DT15: A View From The Top Of The World (Timeline for DT15)

[Max Kuehnau]

new funny photo by Jordan directly from HQ: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGD6aV7AM31/

So it has begun or it's about to!!

Maaaan, I try not to, but the hype is real already   

it has begun since the beginning of this month yes.

[pg1067]

new funny photo by Jordan directly from HQ: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGD6aV7AM31/

Please tell me they're not going to do another puzzle/game like they did with DOT....

Or is that supposed to be where the bodily remains of Peter Tork are kept?

[Max Kuehnau]

new funny photo by Jordan directly from HQ: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGD6aV7AM31/

Please tell me they're not going to do another puzzle/game like they did with DOT....

Or is that supposed to be where the bodily remains of Peter Tork are kept?

not that I would know of. (Didn't think so anyway)

[devieira73]

JP new interview (english audio at the end):
https://headbangersla.com/entrevista-john-petrucci-tengo-la-oportunidad-de-tocar-con-dos-de-los-bateristas-mas-increibles-del-mundo/?fbclid=IwAR2hG1JZyXlvFtXU1vY4DJm0L9AlLWFb4ItD4NkQ_lXvJnlKyNEJNxQmmlU

They are definitely in the studio!
Nothing new in the interview, but, again, the curious fact that JP forgets about the 4th studio album with MM ...

No one ever asks, but I'm still curious as to how he told (or if he did) to MM that Portnoy was going to be the drummer for his new CD.

[Ben_Jamin]

JP new interview (english audio at the end):
https://headbangersla.com/entrevista-john-petrucci-tengo-la-oportunidad-de-tocar-con-dos-de-los-bateristas-mas-increibles-del-mundo/?fbclid=IwAR2hG1JZyXlvFtXU1vY4DJm0L9AlLWFb4ItD4NkQ_lXvJnlKyNEJNxQmmlU

They are definitely in the studio!
Nothing new in the interview, but, again, the curious fact that JP forgets about the 4th studio album with MM ...

No one ever asks, but I'm still curious as to how he told (or if he did) to MM that Portnoy was going to be the drummer for his new CD.

Why should he have to tell Mangini? It's JP's solo album, he could pick any drummer he wanted, and he chose his close friend since this is the opportunity to play with him again, on an album.

That's why no one asked.

[devieira73]

Well, in paper, I agree, it would be simple like that. But, in fact, it's much more delicate than that. Needless to  say, MP represents much more than just a close friend who plays drums (so much that JP had a certain hesitation in inviting him). I'm not saying that JP should have asked permission to MM. I just think it would be nice to tell MM first. Anyway, it's just a curiosity of mine.

[evilasiojr]

JP new interview (english audio at the end):
https://headbangersla.com/entrevista-john-petrucci-tengo-la-oportunidad-de-tocar-con-dos-de-los-bateristas-mas-increibles-del-mundo/?fbclid=IwAR2hG1JZyXlvFtXU1vY4DJm0L9AlLWFb4ItD4NkQ_lXvJnlKyNEJNxQmmlU

They are definitely in the studio!
Nothing new in the interview, but, again, the curious fact that JP forgets about the 4th studio album with MM ...

No one ever asks, but I'm still curious as to how he told (or if he did) to MM that Portnoy was going to be the drummer for his new CD.

About the Portnoy thing, I saw on a recent interview that John actually told Mangini about choosing Portnoy for this solo album. I just can't recall where it was, maybe in the Sea of Tranquility channel.

He didn't mention the details of that, but it seems like he told him before hand indeed.

[devieira73]

Cool to know! I imagined that, being JP so classy as he always is.

[hunnus2000]

JP new interview (english audio at the end):
https://headbangersla.com/entrevista-john-petrucci-tengo-la-oportunidad-de-tocar-con-dos-de-los-bateristas-mas-increibles-del-mundo/?fbclid=IwAR2hG1JZyXlvFtXU1vY4DJm0L9AlLWFb4ItD4NkQ_lXvJnlKyNEJNxQmmlU

They are definitely in the studio!
Nothing new in the interview, but, again, the curious fact that JP forgets about the 4th studio album with MM ...

