Dream Theater announces 16th Studio Album - Parasomnia

[hefdaddy42]

Anyone remember the NO SYNTHS movement of the late 70s/early 80s?

How old do you think these fuckers are

[jammindude]

If synths contributed to climate change and were destroying an entire industry then this would hold up. It's more akin to vinyl vs Spotify, if Spotify was entirely stolen music, consumed 400ml of water every time someone listened to a song and encouraged people to stop listening to music made by humans. 

It's like you didn't even read the rest of my post.

And if you had been here, a lot of really similar arguments were made. People felt at the time that people who played synthesizers were not musicians at all.  Anyone who played a synthesizer was viewed as someone who could just push a button and the machine played music for them. Sound familiar?

[XJDenton]

If synths contributed to climate change and were destroying an entire industry then this would hold up. It's more akin to vinyl vs Spotify, if Spotify was entirely stolen music, consumed 400ml of water every time someone listened to a song and encouraged people to stop listening to music made by humans. 

Whilst I don't disagree with most of what you say, I think a more general AI ethics debate would be better served in its own thread.

How old do you think these fuckers are

As a man born in '86, thanks.

[Super Dude]

I'm just gonna sidestep this...weird...debate to say this single is cool. I really missed MP.

[jammindude]

Regarding the AI debate. I agree and if anyone wants to discuss it further, we should probably take it to the established AI thread.

Regarding the song: I absolutely love it and while I can see some comparisons to BCSL, I think that the new song has a very definite fresh energy that BCSL lacked. But it could just be that "new car smell". Time will tell.

[Stadler]

DT finally has new music and all we DTF can do is bitch about the artwork? 

As HoSo would say, "welcome to the forum!!"

Though I'm with you.  What did anyone expect?  I think it's (the artwork) is great, in the same way that the 900th floating mountain from Roger Dean was great, and the 675th Eddie in a Taylor Swift costume was great.  I like DT's brand of music, and I like the song.  Boom.  That's what we're paying for.  I didn't expect bagpipes, I didn't expect Portnoy to replicate Mangini, I didn't expect Petrooch to abandon his guitar approach for this...

[Max Kuehnau]

It's already sounding better than View!

if it does to you, great. Euphoria is something I'm always cautious of. I might be back to timeline DT17 (in case it happens). Until then, enjoy mediocrity.

[gzarruk]

I like the concept, but the artwork will take a while to get used to... that's the most polite I can make it sound

[brakkum]

Until then, enjoy mediocrity.

Jeez, you sound like a certain ex forum member

[Max Kuehnau]

I thought I sound like myself? 

[Adami]

It's fine. The song writing is definitely not just a continuation of View which I greatly appreciate. However it does feel as just a continuation of 2010 and such which I find underwhelming.

The main riff after the long intro and the verse riff are cool. Rest is fine. Nothing really stood out. Felt like DT doing the DT thing as they figured the fans wanted it. Was hoping for something a bit more fresh and alive. But this isn't bad. Just fine. Production is better though.

[jammindude]

I thought I sound like myself? 

Nope

[bosk1]

As a man born in '86, thanks.

If anyone was already a man at birth, it was you, Rich.  It was you.

[Max Kuehnau]

Whilst I don't disagree with most of what you say, I think a more general AI ethics debate would be better served in its own thread.

As a man born in '86, thanks.

yeah I mean, I was born in 1990 and I also thought: oh, tell me about it  , so there you are.

[Zook]

As if Hugh Syme hasn't been caught doing awful art practices with DT before. Who remembers the giant slanted line on the DT12 cover?

-Marc.

Or the visible watermarks on the art he stole.

[Adami]

Also the song's been out for like an hour or two and not even ONE full cover on YouTube yet? For shame!

[BlackInk]

This album may not be called 'Dream Theater', but it looks like it sort of is a dream theater in a way.

[emtee]

Happy they are together again. Happy there is new music. Zero goosebumps though. Can't lie about it.

[MinistroRaven]

I never imagined I would add someone to the ignore list, but I just did. I'm tired of seeing the same negativity in every post.

I f*cking love the new single. The video is excellent!

[XJDenton]

If anyone was already a man at birth, it was you, Rich.  It was you.

Fun fact: I actually assisted with the birth!

[bosk1]

So did I. 

[The Letter M]

I never imagined I would add someone to the ignore list, but I just did. I'm tired of seeing the same negativity in every post.

I f*cking love the new single. The video is excellent!

True. Does their repeated statements read as MP-bashing? Sounds like a violation of the rules posted in this thread...
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php/topic,24371.0.html

Regardless, it is a bit tiresome. If someone doesn't like the song, say so once and move on. No reason to keep hammering it out and ruin others' enjoyment of it.

-Marc.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Sorry if I said something that offended someone or Mike Portnoy. I am not sure if y'all are referring to me but I did enjoy the single quite a bit!

[MinistroRaven]

Sorry if I said something that offended someone or Mike Portnoy. I am not sure if y'all are referring to me but I did enjoy the single quite a bit!

I still can read your messages, so no, I am not referring to you.

