What kind of album would you like DT14 to be?

[The Walrus]

Good tune. An example of them succeeding at being heavy without trying so hard at it. Just my opinion! MoB is heavy DT done right, doesn't sound forced like The Enemy Inside.

[Enigmachine]

Good tune. An example of them succeeding at being heavy without trying so hard at it. Just my opinion! MoB is heavy DT done right, doesn't sound forced like The Enemy Inside.

Interesting. What is forced about 'The Enemy Inside' which isn't forced about 'Moment of Betrayal'? On a surface level, I'd say that they're pretty similar songs.

[Architeuthis]

Good tune. An example of them succeeding at being heavy without trying so hard at it. Just my opinion! MoB is heavy DT done right, doesn't sound forced like The Enemy Inside.

Interesting. What is forced about 'The Enemy Inside' which isn't forced about 'Moment of Betrayal'? On a surface level, I'd say that they're pretty similar songs.

Moment of Betrayal has a sense of urgency and is a better song imo,  the chorus is more catchy and the song has more substance than The Enemy Inside.  Both are good songs, MOB has the upper edge for me.  Behind The Veil beats them both as far as a heavier DT song.. 

[The Walrus]

Good tune. An example of them succeeding at being heavy without trying so hard at it. Just my opinion! MoB is heavy DT done right, doesn't sound forced like The Enemy Inside.

Interesting. What is forced about 'The Enemy Inside' which isn't forced about 'Moment of Betrayal'? On a surface level, I'd say that they're pretty similar songs.

Honestly it's hard to pinpoint and just comes down to me not digging the vibe of the song at all. The melody isn't heavy or aggressive enough to match the furious riff (which is really cool by the way) and it just doesn't have the same oomph. MoB sounds like classic heavy DT right down to the synths, but Enemy Inside to me just sounds like it's trying to be heavier than it actually is. To me there's a sense of urgency - thanks Arch, that is exactly the term I was looking for - and organized chaos in MoB that is noticeably heavier and more 'metal.'

[gzarruk]

Behind The Veil beats them both as far as a heavier DT song.. 

I don't disagree with this

[Enigmachine]

Good tune. An example of them succeeding at being heavy without trying so hard at it. Just my opinion! MoB is heavy DT done right, doesn't sound forced like The Enemy Inside.

Interesting. What is forced about 'The Enemy Inside' which isn't forced about 'Moment of Betrayal'? On a surface level, I'd say that they're pretty similar songs.

Honestly it's hard to pinpoint and just comes down to me not digging the vibe of the song at all. The melody isn't heavy or aggressive enough to match the furious riff (which is really cool by the way) and it just doesn't have the same oomph. MoB sounds like classic heavy DT right down to the synths, but Enemy Inside to me just sounds like it's trying to be heavier than it actually is. To me there's a sense of urgency - thanks Arch, that is exactly the term I was looking for - and organized chaos in MoB that is noticeably heavier and more 'metal.'

I think I get what you mean. The heaviness in TEI is not as unified. The vocals are quite tame in comparison to the heavy backing and it kind of gets stuck in the verse rhythm for a while. Not the most dynamic song, I'll admit. There is more momentum to MoB, more things happening and has a good dynamic progression. Even though TEI has heavy riffs, it doesn't have a lot of aggression either.

It's also quite slow for a metal track, only around 130 bpm or so in the verses. MoB is actually quite a bit faster on a consistent basis (around 150-180 bpm). Might explain the urgency.

[bosk1]

Yeah, I remember when the album first came out, and not being overly thrilled with TEI.  I didn't dislike it.  But I wasn't crazy about it either.  JP asked me what I thought, obviously excited about the new material and "lead single," and I struggled a bit with how to be honest while also being polite and not dampen his enthusiasm.  I think I said something about liking it, but not really having had a good opportunity to properly digest it and appreciate what was going on, whereas some of the other songs on the album grabbed me more quickly.  But seeing it live definitely helped and gave me a better appreciation for the song that has continued. 

Moment of Betrayal was an immediate like from the time I first heard it on the advance promo sampler.  But as much as I liked it initially, I have to say that it has an even greater impact when hearing it in context of the album flowing right from 2285 Entr'acte.

[Renzo]

I personally think TEI is a great opening concert track. I like that song A LOT. But it is IMHO inferior, in terms of musical quality, to BTV or TBP

[Renzo]

But yes, another album in the vein of DT12 would certainly satisfy me in every level.