No one ever asks, but I'm still curious as to how he told (or if he did) to MM that Portnoy was going to be the drummer for his new CD.

Why should he have to tell Mangini? It's JP's solo album, he could pick any drummer he wanted, and he chose his close friend since this is the opportunity to play with him again, on an album.

That's why no one asked.

Why? How about, I dunno, professional courtesy to a fellow bandmate? Not that it would ever happen but maybe he thought that some people would overreact that MP was playing on his solo album and speculate MP was going to be back in DT and he didn't want MM to be blindsided by that.  But of course JP has said that his rule for a solo album means that no members of DT can play on it so he wouldn't asked MM anyway.

[pg1067]

JP new interview (english audio at the end):
https://headbangersla.com/entrevista-john-petrucci-tengo-la-oportunidad-de-tocar-con-dos-de-los-bateristas-mas-increibles-del-mundo/?fbclid=IwAR2hG1JZyXlvFtXU1vY4DJm0L9AlLWFb4ItD4NkQ_lXvJnlKyNEJNxQmmlU

They are definitely in the studio!
Nothing new in the interview, but, again, the curious fact that JP forgets about the 4th studio album with MM ...

No one ever asks, but I'm still curious as to how he told (or if he did) to MM that Portnoy was going to be the drummer for his new CD.

Why should he have to tell Mangini? It's JP's solo album, he could pick any drummer he wanted, and he chose his close friend since this is the opportunity to play with him again, on an album.

That's why no one asked.

He didn't "have to tell Mangini," but I'd bet a dollar that he did.  If nothing else, it would be a professional courtesy to tell his business partners (all of them) that he's doing something outside the scope of the band.  My guess would be that, in telling MM, he said something like, "hey Mike, I'm doing this solo album that I mentioned a while back.  I'm getting Joe Blow to play bass and I'm going to ask Mike Portnoy to play drums.  Of course, that will make a bunch of numbnuts on the internet start to speculate about whether he's coming back to DT.  Just a heads up for ya."

[hefdaddy42]

He told Mangini, and he was cool with it.

[Ben_Jamin]

JP new interview (english audio at the end):
https://headbangersla.com/entrevista-john-petrucci-tengo-la-oportunidad-de-tocar-con-dos-de-los-bateristas-mas-increibles-del-mundo/?fbclid=IwAR2hG1JZyXlvFtXU1vY4DJm0L9AlLWFb4ItD4NkQ_lXvJnlKyNEJNxQmmlU

They are definitely in the studio!
Nothing new in the interview, but, again, the curious fact that JP forgets about the 4th studio album with MM ...

No one ever asks, but I'm still curious as to how he told (or if he did) to MM that Portnoy was going to be the drummer for his new CD.

Why should he have to tell Mangini? It's JP's solo album, he could pick any drummer he wanted, and he chose his close friend since this is the opportunity to play with him again, on an album.

That's why no one asked.

Why? How about, I dunno, professional courtesy to a fellow bandmate? Not that it would ever happen but maybe he thought that some people would overreact that MP was playing on his solo album and speculate MP was going to be back in DT and he didn't want MM to be blindsided by that.  But of course JP has said that his rule for a solo album means that no members of DT can play on it so he wouldn't asked MM anyway.

Of course he did. I am saying he didn't have to tell Mangini, and I'm sure Mangini understands too being a musician himself and working with other bands, and JLB solo..

He likely told Mangini as a warning how the fans will speculate, and to prepare for the comments.

[gzarruk]

He likely told Mangini as a warning how the fans will speculate, and to prepare for the comments.

JP even said in a recent interview that he was hesitant at first, because he knew these kind of comments would definitely appear, but that it was his opportunity to work with both phenomenal drummers

Back to topic, tho, I'm really excited for the new album, and while it's way too soon to have any updates on how things are going, I know it'll be a great one

[MirrorMask]

JP new interview (english audio at the end):
https://headbangersla.com/entrevista-john-petrucci-tengo-la-oportunidad-de-tocar-con-dos-de-los-bateristas-mas-increibles-del-mundo/?fbclid=IwAR2hG1JZyXlvFtXU1vY4DJm0L9AlLWFb4ItD4NkQ_lXvJnlKyNEJNxQmmlU

They are definitely in the studio!
Nothing new in the interview, but, again, the curious fact that JP forgets about the 4th studio album with MM ...

