*Official* The Astonishing discussion thread

[rab7]

In other news, my 5 year old has figured out his favorite songs, and we listen to it everytime we get in the car:

"The Bad guy song" (Three Days)

"The song where the guy grabs the boy"

"The creepy song where the girl gets stabbed"

[SebastianPratesi]

Just discovered that the big NOMAC in https://www.dreamtheater.net/theastonishing produces music as your mouse pointer is on it. There are various different bits of music, not just one.

Whatsmore, now a third eye has red light going on and off. No eye produces anything when clicked, though. That said, the music stops whenever your pointer is on the eyes.

PS: I hope these NOMAC outtakes come as bonus tracks on the album's re-mastered edition in 2028

[Enigmachine]

It's definitely not a rap though because it doesn't have rhymes or anything

I knew the day would COME
And you would be TEMPTED
To give up the chosen ONE
and finally END THIS
Do anything for your SON
A terminal Weakness
But now you're as good as DONE

I didn't have a CHOICE
And I was defENSELESS
I didn't believe his VOICE
The fighting was SENSELESS
But now I can see the truth
I've got to my SENSES
I shouldn't have trusted you

Those look pretty rhyme-ey to me. Some of the first parts are more assonances or partial rhymes, but most raps have those anyway.

Yeah I honestly can't see how that couldn't a rap. It has a repeated rhythm, is relatively monotone melodically and emphasises the rhymes (and slant rhymes, which are common in rapping). Saying that it couldn't be a rap is like saying the similar quickly-sung section in TDS couldn't be one (or the one in HTF).

[krands85]

The riff starting at about 2:52 of My Last Farewell is a gem I long overlooked.  I cannot place what it reminds me of, but I like it.

I agree! It sounds like something taken straight out of Home

No, that isn't what I was thinking.  I was thinking something outside of DT.  Not a specific song, but a general sound.  Maybe like something from Lacuna Coil or Alter Bridge?  I'm just not placing it.

I was listening to the album while I was out earlier and when that riff started I thought to myself "I bet that's the riff someone mentioned on DTF earlier today", even though I couldn't remember which song had been mentioned in the post  So yeah, it reminds me of something too actually but I don't know what.

[BlobVanDam]

It has the rhythmic properties of rapping, but I don't consider any pitched vocals to be rapping. Rapping is rhythmic talking as far as I'm concerned.

[Enigmachine]

It has the rhythmic properties of rapping, but I don't consider any pitched vocals to be rapping. Rapping is rhythmic talking as far as I'm concerned.

A lot of rapping is pitched. it's just relatively monotone so it has the sound of talking.

[BlobVanDam]

We'll have to agree to disagree, because the lack of pitch to me is the single defining characteristic of rap vs actual singing. Fast singing with limited vocal range is not rap imo. Far too vaguely defined.

[Dream Team]

So in the poll last month, I voted for Act 1 as my clear favorite but I am now no longer sure. They are both just so strong.

[Luoto]

Yeah I honestly can't see how that couldn't a rap. It has a repeated rhythm, is relatively monotone melodically and emphasises the rhymes (and slant rhymes, which are common in rapping). Saying that it couldn't be a rap is like saying the similar quickly-sung section in TDS couldn't be one (or the one in HTF).

The melody is the same as the guitar riff behind it.

[Enigmachine]

Yeah I honestly can't see how that couldn't a rap. It has a repeated rhythm, is relatively monotone melodically and emphasises the rhymes (and slant rhymes, which are common in rapping). Saying that it couldn't be a rap is like saying the similar quickly-sung section in TDS couldn't be one (or the one in HTF).

The melody is the same as the guitar riff behind it.

Same with This Dying Soul, though.

[hefdaddy42]

It has the rhythmic properties of rapping, but I don't consider any pitched vocals to be rapping. Rapping is rhythmic talking as far as I'm concerned.

So, do you listen to a lot of rap?

[Mladen]

In other news, my 5 year old has figured out his favorite songs, and we listen to it everytime we get in the car:

"The Bad guy song" (Three Days)

"The song where the guy grabs the boy"

"The creepy song where the girl gets stabbed"

This is fantastic. The bad guy song. 

[pantsofeternity]

Let's make this simple.

If I say, "Oh man, I love the rap section in Path That Divides," do you know exactly what section I'm talking about?  Yes, you do, whether you want to be pedantic about it or not.

(Not knocking pedantry here. )

[Prog Snob]

I'm not sure what you're talking about. People here at DTF are never pedantic.

[bosk1]

I actually legitimately did not know what section he was talking about.

[Prog Snob]

I actually legitimately did not know what section he was talking about.

We believe you. I was just being a wiseass for a change.   

