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

[RMGadelha]

Arhys is the intro to "A Better Life".

Really, really beautiful string section.

[vazquez]

thedrumanimal, thanks for sharing this with us. Your review - and Noxon´s, and from some other people here - means far more to me than any professional review.

Many new stylistic elements, never heard before in DT, some even never heard of before in music?!?!

If this is true... I will be in heaven with this album. I´ll be completely, totally amazed and happy.

LABRIE! Best. Vocal. Performance. On. A. DT. Album!

I´m very happy reading that. Because he deserves it. He is an amazing musician, he is completely, totally underated in my opinion.

[mike099]

Drumanimal, thanks for the fan review.  I laughed my ass off on the comment -  'digital dischord - shut up nomac'.

[the keyboard wizard]

Of course the NOMACs tracks are really useless if you take them separately but if you analyse them, you will see that they show the evolution of music in this fictional world: the more you move towards the end of the album, the more that evolve to actual music. At the beginning they sound like R2D2 and in the end you can decipher some melodies and rhythm in them.
Anyway, nobody mentioned the fact that the album is mainly in major scales and not minor so the overall mood is not "dark, aggressive or depressed" metal.

[Enigmachine]

Arhys is the intro to "A Better Life".

Really, really beautiful string section.

I am still not able to hear the videos. 

[Fritzinger]

No, Three Days has saloon music and swing jazz  in it. Lord Nafaryus has a fairly dominant tango section - and its not really at the end.

Sorry that this has been posted a few days ago; but can you say if the swing part.. you know, SWINGS? For example, the Haken swing parts (Visions, Point Of No Return) and the Beardfish (Awaken the Sleeping) swing part do NOT swing. Do you know what I mean?

[ariich]

Haken don't have any swing parts.

[Fritzinger]

Haken don't have any swing parts.

Yes they do.
The Point Of No Return - 7:20
Visions - 7:26

[ariich]

Haken don't have any swing parts.

Yes they do.
The Point Of No Return - 7:20
Visions - 7:26

They're jazz, for sure, but I wouldn't call either of them swing. As you say yourself, they don't swing, which is surely the definition!

[Fritzinger]

Haken don't have any swing parts.

Yes they do.
The Point Of No Return - 7:20
Visions - 7:26

They're jazz, for sure, but I wouldn't call either of them swing. As you say yourself, they don't swing, which is surely the definition!

I think you are misunderstanding me. A rhythm pattern can be a "swing" by definition, which does not mean that it "swings". It's the same with a groove. You can have a groove that "grooves", or does not "groove". I mean the feeling. Not the definition.
And the Haken parts (at least the one in Point Of No Return) are swing patterns by definition, still they don't "swing" for me. Another example, the Holy Diver cover by Pain Of Salvation does "swing" for me.

[dparrott]

Thanks for the run down.  Your poster, I want.

[RJ86]

I just adore this new intro DT created for Trial of Tears live in 2014:

https://youtu.be/ey3tIypNSfE?t=78

I wonder if they used it on TA...

WOW!

Double WOW! 
Not to hijack the thread, but since it was posted on this thread.. Is this intro from something or recorded anywhere like those Xmas CDs, demos or anywhere like that? I never heard this intro and it made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

Thanks for all the opinions and earl reviews of the album. I pre-ordered this and have high hopes for it. first time since SDOIT I have been excited about a new release   

[SystematicThought]

No, Three Days has saloon music and swing jazz  in it. Lord Nafaryus has a fairly dominant tango section - and its not really at the end.

When we say saloon music, are we talking like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SIizvT5Bk8

[ResultsMayVary]

It's very interesting to read all the differing opinions so far. Very interesting.

[Fritzinger]

No, Three Days has saloon music and swing jazz  in it. Lord Nafaryus has a fairly dominant tango section - and its not really at the end.

When we say saloon music, are we talking like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SIizvT5Bk8

Thanks for  the clarification Because Jazz is one of the few things DTs music almost never includes, and I was a little scared they might try something that's gonna end up seeming a little like a joke when really it isn't.

