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

[thosava]

Which is the heaviest track?

[ResultsMayVary]

Out of the 5 members in the band, who (in your opinion) shined the most?

[chwik]

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?

It is hard to answer because it fits so good in the story and the concept especially after dystopian overture. As a standalone track; probably at in the lower part of the album, if not the lowest.

[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?

It is hard to answer because it fits so good in the story and the concept especially after dystopian overture. As a standalone track; probably at in the lower part of the album, if not the lowest.

If i have the same impression as you then this album will be the best they've ever done, but i'm not getting my hopes up that much yet  (To me TGOM is maybe the best short track since Strange Deja-Vu)

[chwik]

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)?

Both, dense and development of a few ideas. What struck me was the cleverness and maturity in the songwriting. It flows so well, and flies by to be an album of  a 130 minutes. I know there were some reoccuring themes but they were not that noticable - might have been small variations of the same theme.

[RMGadelha]

Any JP solo with a haunting melody like octavarium or at least an extremely beautiful JP solo?

[Tomislav95]

You said '70s prog influences?
Are those influences there everywhere or just in few moments? Because I don't recall anyone who heard album said it.

[rab7]

Any JP solo with a haunting melody like octavarium or at least an extremely beautiful JP solo?

Doesn't he have one or two of these every album?

[chwik]

Which is the heaviest track?

Don't know...a lot of heavy parts here and there in a clever way. I will say that at some of JP's solos I got a Kee Marcello feeling. A lot of earcandy.

[bosk1]

...a lot of heavy parts here and there in a clever way.

I know it is probably all a blur right now, but did you catch the heavy riff in Moment of Betrayal?  LOVE that one.

[RMGadelha]

I think either bosk or Blob mentioned Act of Faythe was beautiful and epic as a ballad. Any opinion on that?

[chwik]

Out of the 5 members in the band, who (in your opinion) shined the most?

None, or said diffrently: everybody! Although there is no denying that JP & JR who wrote the ting deserves the most credit. They really did it this time! Piano and guitar all the way :-)

[Wubbagubba]

How is the story itself? Cliche? Did you like it? Did you even get a chance to make sense of it? 

[pcs90]

Any noteworthy solos from Jordan?

[chwik]

...a lot of heavy parts here and there in a clever way.

I know it is probably all a blur right now, but did you catch the heavy riff in Moment of Betrayal?  LOVE that one.

I think I know which one you are talking about, the whole listening party was rocking to that one. I must say that JP sound so fresh and inspired on this album; there is this really groovy bass part by JM near he end of act 1 where JP plays a beautiful solo - kind of had a falling into infinity sound both to the guitar and the bass.

[Pax]

how many dramatic riffs/moments are there, so dramatic but still melodic,  so they leave strong impacts even after first listens? Examples are: surrender to reason at 3:02, bridges in the sky, part after "shaman take my haaaand ", ITPOE pt 2 (the reckoning part)

[chwik]

Any noteworthy solos from Jordan?

Espesially one. But remember Jordan is all over this album - might be his best in DT.

[Bertie_Wooster]

JP with  Kee Marcello vibe sounds great.   I loved his playing on those Europe albums.

[chwik]

You said '70s prog influences?
Are those influences there everywhere or just in few moments? Because I don't recall anyone who heard album said it.

I would say in moments. There  is alot of different influences. I think one song start like a marching band, and develops into a marching band rock version. I had some WTF moments during the album; but in a good way :-)

[noxon]

Finally home after Oslo. Hope the people there had fun! I know I had.

chwik: how did you do on the quiz?

[chwik]

how many dramatic riffs/moments are there, so dramatic but still melodic,  so they leave strong impacts even after first listens? Examples are: surrender to reason at 3:02, bridges in the sky, part after "shaman take my haaaand ", ITPOE pt 2 (the reckoning part)

Many. It is dramtic and it is epic as hell. It actually was more epic than I had imagined. It is also a different dramatic/epicness than you describe, but in a surprisingly good way - it is a rock opera, it really is.

[mike099]

How do you feel the music will be live assuming no choir and orchestra parts are reproduced?
Hoping the wife loves it since she will be going with me to Cincinnati for the concert.

[chwik]

Finally home after Oslo. Hope the people there had fun! I know I had.

chwik: how did you do on the quiz?

Hey noxon! Thanks for setting ut the listening party. It was superb! Got the Ravenskill badge and a quick skype with JR. The quiz went pretty good...didn't win but atleast I was the only one able to answer that Mangibi worked at MIT as a mathematical engineer.

Btw, even though it was only one listen, I thought the album was fantastic. Well above my expectations. Looking forward to seeing this live in Oslo in feb.

[Enigmachine]

chwik you rule.

[chwik]

How is the story itself? Cliche? Did you like it? Did you even get a chance to make sense of it? 

Yeah, I did make sence of the story. It cliche but in a good way. Plus the music speaks for it self - this is music people will have time for. I am confident that the concept will work beautifully live. There were some orchestral parts that were haungtingly beautiful; just like a sad and sorrowful movie soundtrack. Moving.

[chwik]

I think either bosk or Blob mentioned Act of Faythe was beautiful and epic as a ballad. Any opinion on that?

Yes it was epic. But so were a lot of the other songs too. I focused more on the album as a whole, than the individual songs. Since the story is told through the music I focused on that. I'll tell you what, when the album was done I wanted to hear it again immediately.

[noxon]

Those who participated in the listening party was handed one of these. Equal amounts of both, and then had to compete with a pretty tough quiz.

Ravenskill won both in Oslo and in Trondheim...

[Kotowboy]

I got the ravenskill patch with my amazon order.

[VincentMDO]

Amazing stuff!

I have some questions, chwik:

1) Did you feel that the final song (album title song) is a good finisher, in the moods of Finally Free? It ends the story or it leaves a mystery (I was kinda afraid on that interview that JP said it could be a part II)
2) Which is better: Act I or II, and tell us why.

[Kotowboy]

Does JP use wahlibrido pickingant ?

[Bertie_Wooster]

looks like he has gone to bed

[chwik]

Amazing stuff!

I have some questions, chwik:

1) Did you feel that the final song (album title song) is a good finisher, in the moods of Finally Free? It ends the story or it leaves a mystery (I was kinda afraid on that interview that JP said it could be a part II)
2) Which is better: Act I or II, and tell us why.

Yes, I felt the last track was a good finisher (can't remember that much of thebsong right now) and the story really finishes. There is no need for the Astonishing part 2.

I cannot tell you which act was best. It all flows as a whole. But, I remember that act 2 flew by - it felt like 20 mins and I think it is 50 mins. I enjoyed both Acts - and both acts completes the story so I do not think you will see a divided reaction like Six Degrees. If you enjy act 1 you will probably equally enjoy act 2. H

[chwik]

Going to bed now. Will answer more tomorrow. Cheers

[ericoml]

Which songs are in the snippet trailer?

[noxon]

I have a full breakdown of the tracks in the trailer, not sure I should post it though...