Parasomnia Timeline Thread

[Setlist Scotty]

I hope MP shows a little restraint as I'm sure in his excitement he was eager to fill every second with crazy drumming.

He will - he always has. As he has said numerous times, he plays for the song, which is evident with all the other bands/projects he has played in. And one example I like to go back to in DT is TGP. Originally it had a 20 second drum solo at the end before the final downbeat, which worked when the song was instrumental. But once the vocals were added, MP realized it was superfluous and *he* had it edited out. I have no doubt the same will be true for this upcoming album.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Regardless of whether or not some people end up disliking DT16 they won't be able to claim it was rushed

hold my beer

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Just a thought.

Maybe it is way too long process than usual because they also re-write and re-discover some of their songs to fit James' current condition.

I have been wrong about things here before, but I don't think it is likely in all honesty. Doing all of that work now is really like saying 'hey we have a problem here' and right now we have no indication anyone in the band thinks that. We will find out very soon but I don't think anyone is working around him or feeling like they need to make special accommodations to the extent you mentioned.

As a mega fan, this IS a big problem but it is one with no easy solutions at this stage. The song selection is probably going to be driven primarily by what they think the fans want to hear. If I were John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy, the safest thing to do is just let JLB get up there and whatever happens happens.

[Glasser]

Another thought. Maybe James gives the vocal performance of his life on this one and quiets the skeptics, like myself. Now that would be incredible!!!

[Dream Team]

Another thought. Maybe James gives the vocal performance of his life on this one and quiets the skeptics, like myself. Now that would be incredible!!!

I respect your optimism, but there's not much chance of that because he is so limited. He can't do low and powerful. He can't do soulful/bluesy. He can't do high register. He's confined to mid-range stuff, but if the vocal melodies are good he can still do a lot within that framework so that's the best-case scenario at this point. Kind of what he was able to do on TA.

[fadetoblackdude7]

I respect your optimism, but there's not much chance of that because he is so limited. He can't do low and powerful. He can't do soulful/bluesy. He can't do high register. He's confined to mid-range stuff, but if the vocal melodies are good he can still do a lot within that framework so that's the best-case scenario at this point. Kind of what he was able to do on TA.

Yeah, I think TA is the best we'll ever get with current-day James. He did so well on that album!

[cramx3]

Another thought. Maybe James gives the vocal performance of his life on this one and quiets the skeptics, like myself. Now that would be incredible!!!

James on album has been fine, including his solo work.  I would be shocked if he didn't sound good on the album.  This won't quiet anyone though until he shows it in concert.

[IgnotusPerIgnotium]

I don't know if this was mentioned before, but a had a thought for a while concerning JR and his guitar journey...I wonder, would there be a surprise song or something that JR and JP will be tackling..as in writing a song with them playing the guitar..that would be cool imo!

[HOF]

I don't know if this was mentioned before, but a had a thought for a while concerning JR and his guitar journey...I wonder, would there be a surprise song or something that JR and JP will be tackling..as in writing a song with them playing the guitar..that would be cool imo!

JP is on the record as being very much against this (though who knows, people change).

[Setlist Scotty]

JP is on the record as being very much against this (though who knows, people change).

Exactly. I recall watching an interview with JP - I think while he was at NAMM in January of this year - and when questioned about JR's guitar playing and if that would creep into DT, JP stated unequivocally that DT was a one guitar band. That's the way it was 30 years ago when the band first considered doing a two-guitar version of Lie with Derek playing guitar while in rehearsals, which JP rejected, and that's the way it was in January this year. It's not gonna change.

[cramx3]

Exactly. I recall watching an interview with JP - I think while he was at NAMM in January of this year - and when questioned about JR's guitar playing and if that would creep into DT, JP stated unequivocally that DT was a one guitar band. That's the way it was 30 years ago when the band first considered doing a two-guitar version of Lie with Derek playing guitar while in rehearsals, which JP rejected, and that's the way it was in January this year. It's not gonna change.

I don't see the point in creating a song for this purpose, but I do think it would be cool if instead of a live keytar solo in a song, he pulled out an actual guitar and shredded/harmonized with JP.  Would just be a cool change of pace type of thing and I'd be fairly certain a good chunk of the crowd might be shocked to see JR being able to do this. 

[IgnotusPerIgnotium]

I don't see the point in creating a song for this purpose, but I do think it would be cool if instead of a live keytar solo in a song, he pulled out an actual guitar and shredded/harmonized with JP.  Would just be a cool change of pace type of thing and I'd be fairly certain a good chunk of the crowd might be shocked to see JR being able to do this.

Yeah I would imagine something more like that, in a live situation.