No one ever asks, but I'm still curious as to how he told (or if he did) to MM that Portnoy was going to be the drummer for his new CD.

Why should he have to tell Mangini? It's JP's solo album, he could pick any drummer he wanted, and he chose his close friend since this is the opportunity to play with him again, on an album.

That's why no one asked.

He didn't "have to tell Mangini," but I'd bet a dollar that he did.  If nothing else, it would be a professional courtesy to tell his business partners (all of them) that he's doing something outside the scope of the band.  My guess would be that, in telling MM, he said something like, "hey Mike, I'm doing this solo album that I mentioned a while back.  I'm getting Joe Blow to play bass and I'm going to ask Mike Portnoy to play drums.  Of course, that will make a bunch of numbnuts on the internet start to speculate about whether he's coming back to DT.  Just a heads up for ya."

99% that's exactly how it went down.

I'm more moderately curious to know if Petrucci told Portnoy "listen, I have to publicy smash down the reunion rumors, you understand right?" before his statement about a reunion not simply happening.

[Ben_Jamin]

JP new interview (english audio at the end):
https://headbangersla.com/entrevista-john-petrucci-tengo-la-oportunidad-de-tocar-con-dos-de-los-bateristas-mas-increibles-del-mundo/?fbclid=IwAR2hG1JZyXlvFtXU1vY4DJm0L9AlLWFb4ItD4NkQ_lXvJnlKyNEJNxQmmlU

They are definitely in the studio!
Nothing new in the interview, but, again, the curious fact that JP forgets about the 4th studio album with MM ...

No one ever asks, but I'm still curious as to how he told (or if he did) to MM that Portnoy was going to be the drummer for his new CD.

Why should he have to tell Mangini? It's JP's solo album, he could pick any drummer he wanted, and he chose his close friend since this is the opportunity to play with him again, on an album.

That's why no one asked.

He didn't "have to tell Mangini," but I'd bet a dollar that he did.  If nothing else, it would be a professional courtesy to tell his business partners (all of them) that he's doing something outside the scope of the band.  My guess would be that, in telling MM, he said something like, "hey Mike, I'm doing this solo album that I mentioned a while back.  I'm getting Joe Blow to play bass and I'm going to ask Mike Portnoy to play drums.  Of course, that will make a bunch of numbnuts on the internet start to speculate about whether he's coming back to DT.  Just a heads up for ya."

99% that's exactly how it went down.

I'm more moderately curious to know if Petrucci told Portnoy "listen, I have to publicy smash down the reunion rumors, you understand right?" before his statement about a reunion not simply happening.

More like, "If we do this, make sure to keep your fans in check."

He likely told Mangini as a warning how the fans will speculate, and to prepare for the comments.

JP even said in a recent interview that he was hesitant at first, because he knew these kind of comments would definitely appear, but that it was his opportunity to work with both phenomenal drummers

See, this is what really gets me about fans' obsessions, and bands listening to fans' demands. JP almost didn't work with Portnoy due to the fans. Us fans almost ruined a good opportunity for Portnoy to play with Petrucci.

[Max Kuehnau]

He likely told Mangini as a warning how the fans will speculate, and to prepare for the comments.

JP even said in a recent interview that he was hesitant at first, because he knew these kind of comments would definitely appear, but that it was his opportunity to work with both phenomenal drummers

Back to topic, tho, I'm really excited for the new album, and while it's way too soon to have any updates on how things are going, I know it'll be a great one

why so certain? (seriously though, that was my approach going into DT14, and then D/T came out of it and it was a MAJOR curveball and challenged that attitude. (extremely)

[gzarruk]

He likely told Mangini as a warning how the fans will speculate, and to prepare for the comments.

