Parasomnia Timeline Thread

[gzarruk]

Sorry, the wording just made me laugh because of its similarity to a once popular political slogan ..lol... and because that's how brainwashed so many of the Portnoy/nostalgia contingent of fans seem to be acting over everything right now... I'll see myself out.. 🌚

I agree with Crystal. Sure, brainwashed might not be the best word here, but I've seen plenty of comments that fit what she's talking about. And I don't think she's going at anyone here, rather some other toxic "fans" out there. I personally have seen a few people online that refused to listen to a single note from MP-less DT because "this isn't DT anymore" and that's not just a personal preference, it's really factually wrong, among other things

Again, there's nothing wrong with having personal preferences and opinions, but when those are expressed as the second coming of DT's messiah with the midas' touch and to whom everyone must bow down (this is serious hyperbole on my part, don't take it literally), then it becomes really annoying and even objectively false/incorrect. I surely love Portnoy's input when done right and he's a big part of why DT became as successful as they are now (for a niche genere anyway) but it's not like he has a failproof touch with a perfect track record and DT was entirely crap just because he wasn't there.

I don't know if this has been mentioned already, but I just saw an interview where apparently Portnoy said that this new album "picks up right where BCSL left off..."

That's the first thing I've heard that actually made me worry a little bit. Because I think BCSL is really not a good album. In fact, picking up the thread of what someone said earlier, the way I remember it is that even Portnoy himself said that he felt that the last two albums had been a bit substandard, and that was why he felt that the dream theater machine needed to take a break for a while. I actually agreed with him, but I thought his 5 year demand (IIRC) was absolutely ridiculous. Maybe taking a year or a year and a half I can see.  But at that time, I did feel that Dream Theater was somewhat spent creatively. And they definitely needed a break.

Fortunately, the personnel shake up did spark a new wave of creativity that produced varying results. But I certainly hope that they are not simply "picking up where BCSL left off"

And to add to this, which kind of ties in with my comments above, MP himself said a while ago that the SOA sound is where he would've wanted to take DT after Black Clouds had he stayed in the band. I'd say that'd be even more worrying for some

There's definitely a link for that interview somewhere, but I'm too lazy to search for right now, but maybe Scotty has it?

[emtee]

Why waste even a second worrying or speculating? It will be a simple process; listen and like it or don't like it. Usually with DT fans it breaks into thirds. Love it. Hate it. It's OK.

it will be what it will be.

[WilliamMunny]

I don't know if this has been mentioned already, but I just saw an interview where apparently Portnoy said that this new album "picks up right where BCSL left off..."

That's the first thing I've heard that actually made me worry a little bit. Because I think BCSL is really not a good album. In fact, picking up the thread of what someone said earlier, the way I remember it is that back in '09-'10 or so, even Portnoy himself said that he felt that the last two albums had been a bit substandard, and that was why he felt that the dream theater machine needed to take a break for a while. I actually agreed with him, but I thought his 5 year demand (IIRC) was absolutely ridiculous. Maybe taking a year or a year and a half I can see.  But at that time, I did feel that Dream Theater was somewhat spent creatively. And they definitely needed a break.

Fortunately, the personnel shake up did spark a new wave of creativity that produced varying results. But I certainly hope that they are not simply "picking up where BCSL left off"

I'm with you there!

Would much prefer he said, "this picks up right where Scenes left off"

[WilliamMunny]

Why waste even a second worrying or speculating? It will be a simple process; listen and like it or don't like it. Usually with DT fans it breaks into thirds. Love it. Hate it. It's OK.

it will be what it will be.

I hear you, but if we can't worry and speculate (and rank) here, then where? 

[hefdaddy42]

Why waste even a second worrying or speculating? It will be a simple process; listen and like it or don't like it. Usually with DT fans it breaks into thirds. Love it. Hate it. It's OK.

it will be what it will be.

[Stadler]

I don't know if this has been mentioned already, but I just saw an interview where apparently Portnoy said that this new album "picks up right where BCSL left off..."

