The Enemy Inside Discussion Thread

[TheGreatPretender]

Awesome...me too I love lists.

Still haven't worked out the exact method, but I was thinking maybe some kind of tournament system, almost like the NCAA Final Four bracket system. Maybe we could start out with 32 songs, solos, etc. (whatever the list is) and put them against each other, and the winning song moves on to the next round? And using that info, we could possibly extract an order for the songs/solos.

Definitely open to any better ideas though....I haven't thought into the above idea enough to  determine if it will be effective.

But as for the project end of it, maybe we could take the song list, once compiled, and make a nice YouTube video out of it with pictures to go along with each item in the list.

Just a thought!

Cool, I gotta take off now, but send me a PM and we'll discuss the details. 

[wolven74]

Here's something I don't quite understand. Why all the negativity? For a first single, this thing is really pretty stellar. I don't hear anything wrong with it per se. I mean the more I listen to it, the more I can say, ok, this is a really cool track. I'm ready for the next one. But, for me that's standard. 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, then when I have time to digest all of it, I sit somewhere quiet and play through the whole thing. I've listened to TEI probably 7-10 times today, and I'm not bored with it, but it's done it's job. I want the rest of the CD. This song sounds as though they took the heavy riff the end of TDEN and made an entire song out of that one riff.

If there was one thing I found lacking in this track, it's dynamics; and that's not a terrible thing, really. This track is like a wall of sound, and I think that's intentional. I am looking forward to some clean tones from JP, and maybe some softer piano from JR. But if this track is a sign of things yet unheard from this album, I'm thrilled.

Over all, this track doesn't deserve the negativity it's gotten imo.

As a side note. I know Haken has come out with their new track today as well, and something I noticed, those that found that song amazing found TEI disappointing. I personally don't care for that song, but I love this one. It's an interesting dichotomy. 

[Kotowboy]

I seem to be the only one on this forum that loves The Answer Lies Within and This Is The Life...

But having said that - I could totally go for another Train Of Thought type onslaught.

I know i'll love the album however it sounds. 

[Mosh]

I seem to be the only one on this forum that loves The Answer Lies Within

[Kotowboy]

I seem to be the only one on this forum that loves The Answer Lies Within

I always do harmonies on that song when singing along to it. Can't resist. I love singing James lead parts but cant help harmonising

[Lucien]

I like This is the Life... 

[The Boomr]

I seem to be the only one on this forum that loves The Answer Lies Within and This Is The Life...

But having said that - I could totally go for another Train Of Thought type onslaught.

I know i'll love the album however it sounds. 

Hey, I LOVE This is the Life! It's an amazing ballad-esque type song, possibly DT's best effort in that category. The Answer Lies Within, while musically not one of my favorites, is still a great song, and the content and message of the lyrics has really hit home for me a few times in the past, which increased my general liking of the song.

Here's something I don't quite understand. Why all the negativity? For a first single, this thing is really pretty stellar. I don't hear anything wrong with it per se. I mean the more I listen to it, the more I can say, ok, this is a really cool track. I'm ready for the next one. But, for me that's standard. 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, then when I have time to digest all of it, I sit somewhere quiet and play through the whole thing. I've listened to TEI probably 7-10 times today, and I'm not bored with it, but it's done it's job. I want the rest of the CD. This song sounds as though they took the heavy riff the end of TDEN and made an entire song out of that one riff.

If there was one thing I found lacking in this track, it's dynamics; and that's not a terrible thing, really. This track is like a wall of sound, and I think that's intentional. I am looking forward to some clean tones from JP, and maybe some softer piano from JR. But if this track is a sign of things yet unheard from this album, I'm thrilled.

Over all, this track doesn't deserve the negativity it's gotten imo.

As a side note. I know Haken has come out with their new track today as well, and something I noticed, those that found that song amazing found TEI disappointing. I personally don't care for that song, but I love this one. It's an interesting dichotomy. 

