Now there's going to be a novel for "The Astonishing"???

[rumborak]

Not sure this has been linked anywhere else yet, but here's a statement on Orullian's site:

https://orullian.com/testpress/uncategorized/im-writing-for-dream-theater/

[BlobVanDam]

It's promising that the author appears genuinely invested in this project, rather than the band hiring anyone to turn the story into a book.

[mikeyd23]

Not sure this has been linked anywhere else yet, but here's a statement on Orullian's site:

https://orullian.com/testpress/uncategorized/im-writing-for-dream-theater/

Honestly, after reading that, I might pre-order this... It sounds like it could be really, really cool.

[rumborak]

It's promising that the author appears genuinely invested in this project, rather than the band hiring anyone to turn the story into a book.

Yeah, I thought so too. That may have been what sold JP on the guy, vs an established, but ultimately indifferent, ghostwriter.

[ariich]

I'm curious, by your definition, what stops something like Back to the Future being called hard scifi? There's nothing magical in there.

Er, the time-travel in a flying car? Which, like The Astonishing, is a rather fundamental pillar of the whole story.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

That was a great read. I'll definitely be pre-ordering the limited edition.

[Samsara]

Peter is an extremely nice guy. He's also the lead singer for cult Seattle metal band Fifth Angel. James Labrie is one of his biggest influences. Really talented person as well. His books are engaging, if you are a sci-fi/fantasy person. This will be good.

[rumborak]

In the scifi/fantasy question, I think it will definitely be more fantasy in the end. Orullian will have to explain

a) why Gabriel has "Jesus status" with his people
b) why music can have resurrection powers


That said, I would actually *love* if he shifted the story more towards a "technology vs spirit" battle. Back when they announced TA I was hoping that that what the story would be like. Particularly I was hoping for a musical showdown between machine and man.

[cramx3]

While the novel doesn't really interest me, it's hard to knock the band on this... since they aren't writing it.  Plus it sounds like some bonus music/demos is involved which is pretty awesome.

I guess if reviews came out and people said the story is pretty good then I'd pick up the novel, but that 75$ price point is pretty crazy if you ask me, unless there is truly a lot of bonus music involved.

[mikeyd23]

That said, I would actually *love* if he shifted the story more towards a "technology vs spirit" battle. Back when they announced TA I was hoping that that what the story would be like. Particularly I was hoping for a musical showdown between machine and man.

Ditto, it kind of became a little more of a Romeo and Juliet thing, but it would be cool to see more emphasis placed on the other aspects of the story that weren't able to be address in as much detail on the album.

[Tony From Long Island]

If you are not interested then ignore it. There may be some people that are interested in it.

True, but DT has generally done smart business things over the years.  They are a rare band that has, for the most part, kept a strong loyal fan base over a long period of time. This is a very difficult thing for a band to do as the years pass.

I can see a graphic novel, but a book?     The Astonishing - in the opinion of many (including me)  - is the words album put out by DT and they must be aware of that.   

They should get back in the studio as quickly as possible and put out a strong general album with input from more than just JP.   Put the Astonishing behind them.

[mikeyd23]

The Astonishing - in the opinion of many (including me)  - is the words album put out by DT and they must be aware of that.   

Good call, it definitely has a lot of words. Lyrics aplenty for 34 tracks.

[rumborak]

That said, I would actually *love* if he shifted the story more towards a "technology vs spirit" battle. Back when they announced TA I was hoping that that what the story would be like. Particularly I was hoping for a musical showdown between machine and man.

Ditto, it kind of became a little more of a Romeo and Juliet thing, but it would be cool to see more emphasis placed on the other aspects of the story that weren't able to be address in as much detail on the album.

It's too bad that Arhys was killed as part of the story, since that kinda negates the ability to have an "unmentioned-yet" battle of the militia. Otherwise they could have moved into an LOTR type of plot, where Gabriel's revival of Faythe could have caused a key shift in the battle of Arhys against the NOMACS. (like Frodo shifting the battle at the gates of Mordor)

[mikeyd23]

It's too bad that Arhys was killed as part of the story, since that kinda negates the ability to have an "unmentioned-yet" battle of the militia. Otherwise they could have moved into an LOTR type of plot, where Gabriel's revival of Faythe could have caused a key shift in the battle of Arhys against the NOMACS. (like Frodo shifting the battle at the gates of Mordor)

Yeah, it will be interesting to see how the story is expanded though, I'll be curious to see what they choose to dive into more. I think the actual conflict between the Empire and the rebels (which obviously represents in some ways the music vs. technology that you mentioned) would be great to explore.

[hefdaddy42]

Not sure this has been linked anywhere else yet, but here's a statement on Orullian's site:

https://orullian.com/testpress/uncategorized/im-writing-for-dream-theater/

Very cool.

[rumborak]

Just looking at the link itself, I hope I didn't share something that wasn't ready for dissemination yet

(in my defense, Google Now suggested the link to me this morning; it must have scrubbed the site)

[Viking of the Sagas]

If it's very cheap, MAYBE. But the story of the Astonishing really wasn't all that interesting.