[Schurftkut]

maybe he'll have a new keyguitar coming up, he's been posting himself practising playing guitar and keys at the same time. Why not take that to the next level? 

[Glasser]

James on album has been fine, including his solo work.  I would be shocked if he didn't sound good on the album.  This won't quiet anyone though until he shows it in concert.

I'm sure he will sound great on the album but as Dream Team pointed out, his high register is gone.

[Glasser]

I respect your optimism, but there's not much chance of that because he is so limited. He can't do low and powerful. He can't do soulful/bluesy. He can't do high register. He's confined to mid-range stuff, but if the vocal melodies are good he can still do a lot within that framework so that's the best-case scenario at this point. Kind of what he was able to do on TA.

Unfortunately.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Another thought. Maybe James gives the vocal performance of his life on this one and quiets the skeptics, like myself. Now that would be incredible!!!

Indeed it would be. It's the only thing that will silence the chatter at this point.

[Progmaniac1988]

Jordan plays lap guitar on octavarium, so technically it already happened! Lol

[emtee]

So keys are a couple weeks out and then vocals...probably 3'ish weeks to complete them. Then final fine-tuning before mixing/mastering. Potentially not in the can until late August???

Can they possibly get everything pressed and ready before Ocotber?

[Dream Team]

So keys are a couple weeks out and then vocals...probably 3'ish weeks to complete them. Then final fine-tuning before mixing/mastering. Potentially not in the can until late August???

Can they possibly get everything pressed and ready before Ocotber?

Hopefully so, otherwise we'll never hear the end of "I told you so" from a certain poster.

[devieira73]

Interesting discussion about recording, mix and release an album at 26:50
https://youtu.be/NEbrKdApMIA?si=SUOCxHuAKlP-EbJM
I Wonder if what Mike said here will have an impact in this next DT release.

[DragonAttack]

Interesting discussion about recording, mix and release an album at 26:50
https://youtu.be/NEbrKdApMIA?si=SUOCxHuAKlP-EbJM
I Wonder if what Mike said here will have an impact in this next DT release.

Sidetracking a tad, but I had to go back to the 23 minute mark, and listen to them talk about Queen's 'Sheer Heart Attack' LP. DT content: comments about the medley the band covered on the 'Black Clouds' bonus disc. 👍

[Mosh]

Interesting discussion about recording, mix and release an album at 26:50
https://youtu.be/NEbrKdApMIA?si=SUOCxHuAKlP-EbJM
I Wonder if what Mike said here will have an impact in this next DT release.

Well his point about physical media is what I've been saying this whole time. It's such a small part of the equation now that it's maybe not worth delaying your album for months to make sure the vinyl is ready to ship. But he also makes it clear that unless you're at the Taylor Swift tier of popularity, the label isn't going to want to do that. They need the big promo buildup and preorders/etc.

I can see it going either way at this point honestly. I wasn't expecting the production of the album to take this long, but I think it's awesome they're taking their time. It's definitely reaching a point where if they do drop the album before the tour, there probably won't be vinyl or maybe even CD on release but they could still sell physical preorders. Like Portnoy says in the video, the band might prefer it that way but the label might have the final say on release timeline. I can see pros and cons to both. IMO releasing before the tour will still maximize sales/preorders even if physical product isn't available on release day because hype will be through the roof. I feel like some of that will come down a little bit after the tour. On the other hand, I also know they're really excited to dig deep into the catalog and not having an album to play on tour will give them a lot more room to do a career spanning setlist. I'm still erring on the side of a pre tour release just because it seems kinda wild to think that the album won't drop until 2025, but I also expected them to be done by now.

[Wim Kruithof]

I can't imagine they'll play songs live from an album that hasn't been released yet. But can't imagine not playing anything from it either, the fanbase can't wait for new material. Does anyone know - Setlist Scotty, all yours - if Dream Theater ever did play songs live from an album that was not released yet?

I'm still convinced they'll release it before the Europe tour. And really hope so.

[illusionist]

I remember back in 2006 G3 tour JP had played the main riff of Constant motion, which was before Systematic chaos even came out.
I for one think it would be interesting to listen to a new DT unreleased song live for the first time, but on the other hand I probably wouldn't remember anything afterwards, except for some memorable guitar solos or guitar keys unison lines.
But if it were an epic one i probably wouldn't remember a thing, and that's what's supposed to happen with each new DT song.
I have to listen to it dozens of times to start understanding what it's all about.

[MirrorMask]

I for one think it would be interesting to listen to a new DT unreleased song live for the first time, but on the other hand I probably wouldn't remember anything afterwards, except for some memorable guitar solos or guitar keys unison lines.