To be honest, each time I listen to it I get more bored with it. I'm not trying to bash it or hate or anything, that's just the truth of the matter for me. I'm not sure if there's one specific thing about it causing me to dislike it, or a multitude of things.

This single has not made me want the new album any more or any less than before it was released (hint: I WANT THIS ALBUM SO FUCKING BADLY), but it has calmed me down a bit since now the rush of IWANTTOHEARTHESINGLEIWANTTOHEARTHESINGLE is over and I know I have to wait 50 more days for the album.

Ok, so @ the part I bolded....WTFMATE???! That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard. When I get a new album from any band, I don't listen to ANYTHING on it until I have enough quiet time with my good speakers to listen to the whole thing front to back with absolutely no breaks or distractions. From ANYTHING. The way I see it, bands like Dream Theater intend for an album to be a single cohesive experience, so that's how I'm going to experience it, for at the very least the first two listens. To each his own, but damn. That is very strange

[DigitalOrange]

I seem to be the only one on this forum that loves The Answer Lies Within and This Is The Life...

Not by a long shot
Really like the single, btw. Played it a dozen times already and I still enjoy every second of it. Super hyped for the album!

[The Boomr]

I am getting more and more angry that I (an American) can't download the higher quality MP3 yet.

*snip*

[wolven74]

I seem to be the only one on this forum that loves The Answer Lies Within and This Is The Life...

But having said that - I could totally go for another Train Of Thought type onslaught.

I know i'll love the album however it sounds. 

Hey, I LOVE This is the Life! It's an amazing ballad-esque type song, possibly DT's best effort in that category. The Answer Lies Within, while musically not one of my favorites, is still a great song, and the content and message of the lyrics has really hit home for me a few times in the past, which increased my general liking of the song.

Here's something I don't quite understand. Why all the negativity? For a first single, this thing is really pretty stellar. I don't hear anything wrong with it per se. I mean the more I listen to it, the more I can say, ok, this is a really cool track. I'm ready for the next one. But, for me that's standard. 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, then when I have time to digest all of it, I sit somewhere quiet and play through the whole thing. I've listened to TEI probably 7-10 times today, and I'm not bored with it, but it's done it's job. I want the rest of the CD. This song sounds as though they took the heavy riff the end of TDEN and made an entire song out of that one riff.

If there was one thing I found lacking in this track, it's dynamics; and that's not a terrible thing, really. This track is like a wall of sound, and I think that's intentional. I am looking forward to some clean tones from JP, and maybe some softer piano from JR. But if this track is a sign of things yet unheard from this album, I'm thrilled.

Over all, this track doesn't deserve the negativity it's gotten imo.

As a side note. I know Haken has come out with their new track today as well, and something I noticed, those that found that song amazing found TEI disappointing. I personally don't care for that song, but I love this one. It's an interesting dichotomy. 

To be honest, each time I listen to it I get more bored with it. I'm not trying to bash it or hate or anything, that's just the truth of the matter for me. I'm not sure if there's one specific thing about it causing me to dislike it, or a multitude of things.

This single has not made me want the new album any more or any less than before it was released (hint: I WANT THIS ALBUM SO FUCKING BADLY), but it has calmed me down a bit since now the rush of IWANTTOHEARTHESINGLEIWANTTOHEARTHESINGLE is over and I know I have to wait 50 more days for the album.

Ok, so @ the part I bolded....WTFMATE???! That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard. When I get a new album from any band, I don't listen to ANYTHING on it until I have enough quiet time with my good speakers to listen to the whole thing front to back with absolutely no breaks or distractions. From ANYTHING. The way I see it, bands like Dream Theater intend for an album to be a single cohesive experience, so that's how I'm going to experience it, for at the very least the first two listens. To each his own, but damn. That is very strange

Ok... the reason I do that isn't because I don't wanna listen to the whole CD in one sitting or anything like that. See, DT is the only band I'll buy a physical CD for. So, when I go to Best Buy and pick up the CD, I put it in my car and crank it on the way home. However, I live about 15 minutes away from my local Best Buy. So, USUALLY, that's not enough time for a complete spin. Then, when I get home, I rip the CD into my iTunes, then into my iPod. Then put the iPod in my car and listen that way. I usually do a full spin at home. On the drive, I just get an idea of which songs I think I'm gonna like the most.  I keep the CDs because of the liner notes, lyrics and usually interesting artwork. Plus, I'm a collector of DT CDs.

