Parasomnia Timeline Thread

[gzarruk]

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?   

It's all good

And just a quick fun thing, my KISS knowledge is pretty much zero, besides knowing who Gene Simmons is, so all those explanations go way over my head

[hefdaddy42]

It's all good

And just a quick fun thing, my KISS knowledge is pretty much zero, besides knowing who Gene Simmons is, so all those explanations go way over my head

Irrelevant.  Stadler always makes KISS references as if everyone knows and loves them just as much as he does.

[Mosh]

It makes sense, since everybody knows that Gene Simmons is the center of the universe.

[hefdaddy42]

It makes sense, since everybody knows that Gene Simmons is the center of the universe.

Sure, just ask him.

[Stadler]

Irrelevant.  Stadler always makes KISS references as if everyone knows and loves them just as much as he does.

It's a given, no?

[MoraWintersoul]

Makes sense.


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?

Maybe he was just free and wanted to hang He's only made one album with Jordan since he left DT, maybe he misses it and wants to watch the master work. Totally understand why James stays in Canada but making this album seems cool in a way that exactly appeals to MP and he wants to be there. They're only doing this once!

[BlackInk]

I also imagine they as a band have some input if they want in the other guys' parts. Suggestions or little ideas and whatnot. Especially when it comes to sound design or sound effects where it's not as much about Jordan's playing, but more of creating a vibe and texture for the song, which I imagine is a fun thing to work together on.

[evilasiojr]

I think it was in the last Prog Report Interview that MP mentioned he doesn't need to be in the studio all the time anymore cause that's JP's attribution, but he can/would go eventually. Something in that idea you're saying of a cool hang and catching up to what is being done.

[Lax]

My fav albums are scenes and SDOIT, I love prog DT and my most other played albums are I&W, ACOS, octavarium...And I love a dramatic turn of event, D/T and AVFTTOTW that was I think the best they could write with MM, plus sounding modern thanks to all the chug chug, and production is incredible, making each detail stand out on each riff !
Without saying that LTE is my favorite band ever too.

Basically I don't want the new album to be black cloud and silver lining 2 or something systematic chaos, it would mean they are back to the moment I had a hard time with my beloved dream theater !

I want cheesy overcomplicated stuff that only them do, like a dance of eternity or erotomania, not songs with structures and verses/choruses

Sometimes I wish the astonishing was edited as a 45 minutes song à la six degree rather than individual songs that take their time.

I fear the new album to not be fresh and proggy enough to me Relieve me DT !

[MetropolisWatches]

I'm still not a big fan of BC&SL... hoping we get something much better with the upcoming Portnoy-reunion album.

Anyone speculating that we might be getting Metropolis Pt. 3? 

[TAC]

Sometimes I wish the astonishing was edited as a 45 minutes song à la six degree rather than individual songs that take their time.

I made an Astonishing Abridged that I absolutely would put up against anything in their catalog.
As a whole thing, it's kind of...too long and draggy.

I feel the same way about 6 D's. Disc 1 is excellent for the most part, and Disc 2 is unneeded.

[OpenYourEyes311]

I made an Astonishing Abridged that I absolutely would put up against anything in their catalog.
As a whole thing, it's kind of...too long and draggy.

I feel the same way about 6 D's. Disc 1 is excellent for the most part, and Disc 2 is unneeded.

Ooo Tim, I agree that TA is too long but also has some VERY good stuff, and is very worthy of a spot in their catalog.

However, BIG disagree on Six Degrees. Both discs are masterpieces in their own way IMO. In fact, I always kind of likened a lot of TA to the title track. Similar proggy vibes with a bit of heaviness every once in a while.

[TAC]

However, BIG disagree on Six Degrees. Both discs are masterpieces in their own way IMO. In fact, I always kind of likened a lot of TA to the title track. Similar proggy vibes with a bit of heaviness every once in a while.

You mean, this disc?? 




I remember being so disappointed when Disc 2 began. It was Disney music! I loved Disc 1 on first Listen, and I thought Disc 2 wasn't in its league.

