Dream Theater announces 16th Studio Album - Parasomnia

[jammindude]

Dream Theater work better when they incorporate metal into their music, rather than try to be a metal band. It's a limiting factor IMO. Train of Thought is the exception.

+1

[Wim Kruithof]

I really should of done the same thing as you and hid away for a bit, because as much as I love this forum there was so much focus on negativity and it just kind of ruined the whole single release for me.

Dedication, musicianship and skill are thrown into the blender... complaining, whining and moaning becomes the drink. Too often the Dream Theater Forum way.

[PMSummer]

Just heard the new single Night Terror, and man, it instantly took me back to Systematic Chaos. I know that album doesn't always rank high for a lot of people, but it's one I've always really enjoyed. The song has that same dark, heavy vibe with the complex, technical stuff they do so well, kind of like "The Dark Eternal Night" or "In the Presence of Enemies." It's got that perfect mix of intensity and melody that hooked me right away.

I love how Night Terror captures that feel without feeling like a rehash. It's fresh but with a nod to that era of their sound, which is something I didn't realize I missed as much as I do now. Definitely excited to see how it fits into the whole album.

(I'll admit, the artwork isn't great, and it's a bit of a shame they went with AI instead of something more creative. But honestly, at the end of the day, it's the music that matters most to me, and Dream Theater definitely delivered on that front.)

[BlackInk]

What in the fuck is a Babadook?

Only one of the best horror movies of this century. And yeah, definetely also got that vibe from the shadow man in the artwork.

[Polarbear]

Just heard the new single Night Terror, and man, it instantly took me back to Systematic Chaos. I know that album doesn't always rank high for a lot of people, but it's one I've always really enjoyed. The song has that same dark, heavy vibe with the complex, technical stuff they do so well, kind of like "The Dark Eternal Night" or "In the Presence of Enemies." It's got that perfect mix of intensity and melody that hooked me right away.

I love how Night Terror captures that feel without feeling like a rehash. It's fresh but with a nod to that era of their sound, which is something I didn't realize I missed as much as I do now. Definitely excited to see how it fits into the whole album.

(I'll admit, the artwork isn't great, and it's a bit of a shame they went with AI instead of something more creative. But honestly, at the end of the day, it's the music that matters most to me, and Dream Theater definitely delivered on that front.)

I too like SC and BC/SL very much! Systematic Chaos had just come out when I became a fan.

I too see the similarities to that era of the band which is nice! While the early albums (I&W and Awake) are still my favorite, I love when they go full Metallica with their sound.

We have only heard one song so far, and some other songs might feel completely different. But if this is a dark and heavy album, with a dark and heavy theme/concept I'm game!

[JRuless]

Looking forward to this. I like NT. Killer Touropener.

And I like it that @Fritzinger asked ChatGPT what the tracklist could be and it came up with 1. Night Terror 
Freaking AI. Maybe DT did the same and used the suggestion

[crystalstars17]

Again, got through the first page of posts and decided a long wade through arguments about AI wasn't worth my (very meager, these days) time, but I don't really care about the album art anyway (that said it looks like I&W + BC&SL + ToT), I'm much more concerned with what's inside the package.

The new single couldn't have come for me at a better time (been dealing with stuff irl taking all my energy and time, hence my coming late to this party). I'm enjoying it so far and have hope that this album will be great.

[lovethedrake]

I've always found Dream Theater to be so unique because it was Styx meets Metallica or Yes meets Metallica.

When they take Styx out of it they just sound like a generic metal band.

I'm bummed if this is the route they took on this album.

I totally agree with the poster who said TOT is the exception because they were still so inspired and in their prime and that was a completely fresh idea.

They actually found a much better mix of prog and metal with mangini in the band but there was a distinctiveness missing that I hoped Portnoy would bring back.  I didn't think he would just bring back the Black clouds and SC metal side. 

Look at Glass Prison, Blind Faith, About to Crash...  these songs took you on an incredible journey and they are so varied and interesting.  Where is that band?

Anyways, I've only heard one song so I'll stay optimistic.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

TOT was their prime?

[Zantera]

TOT was their prime?

