...and so it begins

[Kotowboy]

Garth ! That was almost a Haiku !

[TAC]

Garth ! That was almost a Haiku !

Actually it was Finally Free.

[Kotowboy]

don't care.

[mike099]

I'm not sure if this pic is new, but I think so


https://www.teamrock.com/news/2015-10-27/are-dream-theater-about-to-unleash-massive-concept-project

If so, maybe the guys at Prog Magazine know something at this point. The article is quite... suspicious. The pic may be a part of the traditional promotional press kit, so I think we can take the hints at a double-concept album as a fact. It's not like we weren't discussing that possibility already, but... you know

When I saw Mangini in the pic, I thought of the Dos Equis beer guy.  'I don't always do prog, but when I do, I do it in style'.

I am hoping that the new album is more prog than prog metal. 

By the way, that pic looks a bit like Geddy Lee. 

[liran95]

Nothing new, ah?

[RoeDent]

I wonder if we will get something later today, what with it being November 1st and all. The last two changes to the website happened around 8pm UK time. But then, it is a Sunday, so Idk if that will make a difference. Tomorrow, maybe?

[Train of Naught]

I'm pretty sure that we won't have any news for another week if it's not going to be today.

[SuperTaco]

I'm pretty sure that we won't have any news for another week if it's not going to be today.

If the release date is going to be January-February, this is probably the month that a single is released. Perhaps we'll get something on Friday.

Please let it be this week pleeeeaaaase

[YtseJamittaja]

Perhaps we'll get something on Friday.

[TheCountOfNYC]

I'm pretty sure that we won't have any news for another week if it's not going to be today.

If the release date is going to be January-February, this is probably the month that a single is released. Perhaps we'll get something on Friday.

Please let it be this week pleeeeaaaase

If it's a concept album they may not release a single. I know to promote SFaM they released an abridged version of Home, but who says they'll do something like that again.

[BlobVanDam]

I'm pretty sure that we won't have any news for another week if it's not going to be today.

If the release date is going to be January-February, this is probably the month that a single is released. Perhaps we'll get something on Friday.

Please let it be this week pleeeeaaaase

If it's a concept album they may not release a single. I know to promote SFaM they released an abridged version of Home, but who says they'll do something like that again.

There's no reason they wouldn't release a single; it would be terrible marketing. Even assuming it is some kind of concept album, the songs would still stand on their own, and DT always write typical "singles" these days.
I wasn't around at the time of SFAM, but in that case I think they were trying to conceal the Metropolis connection until late in the game, explaining why there may have been less information given. Unless we're getting Metropolis part 3 (oh plz god no), then I don't see why they'd do the same here.

[King Postwhore]

You are in trouble when Blob is the voice of reason.

[BlobVanDam]

Reason is one thing I'm rarely accused of.

[King Postwhore]

Reason is one thing I'm rarely accused of.

Exactly. 

[ResultsMayVary]

We're inside of the 3-4 month before release window and we still have zero information on the album. As many people have noted, we've been given more information at this stage in the game over the past 2 albums than in this release cycle, based on announcements relative to the start of mixing date.

[RoeDent]

Surrender to Blob?

[ResultsMayVary]

No.

[DreamerTV]

We're inside of the 3-4 month before release window and we still have zero information on the album. As many people have noted, we've been given more information at this stage in the game over the past 2 albums than in this release cycle, based on announcements relative to the start of mixing date.

Speaking of this, i don't think it's a coincidence that The Path will soon divide Fb post got less likes (2.6K)  than a photo of a "Majestic" pumpkin (7.1K). FYI the Metropolis pt.2 anniversary post got 26.8K likes.

[Enigmachine]

We're inside of the 3-4 month before release window and we still have zero information on the album. As many people have noted, we've been given more information at this stage in the game over the past 2 albums than in this release cycle, based on announcements relative to the start of mixing date.

Yeah, they're definitely keeping it quiet this time around. I have a feeling that we won't get any meaningful info until the album is completely finished in all aspects (that's including Mixing, Mastering and Artwork). This may be because everything will be set in stone with no possible changes (unlike ADToE where 'The Shaman's Trance' was changed to BitS) and that it may be more satisfying to have a ton of info released at once (like title, release date, tracklisting, concept, artwork and single release date revealed all at once). I would personally prefer a more gradual trickling of info so there's a more predictable short term rhythm of announcements to look forward to and engage me rather than not knowing when the cluster of info is going to arrive.

Speaking of this, i don't think it's a coincidence that The Path will soon divide Fb post got less likes (2.6K)  than a photo of a "Majestic" pumpkin (7.1K). FYI the Metropolis pt.2 anniversary post got 26.8K likes.

I thought that it was quite odd that DT would release something as vague as that with no context whatsoever. There's the double concept album clue, but other than that it must have made many fans pretty confused, especially as it's so visually uncharacteristic for them as well. I can definitely understand how more people would prefer a quirky DT-related celebration of halloween over a strange, enigmatic update.

[MirrorMask]

I wasn't around at the time of SFAM, but in that case I think they were trying to conceal the Metropolis connection until late in the game, explaining why there may have been less information given. Unless we're getting Metropolis part 3 (oh plz god no), then I don't see why they'd do the same here.

I've heard that edit, all the Metropolis references (musical and lyrical ones) were edited so that it wouldn't give away the connection.

