Listening Parties for The Astonishing ***SPOILERS***

[Bertie_Wooster]

They are probably listening to "chosen" right now.

[Thematt202]

The lucky motherf..... 

[lightbug]

They are probably listening to "chosen" right now.

They are probably listening to "A new beginning" right now.

[Bertie_Wooster]

tHEY ARE LISTENING TO "LOSING FAYTHE" NOW i BET.

[Kotowboy]

JUST THINK THEY COULD ALL BE LOOKING AT THEIR WATCHES RIGHT NOW !!!!!!!!!

[lightbug]

tHEY ARE LISTENING TO "LOSING FAYTHE" NOW i BET.

Astonishing right now!! .. I bet 

[Tomislav95]

JUST THINK THEY COULD ALL BE LOOKING AT THEIR WATCHES RIGHT NOW !!!!!!!!!

"How long is this fucking album? Can I leave early?"

[Prog Snob]

I wonder how many people are bootlegging it.

[Bertie_Wooster]

They are discussing whether or not they liked the dynamics of the bagpipes.   

[DreamerTV]

I wonder how many people are bootlegging it.

Being there Noxon himself, i bet no one.

[pcs90]

I wonder how many people are bootlegging it.

Being there Noxon himself, i bet no one.

Unless they are doing extremely strict security checks, I can be almost certain that at least one person is.

[RMGadelha]

He did say they are screening people for equipments.

[ariich]

I would expect there to be pretty tight security at these things. I'm not aware of any bootlegging done for previous releases.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Why would anyone want to bootleg it? To have cheap cellphone-recorded versions of the album tracks coming in two weeks?

I surely hope not.

[TheHoveringSojourn]

I'm kind of bummed that there are no listening parties in the US. I guess I'll just have to wait two more torturous weeks. 

[Panar]

Is anybody from DTF who is there right now?

[Panar]

Can we expect some reviews in a few hours?

[ericoml]

They will listening once, so we can expect a first impression feedback at best.

[pcs90]

Why would anyone want to bootleg it? To have cheap cellphone-recorded versions of the album tracks coming in two weeks?

I surely hope not.

With decent equipment you can get a recording much better than cell phone quality. Yes, the recorder can be in a pocket, bag, etc. No, it won't sound as good as the CD obviously, but for people who don't want to wait it's better than nothing I guess.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Why would anyone want to bootleg it? To have cheap cellphone-recorded versions of the album tracks coming in two weeks?

I surely hope not.

With decent equipment you can get a recording much better than cell phone quality. Yes, the recorder can be in a pocket, bag, etc. No, it won't sound as good as the CD obviously, but for people who don't want to wait it's better than nothing I guess.

Yeah, but why bother going through the trouble of getting the equipment there in the first place? It kind of kills the intimacy of the event and the 'exclusive' feel it has to it. Maybe some people will find that to be cool because they won't have to wait anymore, but that subtracts a lot of the listening experience I think.

[pcs90]

Yeah, but why bother going through the trouble of getting the equipment there in the first place? It kind of kills the intimacy of the event and the 'exclusive' feel it has to it. Maybe some people will find that to be cool because they won't have to wait anymore, but that subtracts a lot of the listening experience I think.

Maybe for some. I mean, if I was at one of these events I wouldn't try to bootleg it personally, but I've heard plenty of successful ways that people can sneak recording gear past security, so I'm a little surprised no one has tried it in the past.

[chwik]

Just got back from the listening party in Trondheim. Thanks John R. for setting this up. Got to individually skype a few seconds with JR as well. That was cool.

The album: WOW! That was something else (disclaimer: don't take my words at face value). It is EPIC! It is ROCK! And it is OPERA! I got this Queensque feeling at a lot of parts, reminiscent of Fatal Tragedy. This is Dream Theater, at the same time it is not. Beautiful, skillfull, artfull, and magnificent; a pleasure for ears old as well as young.

Strings, chior, harp (i think), brass and all that type of good stuff; tango, 70'ties proginfluence, metal and classical with effortless flow. Chills and smiles are complimentary. This is what masterchefs cook to their wifes at special occations.

The Astonishing is a movie soundtrack, filled with catchy guitarlicks, sorrowful strings, and hopeful piano. The band really did it - they exceded my expectations, although plenty listens more are needed to fully comprehend the musical vastness of this album.

