression is very good now. Excited for more!

[Whatsername]

Didn't like the drums and mix on first listen - it's really grown on my though. Just listened to it through a sound system with a subwoofer and holy crap, the kick drum really punches you straight in the face.

Also, I can't believe people are hating on the keyboard "breakdown" at ~4:40. THAT'S MY FAVOURITE PART OF THE SONG! The keyboard solo is also probably the best I've heard from Jordan in a while. It was pretty interesting rhythmically, which (IMO) have been missing from his solos for a while. All the recent keys solos I can recall are just speed and notes. Coupled with the "wah" guitar in the background, it just sound so damn cool. Really, the cool, "this is gonna catch you off guard" attitude is why I started to like DT in the first place. The cool and wacky sounds and rhythms on SFAM make it one of my favourite albums!

Anyways, overall impression is very good now. Excited for more!

This. All this. I love Jordan's keys in the middle. Without it I think the song wouldn't have been nearly as good.

[kevinpwrs]

With a band like DT, there's often a lot going on, and having more breathing room in the mixing and mastering lets you actually hear all of the nuances and subtleties. If you don't care about the mix, that's fine, but it seems weird to be critical of people who just want the song to sound as good as possible.

Anyway, some guy on youtube has already put up a bass cover of the opening of the song. You have to love DT fans ;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kHKtbnOHy0

Bass cover is really cool. How can he decipher the notes? I cant really hear JM's bass on the song.

[JayOctavarium]

Finally made it to the end of this thread. I listened to the song a few times. . . On the shitty speaker on my work computer. I really need to hear it on something that doesn't suck before I can judge.



Oh and after listening to it I now have Raw Dog stuck in my head. Ummmmm.... 

[wolven74]

I dislike that JLB's vox remind me of his solo work.

I dislike that it DOESN'T remind me of his solo work. I think he sounds great on his recent solo stuff. With DT, it really feels like he's been playing it really safe and staying in his comfort zone since ADTOE.

But the way I see it is, this album is gonna rule just for the music itself. And if I want to get my JLB fix, I'll just resort to Impermanent Resonance.

But the fact that he just doesn't reach the heights he used to, even in mid 2000s means that this album will probably not surpass 8VM or SC for me. And definitely won't surpass SFAM or I&W, but I wasn't expecting it to.

Hmm, interesting. I guess I should give his solo works more listening time. I just remember listening and thinking that I hated his tone and style compared to his tone and style on BC&SL (not making a statement about the record overall--JUST his vox on it). I can certainly agree that he's been playing it safe and staying too much in his comfort zone, lately, which I remember him in an interview for ADTOE saying something to the effect of "My vocals are more mature on this album" haha. But I always likened the playing-it-safe aspect to be similar to his solo work...Hmmmmm

I have a hard time comparing anything JLB does in DT to his solo work. I think the biggest reason for that is he's working with different lyricists, and that has a lot to do with how the vocals turn out. I think JP is a much better lyricist than MG. MG is a good lyricist, but his subject matter lends itself to different toooones and note progressions that aren't as challenging as JPs have been.

Personally, I feel guilty for judging JLBs vocals at all. I'm not a singer. I know what he could do when he was younger, but who am I to say that he's "playing it safe"? Only JLB knows what he's capable of now. The vocals are good in this track.

[PROGdrummer]

ok guys so.... I just checked how big the file was for this song, or at least this Soundcloud version of it....

its 5.8 MB....

im so done

[Dark Castle]

You can probably thank Soundcloud, they're such a shit streaming service.

[italianoman]

I like it a lot. Definitely more than I thought I would after the first 15 seconds or so, ha. For those saying they got a little 6DOIT, I got that vibe too, which I'm really hoping shows up throughout the album. Also, loved Mangini's drumming in this.

[The Boomr]

I have a hard time comparing anything JLB does in DT to his solo work. I think the biggest reason for that is he's working with different lyricists, and that has a lot to do with how the vocals turn out. I think JP is a much better lyricist than MG. MG is a good lyricist, but his subject matter lends itself to different toooones and note progressions that aren't as challenging as JPs have been.

Personally, I feel guilty for judging JLBs vocals at all. I'm not a singer. I know what he could do when he was younger, but who am I to say that he's "playing it safe"? Only JLB knows what he's capable of now. The vocals are good in this track.

I've said this elsewhere and I'll say it again (I'm not attacking your opinion): It's very difficult for me to really put my finger on what specifically about JLB's vox it is that turns me off in this way on ADTOE and this single. But it's just there. It's something in the way the melodies are crafted, something in his tone, something in the overal style of his singing. I mention the crafting of the melodies because I know that JLB was given more freedom after Portnoy left, and that sort of confirmed for me that the melodies sounded different and not as good, imo.

[The Boomr]

Didn't like the drums and mix on first listen - it's really grown on my though. Just listened to it through a sound system with a subwoofer and holy crap, the kick drum really punches you straight in the face.

Also, I can't believe people are hating on the keyboard "breakdown" at ~4:40. THAT'S MY FAVOURITE PART OF THE SONG! The keyboard solo is also probably the best I've heard from Jordan in a while. It was pretty interesting rhythmically, which (IMO) have been missing from his solos for a while. All the recent keys solos I can recall are just speed and notes. Coupled with the "wah" guitar in the background, it just sound so damn cool. Really, the cool, "this is gonna catch you off guard" attitude is why I started to like DT in the first place. The cool and wacky sounds and rhythms on SFAM make it one of my favourite albums!

