New single, Night Terror. Discuss.

[illusionist]

Y'all can share your opinions here.

[DTA]

Enjoyable but pretty run of the mill as far as DT goes. I feel like I can almost hear some reused parts from Count of Tuscany and a Nightmare to Remember. Great to hear MP back doing his thing and I'm excited to hear the rest of it.

[Skeever]

Likes
-MP is bringing his A game
-More balanced mix overall (hotter drums and more prominent rhythm section
-Instrumental sections feel more special and not just "trading solos"
-James' performance sounds more energized than usual

Dislikes
-The line "Nocturnal Trial By Fire" sticks out as Taylor Swift levels of amateurish phrasing, that's it really

[Pettor]

Likes
- Mike Portnoy is back and doing what I personally love 😭
- LaBrie just sounds really good in this one. Something with the energy and dynamic.
- It's not a song that reuse the same ideas over and over. This could drive me crazy during MM era. I always love when things progress and change over time.
- Great middle breakdown.
- Miles better than The Alien and specially Invisible Monster.

Dislikes
- Chugga chugga JP. I know he can do more melodic playing. Not sure why I always feel that Glass Prison and TOT never had this problem since they are the heavy ones. But somewhere they started to do a certain chugga chugga riffing and based most guitar parts on that.
- Give me some new keyboard palettes! It's great but surprise us!

[hefdaddy42]

I'm not fucking analyzing it yet.  I'm just listening and enjoying.

[BlackInk]

Cool song, I actually like it so far.

Like I said in the other thread, Myung's bass tone is surprisingly brutal for DT, which is cool.

[SeRoX]

Likes

*Production, especially drums.
*Mike Portnoy's fill and punch is just great.
*Kinda like chrous.

Dislikes

*Not something I wanted to hear since MP rejoined again.
*Dream Theater by numbers, nothing new.
*Unnecessarily long song and disjointed parts.
*From the first second to the end everything is predictable. So nothing new on the table.


I generally don't like DT's singles. Night Terror sadly is one of them. Pretty sure album is going to be amazing though.

[BeatriceNB]

-The line "Nocturnal Trial By Fire" sticks out as Taylor Swift levels of amateurish phrasing, that's it really

Besides some... questionable lyric decisions in her last album, Taylor Swift is an amazing lyricist, singer and melody maker; very diverse music catalogue too.

As for DT, I couldn't even finish the song. I wanted to see some opinions here, wasn't even gonna comment, but I HAD to defend my favourite singer.

[WilliamMunny]

It definitely feels like a continuation of BC&SL...the song is very much of a piece with ANTR and even some of the Systematic Chaos moments.

Not my favorite era of DT by any stretch, but I've only listened twice, so I will wait until I hear it within the context of the album.

I think, regardless of my own personal opinion regarding the song/album (I suspect I will be underwhelmed), I am BEYOND HAPPY that the boys are back together and seem jazzed to be working together again.

There's plenty of 'new' music in this world that still excites the hell out of me (the last Wand album is literally breaking my brain), but my fandom with DT goes beyond music.

The reunion with MP hit me on a human-interest level, and that is where I am deriving my most enjoyment these days.

[hefdaddy42]

I get why people are making the Black Clouds connection, but on first listen, this feels more cohesive and focused than most of that bloatfest.

IDK need to listen more.

[Art]

In the immortal words of Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness:

"It's alright"

Pretty much a by the numbers modern DT track, which by itself, doesn't do much for me. But it's not awful or anything.

[KevShmev]

I won't listen to it again until the album is out, as I don't like getting a new album and having one song be one I already know really well and then the rest all being brand new.

My initial reaction to the song was that I loved the production and the energy, but their heavier tracks rarely hit me right away, so my ambivalence towards the song is probably more about me than anything.  I did grimace a little at hearing Jordan bring back some of the lead tones I never liked in the 00s that he seemingly had put to bed in the Mangini era, but we'll see.

Either way, it's always good to have new Dream Theater.

[cramx3]

Reminds me of The Alien mixed with A Nightmare to Remember.

I guess that's kind of what one might expect.

Having said that though, that's probably the biggest reason why the song is just "good".  It's not terribly interesting because it feels like I heard it before, although it it enjoyable and very much DT that I do like. 

Instrumental section was very fun

[HOF]

Can't say that's a type of song that holds much interest for me. Oh well.

[mrpmrpmrpmrp]

Still digesting!