Honestly, if Disc 2 was actually the first disc, I think my first impressions would've been way more favorable. I've come to accept it for the most part.

My abridged 6 D's disc is..

The Glass Prison
Blind Faith
Misunderstood
Solitary Shell
Losing Time/Grand Finale
Disappear



I don't hold 6 D's in nearly as high regard as the rest of the DT fanbase.

[Dream Team]

I love that you always have that coaster pic up your sleeve  .

[ReaperKK]

You mean, this disc?? 


I remember being so disappointed when Disc 2 began. It was Disney music! I loved Disc 1 on first Listen, and I thought Disc 2 wasn't in its league.

That was my take as well.

Personally disc 1 is some of DT's best work, disc 2 is some of DT's most forgettable work.

[KevShmev]

The real fatal tragedy is that Disc 2 has gotten much more love in the band's set lists over the years than Disc 1.

Granted, I like Disc 2 a lot more than you guys do, but I do agree that Disc 1 is a lot better.  Six Degrees... is comfortably my 4th favorite Dream Theater studio album and would still be in that same spot if the album was Disc 1 only. 

[OpenYourEyes311]

You mean, this disc?? 

Yeah, that one!

[Jamesman42]

Disc 2 is awesome. Not as good as disc 1, I agree there. What's not to like?

[TAC]

Disc 2 is awesome. Not as good as disc 1, I agree there. What's not to like?

I just find it so unremarkable. It's just....there. I just expect something way more interesting from my Dream Theater. There's literally not one HolyShit moment on the entire disc. The closest anything comes to me is the guitar solo at the end of Goodnight Kiss.

The real fatal tragedy is that Disc 2 has gotten much more love in the band's set lists over the years than Disc 1. 

I agree. I've seen the entire second disc, but not one song from the first.

[TAC]

I love that you always have that coaster pic up your sleeve  .

I let it out every few months when the situation calls.

[The Letter M]

I'll always argue that the limitations of the physical media divided fans. If we had 100-minute CDs and all of SDOIT fit on one disc, there wouldn't be all this "disc 1 VS disc 2" nonsense and more folks would see it as a single album.

Like could you imagine if Octavarium was a double album with the title track on the second disc?  Or if SFAM was a double album, we'd have arguments over "Act 1 vs Act 2", but because both of those fit on a single disc, we don't have those discussions.

-Marc.

[TAC]

I'll always argue that the limitations of the physical media divided fans. If we had 100-minute CDs and all of SDOIT fit on one disc, there wouldn't be all this "disc 1 VS disc 2" nonsense and more folks would see it as a single album.

Well, if it were one disc, it'd be the stereotypical half killer half filler like most albums.

[Ben_Jamin]

6DOIT is my favorite DT album for various reasons. I actually enjoy how the entire 2nd disc consists of their longest song. I also feel that if it was one entire track, it wouldn't have held up as well as it does. Splitting up each section into different tracks was the best they could have done.

I also enjoy how they made the song one entire track on the Score cd.

[KevShmev]

Well, if it were one disc, it'd be the stereotypical half killer half filler like most albums.

And don't forget that Mike Portnoy said way back at the time that had they been forced to make it a single album of under 80 minutes, Blind Faith and Disappear would have gotten the axe and not made the record. 

[Jamesman42]

Blind Faith is the worst song on the album, so that wouldn't have been the worst. Disappear is great, though.

[brakkum]

Blind Faith is the worst song on the album, so that wouldn't have been the worst.

[Cool Chris]

And don't forget that Mike Portnoy said way back at the time that had they been forced to make it a single album of under 80 minutes, Blind Faith and Disappear would have gotten the axe and not made the record. 

That would be bottom 5 DT album easy.

*TAC, that gif is from Apocalypse Now, a highly regarded Vietnam War film directed By Francis Ford Coppola based on Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.

[HOF]

Blind Faith is actually the best song on the album. Dissappear isn't the worst, but it is uninteresting to me. The 6DOIT overture, The War Inside My Head, and The Test That Stumped Then All are the worst tracks on the album.