[The Boomr]

Hmmm, well I will take that as meaning that you're just too eager to start hearing the new album to wait

[bosk1]

I am getting more and more angry that I (an American) can't download the higher quality MP3 yet.

*snip*

Boomr, please be advised that in years past, your post would have automatically earned you a ban from the site.  You are obviously a fan of the band who just wants to listen to the music, and I get that, which is why I am giving you a warning instead of outright banning you.  You cannot, under any circumstances, discuss pirating of DT material--especially material that has not yet been released for purchase.  This includes hints of any sort, including hints that you basically want it or that you know where it can be found.  If you have not done so already, please read the forum rules on the subject.  Specifically:

2a. Sharing, requests for sharing, offers to share, or discussion of illegally obtaining pirated material is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, warez, direct links, asking for links/files, and hinting at resources for finding the material.

2b. With regard to "leaked" material, you are not allowed to discuss the leaking or sharing of an album by any artist, or that an album has leaked.  In addition to the above, with regard to Dream Theater and side-projects by the members of Dream Theater, you may not discuss the leaked material whatsoever.  For other bands, you can in most cases discuss the content of the leaked material as long as you do not reference the leak, where you obtained the material, or sharing the leaked material.

I encourage everyone who is new to the forum to take a look at the rules.  I don't want to have to start banning people from the forum, but will do so if I see anything like this continue.

[The Boomr]

I am getting more and more angry that I (an American) can't download the higher quality MP3 yet.

*snip*

Boomr, please be advised that in years past, your post would have automatically earned you a ban from the site.  You are obviously a fan of the band who just wants to listen to the music, and I get that, which is why I am giving you a warning instead of outright banning you.  You cannot, under any circumstances, discuss pirating of DT material--especially material that has not yet been released for purchase.  This includes hints of any sort, including hints that you basically want it or that you know where it can be found.  If you have not done so already, please read the forum rules on the subject.  Specifically:

2a. Sharing, requests for sharing, offers to share, or discussion of illegally obtaining pirated material is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, warez, direct links, asking for links/files, and hinting at resources for finding the material.

2b. With regard to "leaked" material, you are not allowed to discuss the leaking or sharing of an album by any artist, or that an album has leaked.  In addition to the above, with regard to Dream Theater and side-projects by the members of Dream Theater, you may not discuss the leaked material whatsoever.  For other bands, you can in most cases discuss the content of the leaked material as long as you do not reference the leak, where you obtained the material, or sharing the leaked material.

I encourage everyone who is new to the forum to take a look at the rules.  I don't want to have to start banning people from the forum, but will do so if I see anything like this continue.

D: Sorry Bosk!!! *runs to corner and cowers wearing Dunce hat* won't happen again. I got too excited 

[tnphelps]

I seem to be the only one on this forum that loves The Answer Lies Within and This Is The Life...

But having said that - I could totally go for another Train Of Thought type onslaught.

I know i'll love the album however it sounds. 

Add me to your club. I like them both!

[Mosh]

I am getting more and more angry that I (an American) can't download the higher quality MP3 yet.

*snip*

It'll be available for us in just a few hours, sheesh.

[Kotowboy]

I seem to be the only one on this forum that loves The Answer Lies Within and This Is The Life...

But having said that - I could totally go for another Train Of Thought type onslaught.

I know i'll love the album however it sounds. 

Add me to your club. I like them both!