That's the first thing I've heard that actually made me worry a little bit. Because I think BCSL is really not a good album. In fact, picking up the thread of what someone said earlier, the way I remember it is that back in '09-'10 or so, even Portnoy himself said that he felt that the last two albums had been a bit substandard, and that was why he felt that the dream theater machine needed to take a break for a while. I actually agreed with him, but I thought his 5 year demand (IIRC) was absolutely ridiculous. Maybe taking a year or a year and a half I can see.  But at that time, I did feel that Dream Theater was somewhat spent creatively. And they definitely needed a break.

Fortunately, the personnel shake up did spark a new wave of creativity that produced varying results. But I certainly hope that they are not simply "picking up where BCSL left off"

I heard him say that.  I do not think it's necessarily a given that he meant ONLY musically and that it meant it was a literal continuation of what was written on BC&SL.  The way the conversation was going, and the way the question was asked, it could just as easily have meant in the way they were working, or the way the band was cooperating, or just the general style of the band.  I heard it and I didn't for a second think that this meant we were going to get BC&SL Part Two, The Son of Black Clouds & Silver Linings.

[cramx3]

Im not crazy about that quote either, but I'm not sure what else MP should say here.  Continue where A View left?  That makes no sense. In a lot of ways, it's 100% legit, they are picking up where they left off.  But does that mean they are going to make Black Clouds 2?  I think it's easy to imply that, but I don't know if theres a reason to take that quote to means specific sound/style of music.  It might though.

[Glasser]

With the body of work they already have it can't be much of a mystery.  I'm sure its safe to say it will sound like a new DT album... Oops! I let the cat out of the bag! 

[Jamesman42]

Sorry, the wording just made me laugh because of its similarity to a once popular political slogan ..lol... and because that's how brainwashed so many of the Portnoy/nostalgia contingent of fans seem to be acting over everything right now... I'll see myself out.. 🌚

[PixelDream]

I'm perfectly fine with it picking up where BC&SL left off. Those are some epic songs aside from A Rite Of Passage. Wither is okay. The rest freakin' rules to these ears. I know quite a lot of fans don't like The Best Of Times. It's not perfect by any means but I really think the song packs the emotional punch it's supposed to have and the guitar solo is a top 5 JP moment at the very least.

[Stadler]

I agree with Crystal. Sure, brainwashed might not be the best word here, but I've seen plenty of comments that fit what she's talking about. And I don't think she's going at anyone here, rather some other toxic "fans" out there. I personally have seen a few people online that refused to listen to a single note from MP-less DT because "this isn't DT anymore" and that's not just a personal preference, it's really factually wrong, among other things

Again, there's nothing wrong with having personal preferences and opinions, but when those are expressed as the second coming of DT's messiah with the midas' touch and to whom everyone must bow down (this is serious hyperbole on my part, don't take it literally), then it becomes really annoying and even objectively false/incorrect. I surely love Portnoy's input when done right and he's a big part of why DT became as successful as they are now (for a niche genere anyway) but it's not like he has a failproof touch with a perfect track record and DT was entirely crap just because he wasn't there.

Well, you can't really have it both ways, can you?  Either opinions on what people like is valid or it's not. You don't get to place parameters around that; "Opinions on what people like are valid as long as it's not TOO enthusiastic".  I don't think anyone actually said he was King Midas and the non-Portnoy material was entirely shit.  It WAS different, though, and whether it was attributable to something tangible, or just instinct, I know for me, I get chills from songs like Misunderstood, Home, and a couple others, and those "chills" haven't been present in a while.  Is that Portnoy?  I don't know.  We'll find out, won't we?

I'll say this, though;  you don't need a very long tail to swing a dead cat and find someone that doesn't think Kiss is Kiss without Ace and Peter.  Or Marillion isn't Marillion without Fish.   I don't see why it's any different here.

