My thoughts on 'Dream Theater' (***SPOILERS***)

[eosforum]

Are there songs that are difficult to follow on the first listen? You know, songs that you cannot reproduce in your head unless you hear them quite a few times.

Also, are JLB's vocals higher or lower (register-wise, not in the mix) than ADTOE?

[cyberdrummer]

Are there songs that are difficult to follow on the first listen? You know, songs that you cannot reproduce in your head unless you hear them quite a few times.

Also, are JLB's vocals higher or lower (register-wise, not in the mix) than ADTOE?

Yes, The Bigger Picture and Behind the Veil are most hazy in my memory.

In general quite similar, but the high sections are higher than anything on ADTOE.

[Dtman2112]

Any proggy breakdowns with clean guitars? Or is it all heavy, distorted guitars with the occasional mellow, ambient section?

[JPX]

FAS is very symphonic, very heavy. Reminds me a lot of Oculus Ex Inferni. It also includes the drum section from the latest In the Studio clip.

Oh man, I love Oculus Ex Inferni. DT would do well to borrow some SX production values in general. 

[aprilethereal]

I love Symphony X but I really dislike Oculus. Not sure what to think

[dparrott]

But let me reiterate, despite having familiar elements, this does not sound like any other DT album. It's new ground for the band.

This is what I am most excited about.

[mikeyd23]

Wow, just got caught up reading through this whole topic, I don't have any particular questions at the moment but, like many others have said, thanks cyberdrummer!! 

[cyberdrummer]

I love Symphony X but I really dislike Oculus. Not sure what to think

Don't get me wrong, it's not identical to Oculus, but it's that kind of symphonic, orchestral style, with a signature DT twist. I don't recall there being any choral voices, however.

[noxon]

Oh, there's choral voices...

[JPX]

I love Symphony X but I really dislike Oculus. Not sure what to think

Dude, that sentance is an oxymoron.

[bosk1]

I love Symphony X but I really dislike Oculus. Not sure what to think

Dude, that sentance is an oxymoron.

You mean, because Symphony X fans should never use the word "think" to describe something they are capable of doing?

[adastra]

this is the best topic in ages! I guess there is more useful stuff here in 6 pages than on the DT12 topic in 160 pages.
I finally got home from work and had a chance to throughly read this whole topic!

[cyberdrummer]

Oh, there's choral voices...

In FAS? Well that's my first memory lapse!

[JPX]

I love Symphony X but I really dislike Oculus. Not sure what to think

Dude, that sentance is an oxymoron.

You mean, because Symphony X fans should never use the word "think" to describe something they are capable of doing?

I was just kidding. To me OEI is like the definition of modern SX. I didn't mean to imply that their opinion wasn't valid. I probably should have used an emoticon after to indicate that it was said in jest. Apologies.

[bosk1]

I love Symphony X but I really dislike Oculus. Not sure what to think

Dude, that sentance is an oxymoron.

You mean, because Symphony X fans should never use the word "think" to describe something they are capable of doing?

I was just kidding. To me OEI is like the definition of modern SX. I didn't mean to imply that their opinion wasn't valid. I probably should have used an emoticon after to indicate that it was said in jest. Apologies.

I was kidding too.  But Symphony X fans are easy targets, so... 

[JPX]

Mmmmm. Pizza.

[Stef1]

Just got home from attending, have not had time to read through the whole thread, but think me and my wife were sat next to Cyber.
My thoughts were that the 5.1 mix might not be the best to listen to as the vocals tend to get lost in the mix, MM drums are well up front.
On this album MM & JMX work the best as a rhythm section than on any previous album I can think of.
JMX bass sound is far dirtier than previously. Even though there are some INSANE drum parts at times MM leaves space for other in the band where before MP might have filled the space with a fill run or something.
The Rush sounds are still there, the beginning of 1 track made me think of a Farewell to Kings era Rush.
The underlying felling is that this is METAL, almost reminiscent of Train of Thought.
Sorry if this is a fragmented review but my 2 year old is crawling all over me.

[adastra]

Mmmmm. Pizza.

Mmmmmmmmmmm..... Pizza....... Don't have any!  But I have BEER!

[cyberdrummer]

Just got home from attending, have not had time to read through the whole thread, but think me and my wife were sat next to Cyber.
My thoughts were that the 5.1 mix might not be the best to listen to as the vocals tend to get lost in the mix, MM drums are well up front.
On this album MM & JMX work the best as a rhythm section than on any previous album I can think of.
JMX bass sound is far dirtier than previously. Even though there are some INSANE drum parts at times MM leaves space for other in the band where before MP might have filled the space with a fill run or something.
The Rush sounds are still there, the beginning of 1 track made me think of a Farewell to Kings era Rush.
The underlying felling is that this is METAL, almost reminiscent of Train of Thought.
Sorry if this is a fragmented review but my 2 year old is crawling all over me.