[Super Dude]

If I understood James's Facebook story right, there's going to be a new album in June?

[Fritzinger]

If I understood James's Facebook story right, there's going to be a new album in June?

Wait WHAT

June 2019, or not? Last info I heard was that they haven't even recorded anything yet. Plus, they would have posted something by now.

EDIT Ah, just looked it up: He said, that recording the new album will begin in June.

[mikeyd23]

^ Right, they are supposed to be getting together over the summer to start writing the new record.

[gzarruk]

Yes, I think Jordan said they'll enter the studio around May or June to start working on DT14. I seriously cannot wait

[Architeuthis]

I still think recording Analog would make for a really good sounding DT album..

[cramx3]

I know this kind of sums up the above, but:

https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/dream-theater-to-begin-work-on-new-album-in-june-february-2019-release-expected/

February release is the aim 

Also says JLB is working on a new solo album 

[Herrick]

Yeah, I remember when the album first came out, and not being overly thrilled with TEI.  I didn't dislike it.  But I wasn't crazy about it either.  JP asked me what I thought, obviously excited about the new material and "lead single," and I struggled a bit with how to be honest while also being polite and not dampen his enthusiasm.

Sorry for going off topic. I always wondered are you friends with Petrucci? That's kind of cool that he asked you about your thoughts on the last album.

[bosk1]

Yeah, I remember when the album first came out, and not being overly thrilled with TEI.  I didn't dislike it.  But I wasn't crazy about it either.  JP asked me what I thought, obviously excited about the new material and "lead single," and I struggled a bit with how to be honest while also being polite and not dampen his enthusiasm.

Sorry for going off topic. I always wondered are you friends with Petrucci? That's kind of cool that he asked you about your thoughts on the last album.

I know him because of my work here.  We chat via email every now and then, and I always get to sit and hang with him and the band after (and sometimes for a bit before) shows when they are in town.  He has told me he considers me a "friend," but I think he is just being kind.  I can't say we know each other well enough to really be considered friends.  But then again, for his part, it's amazing to me the little, seemingly insignificant details about me that he remembers, and the lengths he goes to to reach out every now and then about things he thinks I might be interested in.  I really appreciate that.

[Herrick]

Yeah, I remember when the album first came out, and not being overly thrilled with TEI.  I didn't dislike it.  But I wasn't crazy about it either.  JP asked me what I thought, obviously excited about the new material and "lead single," and I struggled a bit with how to be honest while also being polite and not dampen his enthusiasm.

Sorry for going off topic. I always wondered are you friends with Petrucci? That's kind of cool that he asked you about your thoughts on the last album.

I know him because of my work here.  We chat via email every now and then, and I always get to sit and hang with him and the band after (and sometimes for a bit before) shows when they are in town.  He has told me he considers me a "friend," but I think he is just being kind.  I can't say we know each other well enough to really be considered friends.  But then again, for his part, it's amazing to me the little, seemingly insignificant details about me that he remembers, and the lengths he goes to to reach out every now and then about things he thinks I might be interested in.  I really appreciate that.

That's cool. Sounds like a friendship to me

[Fritzinger]

I don't know why JLB continuously starts working on a new solo album when ever DT are. AIRC he did the same around DT12. I would like it better if he was more involved into DTs work. But that maybe just because I don't really like his solo stuff that much.

[Madman Shepherd]

I don't know why JLB continuously starts working on a new solo album when ever DT are. AIRC he did the same around DT12. I would like it better if he was more involved into DTs work. But that maybe just because I don't really like his solo stuff that much.

I agree that I wish he were more involved at least with the lyric writing.  I think that is more because Petrucci prefers to do most of it. 

I think with JLB's new solo album, he had planned that for a while and DT was going to take more of a break and not start recording until late 2018 but that changed. 

[cramx3]

I don't know why JLB continuously starts working on a new solo album when ever DT are. AIRC he did the same around DT12. I would like it better if he was more involved into DTs work. But that maybe just because I don't really like his solo stuff that much.

I agree that I wish he were more involved at least with the lyric writing.  I think that is more because Petrucci prefers to do most of it. 

I think with JLB's new solo album, he had planned that for a while and DT was going to take more of a break and not start recording until late 2018 but that changed.

Yea, without knowing more info, I think that's the case as well.  JLB had said he wanted to tour wiht his band and DT were going to take time off.  But now DT moved things forward and it may have made the scheduling a bit tougher for JLB. 

Also, it's just speculation that JLB can't be involved in both.  We don't really know much about either band's plans besides they will both be working on albums.