[crystalstars17]

I agree with Crystal. Sure, brainwashed might not be the best word here, but I've seen plenty of comments that fit what she's talking about. And I don't think she's going at anyone here, rather some other toxic "fans" out there. I personally have seen a few people online that refused to listen to a single note from MP-less DT because "this isn't DT anymore" and that's not just a personal preference, it's really factually wrong, among other things

Again, there's nothing wrong with having personal preferences and opinions, but when those are expressed as the second coming of DT's messiah with the midas' touch and to whom everyone must bow down (this is serious hyperbole on my part, don't take it literally), then it becomes really annoying and even objectively false/incorrect. I surely love Portnoy's input when done right and he's a big part of why DT became as successful as they are now (for a niche genere anyway) but it's not like he has a failproof touch with a perfect track record and DT was entirely crap just because he wasn't there.

Yes, this (in bold) is exactly what I meant.

And yes perhaps "brainwashing" was the wrong choice of words (maybe I meant something more along the lines of blind adoration? And I admit, I have the same thing about James), and apologies to anyone here who took my "serious hyperbole" the wrong way.

[gzarruk]

Well, you can't really have it both ways, can you? Either opinions on what people like is valid or it's not. You don't get to place parameters around that; "Opinions on what people like are valid as long as it's not TOO enthusiastic".  I don't think anyone actually said he was King Midas and the non-Portnoy material was entirely shit.  It WAS different, though, and whether it was attributable to something tangible, or just instinct, I know for me, I get chills from songs like Misunderstood, Home, and a couple others, and those "chills" haven't been present in a while.  Is that Portnoy?  I don't know.  We'll find out, won't we?

I'll say this, though;  you don't need a very long tail to swing a dead cat and find someone that doesn't think Kiss is Kiss without Ace and Peter.  Or Marillion isn't Marillion without Fish.   I don't see why it's any different here.

I wasn't talking or thinking about anyone here when I said that, but the truth is I HAVE seen comments like that  on various social media platforms. Yeah, I was exaggerating things a bit, but again I've seen those kinds of comments many times since MP left the band in 2010. I'm not telling anyone what kind of opinions to express or what to like or not, BUT there's a big difference between stating you don't like something and just saying x band isn't x band anymore because x member left. That's just not factually correct. Opinions are valid, but expressing them as facts only because somebody doesn't like the outcome is just incorrect.

I agree with you on the chills and I have the same feeling with many other MP era songs for sure. Again, to me there's no problem with any of that. However, I've also seen Portnoy held to a different standard than the rest of the guys, and that just isn't right either.

Just an example: in 2012 Petrucci, Rudess, Levin and Mangini played Paradigm Shift on just one occasion as part of a special DT show (3 out of 4 LTE members + the current drummer for DT at a DT show). I saw comments online about how disrespectful those guys were by playing it without Portnoy, yadda yadda. Well, that same year MP took PSMS with him and played Acid Rain for a complete tour (only 1 LTE member). Guess what? I didn't see any comments on how disrespectful he was by doing it to the other guys. FTR, I don't think neither party did anything wrong by playing LTE stuff without the other guys, but I'm talking about the double standard of some people online. Again, not talking about anyone here.

[Mosh]

I don't really see the point in talking about "toxic comments" from youtube or outside the forum when discussing fan response to the reunion. I joined this forum around the time Mangini joined and the sentiment toward Mangini and his time with the band was mostly positive the whole time. Some hiccups here and there and a couple albums with mixed reception, but that was true during Portnoy's last few years with the band as well. Most people on this forum went into the Mangini era with an open mind, otherwise I don't think they wouldn't have continued to post here for the decade plus that he was in the band. Now folks are going into the new version of the band with an open mind. Well, most are anyway.

[Setlist Scotty]

Go JLB! Damn that was way better than the album.

Not to mention that MM's blast beats are much better, too (and I'm not a fan of blast beats).

I remember it is that back in '09-'10 or so, even Portnoy himself said that he felt that the last two albums had been a bit substandard, and that was why he felt that the dream theater machine needed to take a break for a while.

Love ya Ben, but you mis-remembered. In post-split interviews, he specifically said that he felt the music was of the same quality as the previous albums, but it was the personal relationships that were in need of repair, which is why he wanted the break.