[BlobVanDam]

No, Three Days has saloon music and swing jazz  in it. Lord Nafaryus has a fairly dominant tango section - and its not really at the end.

When we say saloon music, are we talking like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SIizvT5Bk8

Yeah, along those lines. JR is playing a minor key ragtime-y thing (like TDOE but much slower and less full on), while the band plays along in a pretty laid back fashion.

Thanks for  the clarification Because Jazz is one of the few things DTs music almost never includes, and I was a little scared they might try something that's gonna end up seeming a little like a joke when really it isn't.

Well it's a fun little section added to the end, and I don't think they're taking themselves too seriously with it. The song is winding down, then BAM wacky awesome big band section.

[TH1RT3EN]

I just adore this new intro DT created for Trial of Tears live in 2014:

https://youtu.be/ey3tIypNSfE?t=78

I wonder if they used it on TA...

WOW!

Double WOW! 
Not to hijack the thread, but since it was posted on this thread.. Is this intro from something or recorded anywhere like those Xmas CDs, demos or anywhere like that? I never heard this intro and it made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

Thanks for all the opinions and earl reviews of the album. I pre-ordered this and have high hopes for it. first time since SDOIT I have been excited about a new release   

Not as far as I know. Fortunately, I went to that video's concert, hahaha! Waited in line since 4:50AM and managed to get a spot right in front of JP. Needless to say, I was completely hypnotized during the whole jam

[ariich]

Haken don't have any swing parts.

Yes they do.
The Point Of No Return - 7:20
Visions - 7:26

They're jazz, for sure, but I wouldn't call either of them swing. As you say yourself, they don't swing, which is surely the definition!

I think you are misunderstanding me. A rhythm pattern can be a "swing" by definition, which does not mean that it "swings". It's the same with a groove. You can have a groove that "grooves", or does not "groove". I mean the feeling. Not the definition.
And the Haken parts (at least the one in Point Of No Return) are swing patterns by definition, still they don't "swing" for me. Another example, the Holy Diver cover by Pain Of Salvation does "swing" for me.

The swing rhythm, yeah, but that doesn't make it swing music. You get that rhythm in metal music too (Devin Townsend for example uses it sometimes). I suppose until we hear it, we don't know exactly what people mean when they say "swingjazz" section. Either way, I'm looking forward to it!

[BlobVanDam]

I'm no expert on jazz or any of its sub-genres, but when people say swingjazz, I believe they mean swingjazz.
Descriptively, it's a fast swung rhythm, with raunchy brass doing individual lines that sound expressive and improv.

[adamack]

Quick question to those who have heard it: (Apologies if this question was asked, but I read this thread through page 7 or so and did not see it.)

Is this album like Scenes, in that the songs flow into one another seamlessly? Or is each song more or less its own entity, not really picking up where the previous one left off?

I am assuming they do flow together since it is a concept album, but curious to know.

My love for their longer songs makes me really hope they flow together, so it will at least seem like some groupings of the songs could be listened to as one long track.

Thanks for any input!

[thosava]

Those who have heard it say that only one of the songs flow into the next. The others are self-contained.

[MirrorMask]

Yup, it has been confirmed by several people that all songs are standalone ones with one exception... the songs tell a story and each song is a scene of a "movie", so when the scene changes, so does the music.

It will be the exact opposite of Ayreon's Theory of Everything basically.

[adamack]

Those who have heard it say that only one of the songs flow into the next. The others are self-contained.

Wow, really? That is incredibly surprising.

Well then in that case, I hope the 6-ish minute songs on TA feel more like a Fatal Tragedy 6+ minutes than a Behind The Veil 6+ minutes.

(To me, Fatal Tragedy always feels like it's more like an 8 minute song, and Behind The Veil feels closer to 5. Likely because BT has a long intro before the vocals, and because FT is almost like 2 parts with the instrumental section.)