Also should've hired Brandon Sanderson to write it, he'd have gotten this done in under a week 

[rumborak]

Nonsense. Dan Brown! (Only so we can see TempusVox explode )

[zappafrank2112]

For people wondering, it looks like it's $75 and a limited run.

[zappafrank2112]

We get it.  You aren't the target audience.

FFS

So it's OK to have a place where people drone on and on about how much they love it, but those of us who don't care for it have to keep quiet and aren't allowed to voice our displeasure?  Got it.

[Kotowboy]

We get it.  You aren't the target audience.

FFS

So it's OK to have a place where people drone on and on about how much they love it, but those of us who don't care for it have to keep quiet and aren't allowed to voice our displeasure?  Got it.

[Zook]

Maybe people like reading positive thoughts on a subject rather than negative. Just a thought.

[bosk1]

We get it.  You aren't the target audience.

FFS

So it's OK to have a place where people drone on and on about how much they love it, but those of us who don't care for it have to keep quiet and aren't allowed to voice our displeasure?  Got it.

If you think those two extremes are the only available options, they you really haven't spent much time figuring out what this place is about.  As the forum rules state, you (and anyone else who posts here) are welcome to voice your dislikes and critiques, provided that doing so is done constructively and with tact.  First and foremost, this is a discussion forum and a fan site.  So posts that either cannot provide for meaningful discussion or that bash the band do not further the purpose of this place.  Saying things like "Just let the damn thing die already," or telling the band that they "need" to move on, aren't in any way constructive.  There are much better ways to state your opinion without alienating the fan base here.

[Bertielee]

We get it.  You aren't the target audience.

FFS

So it's OK to have a place where people drone on and on about how much they love it, but those of us who don't care for it have to keep quiet and aren't allowed to voice our displeasure?  Got it.

You totally miss the point by playing the victim. Because, as of late, the negative posts far overshadow the positive ones, so much so that's it's become boring.

B.Lee

[the keyboard wizard]

Hey guys, we're going to interview Peter Orullian, some day, so if you want to ask him something directly, please write your questions in this thread

[Jester]

Hey guys, we're going to interview Peter Orullian, some day, so if you want to ask him something directly, please write your questions in this thread

Does Petrucci have veto power over new ideas and tangents that add or even alter the original story?  How does that affect your writing?

[ToT-147]

What I love is how the only one in the thread having a negative reaction to the news was the OP.. When I read that first comment I was about to facepalm, but then my hand slowed down until entirely stopping its way to my forehead as I kept reading the rest of the comments..

Back on topic, I think it's great what they're doing; I'm really curious about these two particular items though:

            *A few early music demos (often taken from original iPhone recordings) of original songs set in the universe of The Astonishing but never used on the album

            *The genesis of one song: From early iPhone recording to final tune, listen to several song clips of the steps in the song writing process of one of the songs from The Astonishing

[Tony From Long Island]

The Astonishing - in the opinion of many (including me)  - is the words album put out by DT and they must be aware of that.   

Good call, it definitely has a lot of words. Lyrics aplenty for 34 tracks.

OK, OK . . .  I type fast when I am at work.  . . .    WORST . . . ok?    :-)

[Bertielee]

The Astonishing - in the opinion of many (including me)  - is the words album put out by DT and they must be aware of that.   

Good call, it definitely has a lot of words. Lyrics aplenty for 34 tracks.

OK, OK . . .  I type fast when I am at work.  . . .    WORST . . . ok?    :-)

It doesn't make you any less wrong!   

B.Lee

[Madman Shepherd]

Releasing a book is not overkill but if they do another US tour and have any more than 1 or 2 Astonishing songs in the set, THAT will be overkill. 

[cramx3]

Releasing a book is not overkill but if they do another US tour and have any more than 1 or 2 Astonishing songs in the set, THAT will be overkill.

Totally disagree.  I would expect, and kind of hope, they keep a nice little suite (~15 minutes) of TA tunes on the next tour.  I don't think it was overkill when DT performed two ADTOE tracks on the DT12 tour (two songs they played every single night on both tours).  It's normal for bands to continue to play the newest tracks. 

And personally, I kind of would like to see some songs from TA outside of the entire TA.  Like sprinkled into a more traditional DT set.

[TAC]

And personally, I kind of would like to see some songs from TA outside of the entire TA.  Like sprinkled into a more traditional DT set.

Absolutely.

[bosk1]

There will be.  Not a ton (I can't remember the exact count), but more than 2 for sure.

[Samsara]

As a person who enjoys reading, I am looking forward to the book. I won't get the pre-order (75 bucks?!), but I do plan on picking it up once released. I haven't spent a lot of time with The Astonishing record (it hasn't grabbed me), but I think the book will help me connect with the record more. And I am a fan of the author, so that helps. Excellent news.

[rumborak]

I have never written a book, what's the timescale at which the process operates? From the announcement I got the feeling that the project only began somewhat recently. Are we looking at a year from now?