Regarding the 5 year break, don't forget that MP initially suggested an indefinite break. When pressed for a specific amount of time, I believe he threw out 5 years as an idea, but quickly reduced it to 2 years and then 1 year when he got pushback from the other guys.
 
 

MP himself said a while ago that the SOA sound is where he would've wanted to take DT after Black Clouds had he stayed in the band. I'd say that'd be even more worrying for some

There's definitely a link for that interview somewhere, but I'm too lazy to search for right now, but maybe Scotty has it?

I know he said something like that, but was he speaking about the style (more straight-forward, less prog) or just the general sound? I'd think it was more the general sound than style. And I don't know which interview that was, TBH.

I don't really see the point in talking about "toxic comments" from youtube or outside the forum when discussing fan response to the reunion.

Unfortunately there's was (and actually still is) a significant number of toxic comments from "MP warriors" on various Facebook groups. I'm a mod of one of them, so I've seen (and rolled my eyes at) many of them.

[MirrorMask]

Guys MP saw you all worried and decided to clear the waters.

After doing approx 20+ interviews last week that were mainly focused on the upcoming 40th  Tour, inevitably there were questions asking about the new DT album...so here come the click bait headlines! 😝

To clarify the 1st headline, I was referring to the band chemistry itself more so than the actual musical content...(that it felt like no time had passed since making our last album together almost 15 years ago...) Anyways, there'll be plenty of time to talk about the making of the new album when the time is right...😉

[TAC]

I have a question...
Has JP been confirmed as the sole producer? Is MP sitting this one out as far as co-producer?

[brakkum]

Anyways, there'll be plenty of time to talk about the making of the new album when the time is right...😉

Please give me some good behind the scenes, it's been so long

[Glasser]

I have a question...
Has JP been confirmed as the sole producer? Is MP sitting this one out as far as co-producer?

This one will be done by me.

[Mosh]

Unfortunately there's was (and actually still is) a significant number of toxic comments from "MP warriors" on various Facebook groups. I'm a mod of one of them, so I've seen (and rolled my eyes at) many of them.

Yea and I get that. I saw plenty of bring back Portnoy stuff throughout the last decade as well as people who seemed to want to see the Mangini era fail, I just don't think that really penetrated this forum that much. It feels like people who are just excited about their favorite version of the band reuniting are being lumped in with the MP warriors with comments like "brainwashed" being thrown around by folks who are bent on not enjoying this iteration of DT before a single note of music has been heard. I would say judging by the band's steady increase of popularity over the years, most fans are following all eras of DT with great interest.

I have a question...
Has JP been confirmed as the sole producer? Is MP sitting this one out as far as co-producer?

Not explicitly, but I think you could implicitly draw that conclusion. The Rolling Stone interview name checked Petrucci as the producer and not Portnoy. Also, I don't think MP has been present for the entire recording sessions, but I could be wrong there. Even just the comments about the creative process in the RS interview and how MP wasn't as domineering with his ideas leads me to think JP is holding the producer status.

[devieira73]

I have a question...
Has JP been confirmed as the sole producer? Is MP sitting this one out as far as co-producer?

I'm not sure, since it wasn't really said by JP or DT, but I think maybe two things contributed for MP not being the producer this time: 1) He is returning to the band and still testing how much of his old role he will get back; 2) I think MP had other previous commitments for the first half of this year that still prevented him from dedicating himself fully to this new album.

[TAC]

I'm not sure, since it wasn't really said by JP or DT, but I think maybe two things contributed for MP not being the producer this time: 1) He is returning to the band and still testing how much of his old role he will get back; 2) I think MP had other previous commitments for the first half of this year that still prevented him from dedicating himself fully to this new album.

Makes sense.

Not explicitly, but I think you could implicitly draw that conclusion. The Rolling Stone interview name checked Petrucci as the producer and not Portnoy. Also, I don't think MP has been present for the entire recording sessions, but I could be wrong there. Even just the comments about the creative process in the RS interview and how MP wasn't as domineering with his ideas leads me to think JP is holding the producer status.

What got me thinking was during JR's short video statement that he was done with his keyboard parts, MP was sitting there. I was just wondering...why?

