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

[Peter Mc]

Another Hell's Kitchen would be nice.

I think there will be no instrumentals...

Yeah, after a JP solo album plus LTE3, I would think JP has done enough instrumentals of late.

[darkshade]

The hype intensifies, from Mike's facebook page (in a comment when asked about cymbal placement):

Wait till you hear the new album. Use good headphones because you know I've put in some "stuff" that has always gone several decibels way too low under the radar in the final mixes. This one... you'll like.

This actually makes me concerned for the production values of the new album, and Mangini-era DT doesn't have the best track record with that.
TA is the only modern album I think has decent production, but even then, you get things like the intro NOMAC track going into the overture, and it's painful how much the low end doesn't hold up (someone here explained it better somewhat recently), and unfortunately it's the band's worst album imo. I don't think DoT's sound quality is as top notch as others claim it is, either. It's just not as bad as DT12's production. It's still mixed too loud and hot.

[MarkFitDT]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

[geeeemo]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

[Trav]

The hype intensifies, from Mike's facebook page (in a comment when asked about cymbal placement):

Wait till you hear the new album. Use good headphones because you know I've put in some "stuff" that has always gone several decibels way too low under the radar in the final mixes. This one... you'll like.

This actually makes me concerned for the production values of the new album, and Mangini-era DT doesn't have the best track record with that.
TA is the only modern album I think has decent production, but even then, you get things like the intro NOMAC track going into the overture, and it's painful how much the low end doesn't hold up (someone here explained it better somewhat recently), and unfortunately it's the band's worst album imo. I don't think DoT's sound quality is as top notch as others claim it is, either. It's just not as bad as DT12's production. It's still mixed too loud and hot.

I think with Andy Sneap mixing, we'll hear everything worth hearing. Terminal Velocity is the best sounding thing Petrucci has done in over a decade. 

[pg1067]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

[wolfking]

The hype intensifies, from Mike's facebook page (in a comment when asked about cymbal placement):

Wait till you hear the new album. Use good headphones because you know I've put in some "stuff" that has always gone several decibels way too low under the radar in the final mixes. This one... you'll like.

This actually makes me concerned for the production values of the new album, and Mangini-era DT doesn't have the best track record with that.
TA is the only modern album I think has decent production, but even then, you get things like the intro NOMAC track going into the overture, and it's painful how much the low end doesn't hold up (someone here explained it better somewhat recently), and unfortunately it's the band's worst album imo. I don't think DoT's sound quality is as top notch as others claim it is, either. It's just not as bad as DT12's production. It's still mixed too loud and hot.

I think with Andy Sneap mixing, we'll hear everything worth hearing. Terminal Velocity is the best sounding thing Petrucci has done in over a decade.

Andy Sneap is by far the most exciting thing about this whole thing for me at the moment.  Should sound incredible and heavy.

[Metro]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

He's a pretty big name in the guitar world. Especially among younger guitar guitarists. Might get some newer, younger fans interested in the band

[wolfking]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

I don't think a guy using the word 'badass' should be given much credibility.

[wolfking]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

He's a pretty big name in the guitar world. Especially among younger guitar guitarists. Might get some newer, younger fans interested in the band

Never heard of him.  I'll have to Youtube him.

[TAC]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

I don't think a guy using the word 'badass' should be given much credibility.

Yeah, it's like "I heard the album and it's wicked awesome!"

[pg1067]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

I don't think a guy using the word 'badass' should be given much credibility.

I don't have a problem with that.  I just don't know who he is,* but I don't know lots of guys who are fairly well-known, so I figured I'd ask.  Honestly, Alex Lifeson could say its badass, and it wouldn't mean a ton to me because I don't know if his opinions are compatible with mine.

Wikipedia tells me he's a 30-year old guy who, for the past 12 years has done stuff with bands I've never heard of.

[Peter Mc]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

I've never heard of him but it's better than someone saying "I've heard the album and it sucks"

[jayvee3]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

I don't think a guy using the word 'badass' should be given much credibility.

Yea, because these boards always have everything articulated so eloquently and we are all completely above that here...

[noxon]

Jason was a teacher at all three JPGU camps..

That oughta tell you enough, to be fair...

"Jason is a super-shredder, nearly beyond comprehension. Although being incredibly busy with his solo career and playing in All That Remains, he's already found the time to join me for my first two camps and is very familiar with how JPGU runs, what to expect, and how everything works. Jason is a great teacher, a big supporter of this type of event and always eager to share his ideas and knowledge. I'm really happy to have him continuing on because he's just a great guy and a monster of a player."

[Dedalus]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

I don't think a guy using the word 'badass' should be given much credibility.

Yea, because these boards always have everything articulated so eloquently and we are all completely above that here...

[Architeuthis]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

I don't think a guy using the word 'badass' should be given much credibility.

Yea, because these boards always have everything articulated so eloquently and we are all completely above that here...

No kidding!  We all know that BAD-ARSE is the proper eloquent, sophisticated, and proper way to decribe musical genious straight from the Ge-filter!   

Btw, Jason Richardson also has his signature series EBMM guitar and it is beautiful! 

[gzarruk]

On JP's post about the new album on Instagram, one of the commenters said he was at JPGU and that they got to hear the whole 8 string song, Awaken the Master, and also an intro snippet from The Alien (most likely the first single). 

[Trav]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about the whole 8-string thing?

[TAC]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about the whole 8-string thing?

Nope. To me, it's like, Oh Mangini has a 17th drum.

[Ben_Jamin]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about the whole 8-string thing?

I do not care either.