While ToT is somewhere in the middle on my personal rankings I think it's fair to argue they were still in their prime while making that album (coming off a few great albums). Some might look at it now and think it was a dud or a disappointment but hindsight is 20/20. For me it was sort of the beginning of a slow decline but it still had bits of "classic DT" in it.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

When do you think they started to decline?

[MinistroRaven]

I am 43 USD short to get the artbook.
Hopefully, it will not be sold out before I get my paycheck.

I just ordered it. Woohoo!! 

[Awaken]

Again, got through the first page of posts and decided a long wade through arguments about AI wasn't worth my (very meager, these days) time, but I don't really care about the album art anyway (that said it looks like I&W + BC&SL + ToT), I'm much more concerned with what's inside the package.

The new single couldn't have come for me at a better time (been dealing with stuff irl taking all my energy and time, hence my coming late to this party). I'm enjoying it so far and have hope that this album will be great.

Was interested in your take re: the new single, idk about you but I think James sounds fantastic here.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

It feels weird to talk about a prime with a band that has such different albums but particularly given the consistency of the musicians. It's pretty remarkable how consistent they are.

The one member who isn't - not mentioning any names here - arguably started declining in the late 90s which is nearly the entire history of the band.

[MirrorMask]

Not gonna quote from the three pages I missed but I can see the concerns about the themed album, which possibly might bring less variety to the sound. We'll see, probably they created the material they wanted to create and then realized that a unifying theme would serve the songs even better, rather than deciding "oh we have to make an album about nightmares" and forcing themselves to write a broody album.

And I can also see why people wouldn't be too excited to get balls to the walls metal from them; when will we get another Trail of Tears? another Finally Free? another Octavarium? someone mentioned A Dramatic Turn of Events as a good collection of songs and that had a little bit for everyone; the last two Mangini albums however were very tilted towards the metal side and the songs that weren't an heavy onslaught were the rare exception.

Of course in the end it's the songs that matter - I'll enjoy more 8 heavy brooding masterpieces than 8 average songs each different in style, that's for sure. But hey at this point in time we can only rely on our hopes and expectations! (black holes and revelations).

And also.... count me among those who didn't notice at first the Shadow Man on the cover 

[Dedalus]

I didn't like the cover (without getting into the Hugh/IA issues).

My first impression when I saw the cover was that it was a new King Diamond album! (I wonder if JLB will use corpse paint on stage?    ).

Considering the themes of sleep/dreams, it would be interesting to see Dave McKean return as the artist in charge.

The vibe of the cover gives me the impression of an entirely metal album and not one with more variety of layers and structures. We'll see.

[Zantera]

When do you think they started to decline?

For me ToT/Octavarium is DT squeezing the last bit of magic out of the lemon from their classic era. I'd say by SC/BCSL they're running on fumes and the drop off isn't so much a big one between two albums but more a slow one. I don't particularly care that much for any of the Mangini albums - they're fine but nothing that really hits SFAM/Awake/Images levels for me at least.

But yeah it's subjective and I know some people feel differently and have some favorites post-SDOIT. I don't necessarily consider DT's drop off to be much bigger than other bands who have been around for the same time. And I would still say I enjoy most of the albums post SDOIT but I also wish they had another 'classic' level album in them.

[Progmaniac1988]

While ToT is somewhere in the middle on my personal rankings I think it's fair to argue they were still in their prime while making that album (coming off a few great albums). Some might look at it now and think it was a dud or a disappointment but hindsight is 20/20. For me it was sort of the beginning of a slow decline but it still had bits of "classic DT" in it.

It feels weird to talk about a prime with a band that has such different albums but particularly given the consistency of the musicians. It's pretty remarkable how consistent they are.

The one member who isn't - not mentioning any names here - arguably started declining in the late 90s which is nearly the entire history of the band.

To touch on this I think it's all subjective. It's so hard to just say "this is their prime period" because One person's opinion on what DT's prime is could be COMPLETELY different than another. This band has 15 albums out all very different in nature, and there's not one I'd say is bad... I'd say my favorite 5 albums are SDOIT, TOT, SCENES, I&W, and OCTAVARIUM. (I seem to come back to these 5 the most) BC&SL and AWAKE are very close contenders! But those 5 are VERY different albums, but I love all basically evenly because I love BOTH the metal and prog sides.