Awesome and triumphant.

ENERGY POWER

radio edit single is really great as well.

Best drum sound on a DT record ever.

JP rips but in service of the song. Also his best tone ever, it just rips.

James sounds amazing.

Jordan being Jordan (wizard)

JM crushing the foundation.

Very happy.

[WilliamMunny]

I think that the JP/Jimmy production combo is just not my cup of tea.

MP's drums sound 'good,' but they've really deadened his snare...not to the same effect as Mangini, but man, JP must really want his drums to sound like cannons.

Also, I've noticed a weird almost lisp to some of JLB's singing...not something you hear on his last solo album, but I suspect they are compressing and EQ'ing his vocals in order to help them sit in a guitar-dominated mix, and it's resulting in tons of vocal artifacts.

None of the above is bad, per se...it's actually par for the course when it comes 2024 metal production.

But, when you're measuring stick for a well-produced album are records like Empire, A Night at the Opera, and Love Gun, well, you're bound to be disappointed.

[KidInTheDark666]

This fucking slaps! Love heavy DT. That fast thrashy riff is the best one we've had in years and James sounds surprisingly great too. I already like it way more than anything on the previous album.

[lonestar]

One spin in... I'm cautiously optimistic... Love that they didn't process the shit out if James vocals, he sounds very natural.


Instrumental segments are solid, Portnoy sounds amazing

[cramx3]

Should add that the production is solid for me on this one

[lightningbolt]

After a couple of listens, it is alright.  Sounds like a DT song, but nothing new to my ears.  Maybe it will grow on me and/or be sweet live.  I do hear some combo of View and Black Clouds.

Interested to hear the rest of the album. 

FWIW, my 19-month old boy enthusiastically clapped and smiled through the music video.

[ReaperKK]

Pretty good track, drum sound and overall production is good. MP is bringing his usual bag of tricks which is to be expected. JR needs some new keyboard sounds IMO.

[lovethedrake]

Sounds like Black Clouds of Octavariums Systematic Chaos with some view sprinkled in.

With such a dynamic 90's history I wonder why they keep going back to the same well but what can you do.

It sounded reasonably inspired.

Labrie limits what the band can do.

Didn't love portnoy drum sound... a little surprised there.

I would say I'm disappointed but this is pretty much what I expected.

I was hoping they would go the bright experimental route like SDOIT but they didn't.

A fine single, better than some others

[DeanTheater]

I loved the slayeresque single note progression right before the first verse. All in all this is a really good song with an awesome chorus. JP solo is freaking frantic and beautiful. It is good to see MP behind the Beast again and back on backing vocals.  It definitely has a black cloud vibe, but with a name like Night Terrors in the theme of dreams, make of it what you will, it will correlate just by name itself. I love the single first listen.

[Sir Walrus Cauliflower]

One listen in. More heavy DT is not what I was hoping for but I like the song. Memorable chorus, some really good melodies. Some of the instrumental sections were really cool towards the end.

The execution of the drum parts feels sloppy to me. I didn't want to feel this way, but the quicker kick drum stuff is not one I'd describe as "tight" or locked in. The cymbal work through the middle is sloppy as well to my ears. I was hoping that a bit more care would be poured into every note around the kit but it sounds like he just sat down and did some takes and said "that'll work". And it works I suppose.

I hate to be that guy but man, after 8+ months I'd think we could get some better takes maybe. The care and attention to every little moment isn't there for me.

Anyways, I like the song still. I'm excited to see where the album goes. I'm excited for the live energy. I love the theme and the intent. I really like the chorus - that's what stands out most to me. Overall sound is good though the drums seem a little over-compressed to me.

Welcome back dudes. I hope they're proud of this one - I'm stoked to hear the rest. I hope DT does something new because I didn't hear that in this song, but I have high hopes for the epic.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

One listen in. More heavy DT is not what I was hoping for but I like the song. Memorable chorus, some really good melodies. Some of the instrumental sections were really cool towards the end.

The execution of the drum parts feels sloppy to me. I didn't want to feel this way, but the quicker kick drum stuff is not one I'd describe as "tight" or locked in. The cymbal work through the middle is sloppy as well to my ears. I was hoping that a bit more care would be poured into every note around the kit but it sounds like he just sat down and did some takes and said "that'll work". And it works I suppose.

I hate to be that guy but man, after 8+ months I'd think we could get some better takes maybe. The care and attention to every little moment isn't there for me.

