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

[Fritzinger]

From my one listen to Moment of Betrayal on youtube - it sounded like his usual distorted bass tone on any other album.

But you do hear a difference between, say, Octavarium (Medicate) and Surrender To Reason?

[devieira73]

I was just watching THIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDTYWwqchhQ and it made me like Mangini a little more actually. He is playing with a lot of passion and a good sound (!!!!) and you will discover a lot of details in his playing. Why can't the drums on DT12 sound like this?

I'm shocked how good this sounds!  His playing is not robotic AT ALL.

[home]

I was just watching THIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDTYWwqchhQ and it made me like Mangini a little more actually. He is playing with a lot of passion and a good sound (!!!!) and you will discover a lot of details in his playing. Why can't the drums on DT12 sound like this?

I'm shocked how good this sounds!  His playing is not robotic AT ALL.

Indeed that sounds great!

I quite like Moment of Betrayal it has some epic moments. The strings at the beginning sound amazing! My only complaint is that the heavy guitar part after the piano/strings sounds so familiar to another song, but other than that it sound great.

[Vandalism]

I was just watching THIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDTYWwqchhQ and it made me like Mangini a little more actually. He is playing with a lot of passion and a good sound (!!!!) and you will discover a lot of details in his playing. Why can't the drums on DT12 sound like this?

I'm shocked how good this sounds!  His playing is not robotic AT ALL.

Makes me wonder what do RC and JP do for the whole month of mixing! Just search your drummer's name on google and you will know how he is supposed to sound.

[Fritzinger]

I don't believe that the reason Manginis drums sound so .."strange" is because JP and RC don't know how to do it or because there is no drummer with them when they do the mix, but because they like it that way. Maybe they really want to take a step away from the "old" MP DT sound and create a new, unique one with/ for MM. JP must have been with MP countless times when they were producing and mixing his drums.

[wideworldofmike]

I find it pretty interesting that the 2 tracks released were through Arhys, wonder what JL will sound like w other characters.

[Enigmachine]

I don't believe that the reason Manginis drums sound so .."strange" is because JP and RC don't know how to do it or because there is no drummer with them when they do the mix, but because they like it that way. Maybe they really want to take a step away from the "old" MP DT sound and create a new, unique one with/ for MM. JP must have been with MP countless times when they were producing and mixing his drums.

I think this is more likely than anything else.

[vazquez]

Two VERY positive reviews in German:

https://www.crossfire-metal.de/12360-0-DREAM-THEATER-THE-ASTONISHING.html

9 out of 10... praising Myung and Mangini, opposite from the French review...

https://www.metalglory.de/reviews.php?nr=27008

They say the album is PERFECT, an absolute masterpiece, 10 out of 10.

I can´t wait anymore... 

[BelichickFan]

I can´t wait anymore... 

Thankfully, just 9 more days 

[vazquez]

Thankfully, just 9 more days 

For most people... I will wait the Brazilian edition, that could take one day more to one month more to be released.

Even buying the american version I would need to wait at least a week to arrive... 

[wideworldofmike]

Two VERY positive reviews in German:

https://www.crossfire-metal.de/12360-0-DREAM-THEATER-THE-ASTONISHING.html

9 out of 10... praising Myung and Mangini, opposite from the French review...

https://www.metalglory.de/reviews.php?nr=27008

They say the album is PERFECT, an absolute masterpiece, 10 out of 10.

I can´t wait anymore... 

Really nice reviews

[BelichickFan]

Thankfully, just 9 more days 

For most people... I will wait the Brazilian edition, that could take one day more to one month more to be released.

Even buying the american version I would need to wait at least a week to arrive... 

Well you'll be able to hear us all talking about it, that'll make the wait easier for you 

[shadow1psc]

I was just watching THIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDTYWwqchhQ and it made me like Mangini a little more actually. He is playing with a lot of passion and a good sound (!!!!) and you will discover a lot of details in his playing. Why can't the drums on DT12 sound like this?

I'm shocked how good this sounds!  His playing is not robotic AT ALL.

As I mentioned before, it's not the player. And notice how he's playing on a MUCH more simple kit (compared to his normal rig). I think the easiest thing to take away from the comparison between the Zildjian performance and the album (and something that is quite apparent based on the snare alone) is that the kit is incredibly compressed in DT12's mix. More so than most metal drums. Maybe compressed to hell and back and then also gated a little too hard (which leads to the sterile, robotic sound).

[rab7]

From the first German review posted above:

"A New Beginning", the most ambitious piece with orgasm end.

[RMGadelha]

Thankfully, just 9 more days 

For most people... I will wait the Brazilian edition, that could take one day more to one month more to be released.

Even buying the american version I would need to wait at least a week to arrive... 

Not really. If you buy it on Amazon, they give you a digital download, don't they? Unless you really NEED to have the booklet with you.

[cramx3]

Finally pre-ordered mine.  Signed up for Amazon prime too, which I had been considering, and now I will have it on release day.

