Dream Theater announces 16th Studio Album - Parasomnia

[illusionist]

I stopped doing my reviews because i became too close to the band and would not be believed to be impartial. After all, when I'm involved in the planning of the release of the album, I'm too deep into the business side of it...

So how would you rate Parasomnia in your book? Is it something you enjoy as much as you had hoped?
Is it an album you expected,or is it completely different from what you were expecting them to create?
What were your initial reactions and how has it settled in for you after so many months of repeated listens?

[SeRoX]

Today I read a review that mentions James and Mike both wrote the lyrics for Midnight Messiah. I thought it is said that Mike wrote it all. Maybe the review has a typo or wrong information.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Do people usually start to receive box sets and special edition orders (non Amazon) early or does everything trickle in post release date?

[Awaken]

Today I read a review that mentions James and Mike both wrote the lyrics for Midnight Messiah. I thought it is said that Mike wrote it all. Maybe the review has a typo or wrong information.

I read that in Sonic Perspectives, as well.  The song credits in Apple Music list MP as the sole lyricist so IDK

[Max Kuehnau]

Do people usually start to receive box sets and special edition orders (non Amazon) early or does everything trickle in post release date?

in my experience (non Amazon btw) it depends on where you order from. With my carrier of choice (jpc.de), it definitely does happen for product to arrive early

[Kyo]

Today I read a review that mentions James and Mike both wrote the lyrics for Midnight Messiah. I thought it is said that Mike wrote it all. Maybe the review has a typo or wrong information.

The PR kit for the album says MP wrote the lyrics for Midnight Messiah and JLB for A Broken Man, implying that JP handled the rest.

[noxon]

So how would you rate Parasomnia in your book? Is it something you enjoy as much as you had hoped?
Is it an album you expected,or is it completely different from what you were expecting them to create?
What were your initial reactions and how has it settled in for you after so many months of repeated listens?

I generally dont rate albums. I like Parasomnia a lot - I've played it maybe 40-50 times since mid september.

First time i heard it i was shocked by the onslaught.it just goes non stop until are we dreaming?, and even the epic just... goes.


But it grew quickly. First times i heard it i had no info, no album title. And hearing stuff like midnight messiah which quotes so much old stuff, and shadow man which has some rhythms and chords right out of sfam, I was sure this album was connected to metropolis in some way...

[noxon]

I'm glad you're back Noxon!  It's good to see you.

I was gone? Where was I? Why didn't anyone tell I'd gone somewhere??

[durga2112]

And hearing stuff like midnight messiah which quotes so much old stuff, and shadow man which has some rhythms and chords right out of sfam, I was sure this album was connected to metropolis in some way...

Wow. So when people were hoping for a Metropolis Pt. III (and I can't lie - if they can find a way to make it work, I would love to hear it!), maybe they weren't far off base? Could this be the start of another meta-album cycle where the next album actually is Metropolis Pt. III? I guess only time will tell. 

[Max Kuehnau]

Where was I?

Home (possibly) (pun intended)

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Woohoo! I am thrilled Nixon is back 

[mrpmrpmrpmrp]

Wow. So when people were hoping for a Metropolis Pt. III (and I can't lie - if they can find a way to make it work, I would love to hear it!), maybe they weren't far off base? Could this be the start of another meta-album cycle where the next album actually is Metropolis Pt. III? I guess only time will tell. 

2028 is technically 100 years after the events in part two... It would be cool, but to be honest, I would probably hope for just a song like Metropolis one rather than a whole story... or maybe like a suite of 3 songs instead of a 1 or 2 disc romp...

[Glasser]

Woohoo! I am thrilled Nixon is back 

[Glasser]

I was gone? Where was I? Why didn't anyone tell I'd gone somewhere??

You weren't in Metropolis? Have some bacon

[durga2112]

2028 is technically 100 years after the events in part two... It would be cool, but to be honest, I would probably hope for just a song like Metropolis one rather than a whole story... or maybe like a suite of 3 songs instead of a 1 or 2 disc romp...

