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

[mccloud]

I wonder if the big building in the middle is the Emperor's palace.

"Hmmm...The Great Northern Empire's logo on that building  "
...or in front of the building.

[The Presence of Frenemies]

My jaw just dropped to the floor... 

ikr . . . this artwork Is UNBELIEVABLE!!!

My question is, are those round things other versions of NOMACs, or something different? Because...I knew the NOMACs were huge, but buildings ON them?!

[JediKnight1969]

That image is from the same artist, but I don't think is part of the official artwork.

[Peter Mc]

My jaw just dropped to the floor... 

ikr . . . this artwork Is UNBELIEVABLE!!!

My question is, are those round things other versions of NOMACs, or something different? Because...I knew the NOMACs were huge, but buildings ON them?!

It's not confirmed that this is actually album art, it's just something from the same artist.

As for the actual cover, I love the artwork but not the DT logo.  I think it's a bit too big for one thing but also don't like the colour.  Everything else on the cover is pristine and the DT logo is a dirty grainy yellow, it just doesn't fit to me and the size of it makes it stand out even more.  If that was smaller and plain yellow like I&W or SFAM, I would be happier

[Cedar redaC]

Whether or not it's album art, it's gorgeous.

[SuperTaco]

I just noticed something about this picture




Wot

[CDrice]

I just check on his Artstation page and that picture was posted one year ago, so I doubt it's for the album. Also the design of the spheres is not quite the same than the Nomacs we've seen so far. So I'd say it's most likely a personnal piece by the artist.

But it's a great piece nonetheless!

[Pragmaticcircus]

Just done a little Web search and found this:

https://inspirationhut.net/inspiration/astonishing-digital-art-by-jie-ma/

Is this related to DT13? Or just coincidence?

Either way he's an astonishing artist 

[CDrice]

Just done a little Web search and found this:

https://inspirationhut.net/inspiration/astonishing-digital-art-by-jie-ma/

Is this related to DT13? Or just coincidence?

Either way he's an astonishing artist 

The work presented on the site are (again according to his Artsation page) 10 months to 2 years old. So some could be for the new album (especially the more recent ones), but I don't think he would have posted them that long before the marketing of the album started.

But yeah, that article title 

[TempusVox]

It's amazing...but it reminds me of Oblivion every time I look at it. Which isn't a bother since I loved that movie. But, yeah...I can't shake it. 

[wolven74]

Just done a little Web search and found this:

https://inspirationhut.net/inspiration/astonishing-digital-art-by-jie-ma/

Is this related to DT13? Or just coincidence?

Either way he's an astonishing artist 

I'm gonna guess....no. It doesn't have the same visual feel as the cover art, and I don't see anything that would relate to what we know so far. As "astonishing" is an adjective, I'm guessing that's all that's being said about the art. It is after all, beautiful, astonishing work.

[chego_voice]

Best Dream Theater artwork since SFAM!!!!!

 





This album is a MUST!

[gm5k]

Best Dream Theater artwork since SFAM!!!!!

 

Agreed.  Absolutely love it    The art has got me boarded on the hype train. 

[bosk1]

Here is a tangent, but I thought this was cool and somewhat related to the new album discussion.  So, by way of background for those who are new to the forum, at the release of DT12, I organized a video chat with the band where they answered questions that were compiled by members of the forum, and the video was saved on YouTube.  A link to the thread is here:  https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=39047.0

The YouTube link is here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx8cLlXnHpA&feature=youtu.be 

SO many cool things discussed.  Some of the highlights are:  Lots of cool discussion about DT12; John Myung speaks; John Petrucci on smoking and rubbing his chicken; etc.  But the reason I am posting it again in this thread is because there is interesting discussion at 13:06 about how the band feels about maybe some day writing a double album.  Pretty cool. 

[ToT-147]

Am I the only one who feels underwhelmed by the new cover? 

No, you're not..

I mean, I like the art cover.. But: another sky on a DT album cover?.. Seriously guys?.. I think that with ACoS, FII, 8V and ADtOE we had enough of those.. Not to mention I&W, Awake and BC&SL, in which it also appears.. Looks very redundant to me..

[bosk1]

Yeah, I agree.  The sky sucks.  It should NEVER be included in anything.  No more sky.  Ever.  From anyone.

[Prog Snob]

Am I the only one who feels underwhelmed by the new cover? 

No, you're not..

I mean, I like the art cover.. But: another sky on a DT album cover?.. Seriously guys?.. I think that with ACoS, FII, 8V and ADtOE we had enough of those.. Not to mention I&W, Awake and BC&SL, in which it also appears.. Looks very redundant to me..

That's probably because they're still lost in it....

[CDrice]

Am I the only one who feels underwhelmed by the new cover? 

No, you're not..

I mean, I like the art cover.. But: another sky on a DT album cover?.. Seriously guys?.. I think that with ACoS, FII, 8V and ADtOE we had enough of those.. Not to mention I&W, Awake and BC&SL, in which it also appears.. Looks very redundant to me..