[CodyWanKenobi]

Was pumped to hear MP. Didn't love the song at first listen. Heard it again when watched the video after arriving at work. Definitely liked it more that time. I wish the chorus was bit catchier. First impression of MP's return was that the snare slays but the kick drum seemed a bit low in volume in comparison. Usually his kicks are heavy and up front. A lot of MP fills we've heard dozens of times, but I'm cool with that. It's nice to hear him back. Love that he and JP are back on the mic to accompany James. The last handful of first singles they've released have been far from my favorite song on their respective albums, so I definitely have high hopes for the rest of the album.

I completely agree with everyone saying it feels like AVFTTOTW continued with MP. That's cool. We'll see if we get any vibes that feel more like classic DT.


As for the AI in the artwork goes, I can't be overly bothered by it until I hear how much they actually paid HS. I imagine they paid him quite a bit of money though - if that's the case and he's using generative AI that's a load of bullshit and I'd be livid if I were DT.


EDIT:

I'm also disappointed to see there's no mention of any kind of behind the scenes or making of video included in any of the deluxe editions. I was really hoping to see something like that considering MP's return.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

I still can read your messages, so no, I am not referring to you.

Glad it wasn't me, I can be a little crazy with excitement sometimes. Cheers, and glad you're enjoying the single as much as me!   

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

As for the AI in the artwork goes, I can't be overly bothered by it until I hear how much they actually paid HS.

I'm not sure if you're referring to me or Hugh Syme, but I would have made the artwork for free, had they just asked

[DeanTheater]

True. Does their repeated statements read as MP-bashing? Sounds like a violation of the rules posted in this thread...
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php/topic,24371.0.html

Regardless, it is a bit tiresome. If someone doesn't like the song, say so once and move on. No reason to keep hammering it out and ruin others' enjoyment of it.

-Marc.

Yep, gets really old. I disappeared and didn't post for so long due to the JLB hate. People need a dose of reality. The negativity is misplaced. This happens to every band due to aging and the glut of music now available in streaming.

[Bacong]

Yep, gets really old. I disappeared and didn't post for so long due to the JLB hate. People need a dose of reality. The negativity is misplaced. This happens to every band due to aging and the glut of music now available in streaming.

u to them:

HERE COMES A DOSE OF REALITY
YOU'LL BE BANNED A SAD AND LONELY MAN
THE DOOR IS NOW CLOSED ON YOUR PATHETIC LITTLE PLAN

[Wukong]

I watched the video clip but muted since i want to listen to the album as a whole when it does come out.
My first observation is that i don't like this dark/eerie/goth vibe by them.
There are many bands that play doom/black/goth rock/metal and it's their signature style.
I have always had DT in my mind connected to more bright colours, like the ACoS cover.
Their music is (or used to be, or I'm way more interested in) lyrical and poetic.
Ok they've done SFaM, which was a dark album but not gothic, they've done ToT which was balls to the wall, they've done ANTR, which was like a thriller soundtrack, in the last 15 years they have gone the heavier route, but still.
I want Dream Theater music to be (progressive and) beautiful and uplifting, more like Breaking all illusions, Barstool Warrior, Transcending Time, most of TA, etc.
I don't know why they chose this path again, did it come out of them organically or did they force it, I'm very curious to learn.
I also don't like the cover artwork, trying to like it but i find it difficult.
It seems like AI generated, like many of you have said, and it doesn't seem like someone really put the effort to make it special.
It may be fitting for the theme of the album, but it won't go down as one of their memorable ones, at first sight.
Of course my first impressions have nothing to do with the actual music, which i really hope to be more diverse than just heavy and dark.
I wanted them to have some emotional songs, passages, melodies and solos, but i don't know how they can be integrated into this parasomnia concept.
Anyway, i hope we'll get a progressive album moreso than a dark one.
The feeling of DT announcing a new album is always special, and i can recall all their previous announcements from SFaM and how they impacted me mentally and emotionally.
On a lighter note, i really like the new Majesty logo in the middle of the guitar frets, and didn't anyone else notice the dark keys of JR??

Just listen to the freaking song. Watching the music video muted??? What are you even doing?? This is not normal lighten up and enjoy the ride that Mike and the apes are taking us on.

[mrpmrpmrpmrp]

Also a note: if anyone wondering why gothic/dark/heavy vibe...have you ever heard or seen the song/video called "pull me under"? Just wondering...

[gzarruk]

So are we safe to call this a concept album? I haven't seen a debate here about that yet

[CodyWanKenobi]

Imagine they didn't announce MP's return last year and instead kept it a secret, and then still had this lead up all week with the videos of their eyes opening, and then the music video drops today with that flash of MP opening his eyes and that's the unveiling of his return. That would have been insane.

So are we safe to call this a concept album? I haven't seen a debate here about that yet

I'd say nah. If it was a true concept album, they for sure would be marketing it as such.

[DeanTheater]

So are we safe to call this a concept album? I haven't seen a debate here about that yet

My read on it so far is that it is a "Thematic" album, similar to 6DOIT?  Open to discuss...

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Just listen to the freaking song. Watching the music video muted??? What are you even doing?? This is not normal lighten up and enjoy the ride that Mike and the apes are taking us on.

A little harsh but I can't say I didn't think the same thing