I think I mentioned this in another thread, but I would find it hilarious if their next album opens with a song called "Overture 2028" that has nothing at all to do with "Metropolis". 

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I just got an email that my special edition has shipped as of 1/31!

Parasomnia incoming 

[Glasser]

I just got an email that my special edition has shipped as of 1/31!

Parasomnia incoming 

You're 3 days ahead of me. Or am I 3 behind you?

[faizoff]

I just got an email that my special edition has shipped as of 1/31!

Parasomnia incoming 

Did you order from Laser's Edge? I too got an email regarding the artbook being shipped today with that date listed in the body of the email.

[emtee]

Have we discussed the abbreviation for this one yet? Will this just be; P?

Also, has anyone seen Scotty around lately?

[hefdaddy42]

I just got an email that my special edition has shipped as of 1/31!

Parasomnia incoming 

I received a similar email lol

[Nissim]

Have we discussed the abbreviation for this one yet? Will this just be; P?

Also, has anyone seen Scotty around lately?

I'll just write Parasomnia, Only one word like Octavarium and awake.

[nobloodyname]

Also, has anyone seen Scotty around lately?

I wondered just the same earlier today, funnily enough. I'll give him a shout on Facebook.

[emtee]

I wondered just the same earlier today, funnily enough. I'll give him a shout on Facebook.

I thought he lived in CA and I wondered if he was impacted by the fires.

[nobloodyname]

Ah, I do know he doesn't live there these days; he's quite some distance away.

[emtee]

Ah, I do know he doesn't live there these days; he's quite some distance away.

Ok. That's good news. Just hope he is well.

[noxon]

He's a moderator and active on my Facebook group, spoke to him today even...

[Dream Team]

I guess that Metropolis Pt 3 idea will never die.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I guess that Metropolis Pt 3 idea will never die.

People just need to ask themselves which is better, Godfather 2 or 3?

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Did you order from Laser's Edge? I too got an email regarding the artbook being shipped today with that date listed in the body of the email.

Yes sir. I was worried I wouldn't get it before the release date but sounds like it'll be here maybe even a day or two before.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

New interview from NAMM with both John's. Not a whole lot we have not heard before.

One interesting comment from JM at 21:20 on song writing for Parasomnia and how the last couple records were technical - which he doesn't think makes for a better record necessarily.

https://youtu.be/fJ3idJtd3xo?si=6JPVYpxZcrA-Ojiq

[TAC]

New interview from NAMM with both John's. Not a whole lot we have not heard before.

One interesting comment from JM at 21:20 on song writing for Parasomnia and how the last couple records were technical - which he doesn't think makes for a better record necessarily.

https://youtu.be/fJ3idJtd3xo?si=6JPVYpxZcrA-Ojiq

So I just started and the first question is about guests on their albums, and JP mentions Doug Pinnik. But what I like about JP is that he follows up the question with one of his own and he asks "did you have somebody in mind?". It's little classy things like this that really make me appreciate DT.


I love how JP has to translate each question for JM.

And JM is really personable here. It's nice to see.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

So I just started and the first question is about guests on their albums, and JP mentions Doug Pinnik. But what I like about JP is that he follows up the question with one of his own and he asks "did you have somebody in mind?". It's little classy things like this that really make me appreciate DT.


I love how JP has to translate each question for JM.

And JM is really personable here. It's nice to see.

I noticed that as well. I wondered for a second if he has lost some of his hearing.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

New interview with JP:

https://youtu.be/uLGSpuBzSs4?si=mMLJiFZx3G_wvyoO

[HOF]

Have we discussed the abbreviation for this one yet? Will this just be; P?

Also, has anyone seen Scotty around lately?

PS probably.

[nobloodyname]

I noticed that as well. I wondered for a second if he has lost some of his hearing.

JP wasn't translating, for the most part he was repeating the questions because he knew not everyone in the audience could hear them.

Actually a more intresting interview than I thought it would be. Fascinating responses about MP being back, not least the bit Barstool Warrior referred to. It sounded like the technicality of the last two albums had become a bit of a drain on them, and they weren't sure to what end.