Were you the guys who spilled the beer?

[senecadawg2]

On this album MM & JMX work the best as a rhythm section than on any previous album I can think of.

The Rush sounds are still there, the beginning of 1 track made me think of a Farewell to Kings era Rush.

These two have got me excited

[dparrott]

+1 for mmmmmm pizza!

This sounds like a mix of TOT, 6DOIT, I&W but yet doesn't sound like any of them.  That's the way I like it! 

[Dellers]

JMX bass sound is far dirtier than previously.

Even more dirty? I always thought that was one of the major drawbacks about DT the last few years to begin with - the dirty bass sound that's competing with the guitars in the same register and making sure he gets buried. As a bassist I can't say that his tone has sounded good since Six Degrees and parts of TOT. Even more dirt will certainly not make it better IMO.

[Voices]

Well, I enjoyed how JM sounds on ADTOE...he could be louder, but the tone is fine. I just hope he doesn't sound TOO dirty, as he did back in BCSL...low and dirty.

[adastra]

mmm.. Myung decided to get down and dirty...

[Kotowboy]

Nothing will bury a bass like over distortion.

Slight rumble but with a nice fat upper - mid range will make it stand out.

[mikeyd23]

Nothing will bury a bass like over distortion.

Slight rumble but with a nice fat upper - mid range will make it stand out.

Exactly this!

[adastra]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMzCUi75jIY
If it sounds like this it will be purr-fect :3

[Kotowboy]

 

[dparrott]

mmm.. Myung decided to get down and dirty...

But he's quiet about it as always....

[Stef1]

Just got home from attending, have not had time to read through the whole thread, but think me and my wife were sat next to Cyber.
My thoughts were that the 5.1 mix might not be the best to listen to as the vocals tend to get lost in the mix, MM drums are well up front.
On this album MM & JMX work the best as a rhythm section than on any previous album I can think of.
JMX bass sound is far dirtier than previously. Even though there are some INSANE drum parts at times MM leaves space for other in the band where before MP might have filled the space with a fill run or something.
The Rush sounds are still there, the beginning of 1 track made me think of a Farewell to Kings era Rush.
The underlying felling is that this is METAL, almost reminiscent of Train of Thought.
Sorry if this is a fragmented review but my 2 year old is crawling all over me.

Were you the guys who spilled the beer?

Yep, that was the wife. I don't drink so didn't enjoy the evening as much as her.

[Stef1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMzCUi75jIY
If it sounds like this it will be purr-fect :3

Almost bang on in places.

[nobloodyname]

JMX bass sound is far dirtier than previously. Even though there are some INSANE drum parts at times MM leaves space for other in the band where before MP might have filled the space with a fill run

If I remember correctly, it was rather dirty in the Black Clouds stems. Dirtier than that?

[adastra]

Just got home from attending, have not had time to read through the whole thread, but think me and my wife were sat next to Cyber.
My thoughts were that the 5.1 mix might not be the best to listen to as the vocals tend to get lost in the mix, MM drums are well up front.
On this album MM & JMX work the best as a rhythm section than on any previous album I can think of.
JMX bass sound is far dirtier than previously. Even though there are some INSANE drum parts at times MM leaves space for other in the band where before MP might have filled the space with a fill run or something.
The Rush sounds are still there, the beginning of 1 track made me think of a Farewell to Kings era Rush.
The underlying felling is that this is METAL, almost reminiscent of Train of Thought.
Sorry if this is a fragmented review but my 2 year old is crawling all over me.

Were you the guys who spilled the beer?

Yep, that was the wife. I don't drink so didn't enjoy the evening as much as her.

Have u passed the point when your  enjoyment is dependant  on the amount of consumed alcohol

[Stef1]

Just got home from attending, have not had time to read through the whole thread, but think me and my wife were sat next to Cyber.
My thoughts were that the 5.1 mix might not be the best to listen to as the vocals tend to get lost in the mix, MM drums are well up front.
On this album MM & JMX work the best as a rhythm section than on any previous album I can think of.
JMX bass sound is far dirtier than previously. Even though there are some INSANE drum parts at times MM leaves space for other in the band where before MP might have filled the space with a fill run or something.
The Rush sounds are still there, the beginning of 1 track made me think of a Farewell to Kings era Rush.
The underlying felling is that this is METAL, almost reminiscent of Train of Thought.
Sorry if this is a fragmented review but my 2 year old is crawling all over me.

Were you the guys who spilled the beer?

Yep, that was the wife. I don't drink so didn't enjoy the evening as much as her.

Have u passed the point when your  enjoyment is dependant  on the amount of consumed alcohol

I have but it took some time.
Got the feeling we could start a new thread here.
Dream Theater, better enjoyed with or without alcohol?

[Dark Castle]

Music like DT? Without. Weird experimental music that you already love sober? With.