[brakkum]

What got me thinking was during JR's short video statement that he was done with his keyboard parts, MP was sitting there. I was just wondering...why?

Well, JR said sound effects are also done, maybe MP added some growls 

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

The two are not logically connected, and in fact, you can point to his leaving as a PROOF of his bringing the fun back.  He wasn't being listened to, he wasn't feeling part of the gang anymore, and he left, to bring his "fun" (whatever that is) to someone else.  He's back and that shows the band, at least to some degree, want that element back.

By the way, I agree with you on the Facebook thing; I read some of those posts - made in that meme-style-whatever-it-is of a big colored box and a sentence within - and I scratch my head.  Some of these people...

I do not and never have mocked or belittled Mangini.  I have clearly stated the truth - that it is not for me - and I have stated why (sometimes in a humorous way, not to mock but to show I wasn't being mean to him personally) but I have never once ever mocked him.  He's one of the most technically advanced drummers I've ever heard, and he's by al accounts a stand up guy.  Just don't like that style in the band that I like so much.  I've said something similar about Tony Levin in ABWH; Levin is AMAZING, and he's played on some of my favorite records; he's not Chris Squire, though, and that change in style was, FOR ME, fatal on the ABWH material.

Well, I'm not going to comment on music I haven't heard.  I like what I like, and I don't like what I don't like and I have to hear it to decide.  I don't decide based on "song titles" or "song lengths" or anything like that.

But based on that description, I'm sort of the camp that "that's exactly what I'm expecting".  It's not like DT SUCKED over the last five albums.

Got it. So if I take your prior statement 'I DO think he brings a lot to the table that is intangible beyond 74/17 time signatures and 8,461 beats per minute' what were you really saying about what Mangini brings to the table? I'll suspend my belief that you are belittling his contributions but I am really curious as to what you really meant with this part of your snarky (your word not mine) comment.

[Setlist Scotty]

I have a question...
Has JP been confirmed as the sole producer? Is MP sitting this one out as far as co-producer?

I believe it has been stated, although I don't recall where. Besides his previous obligations, the fact is that there have been at least one or two times that he has been home during this time period which suggests that he's not in the studio every day that work is being done, which he used to be when he co-produced the albums.

[KevShmev]

Just an example: in 2012 Petrucci, Rudess, Levin and Mangini played Paradigm Shift on just one occasion as part of a special DT show (3 out of 4 LTE members + the current drummer for DT at a DT show). I saw comments online about how disrespectful those guys were by playing it without Portnoy, yadda yadda. Well, that same year MP took PSMS with him and played Acid Rain for a complete tour (only 1 LTE member). Guess what? I didn't see any comments on how disrespectful he was by doing it to the other guys. FTR, I don't think neither party did anything wrong by playing LTE stuff without the other guys, but I'm talking about the double standard of some people online. Again, not talking about anyone here.

Remember, fan is short for fanatical , and I would submit that Portnoy fans, more than fans of any other individual member of Dream Theater, are the most fanatical, and that likely stems from his strong online presence the last 25 years.  That presence has certainly turned some fans off, including me more often than not back in the day, but it has gotten him a loyal following who will fight to the pain for him.

I think it also helps that he is the most interesting member of the band to listen to talk about music, at least IMO (and that is a lot coming from me, considering my stances on him over the years).  Just watching that interview with him yesterday got me listening to DT again a lot in the last day and change, and I doubt an interview with any other member of the band would have had that effect.  Even when I don't agree with what he is saying, Portnoy is always an interesting interview.

[BlackInk]

I think we should remember that MP is just a person and persons sometimes just talk, especially in a setting where you're asked questions you don't know beforehand what they will be. There's an almost strange amount of reading into details going on, as if every word MP says is carefully thought out and layered with hidden meanings and hints. Personally I get the feeling the guy was just talking and there's not really anything to read into in the first place.