I am intrigued on how he will utilize the extra string in his songwriting.

[Architeuthis]

I'm very much looking forward to hearing JP's approach to the eight string on this album. I have a very good feeling about this..   

[erciccio]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about the whole 8-string thing?

Well...I am actually a bit worried...
I barely stand most of 7-strings guitar staff, and the few things I've heard around played on 8 strings are really meh...
I am very happy that in his latest works JP has limited the amount of 7 strings.
I hope I will have a creative approach with the 8-string, and not the usual chugga-chugga riffing

[wolfking]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

I don't think a guy using the word 'badass' should be given much credibility.

Yea, because these boards always have everything articulated so eloquently and we are all completely above that here...

Thank you! 

[wolfking]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about the whole 8-string thing?

I'm intrigued but will hold judgement until I hear it.  I love 7 strings, love playing mine from time to time but I think that's is far as it needs to go.  I haven't heard much 8 string music, but what I have heard hasn't really impressed me at all.  I'm more intrigued on how Petrucci will use it.

[nobloodyname]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

I've never heard of him but it's better than someone saying "I've heard the album and it sucks"

Well, he was, of course, never going to say that and bite the hand that feeds him regardless of what he thought of it (and I'm sure he did indeed think it was "bad ass").

[MarkFitDT]

Quote from Jason Reeves Richardson on Instagram , who presumably has heard it at JPGU : 'I can personally attest that this whole album is very, very badass'

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

I've never heard of him but it's better than someone saying "I've heard the album and it sucks"

Well, he was, of course, never going to say that and bite the hand that feeds him regardless of what he thought of it (and I'm sure he did indeed think it was "bad ass").

He replied to a John Petrucci Instagram post about the new album. He didn't have to do that. If he didn't rate what he had heard he could have just not posted anything but he did so it's definitely not a case of not wanting to bite the hand that feeds him. Nobody asked him what he thought - he decided to post it.
I thought it would be nice to post someone's reaction who has actually heard it forgetting about the level of cynicism on here lol!

[Setlist Scotty]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about the whole 8-string thing?

Well...I am actually a bit worried...
I barely stand most of 7-strings guitar staff, and the few things I've heard around played on 8 strings are really meh...
I am very happy that in his latest works JP has limited the amount of 7 strings.
I hope I will have a creative approach with the 8-string, and not the usual chugga-chugga riffing

JP's already said that he'll approach it the same way he did when he got a 7-string: that it expands the range of what he can do. Pretty sure that there will be little to no djenty stuff and that he will use it in a creative way.

[GasparXR]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about the whole 8-string thing?

Well...I am actually a bit worried...
I barely stand most of 7-strings guitar staff, and the few things I've heard around played on 8 strings are really meh...
I am very happy that in his latest works JP has limited the amount of 7 strings.
I hope I will have a creative approach with the 8-string, and not the usual chugga-chugga riffing

JP's already said that he'll approach it the same way he did when he got a 7-string: that it expands the range of what he can do. Pretty sure that there will be little to no djenty stuff and that he will use it in a creative way.

I'm confident JP could pull off having a light spice of the djent sound while still using the 8-string creatively. There's been a small smattering of riffs from the last few albums that sound like they could have been influenced by djent in a small way.

[TM172003]

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

He's been a huge DT fan since he was a kid, so he's not just some guy who heard it and thought it was good, he knows what a good DT album sounds like.

That and the fact that he's heard the new album and you haven't, so you might as well take his opinion anyway.

[Kotowboy]

The real question is, "What kind of a deluxe collector's edition will they be releasing and how long after the general release will we actually get it?" 

I want a nice gatefold Digipak with a 90 minute in the studio DVD.

[Lonk]

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

He's been a huge DT fan since he was a kid, so he's not just some guy who heard it and thought it was good, he knows what a good DT album sounds like.

That and the fact that he's heard the new album and you haven't, so you might as well take his opinion anyway.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FGrD9gfJLZ0

He's a monster player. Funny enough I met him and Petrucci at the same time at a NAMM event a few years ago.

[WilliamMunny]

The real question is, "What kind of a deluxe collector's edition will they be releasing and how long after the general release will we actually get it?" 

I want a nice gatefold Digipak with a 90 minute in the studio DVD.

I'll second this! Love the 'in the studio' doc that came with Systematic Chaos

[Stadler]

Am I the only one who doesn't care about the whole 8-string thing?

Nope. To me, it's like, Oh Mangini has a 17th drum.

I'm with you both.  Couldn't care less.  Well, actually, I could care less because most of the 7- and 8- string work I've heard is not my bag.   Six strings were enough for Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker and Randy Rhoads, so more strings isn't better in my book.

[Stadler]

Is he someone who's opinion should matter to anyone?

He's been a huge DT fan since he was a kid, so he's not just some guy who heard it and thought it was good, he knows what a good DT album sounds like.

That and the fact that he's heard the new album and you haven't, so you might as well take his opinion anyway.

Nope.  I like what I like and what I like isn't related to what others like in any way, shape or form.    TAC and I have this discussion all the time; we have a LOT of bands in common that we adore, and yet my "favorite" song lists are invariably very close to his "least favorite" song lists.   

If we listened to what others said and liked, we'd be at the Justin Beiber Forum, not the Dream Theater Forum.   No offense to him, he's probably an AMAZING player, but I'm glad he likes it, but that's as far as it goes.  Mike Portnoy is top four favorite drummers of all time and probably top five favorite musicians of all time, and yet he rates "OK Computer" as one of his ten best records ever, and to me it's a steaming pile of unlistenable horse feces (and I'm being kind).