JP even said in a recent interview that he was hesitant at first, because he knew these kind of comments would definitely appear, but that it was his opportunity to work with both phenomenal drummers

Back to topic, tho, I'm really excited for the new album, and while it's way too soon to have any updates on how things are going, I know it'll be a great one

why so certain? (seriously though, that was my approach going into DT14, and then D/T came out of it and it was a MAJOR curveball and challenged that attitude. (extremely)

Maybe it's just me, but I enjoy all their albums. Sure, some aren't as good as others, but they're still very good. I'm just excited about new music from my favorite band.

[hunnus2000]

He likely told Mangini as a warning how the fans will speculate, and to prepare for the comments.

JP even said in a recent interview that he was hesitant at first, because he knew these kind of comments would definitely appear, but that it was his opportunity to work with both phenomenal drummers

Back to topic, tho, I'm really excited for the new album, and while it's way too soon to have any updates on how things are going, I know it'll be a great one

why so certain? (seriously though, that was my approach going into DT14, and then D/T came out of it and it was a MAJOR curveball and challenged that attitude. (extremely)

Maybe it's just me, but I enjoy all their albums. Sure, some aren't as good as others, but they're still very good. I'm just excited about new music from my favorite band.

YES, YES, YES!!!! It's not just you! I enjoy all their albums and gravitate to some more than others. All I got to say is, enjoy them while you still got them cause nothing lasts forever, ask Rush fans, ask EVH fans........

[Max Kuehnau]

He likely told Mangini as a warning how the fans will speculate, and to prepare for the comments.

JP even said in a recent interview that he was hesitant at first, because he knew these kind of comments would definitely appear, but that it was his opportunity to work with both phenomenal drummers

Back to topic, tho, I'm really excited for the new album, and while it's way too soon to have any updates on how things are going, I know it'll be a great one

why so certain? (seriously though, that was my approach going into DT14, and then D/T came out of it and it was a MAJOR curveball and challenged that attitude. (extremely)

Maybe it's just me, but I enjoy all their albums. Sure, some aren't as good as others, but they're still very good. I'm just excited about new music from my favorite band.

of course (and as always) I'm cautiously optimistic (even hyped to some degree and definitely relieved that DT are still active too Especially in these times. I'll be back here once there is anything new to report.

[Max Kuehnau]

Updated to include most recent information ("Great comments. 2020 ... it's like Alice in Wonderland Annihilator Style - meaning the opposite. I'll tell you that it is translating to music you'll hear in 2021 that's nothing short of a flame thrower on cotton candy. Enuff said for now. There's a lot of work to do." - Mike responding to his obituary post for Ed. They are progressing well, it seems.)

[Dream Team]

Prog extravaganza I hope. Tales of Topographic Oceans style.

[Lonk]

I'll tell you that it is translating to music you'll hear in 2021 that's nothing short of a flame thrower on cotton candy."

[MirrorMask]

As I said, I just hope they break out of the traditional formula of "We have to make an album in these four weeks because the tour is being booked". The only good thing about not being able to tour *AND* owning your own studio is that you can work on an album as much as you want, and refine is as much as you want.

[fadetoblackdude7]

I'll tell you that it is translating to music you'll hear in 2021 that's nothing short of a flame thrower on cotton candy."

Interesting quote. Does that imply that they're gonna get even heavier?

[geeeemo]

I'll tell you that it is translating to music you'll hear in 2021 that's nothing short of a flame thrower on cotton candy."

Interesting quote. Does that imply that they're gonna get even heavier?

I saw that too.....Bombastic, sweet music..

[gzarruk]

Updated to include most recent information ("Great comments. 2020 ... it's like Alice in Wonderland Annihilator Style - meaning the opposite. I'll tell you that it is translating to music you'll hear in 2021 that's nothing short of a flame thrower on cotton candy. Enuff said for now. There's a lot of work to do." - Mike responding to his obituary post for Ed. They are progressing well, it seems.)

[Setlist Scotty]

As I said, I just hope they break out of the traditional formula of "We have to make an album in these four weeks because the tour is being booked". The only good thing about not being able to tour *AND* owning your own studio is that you can work on an album as much as you want, and refine is as much as you want.