[hefdaddy42]

I'm sure there are reasons, but since MM sounded so good on BTFW, I don't know why they don't just duplicate whatever was done for that recording when setting up album recording.

[TL]

Man, 9 days to go, and Amazon Canada still doesn't have a listing, aside from one for the vinyl version, with incorrect information, for nearly $200, which doesn't ship until February 5th.
(Amazon Canada also has no digital music service of any kind, and Prime, while the same price as in the US, doesn't include any sort of video service).

I really miss having a bunch of music stores around.

[Vandalism]

I'm sure there are reasons, but since MM sounded so good on BTFW, I don't know why they don't just duplicate whatever was done for that recording when setting up album recording.

That's what I was saying. You just moderated it. 

[cramx3]

Man, 9 days to go, and Amazon Canada still doesn't have a listing, aside from one for the vinyl version, with incorrect information, for nearly $200, which doesn't ship until February 5th.
(Amazon Canada also has no digital music service of any kind, and Prime, while the same price as in the US, doesn't include any sort of video service).

I really miss having a bunch of music stores around.

Can you just use the US version of Amazon?  I know I have used the Euro version to buy something for myself in the US, but I'm guessing it'll be an issue to get it on time.

[TL]

I was just watching THIS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDTYWwqchhQ and it made me like Mangini a little more actually. He is playing with a lot of passion and a good sound (!!!!) and you will discover a lot of details in his playing. Why can't the drums on DT12 sound like this?

I'm shocked how good this sounds!  His playing is not robotic AT ALL.

As I mentioned before, it's not the player. And notice how he's playing on a MUCH more simple kit (compared to his normal rig). I think the easiest thing to take away from the comparison between the Zildjian performance and the album (and something that is quite apparent based on the snare alone) is that the kit is incredibly compressed in DT12's mix. More so than most metal drums. Maybe compressed to hell and back and then also gated a little too hard (which leads to the sterile, robotic sound).

Yeah, Mike is a very energetic, creative drummer. It's a shame that it doesn't come across more on his DT albums so far.

[shadow1psc]

I'm sure there are reasons, but since MM sounded so good on BTFW, I don't know why they don't just duplicate whatever was done for that recording when setting up album recording.

That right there is where you get in to the argument where people talk about whether its better to record and perfect in isolation and make a tailored record, or go back to the old ways and just record it live as its played and hope everyone gets it right.

[TL]

Man, 9 days to go, and Amazon Canada still doesn't have a listing, aside from one for the vinyl version, with incorrect information, for nearly $200, which doesn't ship until February 5th.
(Amazon Canada also has no digital music service of any kind, and Prime, while the same price as in the US, doesn't include any sort of video service).

I really miss having a bunch of music stores around.

Can you just use the US version of Amazon?  I know I have used the Euro version to buy something for myself in the US, but I'm guessing it'll be an issue to get it on time.

It's definitely not ideal. The Canadian dollar is in the toilet right now, so the exchange is a real killer. Shipping is usually pretty expensive (no free shipping across the boarder), as well as several fees that they seem to tack on just for the heck of it (basically a 'hey, go back to Canadian Amazon so we can price gouge you' fee).

I'll probably just hit up the local music stores around here and hope.

[RoeDent]

That MM video is incredible! A large part of the joy of this guy is watching him pound the hell out of that drumkit (with facial expressions to match). It may sound "robotic" and "lacking in emotion" based purely on audio recordings, but when you watch MM, that's where the emotion comes out, in his facial expressions.

[BlackInk]

That MM video is pretty good. Weird to hear Enemy Inside with a snare that actually sounds like a snare.

[cramx3]

Man, 9 days to go, and Amazon Canada still doesn't have a listing, aside from one for the vinyl version, with incorrect information, for nearly $200, which doesn't ship until February 5th.
(Amazon Canada also has no digital music service of any kind, and Prime, while the same price as in the US, doesn't include any sort of video service).

I really miss having a bunch of music stores around.

Can you just use the US version of Amazon?  I know I have used the Euro version to buy something for myself in the US, but I'm guessing it'll be an issue to get it on time.

It's definitely not ideal. The Canadian dollar is in the toilet right now, so the exchange is a real killer. Shipping is usually pretty expensive (no free shipping across the boarder), as well as several fees that they seem to tack on just for the heck of it (basically a 'hey, go back to Canadian Amazon so we can price gouge you' fee).

I'll probably just hit up the local music stores around here and hope.

Yea I hear ya, that sucks!  I would imagine the music store would carry this.  I was always able to find DT at my local Best Buy on release day, until they got rid of the CD section.

[RMGadelha]

From the first German review posted above:

"A New Beginning", the most ambitious piece with orgasm end.

"Nevertheless, despite all about horny moments, "

I love those translations 

It's amazing how the translation prefers the horny translation of geil instead of cool ;p

[Ben_Jamin]

I really enjoyed the interview. Really informative and makes me really excited once the albums released, we'll get clickable songs that describe what's in that scene.