And speaking of the "double album" thing... ok, we also have quotes of "there was no shortage of ideas" from JP rather than saying clearly "nah, it's not a double album", but all we know about the album is this Empire vs. Ravenskill thing... imagine there never was a Metropolis pt.1 and by the time SFAM was about to be released there would have been a similar marketing tool, "Who do you think tells the true version of the story, the Miracle or the Sleeper?"... that was the basis to think of a double album just as much as "Choose between the Empire and the Rebels".

I think as well it may be indeed a double, but I don't think the two factions are a clear and dead giveaway at all.

[The Presence of Frenemies]

I wasn't around at the time of SFAM, but in that case I think they were trying to conceal the Metropolis connection until late in the game, explaining why there may have been less information given. Unless we're getting Metropolis part 3 (oh plz god no), then I don't see why they'd do the same here.

I've heard that edit, all the Metropolis references (musical and lyrical ones) were edited so that it wouldn't give away the connection.

And speaking of the "double album" thing... ok, we also have quotes of "there was no shortage of ideas" from JP rather than saying clearly "nah, it's not a double album", but all we know about the album is this Empire vs. Ravenskill thing... imagine there never was a Metropolis pt.1 and by the time SFAM was about to be released there would have been a similar marketing tool, "Who do you think tells the true version of the story, the Miracle or the Sleeper?"... that was the basis to think of a double album just as much as "Choose between the Empire and the Rebels".

I think as well it may be indeed a double, but I don't think the two factions are a clear and dead giveaway at all.

Exactly. Concept yes, double no. Certainly possible, but no clear connection from what's been presented so far.

[Sacul]

No epic beard?

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

That looks more like 2004 Jordan.

[CoT67]

We're inside of the 3-4 month before release window and we still have zero information on the album. As many people have noted, we've been given more information at this stage in the game over the past 2 albums than in this release cycle, based on announcements relative to the start of mixing date.

Maybe they're taking a cue from Bethesda's unveiling of Fallout 4 after a good 4 years of silence, waiting until everything's ready and done to unleash a barrage of news and preview content?

Oh, wait... they're not releasing an FPS/RPG, are they? 

[SuperTaco]

We're inside of the 3-4 month before release window and we still have zero information on the album. As many people have noted, we've been given more information at this stage in the game over the past 2 albums than in this release cycle, based on announcements relative to the start of mixing date.

Maybe they're taking a cue from Bethesda's unveiling of Fallout 4 after a good 4 years of silence, waiting until everything's ready and done to unleash a barrage of news and preview content?

Oh, wait... they're not releasing an FPS/RPG, are they? 

That would be awesome 

[noxon]

I've heard that edit, all the Metropolis references (musical and lyrical ones) were edited so that it wouldn't give away the connection.

I've never heard of this. And I was around at that time. I remember getting the promo release in early september '99. It was the 74 first minutes of the album (as that was what was possible to burn on most cd-rs at that time), so the ending of finally free was cut off (and thus we didn't actually get the resolve of the story) - but the music otherwise was all there. By late september, it was well known that the album would be called metropolis pt. 2. The album leaked onto the internet mid september, and everyone was talking about it. I remember the band being extremely frustrated that all the information was out there over a month before the actual release.

[Jinx]

So this album.... Grand epic track or nah?

[AboutToCrash]

So this album.... Grand epic track or nah?

If it's a double album i'd say 15-25 minute closer on each disc. If it's single I think it'd take a metropolis approach and not go over 15 minutes

[MirrorMask]

Basically every album has a majestic and bombastic closing, save for when they ended with ballads... it would be a change to close with the heaviest track on the album, a neck-breaker one, that details the end of the rebellion and the victory of the good guys (which would make a good theme for a heavy and fast track).

[BlobVanDam]

Basically every album has a majestic and bombastic closing, save for when they ended with ballads... it would be a change to close with the heaviest track on the album, a neck-breaker one, that details the end of the rebellion and the victory of the good guys (which would make a good theme for a heavy and fast track).

Have you read the emails yet? And have you even watched Footloose?

[Kotowboy]

Yeah it's where Kevin Bacon dances on the edge of a cliff and the Graboid falls down and goes boom Classic Scenes.

[ErHaO]

Hyped! And I am sure Labrie took some notes during Equation Theater regarding successfully bringing a rock opera to life in a theater 

My expectations for the liveshow is that they have a few guest muscicians and maybe some narrator (LSONY).  Or I can see them expanding on their cinematic approach (see last tour, this time with video's supporting the story).

Actually, I think it would be neat if this album had some guest musicians as well. DT offcourse being the main thing, but maybe some non-DT instruments, female vocals, choir etc.? If they go full on rock opera, that could be interesting.

So this album.... Grand epic track or nah?

Nah, at the very least two tracks, due to it likely being a double album.

But if they go for full-disc tracks, I reckon it would be a bit like sdoit; Smaller songs tied together in a larger structure with overture and all  (allowing for a single and convienient for future setlists). And a lot of rock opera's tell a story trough seperate songs as well.

[Lucien]

why do we have so many separate threads for the same kind of speculation

I'm tempted to make one big thread "DREAM THEATER'S 13TH STUDIO ALBUM: "THE ASTONISHING""

[ariich]

why do we have so many separate threads for the same kind of speculation

I'm tempted to make one big thread "DREAM THEATER'S 13TH STUDIO ALBUM: "THE ASTONISHING""

Good point. This one was about the process starting. Now we have an announcement, we can move the discussion to that thread: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=44874.0