Objectively, in my opinion.

[Ben_Jamin]

Blind Faith is a favorite of mine on the album.

I actually love all the songs. 6DOIT is my favorite album not because of the music, it's the subject matter of mental struggles humans face. From alcoholism, religious/spiritual struggles, self-determination, political, lost of loved ones, to the end piece that goes through many mental illnesses.

It does feel though that we all have our own reasons for why we listen to Dream Theater. Mine isn't just because of their musical talents as musicians, it's also a lot of things. Lyrics for me isn't a big issue, as I consider words are just words, it's like how a lot of people can enjoy 80's glam metal lyrics. I can even listen to music sung in different languages, yet I still enjoy them even though I have to translate them, I do search for translated lyrics and even at that, those translated lyrics can vary in interpretation (which is something I do find fascinating, given how do those who don't speak or under English interpret English lyrics).

I love what my friend told me when I mentioned that MP was back in DT. He prefers MP in DT, doesn't really prefer the MM era, but still went to see the Distant Memories tour as SFAM is his favorite album, he still wanted to see it played live. But what he said about the new album...."I'll have to hear it and see it first before I make my opinion."  I respect him for that and I feel the same.

We can all speculate,  get our hopes up, but those feelings and excitement will only be felt once that album is released. Personally, it's all about the live shows, and I am bummed i won't get to hear Mangini play songs I feel he would've done justice too, such as SoC, but I am also interested in hearing the songs I think will sound great with Portnoy, such as Breaking All Illusions.

[MirrorMask]

And don't forget that Mike Portnoy said way back at the time that had they been forced to make it a single album of under 80 minutes, Blind Faith and Disappear would have gotten the axe and not made the record. 

I always chuckled at the idea that he would axe two songs right away but would never consider the ending of Misunderstood and the long ending note of Gran Finale, those two parts alone are already 5 minutes to spare that should have been the very first things to cut if needed be 

[Ben_Jamin]

I always chuckled at the idea that he would axe two songs right away but would never consider the ending of Misunderstood and the long ending note of Gran Finale, those two parts alone are already 5 minutes to spare that should have been the very first things to cut if needed be 

It's funny too, wasn't the only reason he made those final minutes of Grand Finale be that long just so he can have the song be 42:00, which the joke is "Lol ..420" 

If it was forced to be a single disc, I am sure the others would've had a say about which songs would've had things cut and shortened. MP was never, ever the final decider of the final product. JP would've definitely had a say about what the final shortened single disc would have been.

[MirrorMask]

I actually made a thread about some years ago, how you'd all would have "solved" the problem if Six Degrees had to be a single disc.

[Lax]

We should go in the sdoit topic but wow I'm surprised about some opinions.
It's my fav album and exactly what I wanna hear from DT.

The glass prison is the only part of the suite you need and it's just true prog metal.
Blind faith is one of their best song ever to me. Felt like a collab with type o negative, and the instrumental part is just pure ecstasy and virtuosity.
Misunderstood is funny, but the weakest to me.
The great debate is cool, and contains both a good chorus and solid musical gems.
Disappear is packed with so much emotion, it's beautiful and has to exist.
SDOIT overture is progAF
About to crash is progAF
War inside my head is forgettable maybe
The test is forgettable maybe
Goodnight kiss is systematic chills in my spine and the solo is just one of JP's best emotionwise.
Solitary shell transition is a gem. The remaining is chill.
About to crash reprise is nice
Losing time / Finale does the job as the intro

So in the end, if you don't like most of the album you either hate rudess, or falling into infinity, or even DT pré-TOT, is it ?

[Ben_Jamin]

I actually made a thread about some years ago, how you'd all would have "solved" the problem if Six Degrees had to be a single disc.

I think I remember that thread.

[TAC]

That would be bottom 5 DT album easy.

*TAC, that gif is from Apocalypse Now, a highly regarded Vietnam War film directed By Francis Ford Coppola based on Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.

I may have seen it. If I did it was only once. I have zero recollection of any of it.