[Stadler]

I wasn't talking or thinking about anyone here when I said that, but the truth is I HAVE seen comments like that  on various social media platforms. Yeah, I was exaggerating things a bit, but again I've seen those kinds of comments many times since MP left the band in 2010. I'm not telling anyone what kind of opinions to express or what to like or not, BUT there's a big difference between stating you don't like something and just saying x band isn't x band anymore because x member left. That's just not factually correct. Opinions are valid, but expressing them as facts only because somebody doesn't like the outcome is just incorrect.

I agree with you on the chills and I have the same feeling with many other MP era songs for sure. Again, to me there's no problem with any of that. However, I've also seen Portnoy held to a different standard than the rest of the guys, and that just isn't right either.

Just an example: in 2012 Petrucci, Rudess, Levin and Mangini played Paradigm Shift on just one occasion as part of a special DT show (3 out of 4 LTE members + the current drummer for DT at a DT show). I saw comments online about how disrespectful those guys were by playing it without Portnoy, yadda yadda. Well, that same year MP took PSMS with him and played Acid Rain for a complete tour (only 1 LTE member). Guess what? I didn't see any comments on how disrespectful he was by doing it to the other guys. FTR, I don't think neither party did anything wrong by playing LTE stuff without the other guys, but I'm talking about the double standard of some people online. Again, not talking about anyone here.

gzarruk, I'm totally with you and I understand. And I agree with respect to social media; it's a cesspool generally, but some of the comments re: Dream Theater truly baffle me.   I only responded because some of the comments here - not necessarily yours - seem to be talking about people here, and that's me so I felt compelled to weigh in.  The MP/MM thing doesn't bother me much here, but as a lifelong Kiss fan, and having seen then multiple times with and without Ace and Peter, it grinds my gears when people go off on the "fakers", Tommy and Eric, and try to hold the original band as some gods and the rest as a "cover band".  BY FAR the worst Kiss show I ever saw was primarily because of Peter phoning it in, so to me there is NO magic over original members.   Sabbath too, and while I'm a Roth and Fish guy, I get that people prefer the Hagar Van Halen and the Hogarth Marillion.   We can all live and enjoy the music we like, no?   

[Stadler]

Yea and I get that. I saw plenty of bring back Portnoy stuff throughout the last decade as well as people who seemed to want to see the Mangini era fail, I just don't think that really penetrated this forum that much. It feels like people who are just excited about their favorite version of the band reuniting are being lumped in with the MP warriors with comments like "brainwashed" being thrown around by folks who are bent on not enjoying this iteration of DT before a single note of music has been heard. I would say judging by the band's steady increase of popularity over the years, most fans are following all eras of DT with great interest.
Not explicitly, but I think you could implicitly draw that conclusion. The Rolling Stone interview name checked Petrucci as the producer and not Portnoy. Also, I don't think MP has been present for the entire recording sessions, but I could be wrong there. Even just the comments about the creative process in the RS interview and how MP wasn't as domineering with his ideas leads me to think JP is holding the producer status.

Except for what Bernie Sanders had for lunch yesterday and the size of John Lennon's weiner, I don't take a whole lot on faith from Rolling Stone.  And when it comes to music that isn't related to one of Jann Wenner's pet bands, their facts are about as good as Wikipedia.  I can ABSOLUTELY see that author going to the Wiki page and seeing "John Petrucci" as producer for the last couple and assuming he's still the man with the plan.  I'll know who produced it for real when a) I see it printed on the label, or b) when Mike or John tell me.

[Progmaniac1988]

Yes, this (in bold) is exactly what I meant.

And yes perhaps "brainwashing" was the wrong choice of words (maybe I meant something more along the lines of blind adoration? And I admit, I have the same thing about James), and apologies to anyone here who took my "serious hyperbole" the wrong way.

All good lol, I think we are just an extremely passionate group of fans with differing opinions sometimes. Let's just try our best to respect each other is all I was saying. I'd also agree that some "fans" out there were complete asses when Mangini joined, and if anyone actually actively boycotted the band because of it that's just dumb. I do think most of the people here in the forum were not like that. Portnoy, Mangini, we all support DT. Just have our preferences. A "fan" that did not support DT when Mangini joined and didn't even give it a chance just missed out, and I don't get that. I for one just have a preference, for legit reasons lol. I respect you and anyone that prefers Mangini tho. They made great music with him, and he's a fantastic musician.