[pg1067]

I don't know why JLB continuously starts working on a new solo album when ever DT are. AIRC he did the same around DT12. I would like it better if he was more involved into DTs work. But that maybe just because I don't really like his solo stuff that much.

I agree that I wish he were more involved at least with the lyric writing.  I think that is more because Petrucci prefers to do most of it. 

I think with JLB's new solo album, he had planned that for a while and DT was going to take more of a break and not start recording until late 2018 but that changed.

I don't know anything about JLB's solo stuff.  However, it's been six and a half years since he made a lyrical contribution to a DT album and over a decade since he wrote the lyrics to a "full length" DT song, so I would imagine he's got a bunch of stuff lying around that could be used for DT14 or a solo album

[gzarruk]

I don't know why JLB continuously starts working on a new solo album when ever DT are. AIRC he did the same around DT12. I would like it better if he was more involved into DTs work. But that maybe just because I don't really like his solo stuff that much.

I agree that I wish he were more involved at least with the lyric writing.  I think that is more because Petrucci prefers to do most of it. 

I think with JLB's new solo album, he had planned that for a while and DT was going to take more of a break and not start recording until late 2018 but that changed.

I don't know anything about JLB's solo stuff.  However, it's been six and a half years since he made a lyrical contribution to a DT album and over a decade since he wrote the lyrics to a "full length" DT song, so I would imagine he's got a bunch of stuff lying around that could be used for DT14 or a solo album

Matt Guillory writes lyrics for many songs on JLB solo abums, though.

[Super Dude]

If I understood James's Facebook story right, there's going to be a new album in June?

Wait WHAT

June 2019, or not? Last info I heard was that they haven't even recorded anything yet. Plus, they would have posted something by now.

EDIT Ah, just looked it up: He said, that recording the new album will begin in June.

D'oh! I thought I might've misheard something.

[fadetoblackdude7]

For DT14, I would like a perfect mix of BC&SL and ADTOE - the heaviness/balls/melody of BC&SL and the technicality/composition of ADTOE.

[adamack]

The amount of "soft" material on TA makes me want DT to come back with a vengeance. So I want something heavy, but also very progressive.

If I had to pick an album I'd want it to sound like most, it'd be Six Degrees without question. If they can give one more effort like that before they retire, I will feel so satisfied.

[Herrick]

The amount of "soft" material on TA makes me want DT to come back with a vengeance. So I want something heavy, but also very progressive.

If I had to pick an album I'd want it to sound like most, it'd be Six Degrees without question. If they can give one more effort like that before they retire, I will feel so satisfied.

I'd buy that for a dollar.

[MirrorMask]

THEY ARE SPYING US!!!!!!

DT just posted on FB this very question, basically copying and pasting the title thread and the four poll options!

[noxon]

It's intentional

[MirrorMask]

Yeah, I figured that either they're browsing the forum, or bosk or someone like you passes along crucial informations and suggestions  but the spying angle was funnier 

[gzarruk]

I was about to post the same thing here

Anyway, DT are entering the studio next month, and I'm already very excited

[mikeyd23]

Gosh, I hope that's just for the sake of social media engagement... I really don't think it's a great idea for artists to ask the fans what they want and try to make it. I'd rather they write whatever they are inspired to write.

[MirrorMask]

Gosh, I hope that's just for the sake of social media engagement... I really don't think it's a great idea for artists to ask the fans what they want and try to make it. I'd rather they write whatever they are inspired to write.

Maybe they have already a clear idea of what they want to do, and they justy want to know beforehand how many fans they will piss off  this time

[nikatapi]

To be honest i have mixed feelings about DT posting in FB this question.
I know TA has created a lot of controversy, but first the I&W tour, then this, i feel like they're doing things for the fans' (and their pockets) sake.
Of course TA is the exact opposite of this, but seems like after the criticism they are looking to re-orient themselves into what the fanbase would expect.

From my point off view, i like DT at their most experimental (SDOIT for example) so i would really love them to get together and make a record without any pre-conceived idea. Something organic and spontaneous, and collaborative.

Also, hopefully they'll mix up the engineering-mixing-producing aspect a bit. I would really like to hear a less processed, more organic sound with powerful drums and clarity. More crazy Mangini is never a bad idea.

[The Walrus]

I'm sure it's just fan engagement. These guys aren't spring chickens... they'll make what they want to make, but I see nothing wrong with asking the fans what they would like to hear.