Couldn't agree more. In fact, I would take it a step further and hope that they just continue to write more music, following their muse, until it is finally tapped out. They always comment about how they have so many ideas and that it's a struggle to find a place for them to include them all. So use the time you have to find places for all of them! Don't limit yourself to roughly 75 minutes. Keep writing and see where it goes. Then when they finally get to an end point of writing, after finishing off the songs, pick out the best ones and/or most cohesive collection of songs for the album, and use the extra tracks as bonus tracks, B-sides, tracks for movie soundtracks, and the eventual compilation releases. Had they not done something similar with FII (altho under admittedly different circumstances), we would've never gotten Trial of Tears, Cover My Eyes, Hollow Years, Speak to Me or New Millennium, and perhaps a few others. So doing prolonged writing sessions can really be beneficial, not just in creating more material, but (depending on who you ask), better material.

[Cool Chris]

I am in full support of everything Scotty posted.

[MoraWintersoul]

I've been a supporter of what Scotty said ever since I learned how most of the material on IAW and SFAM and ACOS came to be. There are slight differences on who prefers what, but surely over 90% of us agree that this is some of their very best stuff.

My very favorite album, Awake, came through their usual process, so it's not like they can't make classic albums by just going into the studio and writing about 70 minutes of music. Then again, maybe it was a lineup thing, the KM songs elevate Awake to a whole new level for me. Some people don't vibe with his songs or some of the stuff JP wrote and they rate it lower.

[hefdaddy42]

I am in full support of everything Scotty posted.

I generally am. 

[pg1067]

My very favorite album, Awake, came through their usual process, so it's not like they can't make classic albums by just going into the studio and writing about 70 minutes of music. Then again, maybe it was a lineup thing, the KM songs elevate Awake to a whole new level for me. Some people don't vibe with his songs or some of the stuff JP wrote and they rate it lower.

Just to clarify...when you refer to "the KM songs" and "his songs," you're talking about SDV (written entirely by KM) and what else?  He wrote lyrics for 6:00 and Lie, but the music for those songs was composed by the band as a whole.

That said, I'll add my voice to those who think a more slow-paced, organic writing process would be nice.

[Setlist Scotty]

Glad you all are in agreement. I just hope the band has similar thinking on the subject. To not do so, especially given the perfect storm of the current circumstances (have their own studio, no deadline for releasing an album, no time table for an upcoming tour) would be short changing themselves and the fans.

I've been a supporter of what Scotty said ever since I learned how most of the material on IAW and SFAM and ACOS came to be.

Funny that you bring this up - specifically about IaW. Because originally Surrounded, AD and especially PMU didn't exist originally. It was only because Derek Oliver encouraged them to write some new songs while things were getting sorted out, that they ended up writing the song that put their career on the trajectory that it's been on. Imagine if PMU never happened. Would this forum, or even the band itself, exist at the present time? Maybe not. And while I don't expect that they will write another song that will have as much of an impact as PMU did, they give themselves a better chance at doing so by not limiting themselves to writing just an album's worth of music.

[gzarruk]

Glad you all are in agreement. I just hope the band has similar thinking on the subject. To not do so, especially given the perfect storm of the current circumstances (have their own studio, no deadline for releasing an album, no time table for an upcoming tour) would be short changing themselves and the fans.

Count me in for those agreeing. Them not doing this since FII/SFAM might be a good indicator of how things will end up being anyway, but you're 100% right in that they're in a completely different situation this time around. It's mostly good when they change their approach for a new album, and we can hope this is the case. I'm not too certain about all of them moving indefinitely to DTHQ (or nearby), tho.

Another interesting thing to consider is that Inside Out always likes to offer special editions of their albums + the uncertainty of when the next tour will start could/should force them to work with the mentality of offering a bonus disc anyway to get a higher profit in special edition bundles. I'm certainly hoping for a "main" album and some extra stuff in a bonus disc. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[Kram]

How about a double album in the vain of 6DOIT?  One disk with a massive epic (this satisfies us who would like another long epic), and a disc with shorter more concise tunes like DOT?

[devieira73]

From Dream Theater World's Facebook:

"You heard it! There will be a Live Q&A on October 23rd at 3pm EST. We will be joined with Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci in this online event, live from the DTHQ. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the event, to be sure you don't miss out!"