Dream Theater: The Astonishing (now with moment of betrayal!)

[nestcmartin]

If there was any doubt about it, here you go: it IS a double album https://twitter.com/chycki/status/671796025787555840

Just 2 CDs, not 3, nor 4... nor 5 nor 8 

[Nel_Annette]

After seeing the Nomac, the album art turned out to be everything I'd hoped it'd be.

Haven't really paid attention to any of the lore or story of this album, these days the music itself is all I care about. But it's still cool to see them doing a project this in depth. Not something I ever expected DT to do.

34 tracks. Exciting to see. Day one purchase definitely.

[|KirK|]

And that's what people are going crazy about?

Mostly because James wrote to Kevin(Moore, not Labrie ) "Maybe one day our paths will cross again".
So the path won't divide them... Maybe because they've chosen the same side!!

[MirrorMask]

Question:

Is anyone else here planning on not hearing any snippet/single/whatsoever before the actual release?

With DT12, I had only heard TEI once beforeI got to listen to the whole album.
But I think this time I would be more harsh with myself, and make sure the first time I hear any of this album will be it's whole.

That's my plan.  No singles, no snippets, no Spotify, no doing what everybody does but should not talk about it here... I want to go to the store on release day, get the album and hear it from beginning to end for the first and complete time.

Did this for Iron Maiden's The Book of Souls, it was a rewarding experience 

[MustActFastToCoverUp]

Question:

Is anyone else here planning on not hearing any snippet/single/whatsoever before the actual release?

With DT12, I had only heard TEI once beforeI got to listen to the whole album.
But I think this time I would be more harsh with myself, and make sure the first time I hear any of this album will be it's whole.

I'm thinking about not listening to anything before attending the show! But that means not listening to the album for a month or so after release. And in general I enjoy a show better when I know the songs, but I imagine it especially special to see a DT show full of music thats completely new to me.

[Kix]

Today feels like a good Dream Theater sort of day. Yes, yes it does. 

[|KirK|]

Question:

Is anyone else here planning on not hearing any snippet/single/whatsoever before the actual release?

With DT12, I had only heard TEI once beforeI got to listen to the whole album.
But I think this time I would be more harsh with myself, and make sure the first time I hear any of this album will be it's whole.

I'm thinking about not listening to anything before attending the show! But that means not listening to the album for a month or so after release. And in general I enjoy a show better when I know the songs, but I imagine it especially special to see a DT show full of music thats completely new to me.

I agree but I don't think I could resist.. So, at this point, we can say that the album will be released before the European tour? I'm just a bit confused...Have they changed their minds?! 

[Cyclopssss]

My estimate is end of january release, three weeks before the european tour shows start.

[BlobVanDam]

There have been a few unofficial sources saying the 29th of January, so I'm taking that as a tentative release date for now. I expect we'll have an official confirmation pretty soon one way or another, along with a single in the not too distant future.

[BlackInk]

I'll listen to singles and snippets. I don't care as much about "spoilers" when it comes to music as I do movies or TV shows. As long as there's something for me to listen to that I can enjoy, I will.

[Kotowboy]

Yeah i'm not bothered about snippets etc.

It won't be like Black Clouds where Nightmare and Passage leaked and then when the album came out you only had 4 new songs...

We just need to know the production is stellar to go along with everything else.

[Frankgate]

previewing songs helps you avoid buying albums you DON'T like
in fact, I didn't buy Systematic Chaos and Black Clouds when they came out (later at bargain price)

[wolfking]

It seems quite unusual to have info, tracklist and teh artwork but no set release date.

[MirrorMask]

previewing songs helps you avoid buying albums you DON'T like
in fact, I didn't buy Systematic Chaos and Black Clouds when they came out (later at bargain price)

Completely understandable.

However, for me, I always liked anything Dream Theater ever put out. Some stuff I just love, some others I merely appreciate, but they never put out an album that, to my ears and for my tastes, is a total and complete turd. They never wrote their own Risk or St. Anger or a truly very crappy album, they're serious and talented musicians devoted to their music, I feel like rewarding them with "blind faith" when it comes to a new album, if and when - so far it never happened - they'll put out a record that will make me go "OMG what the bloody hell is this horrible and unlisteneable abomination" I'll reconsider next time around.

[dream416]

Just waiting to pre-order the super deluxe box set lol. I'm guessing ( hoping ) it's going to
be awesome!!!!!     Love the album cover.   