[adamack]

I'm no expert on jazz or any of its sub-genres, but when people say swingjazz, I believe they mean swingjazz.
Descriptively, it's a fast swung rhythm, with raunchy brass doing individual lines that sound expressive and improv.

Hey Blob, how did you like the album? I looked for a post of yours in this thread that shed some light on your verdict, but I did not remember seeing anything. I think I recall some of your posts eluding to you hearing the album though, yeah?

If so, how would you compare your reaction of the first listen to that of the last album?

[YtseJamittaja]

I could continue the last post asking if you are once again doing some cool video material for upcoming tour? Or is it a secret

[Ben_Jamin]

Haken don't have any swing parts.

Yes they do.
The Point Of No Return - 7:20
Visions - 7:26

They're jazz, for sure, but I wouldn't call either of them swing. As you say yourself, they don't swing, which is surely the definition!

I think you are misunderstanding me. A rhythm pattern can be a "swing" by definition, which does not mean that it "swings". It's the same with a groove. You can have a groove that "grooves", or does not "groove". I mean the feeling. Not the definition.
And the Haken parts (at least the one in Point Of No Return) are swing patterns by definition, still they don't "swing" for me. Another example, the Holy Diver cover by Pain Of Salvation does "swing" for me.

The swing rhythm, yeah, but that doesn't make it swing music. You get that rhythm in metal music too (Devin Townsend for example uses it sometimes). I suppose until we hear it, we don't know exactly what people mean when they say "swingjazz" section. Either way, I'm looking forward to it!

How about Diablo Swing Orchestra, I wonder if that section kinda sounds like them?

[ariich]

Another excellent example. I'd love that.

[me7]

How about Diablo Swing Orchestra, I wonder if that section kinda sounds like them?

Never heard about them. Checked them out because of this post...
Mind.Blown.

[DragonGuitar]

SO hyped for this album

[Rodni Demental]

Well, this seems like the right place. (Potential wall of text, and see ***spoilers*** written in topic title if you don't feel you should be here ) Just wanted to post some impressions for those that want to go in with preconceptions from my experience (yeah probably just don't read it then ) Except I'm not exactly gonna be spoiling any plot because I still don't really know what's going on other than the real basic gist of it.

- Dystopian Overture was really impressive to me, set the mood perfectly and left some intrigue of what was to come.

- Gift of Music felt surprisingly refreshing dispite it's familiarity, felt like I was listening to it for the first time in the context of the album.

- Moment of Betrayal made a lot more sense to me after some events towards the second half of Act 1, infact I'd almost recommend to stop listening to this song if plot has any relevance to you. I didn't understand it as a single, just knew someone was betraying someone but I realised what this song meant during Act 1 and then when I heard it again it all became clear. 

- Nomac tracks left more to be desired, almost felt underuntilised. Some cool/interesting sounds though. Was funny to hear DT almost go glitch/dubstep on us.

- Some great heavy moments and riffs in a few songs, often underlying what you might call some of the 'verses'.

- Album is absolutely dominated by Rudess and has more piano than he's ever used on a DT album.

- A bunch of recurring themes, most memorable (at this point) being some piano theme (probably for one of the characters) and the Nafaryus theme.

- A song that has a crazy organ then synth solo for JR, then JP guitar solo followed by unison section (a pleasantly familiar arrangement ). And is followed by more relaxed guitar solo with real chill myfirst 4/4 drum beat (with a few MM spins to it), possibly the least I've ever heard Mangini play in a DT song without actually not playing.  Think it's in A New Beginning which was also quite a memorable song.

- It felt like there weren't many songs that work on their own, or at least i was left with this impression, wasn't thinking about it too much during the playthrough but put it this way; if you were to find parts of the album to play for other people, all the good parts are mixed in with interludes and narrative plot points that they don't work on their own but it serves the overall album.