Now if you don't like the metal side much your idea of their prime might be different, hence if you like the metal more your view will be different.

We gotta accept that DT is a very unique band with many different colors, there's no right or wrong with what someone thinks in their "prime"

[TAC]

I think with ToT, and specifically that tour, they were still climbing, even peaking, and perhaps the Score moment was DT's Mount Everest.

That said, they were by no means done, and there's tons that came after that I still consider amazing. To me, any declining vibe around the band post MP had NOTHING to do with the music.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

For me ToT/Octavarium is DT squeezing the last bit of magic out of the lemon from their classic era. I'd say by SC/BCSL they're running on fumes and the drop off isn't so much a big one between two albums but more a slow one. I don't particularly care that much for any of the Mangini albums - they're fine but nothing that really hits SFAM/Awake/Images levels for me at least.

But yeah it's subjective and I know some people feel differently and have some favorites post-SDOIT. I don't necessarily consider DT's drop off to be much bigger than other bands who have been around for the same time. And I would still say I enjoy most of the albums post SDOIT but I also wish they had another 'classic' level album in them.

Those older records hit a lot of us when we were a lot younger and more impressionable. If you're a middle aged guy like a lot of the fanbase maybe it takes you back to a certain time in your youth. If you're a musician maybe Petrucci or Portnoy was a big influence especially when you first started out. You never forget some of those albums that hit you in the 'pocket' of your teens or 20s maybe even early 30s.

It's going to be really difficult for a new record to compete with something that transcends the notes on a page.

[crystalstars17]

Was interested in your take re: the new single, idk about you but I think James sounds fantastic here.

He does! 💯

[TAC]

Those older records hit a lot of us when we were a lot younger and more impressionable. If you're a middle aged guy like a lot of the fanbase maybe it takes you back to a certain time in your youth. If you're a musician maybe Petrucci or Portnoy was a big influence especially when you first started out. You never forget some of those albums that hit you in the pocket of your teens or 20s maybe even early 30s.

Right. Those are great albums for sure. I have no problem with someone saying the Mangini albums don't measure up to those (I personally feel that ADTOE does!), but then again, none of the MP albums may not either.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Right. And even if say Parasomnia doesn't sound that different from ToT it's still going to be really hard for long time fans to see it as equivalent. Parasomnia probably has to sound twice as good as ToT to even be seen as on par.

[Progmaniac1988]

I'm expecting Parasomnia to have more diversity than TOT, I don't think it'll be as much of a relentless "balls to the wall" album, even tho I love that stuff. Personally I'm hoping it has a mix, even tho I love Metal DT I'm kinda wanting an album that's heavy but still had its more prog moments. I guess we'll see. I have high hopes either way.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I like some of ToT and think it has good songs but I find the non stop metal assault to be kind of boring actually.

[Progmaniac1988]

Yeah as much as I love TOT I gotta be in a certain mood to play it start to finish. I think Parasomnia will have more diversity. I don't see them going that full on metal album route again. They already did this, with this exact line up, and DT are usually not the kind of band to repeat an album.

[Zantera]

Those older records hit a lot of us when we were a lot younger and more impressionable. If you're a middle aged guy like a lot of the fanbase maybe it takes you back to a certain time in your youth. If you're a musician maybe Petrucci or Portnoy was a big influence especially when you first started out. You never forget some of those albums that hit you in the 'pocket' of your teens or 20s maybe even early 30s.

It's going to be really difficult for a new record to compete with something that transcends the notes on a page.

It's true but I also think it's the case for many bands that their "peak" is usually considered to be in their 20s or 30s and rarely later. Now some bands can keep the quality up longer than others, some band decline or lose members along the way. Your first 4-5 albums or so establish what kind of band you are and what you bring to music and I think any band will have their struggles at some point because once you get a handful of albums under your belt it's hard to match the quality of songwriting that made you successful but it's also hard to keep things fresh. It's always a fine balance for bands to keep making the kind of music they're good at and the fans want, but you also don't want to repeat yourself.