[Sacul]

lol at all those fake leaks. They're either rush covers or some lame songs that don't even sound like DT

I mean, how can the album be even leaked at this point? I think mixing/mastering ain't even finished.

[jdprsaga]

If there was any doubt about it, here you go: it IS a double album https://twitter.com/chycki/status/671796025787555840

Just 2 CDs, not 3, nor 4... nor 5 nor 8 

Hahah love Chycki, I imagine him like.. everyone wants to know.. i don't care i'll just tell

[alexofsweden]

lol at all those fake leaks. They're either rush covers or some lame songs that don't even sound like DT

I mean, how can the album be even leaked at this point? I think mixing/mastering ain't even finished.

A single are problaby mixed and mastered already

[noxon]

there will be a single soon enough

[SwedishGoose]

there will be a single soon enough

Is this fact or fiction.......?

[King Postwhore]

Noxon and bosk1 have intimate knowledge on DT.  Trust their info.

[Paintbox]

lol at all those fake leaks. They're either rush covers or some lame songs that don't even sound like DT

I mean, how can the album be even leaked at this point? I think mixing/mastering ain't even finished.

Leaking is absolutely possible at this point, and it would be easy to recognise Mangini's drum sound and to understand if the lyrics are inherent to what we know about the concept.

I wonder how tracks leak, does the band know about it? Are they ok with that?

[Mindflux]

I wonder how tracks leak, does the band know about it? Are they ok with that?

Tracks leak because someone along the way does them the disservice.

I'm sure they are not ok with it unless it's an "intentional leak".. which I'm sure has happened to some bands to add hype to the whole release process.

[Train of Naught]

Yea people are already deciphering fake lyrics for a fake leak on the interwebs, ridiculous how impatient some people get 

[Pax]

I actually never bought an album myself (here in Serbia it's not as easy and common to buy albums via Internet). But I decided to buy this new album. What's the difference if I pre-order it or not? If I buy it like that, will I only get to download the album (like some game on Steam) or will it come to my address? I know these are stupid questions, but I have to ask somewhere.. .

[Train of Naught]

I imagine you get a physical copy sent to your adress, unless DT have gone Protest the Hero all over us.

[RoeDent]

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.

[Fritzinger]

Hellay, I am new here, I will just join in with the discussion

I decided NOT to listen to any pre released material, such as singles and stuff. I want to experience the full thing. Maybe just watch in the studio videos if they release some. I could never hold myself back the last times, but this time I WILL!!!! 
Once the album is out, there will be The Astonishing and nothing but The Astonishing on my iPhone and iPod because I will not listen to anything different anyway. So I will be prepared for the concert

[Dellers]

I don't think I'll actually buy this album. I was so disappointed by the sound of the latest one that I have only listened to it a few times. I have a lot of music that doesn't sound particularly great, including stuff I have mixed myself, but I actively dislike the DT mix. At least the HD download didn't have the brickwalled master on top. Sorry for being so negative, but I really look forward to the live show though 

[Lucien]

there will be a single soon enough

I think we'll get it today, actually.

[noxon]

 

I don't think I'll actually buy this album. I was so disappointed by the sound of the latest one that I have only listened to it a few times. I have a lot of music that doesn't sound particularly great, including stuff I have mixed myself, but I actively dislike the DT mix. At least the HD download didn't have the brickwalled master on top. Sorry for being so negative, but I really look forward to the live show though 

How can you judge an album you haven't even heard a single note from yet? Trust me, this album WILL sound quite different from the previous, because it's nothing like it! They're going for "rock opera" not "cinematic", which leaves it much more open for soaring melodies and emotional/dramatic orchestration. As the picture from the mixing board showed - there's whole tracks (as in the pro tools type of track, not song type of track)  filled with just choirs, orchestra and brass. It's a given that they can't have this be as loud and as busy as the last one.

[ResultsMayVary]

I don't think I'll actually buy this album. I was so disappointed by the sound of the latest one that I have only listened to it a few times. I have a lot of music that doesn't sound particularly great, including stuff I have mixed myself, but I actively dislike the DT mix. At least the HD download didn't have the brickwalled master on top. Sorry for being so negative, but I really look forward to the live show though 

Because this makes sense.

[Voices]

Is there any plans for a official release this week?

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Hey guys! For good measure, probably just don't talk about leaks at all, fake or otherwise.

[Sacul]

So this album won't be a 4-disc release? I'm disappoint