I like how JP described listening to it like watching a movie. Which makes sense, it's also cool how much we know already about characters and certain places. I'll be sitting with my eyes closed and imagining the movie taking place.

[Fritzinger]

Man, 9 days to go, and Amazon Canada still doesn't have a listing, aside from one for the vinyl version, with incorrect information, for nearly $200, which doesn't ship until February 5th.
(Amazon Canada also has no digital music service of any kind, and Prime, while the same price as in the US, doesn't include any sort of video service).

I really miss having a bunch of music stores around.

Can you just use the US version of Amazon?  I know I have used the Euro version to buy something for myself in the US, but I'm guessing it'll be an issue to get it on time.

It's definitely not ideal. The Canadian dollar is in the toilet right now, so the exchange is a real killer. Shipping is usually pretty expensive (no free shipping across the boarder), as well as several fees that they seem to tack on just for the heck of it (basically a 'hey, go back to Canadian Amazon so we can price gouge you' fee).

I'll probably just hit up the local music stores around here and hope.

Yea I hear ya, that sucks!  I would imagine the music store would carry this.  I was always able to find DT at my local Best Buy on release day, until they got rid of the CD section.

They got rid of ALL THE CD SECTION? The last time I was in the states was last July, the Best Buy stores still had CD sections. They were pretty small though. I could not get the new Symphony X. The guy over there looked it up for me, I think they had Underworld in about one or  two Best Buys in all Wisconsin. Wich is a shame.
In Germany you still have big stores similar to Best Buy (like Media Markt, Saturn, Medi Max etc.) where there is a decent CD section. I ordered The Astonishing LP set online and will buy the CD next friday at 9:30am in my local Saturn.
My favorite stores are still stores like The Great Escape, there you can still go in and spend hours looking for CDs and LPs.

[cramx3]

Man, 9 days to go, and Amazon Canada still doesn't have a listing, aside from one for the vinyl version, with incorrect information, for nearly $200, which doesn't ship until February 5th.
(Amazon Canada also has no digital music service of any kind, and Prime, while the same price as in the US, doesn't include any sort of video service).

I really miss having a bunch of music stores around.

Can you just use the US version of Amazon?  I know I have used the Euro version to buy something for myself in the US, but I'm guessing it'll be an issue to get it on time.

It's definitely not ideal. The Canadian dollar is in the toilet right now, so the exchange is a real killer. Shipping is usually pretty expensive (no free shipping across the boarder), as well as several fees that they seem to tack on just for the heck of it (basically a 'hey, go back to Canadian Amazon so we can price gouge you' fee).

I'll probably just hit up the local music stores around here and hope.

Yea I hear ya, that sucks!  I would imagine the music store would carry this.  I was always able to find DT at my local Best Buy on release day, until they got rid of the CD section.

They got rid of ALL THE CD SECTION? The last time I was in the states was last July, the Best Buy stores still had CD sections. They were pretty small though. I could not get the new Symphony X. The guy over there looked it up for me, I think they had Underworld in about one or  two Best Buys in all Wisconsin. Wich is a shame.
In Germany you still have big stores similar to Best Buy (like Media Markt, Saturn, Medi Max etc.) where there is a decent CD section. I ordered The Astonishing LP set online and will buy the CD next friday at 9:30am in my local Saturn.
My favorite stores are still stores like The Great Escape, there you can still go in and spend hours looking for CDs and LPs.

The one by me used to have about 5 rows of CDs.  I believe it is down to one row of just the hits (not even a complete row).  I was exaggerating, but its clear they are phasing the CD section out.  I wouldn't go there to shop for music just because there is little to no chance of it being there, although I would say there is a good chance DT would be there as they technically are a top 20 album seller, at least for the week of release.  I just use amazon now though and almost exclusively digital, except for my very favorite bands, like DT.

[dparrott]

They got rid of ALL THE CD SECTION? The last time I was in the states was last July, the Best Buy stores still had CD sections. They were pretty small though. I could not get the new Symphony X. The guy over there looked it up for me, I think they had Underworld in about one or  two Best Buys in all Wisconsin. Wich is a shame.
In Germany you still have big stores similar to Best Buy (like Media Markt, Saturn, Medi Max etc.) where there is a decent CD section. I ordered The Astonishing LP set online and will buy the CD next friday at 9:30am in my local Saturn.
My favorite stores are still stores like The Great Escape, there you can still go in and spend hours looking for CDs and LPs.

Huh.  I got my Blur CD at my local BB last April, hope they haven't got rid of them!  I'll have to check before the release date.

[lightbug]

No updates today? 

[Panar]

At this point, my prediction is that we wont see any further updates until the release date. 

[thosava]

I'm guessing we get an update on monday. Maybe an official video of Moment of Betrayal, the places section, or another trailer-type video.

[bosk1]

I am predicting