But DT are hardly alone at this. I think it applies to most bands and you can look at Metallica or Iron Maiden who also had their peak in the 80s.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Just heard the new single Night Terror, and man, it instantly took me back to Systematic Chaos. I know that album doesn't always rank high for a lot of people, but it's one I've always really enjoyed. The song has that same dark, heavy vibe with the complex, technical stuff they do so well, kind of like "The Dark Eternal Night" or "In the Presence of Enemies." It's got that perfect mix of intensity and melody that hooked me right away.

I love how Night Terror captures that feel without feeling like a rehash. It's fresh but with a nod to that era of their sound, which is something I didn't realize I missed as much as I do now. Definitely excited to see how it fits into the whole album.

(I'll admit, the artwork isn't great, and it's a bit of a shame they went with AI instead of something more creative. But honestly, at the end of the day, it's the music that matters most to me, and Dream Theater definitely delivered on that front.)

Great poast

[Max Kuehnau]

I enjoyed this beast of a post and think you made some valid points.

What I would say is that as someone who agrees with the like-a-brand analysis at this stage of their careers....i have come to realize that it was actually Mangini who made it less by the books over the few years.

exactly

[twosuitsluke]

I like some of ToT and think it has good songs but I find the non stop metal assault to be kind of boring actually.

It's in my bottom 3 DT albums. I find it quite boring as well.

[TAC]

It's true but I also think it's the case for many bands that their "peak" is usually considered to be in their 20s or 30s and rarely later. Now some bands can keep the quality up longer than others, some band decline or lose members along the way. Your first 4-5 albums or so establish what kind of band you are and what you bring to music and I think any band will have their struggles at some point because once you get a handful of albums under your belt it's hard to match the quality of songwriting that made you successful but it's also hard to keep things fresh. It's always a fine balance for bands to keep making the kind of music they're good at and the fans want, but you also don't want to repeat yourself.

But DT are hardly alone at this. I think it applies to most bands and you can look at Metallica or Iron Maiden who also had their peak in the 80s.

Yeah, this all makes sense.

Sometimes there's just an intangible enthusiasm built in to younger musicians' music that goes beyond technical prowess.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

It's true but I also think it's the case for many bands that their "peak" is usually considered to be in their 20s or 30s and rarely later. Now some bands can keep the quality up longer than others, some band decline or lose members along the way. Your first 4-5 albums or so establish what kind of band you are and what you bring to music and I think any band will have their struggles at some point because once you get a handful of albums under your belt it's hard to match the quality of songwriting that made you successful but it's also hard to keep things fresh. It's always a fine balance for bands to keep making the kind of music they're good at and the fans want, but you also don't want to repeat yourself.

But DT are hardly alone at this. I think it applies to most bands and you can look at Metallica or Iron Maiden who also had their peak in the 80s.

Metallica for all they've done to pioneer the metal genre just has far less depth as musicians. A lot of longevity as songwriters has to do with how much the members are putting into their craft. If you're not learning new things on your instrument you're just going to sound like all the things you did before.

[KevShmev]

I must be weird then, because I tend to listen to less metal as I get older, yet Train of Thought has gotten better and better for me over the years.  The almost-relentless onslaught of heaviness is part of the charm, proving that a lot of variety is not needed for an album to be great.  Octavarium, for example, has a ton of variety, but very few songs I reach for on their own.

[TAC]

Metallica for all they've done to pioneer the metal genre just has far less depth as musicians. A lot of longevity as songwriters has to do with how much the members are putting into their craft. If you're not learning new things on your instrument you're just going to sound like all the things you did before.

I think at the end of the day it all comes down to the songs. I mean, it always does. I've been an Iron maiden fan my entire life, and pretty much for all of their discography's life as well, and yet I find myself reaching for their Reunion Era albums over their Classic Era albums, so it can be done.

I LOVE the Mangini Era. Not every album, and not every song, and maybe there's not another I&W in there, but I rank ADTOE pretty high, and since it's release, I've listened to it more than any other DT album save for I&W.