Anyways, overall impression is very good now. Excited for more!

Hello friend!

[Podaar]

Finally made it to the end of this thread. I listened to the song a few times. . . On the shitty speaker on my work computer. I really need to hear it on something that doesn't suck before I can judge.

I listened a few times on my crappy office speakers and really liked the song; especially JP's crunch tone, MM's frenetic playing and JR's contributions (yes, I really did). Then I went out to my truck and cranked it on the R/F sound system with a subwoofer under the captain's chair and       

Seriously, this tune really loves volume! If this is how the song sounds streaming through an iPhone over my truck stereo I'm pretty stoked to have the entire album on CD.

This song is a fantastic sample of what I want from DT. I want to rock, I want to contemplate the mind-numbing rhythms, sing along with the chorus, to be surprised by the bridge, and dazzled by the keys.

I think Rich should be congratulated for the recording he's captured here!

[TL]

My opinion of the mix so far; it's not bad at all, but it's definitely a bit loud. Like, there were several points where there were interesting melodies or nuances happening, but they were almost drowned out by just how loud the song was. I haven't looked at waveforms or file sizes or any of that; I'm just going off how the song sounds on a pretty good set of Sennheiser headphones. It has that loud quality to it where it's difficult to focus on something even if you can technically hear it, and where your ears almost go on a bit of a defensive. It was actually two or three listens before I noticed some of the neat hi-hat/ride/cymbal stuff Mike was doing.

Also, as some people have pointed out, it's worth noting that at least some of that could be due to the quality of the stream. The cymbal sounds alone are enough to know that the stream was fairly low-res (warbly cymbals, as well as less pronounced low end). I definitely hope the actual album has more breathing room.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

With a band like DT, there's often a lot going on, and having more breathing room in the mixing and mastering lets you actually hear all of the nuances and subtleties. If you don't care about the mix, that's fine, but it seems weird to be critical of people who just want the song to sound as good as possible.

IMO i'm pretty certain DT are happy with the mix therefor I feel it a bit unecessary for myself to be critical of something that is a personal statement. I mean the odds that they will satisfy everyone with their mix is close to nothing. Therefor I like to focus more on the songs and what they play. Of course I will always have a opinion about the sound quality I just don't focus to much on it.

[mrjazzguitar]

Definitely way underwhelmed here.

I can't believe the lack of new ideas on the band's part. Absolutely nothing new. Also very weak melodically - nothing to latch on to! I understand that it's probably the "shortish, easy to take in, single-worthy" song from the album, and the really good stuff will be in the "epic" songs, but come on, this song is just pure recycling. On the Backs of Angels wasn't exactly the most innovative song, but still had some creative new vibes and super strong melodies

Then there's the recording... really don't like how the drums are mixed or the tone of the snare drum. Super cluttered - not much clarity.. none of that "pop" (listen to Blind Faith for pretty much the best drum mixing DT has done -- incredibly crisp and clear and the balance in the mix is beautiful). Also, the vocals are way too low in the mix, which is especially bad with such weak melodic material.

[TL]

With a band like DT, there's often a lot going on, and having more breathing room in the mixing and mastering lets you actually hear all of the nuances and subtleties. If you don't care about the mix, that's fine, but it seems weird to be critical of people who just want the song to sound as good as possible.

IMO i'm pretty certain DT are happy with the mix therefor I feel it a bit unecessary for myself to be critical of something that is a personal statement. I mean the odds that they will satisfy everyone with their mix is close to nothing. Therefor I like to focus more on the songs and what they play. Of course I will always have a opinion about the sound quality I just don't focus to much on it.

And that's fine.
I'm just saying that, for me, when the mix is that loud, it's almost difficult to keep focused on it. My ears almost instinctively want to zone out even if I like the song itself. It's less that I make a point of analyzing the sound quality, and more that it's something that is jumping out at me.

Overall, if the record is good, I'll get past it and enjoy the music anyway. I mean, I love Rush's Clockwork Angels, and that album has a pretty flat mix at times.

[TioJorge]

Jazz echoes my thoughts. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't love it. I was merely underwhelmed. If I'm blunt, I enjoyed anything off of JLB's Impermanent Resonance than this. Granted, I haven't been into DT for a while (at least actively) and traditionally, I've not liked (or flat out disliked in Constant Motion's case) the singles as much as the rest of the album, but even for a single this disappointed me a little. Probably expectations, but I have a feeling that this will be at the bottom of the barrel for me when the album releases. Gonna keep my expectations in check.

[fadetoblackdude7]

LOVE this song, it rocks sooo hard!!! 

Like Bosk said, can't wait to see them light up the tour with this song, it's gonna be great.

Production kicks ass, love the chocolate guitars and yes, Mangini is a BEAST! I like how the last chorus breaks down to half-time.

[skydivingninja]

Very "meh" for a first single, especially after how great OTBOA was.  Kinda disappointed but honestly DT haven't had great singles outside of ADTOE, so I'm reserving judgments about the rest of the album right now.

[Zook]

I went to bed around 5am. I have the forum set to 50 posts per page. I was on page 10 of this thread. I wake up at 12pm... There's now 24 pages in this thread... YOU GUYS ARE FUCKING INSANE!


Song's awesome, but dare I say.... James is mixed a tad too low?