- Although I didn't plan on it, I had to take a break between Acts as was suffering from listening fatigue. Enjoyment was not decreasing but I felt I lost focus compared to how I felt at the start of the Act and a few songs had blended together in my memory so thought I'd come into Act 2 refreshed. I ended up coming back to it a day later (today). Didn't feel like it ruined the pacing though, Disc 2 still felt fresh after continuing.

- James cums at the end of My Last Farewell. Call me immature but this gave me a very unexpected laugh out loud. It was great.

- Great restrained use of wank (god I hate that description  ) that evokes elements of the story which i'm sure some people would appreciate it's use in this way. I don't mind if they go fully blown though but I think there was some tasteful seaboard in My Last Farewell

- Ending wasn't "epic" in the way I might have expected from DT, but it'sa nice.

- Not exactly an album I would listen to everyday but that's only because of the scope and magnitude of the thing. Some of what makes it great, might get old fast if you overlisten as it seems to have strong catchy moments rather than the 'slowly grow on you over time' effect you get from some albums, that's not to say it's simple because it isn't. Some DT albums you almost have to work to appreciate (not a bad thing) and with familiarity the details grow on you, but this one; most of it stands out from the get go and blatantly smacks you in the face and demands your attention. Not necessarily a bad thing either, it's just I can't say how that'll affect replayability in the long run. Only time will tell.

- Finally, here are the tracks that were most memorable on the first listen. There are a bunch of tracks I'll have to re-listen to even remember what they were but it doesn't necessarily imply anything about their quality. So this list is pretty meaningless (as is this whole impression!) but these tracks stood out to me for one reason or another, mostly because they did something I found interesting or was glad to hear from DT on this album:

Dystopian Overture
A Better Life
Lord Nafaryus
A Savior in the Square
Three Days
Ravenskill
A Tempting Offer
The X Aspect
A New Beginning
Heavens Cove
The Path That Divides
The Walking Shadow
My Last Farewell
Our New World

- My ears are still ringing. I think I had my headphones like 1 volume louder than I should have. 

Anyway, greetings from NZ. Please play The Astonishing over here DT, seems like this thing was born for a stageshow!

[genome]

Unsure about it. Some great moments (A Better Life is fantastic) some not. It will require many listens and I ended up getting frustrated at the length of the tracks because they ended just as I was getting into them, and I felt some of them were erratic and lacked focus. It's probably par for the course with this kind of effort though, so I'm hoping it will click in a few listens. Otherwise, I'm concerned the album isn't for me. 

[bosk1]

James cums at the end of My Last Farewell.

[MarkFitDT]

Unsure about it. Some great moments (A Better Life is fantastic) some not. It will require many listens and I ended up getting frustrated at the length of the tracks because they ended just as I was getting into them, and I felt some of them were erratic and lacked focus. It's probably par for the course with this kind of effort though, so I'm hoping it will click in a few listens. Otherwise, I'm concerned the album isn't for me. 

Isnt that par for the course for DT in general that most of their albums take a number of listens to sink in? Was really disappointed with MOB the first couple of times and now I love it. SFAM was also a real let down for me the first few listens and it ended up being one of my favs.

[SystematicThought]

James cums at the end of My Last Farewell.

Yeah, that one was a head scratcher for me as well

[genome]

Unsure about it. Some great moments (A Better Life is fantastic) some not. It will require many listens and I ended up getting frustrated at the length of the tracks because they ended just as I was getting into them, and I felt some of them were erratic and lacked focus. It's probably par for the course with this kind of effort though, so I'm hoping it will click in a few listens. Otherwise, I'm concerned the album isn't for me. 

Isnt that par for the course for DT in general that most of their albums take a number of listens to sink in? Was really disappointed with MOB the first couple of times and now I love it. SFAM was also a real let down for me the first few listens and it ended up being one of my favs.

I meant the nature of the tracks being par for the course for the kind of album it is (just listen to any musical), I fully expected it to take a few listens whatever the style. This one may take longer though. It was absolutely not a bad album, I am just not sure it will be my kind of thing. Just my first impression.