Dream Theater - as of now, I applaud you! Cheers

If I am allowed I will answer questions - it is up to the moderators 

[bosk1]

If I am allowed I will answer questions - it is up to the moderators 

Yes, it is fine.  But specific song-related information needs to stay in this thread. 

First question:  What did you think of the album start with Descent of the NOMACs and Dystopian Overture?

Second question:  Any standout songs that you really liked right off the bat?

[Wubbagubba]

Just got back from the listening party in Trondheim. Thanks John R. for setting this up. Got to individually skype a few seconds with JR as well. That was cool.

The album: WOW! That was something else (disclaimer: don't take my words at face value). It is EPIC! It is ROCK! And it is OPERA! I got this Queensque feeling at a lot of parts, reminiscent of Fatal Tragedy. This is Dream Theater, at the same time it is not. Beautiful, skillfull, artfull, and magnificent; a pleasure for ears old as well as young.

Strings, chior, harp (i think), brass and all that type of good stuff; tango, 70'ties proginfluence, metal and classical with effortless flow. Chills and smiles are complimentary. This is what masterchefs cook to their wifes at special occations.

The Astonishing is a movie soundtrack, filled with catchy guitarlicks, sorrowful strings, and hopeful piano. The band really did it - they exceded my expectations, although plenty listens more are needed to fully comprehend the musical vastness of this album.

Dream Theater - as of now, I applaud you! Cheers

If I am allowed I will answer questions - it is up to the moderators

Where would you rank it among DT albums currently? I understand you certainly have to listen to it more to "feel" for it, and you don't have to give a specific ranking, but would you place it in even the upper half?

How were the lyrics? Which DT album would you compare it most to? How was LaBrie changing character? So many questions!

[RMGadelha]

My questions (For now LOL)

1 - Is the bagpipe solo that was mentioned cool or noticeable?

2 - Can you talk about the Tango more? How did it sound? And how does Nafaryus' character sound?

[chwik]

If I am allowed I will answer questions - it is up to the moderators 

Yes, it is fine.  But specific song-related information needs to stay in this thread. 

First question:  What did you think of the album start with Descent of the NOMACs and Dystopian Overture?

Second question:  Any standout songs that you really liked right off the bat?

It is hard to be specific about the album; it is just so much to digest. Dystopian Overture was, what can I say, one of the coolest instrumentals I have heard in a while. So many themes in one song, at the same time, it flowed really well (the flow applies to the whole album - effortless, like a ballerina). 

[gmillerdrake]

How would you compare the drum mix to the last album?

[Jinx]

Are the different characters portrayed by JLB easily distinguishable?

Are there any drum parts like towards the end of Enigma Machine which could be extended live (Also like EM live)?

[thosava]

This must be hard to answer, but where do you think you would rank TGOM among the other songs? Were there many songs that your first impression was better than TGOM?

[chwik]

Even though this was one listen, I would definitly rank it in the top part of DT's discography.

As for LaBrie, JP is not kidding when he is praising his effort. JLB was magnificent - you could tell the different characters, at the same time it is not cheesy - it is operatic (don't know if that is a word). Alot of singing, but  I flows really well with the music.

[chwik]

My questions (For now LOL)

1 - Is the bagpipe solo that was mentioned cool or noticeable?

2 - Can you talk about the Tango more? How did it sound? And how does Nafaryus' character sound?

The bagpipe is noticable, it is more of a melody than an extravagant solo.

The tangopart is at the end of Lord Nafarious - it is a rock/metal tango! Cool as hell.

[Train of Naught]

The tangopart is at the end of Lord Nafarious - it is a rock/metal tango! Cool as hell.

I don't need anymore answers, I'm officialy hyped!

[Enigmachine]

How dense were the songs - as in did you feel that the songs were generally filled to the brim with ideas like TGoM or more development of a few ideas? Also, how was Mike Mangini on the album (especially on the softer stuff)?

[chwik]

How would you compare the drum mix to the last album?

To my ears, much better. I know some people here don't like the snare, but it didn't bother me at all. I thought the album sounded great. Could hear all instruments clearly, and there is alot of them.

[pcs90]

The tangopart is at the end of Lord Nafarious - it is a rock/metal tango! Cool as hell.

I don't need anymore answers, I'm officialy hyped!

Absolutely cannot wait to hear that.