That's probably because they're still lost in it....

That's because the sky has so many bridges to cross.

[ToT-147]

The YouTube link is here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx8cLlXnHpA&feature=youtu.be 

at 13:06 about how the band feels about maybe some day writing a double album.  Pretty cool. 

We've given them the idea...


"John Myung speaks"
So basic..

[ToT-147]

Yeah, I agree.  The sky sucks.  It should NEVER be included in anything.  No more sky.  Ever.  From anyone.

I didn't mean to say that every time the sky was a bad thing.. I just don't like it in this particular cover..

[bosk1]

No, no.  Seriously, the sky is a terrible thing and it must be stopped.

[ReaPsTA]

Nice cover.

[BlobVanDam]

Nice cover, probably my favourite since SC (which I think is excellent despite the technical issues).
I just noticed the NOMACS have the Majesty symbol on the side as well as the bracing being in the same shape.

[ResultsMayVary]

What is the fascination will finding something to bash in anything DT releases?




TOO MUCH SKY ON ARTWORK

[ResultsMayVary]

Nice cover, probably my favourite since SC (which I think is excellent despite the technical issues).
I just noticed the NOMACS have the Majesty symbol on the side as well as the bracing being in the same shape.

You can see part of the majesty symbol on each side of the NOMAC on the webpage for The Astonishing's info. But I don't think anyone looked hard enough to be able to discern those marks as the Majesty symbol before seeing it on the side of the NOMACs on the cover artwork.

[chego_voice]

Am I the only one who feels underwhelmed by the new cover? 

No, you're not..

I mean, I like the art cover.. But: another sky on a DT album cover?.. Seriously guys?.. I think that with ACoS, FII, 8V and ADtOE we had enough of those.. Not to mention I&W, Awake and BC&SL, in which it also appears.. Looks very redundant to me..

That's probably because they're still lost in it....

[Shadow2222]

@Bosk - Speaking of those video chats, which were really great, any hope of another one in the future? They had a lighthearted feel that reminded me of the DVD commentaries that they sadly no longer do.

[jayvee3]

Am I the only one who feels underwhelmed by the new cover? 

No, you're not..

I mean, I like the art cover.. But: another sky on a DT album cover?.. Seriously guys?.. I think that with ACoS, FII, 8V and ADtOE we had enough of those.. Not to mention I&W, Awake and BC&SL, in which it also appears.. Looks very redundant to me..

Just a thought, but maybe its because those covers featured landscapes in them which were kind of.... outside. In my experience, the sky generally tends to feature in things that are outside.

[CrimsonSunrise]

Color me excited....  nice artwork! 

[RMGadelha]

Here is a tangent, but I thought this was cool and somewhat related to the new album discussion.  So, by way of background for those who are new to the forum, at the release of DT12, I organized a video chat with the band where they answered questions that were compiled by members of the forum, and the video was saved on YouTube.  A link to the thread is here:  https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=39047.0

The YouTube link is here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx8cLlXnHpA&feature=youtu.be

"You can pull your chicken any time!"

Oh you, JP...

I will go as far as saying this is my absolute favorite DT album cover already. Buildings and more buildings, lots of details, NOMAC, NOMAC hotel (lol) and GNE's logo! HAIL THE EMPERAAAAAH! *palpatine laughter*

[ToT-147]

Am I the only one who feels underwhelmed by the new cover? 

No, you're not..

I mean, I like the art cover.. But: another sky on a DT album cover?.. Seriously guys?.. I think that with ACoS, FII, 8V and ADtOE we had enough of those.. Not to mention I&W, Awake and BC&SL, in which it also appears.. Looks very redundant to me..

Just a thought, but maybe its because those covers featured landscapes in them which were kind of.... outside. In my experience, the sky generally tends to feature in things that are outside.

I can give you dozens and dozens of examples of album covers showing outside's places and where are not skies.. I think you mean that those DT covers feature panoramic landscapes, which is a different thing..

The number of possible elements that can be included in a cover is enormous.. That's why it seems a waste to insist on the same element in so many different albums..

Mine is just a thought too though.. We're nothing but thoughts.. Actually we're more than that, but the phrase looks cool..

[wolfking]

Cool cover.

Reminds me a lot of Maiden's Brave New World.

[ResultsMayVary]

@Bosk - Speaking of those video chats, which were really great, any hope of another one in the future? They had a lighthearted feel that reminded me of the DVD commentaries that they sadly no longer do.

Absolutely this. I would love if the band did something like that a day or two after the album was released to answer questions from the fans and to discuss the themes and motivations behind the album.

[CharlesPL]

Reminds me a lot of Maiden's Brave New World.

This.Great artwork best since 8V IMO.

another sky on a DT album cover?.. Seriously guys?.

I agreed.a little too much,

[LCArenas]

First, a bit of nitpicking: That Dream Theater textured color looks terrible.

That being said, Loving the artwork. Really different from what we've been getting. I like it a lot.