[Progmaniac1988]

I heard him say that.  I do not think it's necessarily a given that he meant ONLY musically and that it meant it was a literal continuation of what was written on BC&SL.  The way the conversation was going, and the way the question was asked, it could just as easily have meant in the way they were working, or the way the band was cooperating, or just the general style of the band.  I heard it and I didn't for a second think that this meant we were going to get BC&SL Part Two, The Son of Black Clouds & Silver Linings.

Yeah. You hit it on the head, and He actually just confirmed on his FB he only meant it as musical chemistry, not necessarily the sound of BCSL.

[hefdaddy42]

John Lennon's weiner

[Jamesman42]

Stadler leaked the new album title

[hefdaddy42]

Stadler leaked the new album title

[crystalstars17]

Totally understand your sentiment.  I felt very similar when MP left and they had to find a replacement to move on.  I think the return of MP will mean good things for the band all around, and I think the one who will benefit most is JLB. 

I sincerely hope so. If there's anything specific I have been hoping for that's positive to come out of this change, it's this (With the very fervent disclaimer that I hope it doesn't create a rift between them again).

1.  can anyone argue that DT's social media presence was anything but ads for endorsed products since MP left?  Having him 'take back the reigns' will only lead to more fan interaction, which I have really missed.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciated what the members did while MM was in the band - but it's very obvious that it's not their preference and that's ok.  It wouldn't be mine, either.
2.  regarding the 'nostalgia' - yes, I'm definitely guilty of this and I know others are too.  While I have LOVED most everything the band released w MM, it definitely did feel like *something* was missing.  I'm not in the room while they write, I see what most people here see regarding those interactions.  But I do get the sense that MP is not afraid to challenge the direction and want to try something else.  Sleeping Giant is a perfect example of a song I personally feel would have benefitted from someone pushing back and saying 'hey, this verse kinda sounds samey to a few other songs we've done lately, maybe we try something like this instead'.  That's what I think is missing most since he left.  They don't work w outside producers, I think the return of MP will be as close to that as we'll see for this band.  I have loved what he and JP have come up with in everything they've done - they have a writing chemistry that I miss in DT.
3. To my point re: JLB above.  No secret the bad blood between MP and JLB in the past.  However, when he came back, it was made very clear to him (read rolling stone article) that this isn't the same band he left.  Coming back means - play nice w everyone, accept a different role, but don't forget - MP help found this band, and I believe him coming back to it will bring a new found 'let's make this the best we possibly can' and that means helping w vocal melodies that JLB can handle not only in the studio, but live.  I honestly believe he could be helpful in tweaking older songs to better fit JLB's current range. 

As I stated above, this is my hope. And before anyone gets the wrong idea - yes, I may be a newer fan from the Mangini era who prefers this era in general (my own nostalgic era, perhaps?), but I also love the band's older music (I&W, Black Clouds, Octavarium) and am not anti-Portnoy at all. As I wasn't 'there' before 2010, looking back at some of the older behind the scenes footage I was a little put off by his rather boisterous and at times irreverent personality and how this sometimes carried over into the music (those growls..), but I do respect his status as an original founding member of the band and his level of musicianship.

I really hope you stick around - you're obviously very passionate about the MM era of the band and I can only guess you've grown to appreciate the older MP-era material too. I may be nostalgic, and the next album may fall short of expectations, but I think we're all in for a treat when we finally hear it.

I wanted to finally answer your post when I had adequate time to do so because I appreciate that you understand where I'm coming from. Thank you for that.

Everyone is nostalgic for something, and for me it's just 2016 and The Astonishing (I know I am in the minority here, but it is what it is), and my feelings of discovering this great band and hearing their extraordinary music for the first time, hearing James's angelic voice for the first time, hearing the iconic Images and Words for the first time (I'll never forget and know exactly where I was), etc. To this day, while I love a few other bands nearly as much, there's a place Dream Theater's music transports me to that is still like no other.