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

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Seventh Wonder is not power metal

[Thematt202]

The melodies in both songs are power metal inspired to my ears.  Also the held power chords in the chorus of BITS are a frequently used power metal guitar technique.

Seriously? Held power chords are a power metal influence according to you? Come on.

Yes.  It's a defining PM rhythm guitar technique.  Usually one chord per bar.

[Thematt202]

I disagree.  Seventh Wonder has a massive power metal influence.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Well, they have catchy melodies. Other than that, I don't really see any power metal in their sound at all.

[Thematt202]

Ok,  We'll agree to disagree.

So, this new DT album.... 

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Ok,  We'll agree to disagree.

So, this new DT album.... 

No, we must continue to argue!

[noxon]

Seventh Wonder are pretty clear about what their main influences are; Dream Theater and Symphony X, among other ones. So saying that Seventh Wonder and ADTOE has some qualities that are similar says nothing about power metal, as Seventh Wonder is much more prog metal than power metal anyhow.

U: Jag inser att det är irriterande för skapande musiker att hela tiden jämföras med andra artister och band. Jag refererar dock själv flera gånger i min recension av "Waiting..." till Dream Theater. Vad tycker ni om den liknelsen? Finns det något fog för jämförelser i ert tycke?

A: "Images and Words" är enligt mig tveklöst den viktigaste och bästa platta som släppts inom genren vi kallar prog-metall idag. Den satte normen för allt. Att jämföras med den är en ren ära och jag kan bara tacka och bocka åt ett dylikt omdöme. Faktum är att jag sällan blir irriterad av något sådant. Hela människan fungerar ju genom generaliseringar och referenser - självklart måste det även vara tillåtet inom musiken. Däremot håller man ju inte alltid med det som skrivs och det kan ju vara irriterande, men vilket mynt saknar två sidor?

U: Finns det några artister ni/du skulle säga ha influerat er musik på ett påtagligt sätt?

A: Visst! Grunden har vi ju från våra gamla hjältar som Maiden, Europe, Helloween, Mr. Big etc och det progressiva kommer ju mycket från Dream Theater och Symphony X, tveklöst.

From https://www.tartareandesire.com/urkraft/intervjuer/seventhwonder.php

"U: I realize it is annoying for creative musicians to constantly be compared to other artists and bands. I refer several times to Dream Theater, however, in my review of "Waiting ...". What do you think of the parable? Is there any basis for comparison in your opinion?

A: "Images and Words" is in my opinion without a doubt the most important and best album released in the genre we call prog-metal today. It set the standard for everything. That compares with a pure honor and I can only be thankful for such a reputation. In fact, I rarely get annoyed by something like that. Man works through the generalizations and references - of course, it must also be allowed in music. However, one does not always agree with what is written and that can be annoying, but which coin lacks two sides?

U: Are there any artists you / you would say have influenced your music in a tangible way?

A: Certainly! Our foundation is from our old heroes like Maiden, Europe, Helloween, Mr. Big etc and the progressive is very much from Dream Theater and Symphony X, without a doubt."


I have to agree though, I think both SyX and Seventh Wonder are firmly rooted in prog metal, but there's a flavor of power metal to it - but it's VERY washed out. The DT influence is stronger.

[Thematt202]

For sure, it's certainly not the only influence.

[Thematt202]

Ok,  We'll agree to disagree.

So, this new DT album.... 

No, we must continue to argue!

Ok, you're a poo poo head! 

[Implode]

Personal attack. Reported.

[Dark Castle]

Personal attack. Reported.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

 

[ariich]

There is are definite power metal elements in LNF, and in the very occasional older DT tune as well. It's not overbearing though, and rare.

[aprilethereal]

The melodies in both songs are power metal inspired to my ears.  Also the held power chords in the chorus of BITS are a frequently used power metal guitar technique.

Seriously? Held power chords are a power metal influence according to you? Come on.

Yes.  It's a defining PM rhythm guitar technique.  Usually one chord per bar.

And it's used in pretty much every other genre as well. For example prog metal (see DT).

[nikatapi]

A question for the guys who've heard the album, after listening to both singles:

Besides the cool stuff (fast fills etc) that MM is playing, does he always follow the guitar in terms of rhythm?
Are there any moments where he does a different beat that throws you off?

What i mean is that both in ADTOE and the 2 new songs, he is playing odd time signatures but he is playing in a pretty straightforward way, is there any parts where he changes the feel while the rest of the band is playing over the same rhythm?

Like in HTF for example or The Mirror, where MP did different feels over the same rhythm, which was very neat. Is there any stuff like this in the new album?

[ronrule]

If you add a kick drum to every JM note, a high hat to every JR note and a different tom to every JP note, you have a Mangini drum composition. [/half joking]

[farsight]

What i mean is that both in ADTOE and the 2 new songs, he is playing odd time signatures but he is playing in a pretty straightforward way, is there any parts where he changes the feel while the rest of the band is playing over the same rhythm?

Along For The Ride's outro, I guess?

[adastra]

There is are definite power metal elements in LNF, and in the very occasional older DT tune as well. It's not overbearing though, and rare.

I can't spot them.. Maybe the lyrics?