I don't think MP is a big fan of people experiencing new music for the first time through the chaotic audio / video quality of cellphone videos...

[gzarruk]

I can't imagine they'll play songs live from an album that hasn't been released yet. But can't imagine not playing anything from it either, the fanbase can't wait for new material. Does anyone know - Setlist Scotty, all yours - if Dream Theater ever did play songs live from an album that was not released yet?

I'm still convinced they'll release it before the Europe tour. And really hope so.

Even if the album isn't ready to be released this year, I'm quite certain there'd be at least one or two singles out by the start of the tour. Worst case scenario, the album gets pushed to next year but they still premiere and perform some new music this year.

I'm still holding hope that they'll release the album this year, but I wasn't expecting them to take this long to record it.

[Wim Kruithof]

I remember back in 2006 G3 tour JP had played the main riff of Constant motion, which was before Systematic chaos even came out.

That's brilliant, wasn't aware, thanks.

I have to listen to it dozens of times to start understanding what it's all about.

That's me. This very forum helps me often to understand the depth of a song better. I am also really enjoying the Daily Doug reaction videos (although I usually never watch that kind of Youtube things). But each time I revisit an album, I'll learn something new, which is one of the most wonderful things about this band.

Even if the album isn't ready to be released this year, I'm quite certain there'd be at least one or two singles out by the start of the tour. Worst case scenario, the album gets pushed to next year but they still premiere and perform some new music this year.

I'm still holding hope that they'll release the album this year, but I wasn't expecting them to take this long to record it.

Me too. Honestly can't wait. Especially since I'll see them twice in Europe (Köln and Amsterdam) incl. a platinum VIP ticket. Finally being able to shake hands with these hero's, this next album will probably be my favorite one forever.

[Setlist Scotty]

I can't imagine they'll play songs live from an album that hasn't been released yet. But can't imagine not playing anything from it either, the fanbase can't wait for new material. Does anyone know - Setlist Scotty, all yours - if Dream Theater ever did play songs live from an album that was not released yet?

I'm still convinced they'll release it before the Europe tour. And really hope so.

I'm pretty confident it will be released before the tour begins. On the super off chance that it is not, then yeah, they'll have one or two singles out that fans will be familiar with that will be included in the set.

As for them playing material from an album that hasn't been released yet, they have in the past but they won't do that now as they want the public's first exposure to be the album as they had intended, and not video/audio clips posted on YouTube. The most significant time they did perform material from an album before it was released (or even recorded) was in 1996/1997 where they premiered a total 6 FII tracks.

There were also a handful of shows for World Tourbulence that were done before SDoIT was released, but I recall MP commenting that they would never allow that to happen again because they would want to make sure the audience had enough time to become familiar with the material when it was performed live.

[MinistroRaven]

Yesterday JR posted this on IG
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7twhfvuY3K/?igsh=Mm40ZTNqbWMxNTQx

[gzarruk]

Yesterday JR posted this on IG
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7twhfvuY3K/?igsh=Mm40ZTNqbWMxNTQx

A Change of Seasons pt. 2 confirmed.

[WilliamMunny]

A Change of Seasons pt. 2 confirmed.

I'll do my best to reserve judgement until I hear the finished product, but my initial thought is 

Would've rather they gone Metropolis Pt. 3 than revisit something as sacred as ACOS.

Oops....forgot my sarcasm detector today! 

[Jamesman42]

He is referencing the ACOS album cover. Very clever.

[WilliamMunny]

He is referencing the ACOS album cover. Very clever.

Yeah, I picked up on that about 5 seconds after I hit 'post'

Man, I don't know about the rest of you, but Monday's are hard.

[gzarruk]

Green font isn't enough against mondays

[Wim Kruithof]

I'm pretty confident it will be released before the tour begins. On the super off chance that it is not, then yeah, they'll have one or two singles out that fans will be familiar with that will be included in the set.

As for them playing material from an album that hasn't been released yet, they have in the past but they won't do that now as they want the public's first exposure to be the album as they had intended, and not video/audio clips posted on YouTube. The most significant time they did perform material from an album before it was released (or even recorded) was in 1996/1997 where they premiered a total 6 FII tracks.

There were also a handful of shows for World Tourbulence that were done before SDoIT was released, but I recall MP commenting that they would never allow that to happen again because they would want to make sure the audience had enough time to become familiar with the material when it was performed live.

Thank you, Doctor Database. I really wonder if there are Dream Theater fact-questions out there, in which you are left without an answer.

In real life I feel like a Dream Theater-guru... but in Forumland I've got back in line branded all over me. ;-)