[Adami]

It's not rap. It's really cool, and I dig it like crazy, but it's not rap.

[hefdaddy42]

It's not rap. It's really cool, and I dig it like crazy, but it's not rap.

It doesn't quite feel like rap, but I knew what he was talking about.  And if I'm being objective about it, it is hard to distinguish why it can't be considered rap.

[ariich]

I actually legitimately did not know what section he was talking about.

Ok, but in fairness, most people probably did.

[dparrott]

Just discovered that the big NOMAC in https://www.dreamtheater.net/theastonishing produces music as your mouse pointer is on it. There are various different bits of music, not just one.

Whatsmore, now a third eye has red light going on and off. No eye produces anything when clicked, though. That said, the music stops whenever your pointer is on the eyes.

PS: I hope these NOMAC outtakes come as bonus tracks on the album's re-mastered edition in 2028

I ripped them and made them a download a while ago.

[SebastianPratesi]

Just discovered that the big NOMAC in https://www.dreamtheater.net/theastonishing produces music as your mouse pointer is on it. There are various different bits of music, not just one.

Whatsmore, now a third eye has red light going on and off. No eye produces anything when clicked, though. That said, the music stops whenever your pointer is on the eyes.

PS: I hope these NOMAC outtakes come as bonus tracks on the album's re-mastered edition in 2028

I ripped them and made them a download a while ago.

Oh cool! Do you know how many different bits of music there are? From a quick listening, I figured there must be at least 10.

[BlobVanDam]

It has the rhythmic properties of rapping, but I don't consider any pitched vocals to be rapping. Rapping is rhythmic talking as far as I'm concerned.

So, do you listen to a lot of rap?

I think you know the answer to that.

[RoeDent]

It's not a rap. It doesn't have any downward inflections. It's monotonous (not a criticism, it must be said).

[erwinrafael]

LOLd when I read Mangini's post:

"Thank you Oslo and Stockholm for all the smiles I saw from the stage. I noticed so many extra nice smiles that I missed the edge of a high up tube drum the by the Planck Length on one drum fill. Don't tell anyone or a critic will dedicate a YouTube page to such a horrendous playing error ; )"

Someone should have captured that.

[Cyclopssss]

I thought that section was just very fast and staccato singing. He pulls it off live pretty impressively, imo.

[Prog Snob]

I can't believe we went through this whole discussion about James rapping without someone posting this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BKmnlvO47E

[Lucien]

So what songs from TA do you think would be awesome as standalone songs interspersed within a regular live show?

The Gift of Music, A Savior in the Square, Brother, Can You Hear Me?, A Life Left Behind, Ravenskill, A Tempting Offer, A New Beginning, Moment of Betrayal, The Path That Divides/The Walking Shadow, and Our New World, I think, would all be great candidates.

[Iceyice]

I can't believe we went through this whole discussion about James rapping without someone posting this.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BKmnlvO47E

Never heard this! Hilarious.
Portnoy should tell his wife that!

[pantsofeternity]

I actually legitimately did not know what section he was talking about.

Yes, sorry, wasn't calling you out specifically -- just making the point that calling that section of Path That Divides a "rap" would be generally understandable to most people as an appropriate label without having to get into definitions of what rap is or isn't according to DT fans.

And those who say it isn't a rap... we are at an impasse.  It's a rap!  It's a rap.

(It's a rap.)

[1neeto]

I knew immediately what he was talking about when he said rap section 

It's definitely not a rap though because it doesn't have rhymes or anything, it's just said really fast.... Kinda like when people refer to that part in This Dying Soul as a rap

There's only one rap song in that album. And it's pretty bad. 

[dparrott]

Just discovered that the big NOMAC in https://www.dreamtheater.net/theastonishing produces music as your mouse pointer is on it. There are various different bits of music, not just one.

Whatsmore, now a third eye has red light going on and off. No eye produces anything when clicked, though. That said, the music stops whenever your pointer is on the eyes.

PS: I hope these NOMAC outtakes come as bonus tracks on the album's re-mastered edition in 2028

I ripped them and made them a download a while ago.

Oh cool! Do you know how many different bits of music there are? From a quick listening, I figured there must be at least 10.

10 exactly.

[SystematicThought]

There's only one rap song in that album. And it's pretty bad. 

Honor Thy Father?

[BlobVanDam]

I guess the bit like at 3:42 of TDS might count too. HTF is the first to come to mind though.. But it's not bad.

[RaasMah]

Ehm, I know people try to ignore the existence of this song, but Prophets of Wars has rap doesnt it?

[chaossystem]

What's with all this obsession about DT doing rap?

Anyway...I would have to to say they closest they ever came was with Take the Time, Lie, and Just Let Me Breathe.