Yay I'm president of a club

* Happy dance *

[adamack]

I seem to be the only one on this forum that loves The Answer Lies Within and This Is The Life...

But having said that - I could totally go for another Train Of Thought type onslaught.

I know i'll love the album however it sounds. 

Count me in too for TALW and TITL!

And I agree about Train Of Thought. That album got SO MUCH trash talk, and while I probably like about 6 DT albums better than TOT, it remains an incredible album nonetheless.

To this day, my favorite moment in Dream Theater song history is still the very end of In The Name Of God. The Whooaaaaaa ohhhhhh ohhhhh's, and the piano work by JR. Not to mention the most chilling, mysterious, yet somehow beautiful piano chord ever played. (The final chord in the song)

I know I will love the new album too. To me, DT is the most consistent band in the world, with only maybe Porcupine Tree being a threat to that title. But I can listen to literally any DT album front to back, any day of the week and be in heaven. I cannot say that about any other band.

[Another_Won]

Kinda hard to keep up with all the updates in this thread . . .

Anybody else notice that the lyric "Searching for the life I left behind" that we CSI filtered from the in studio videos has changed to "Looking"

oh and also we can check of the requirement for at least one song off each album to contain the word "dream"

ok, back to wearing out the single

[Jay.Ess]

haha wow, can't believe people were ragging on the quality of the audio AGAIN. Of course it's going to be compressed as hell, it's soundcloud (assuming that was the one most people listened to), chill folks. I do like the drum sound, and the mix will only sound better in high quality!

Initial reactions, I wasn't expecting what I heard.  Thought it'd be a little more chilled out tempo wise, and little less metal. It's a decent track, verses remind me of Under the Influence by Rusty Cooley. Nothing amazing, but I would certainly listen to it a few times. I had the exact same initial reaction with OTBOA, and that turned into one of my favourite DT tracks, so i'm going to allow it time to settle and find it's own niche.

I like the lyrics too, I can relate to them quite easily. I really like the use of differing tonalities, especially in the bridgey 'paradise comes to end' part. Provides some interesting variation, even if it's only for a few bars.
I dig Petrucci's solo too!

[bosk1]

Here's something I don't quite understand. Why all the negativity?

There really hadn't been much.  The vast majority of people seem pretty happy with the song.  I know the few negative comments tend to stand out more, and when you read them, it can seem like there are a lot more negative voices than there actually are.  But, really, the response has been very good. 

[Perpetual Change]

I don't see all the "negativity" either. The reaction isn't quite as positive as OTBOA, but the bar is higher, too. When OTBOA was released, no one was sure what to expect from DT without MP, and I think everyone just breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that song and realized that DT were still going to be as good, if not better, than ever. With this song, they already have what many fans consider their strongest album in years right behind them, so obviously expectations are a bit higher.

[DT_Aus]

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!

[wolven74]

So either the bass is a lot higher in the mix than we think or there is a ton of rhythm guitar in this track. I tend to lean toward the rhythm guitar being predominant. So that leads me to wonder how they're going to pull this off live. is Jordan gonna do a guitar patch to cover with JM the rhythm parts?

Things that make me go hmmm...

[jammindude]

Here's something I don't quite understand. Why all the negativity?

There really hadn't been much.  The vast majority of people seem pretty happy with the song.  I know the few negative comments tend to stand out more, and when you read them, it can seem like there are a lot more negative voices than there actually are.  But, really, the response has been very good.

Agreed.

I believe someone hinted at the internet phenomenon earlier...but I have seen the same thing in this thread.

People A-S - "WE LOVE IT"

People T&U - "Worst song ever."

People V-Y - "It's ok."

Person Z - "WTF?  CAN'T YOU PEOPLE EVER BE HAPPY?  ALL THE BITCHING IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!"

[rumborak]

I think it's a pretty good song actually. Nothing earth-shattering, but an interesting mix of old and new DT.