Anyways, I like the song still. I'm excited to see where the album goes. I'm excited for the live energy. I love the theme and the intent. I really like the chorus - that's what stands out most to me. Overall sound is good though the drums seem a little over-compressed to me.

Welcome back dudes. I hope they're proud of this one - I'm stoked to hear the rest. I hope DT does something new because I didn't hear that in this song, but I have high hopes for the epic.

I am with you on this.

[hefdaddy42]

One listen in. More heavy DT is not what I was hoping for but I like the song. Memorable chorus, some really good melodies. Some of the instrumental sections were really cool towards the end.

I mean, it's a first single.  The first single is never a ballad or an epic or anything.  It's something to get people jacked up.

Doesn't mean this is going to be Train of Thought 2 or anything.

[svisser]

Sounds like the missing song off of AVFTTOTW. Has the flavour of modern DT with MP on drums.

[Dream Team]

Well we knew the drumming was going to be drastically different, both for better and worse I suppose, so no real surprises that it's not 100% locked in.

[genome]

Not really sure I'm hearing things not being "locked in"

Are you sure you're not just used to hearing modern DT with a drummer who is as precise as a machine?

I've always preferred Portnoy's style. More attitude, more emotion

[OptionalPlayer]

It seems a few of you are sharing the same opinion as I had: It's similar to ANtR and  the song feels like it's from BC&SL.

Not much excitement for the single from me. I'm cautiously optimistic for the rest of the album. Just kind of surprised the song feels "the same" despite it being over a decade since they made the last album together.

I was really hoping for the excitement I felt from LTE3.

Cautiously optimistic.

[lovethedrake]

I am with you on this.

Also with you on this.

[lovethedrake]

It seems everyone is sharing the same opinion as I had: It's similar to ANtR and  the song feels like it's from BC&SL.

Not much excitement for the single from me. I'm cautiously optimistic for the rest of the album. Just kind of surprised the song feels "the same" despite it being over a decade since they made the last album together.

I was really hoping for the excitement I felt from LTE3.

Cautiously optimistic.

The dark and gothic vibe worries me... I think their best writing comes when they're forced to use bright major chords.

I hope this is the worst song on the album and the singles often are.

[CraftyCaleb2483]

Cool song! Already like it more than basically everything on View

[nobloodyname]

Haven't read any of the comments (although can guess what they say). Am trying to work out whether to listen to it now or wait until a week on Sunday

[ReaPsTA]

- I liked the shot where Portnoy opens his eyes. It's indulgent, but you have to flex sometimes
- The intro's okay. It sets up the right vibe but it just ends abruptly without really doing anything
- James sounds good, and with MP having become a stronger singer his background vocals fit more naturally
- Second verse was sick. I don't know if it's a Polyrhythm or just an odd time signature, but really tight groove
- You can feel the influences from the DreamSonic Tour. The melodies have hints of Devon Townsend and the tighter instrumental work feels Animals as Leadersish. Trend chasing and overly obviously influences suck, but being totally out of step with your contemporaries feels like you're missing the cultural vibe
- The drum sound is... much better. I like it punchy. Also, MP had gotten into a bad habit of over-drumming near the end of his DT tenure. It was nice not to hear any fills that made me think "why is this here?" or that broke up the groove awkwardly
- On the other hand, from a creative standpoint, I think if you put 2009 Mike Portnoy in a time machine to play this song, the result would be the same. It's kind of interesting because the other vocals, instrumentals, and the song construction reflect what the band has learned and built on from their time with Mangini. But the drums are a complete throwback. I also have a feeling that this is exactly what a large portion of the fanbase wants to hear
- I got a mild anxiety attack when I heard the Beyond This Life circus synth at the start of the instrumental section. We hadn't done that for fifteen years! The instrumental section ended up being well-structured though
- The tight/shreddy JP solo was cool as always. John Petrucci is good at playing guitar
- Andy Sneap is good at mixing. The bass is even louder!
- More of a broader album commentary, but I like the gothic vibe they're going for. It's genuinely different

Overall, in spite of a lot of positives, my gut instincts was still "I've heard this before." It's actually pretty catchy/memorable, but I also wonder if that's because it's so on brand that the pattern matching in my brain can just instantly commit it to memory. But it's well crafted enough that, if there are other songs on the album with fresher ideas, the band has what it takes to execute on them and potentially make something that slaps.