[adamack]

I don't see all the "negativity" either. The reaction isn't quite as positive as OTBOA, but the bar is higher, too. When OTBOA was released, no one was sure what to expect from DT without MP, and I think everyone just breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that song and realized that DT were still going to be as good, if not better, than ever. With this song, they already have what many fans consider their strongest album in years right behind them, so obviously expectations are a bit higher.

Very true. I myself can speak to that. I remember when I first got word of MP leaving the band. As much as I didn't want to admit it, in my mind i was thinking "they're done." Not only because MP is one of the most complete and amazing drummers ever, but maybe even more so because of the work ethic that he brought to the band. Instead of an amazing album coming out every 2 years like clockwork, I suspected that would change to a good-at-best album every 3 or even 4 years.

Boy was I wrong! ADTOE was one of the most pleasant musical surprises ever.

MP has always been a hero to me, and I never even used to consider life without MP in DT. But, as much as I hate to even mutter this...I think it was for the better, as I am just loving DT's recent music, starting to love MM's stylings, and I think that MP leaving may have even given them the motivation to do even greater things.

[wolven74]

When I originally posted my thoughts on the negativity, I was thinking:



I'd just read a bunch of comments along the lines of: "the drums are too high in the mix", "I don't like the snare sound", "The instrumental section feels out of place" type comments, and I thought that's a lot of negativity.

Overall it's been a fairly positive thread, which is great, because the song fuckin smokes but at the time, I was thinking why are you dissecting and being a downer about something as amazing as this track? Can't you just appreciate that we have this balls to the wall track to keep us occupied for the next 2 months?

[bosk1]

Here's something I don't quite understand. Why all the negativity?

There really hadn't been much.  The vast majority of people seem pretty happy with the song.  I know the few negative comments tend to stand out more, and when you read them, it can seem like there are a lot more negative voices than there actually are.  But, really, the response has been very good.

Agreed.

I believe someone hinted at the internet phenomenon earlier...but I have seen the same thing in this thread.

People A-S - "WE LOVE IT"

People T&U - "Worst song ever."

People V-Y - "It's ok."

Person Z - "WTF?  CAN'T YOU PEOPLE EVER BE HAPPY?  ALL THE BITCHING IS DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!"

  Yup.  That about sums it up.

[TL]

I think at this point there have been more posts complaining about "all the negativity" than posts that are actually negative about the single.

[Lucien]

Noxon said this is probably his least favorite from the album.

[bosk1]

Overall it's been a fairly positive thread, which is great, because the song fuckin smokes but at the time, I was thinking why are you dissecting and being a downer about something as amazing as this track? Can't you just appreciate that we have this balls to the wall track to keep us occupied for the next 2 months?

I have to force myself to not over-listen to it.  And that's actually a pretty tough thing to do.  First listen or two, I was like, "yeah, it's good, but..."  But the more I listen, the more I like it.  It is really starting to gel with me.  I have to say, I am pretty fired up about the album now.

[DigitalOrange]

[/quote]

I have to force myself to not over-listen to it.  And that's actually a pretty tough thing to do.  First listen or two, I was like, "yeah, it's good, but..."  But the more I listen, the more I like it.  It is really starting to gel with me.  I have to say, I am pretty fired up about the album now.
[/quote]
My feelings exactly!

[dongringo]

I have to force myself to not over-listen to it.  And that's actually a pretty tough thing to do.  First listen or two, I was like, "yeah, it's good, but..."  But the more I listen, the more I like it.  It is really starting to gel with me.  I have to say, I am pretty fired up about the album now.

Yeah, me too. I really love this song, it's much better than anything I had anticipated, but I'm going to give it a rest after today. Glad I decided to listen to it though, because this single has really gotten me pumped about this album. Really good feeling about it.

[drew512]

Now available on the US iTunes Store.

[N4Player]

Also available in Canadian iTunes Store with a pre-order option.

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/dream-theater/id676891642

Definitely a better listen than the stream. I love it and I am thrilled and excited.