Octavarium, for example, has a ton of variety, but very few songs I reach for on their own.

Totally, So weird to see in the Walk Beside The Band video just how enamored JP was with the 8V album.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

I must be weird then, because I tend to listen to less metal as I get older, yet Train of Thought has gotten better and better for me over the years.  The almost-relentless onslaught of heaviness is part of the charm, proving that a lot of variety is not needed for an album to be great.  Octavarium, for example, has a ton of variety, but very few songs I reach for on their own.

I totally get where you're coming from, and I don't think it's weird at all! It's funny how as we age, our tastes shift in unexpected ways, but certain albums or styles can really grow on us over time—even the heavier stuff. For me, Train of Thought (ToT) has followed a similar trajectory. When I first heard it back in the day, I liked it, but it didn't hit me the way something like Scenes From a Memory or Images and Words did. Over time, though, it's become one of my go-to Dream Theater albums, especially when I'm in the mood for something heavier and more straightforward. What's really interesting about ToT is that, despite it being one of the band's most relentless albums, it has this kind of raw, unapologetic energy that only grows more appealing the more you listen. It doesn't have the crazy variety of Octavarium (which, don't get me wrong, I still love), but I think there's something to be said for how Train of Thought takes this really focused, intense approach. Sometimes, an album doesn't need a wide palette of styles to be great—it just needs to double down on what it does well, and ToT absolutely nails that. Take a song like "This Dying Soul." Sure, it's heavy, dark, and unrelenting, but the complexity is still there. It's not "variety" in the sense that they're shifting genres every track, but the riffs, time signatures, and structure are so intricate that even within the heaviness, there's a ton to appreciate. I think that's part of what makes ToT so great in the long run—it's a prog album that doesn't stray too far from its metal roots, but it keeps you on your toes with all the little technical flourishes and shifts. And honestly, the more I listen to it, the more I appreciate just how tight the band was during this era. Petrucci's riffs are absolutely monstrous, and the rhythm section—especially Myung and Portnoy—are locked in like never before. Even LaBrie's vocals have this gritty, aggressive edge that really matches the tone of the album. It's like everyone just fully committed to this heavier direction, and the result is one of their most cohesive albums. There's something really satisfying about that. Now, when it comes to Octavarium, I totally see what you're saying. That album is packed with variety, and for that reason, it's special in its own right. The title track alone is a masterpiece of progressive storytelling, weaving through so many different emotions and musical landscapes. But I also get why some people don't reach for Octavarium as much. It's an album that demands a certain mood—when I want something epic and expansive, I'm all in. But if I'm looking for something more direct and visceral, Train of Thought hits that sweet spot every time. One thing I've noticed as I get older is that I have less patience for overly polished or overly "safe" music. Don't get me wrong, I still love the melodic side of Dream Theater, and I'll always have a soft spot for albums like Falling Into Infinity and The Astonishing when I want something more cinematic or emotional. But there's something about the raw energy of ToT that feels refreshing, especially when a lot of newer metal bands lean so heavily into production and gloss. ToT just goes for it—it's aggressive, it's in-your-face, and it doesn't let up. There's no filler, no ballads (okay, maybe "Vacant," but even that has a haunting vibe), just pure, unfiltered metal with a prog twist. I think part of what makes Train of Thought get better with age is that, as we grow older, we start to appreciate consistency in a different way. When we're younger, variety and experimentation are super exciting. And Dream Theater is great for that—they've made a career out of pushing boundaries and exploring different styles. But as I've gotten older, I find myself gravitating more towards albums that have a clear identity and stick to it. Train of Thought is one of those albums. It knows exactly what it is and doesn't try to be anything else. It's like Dream Theater said, "We're going to make the heaviest, most relentless album we can, and we're not going to apologize for it." And honestly, that commitment to the vision is part of what makes it so powerful. It's also worth noting that the lyrical themes of ToT have aged really well. There's a lot of anger and frustration in those songs, and as the world gets more chaotic, I find myself connecting with those emotions more than ever. Songs like "As I Am" or "In the Name of God" feel even more relevant now than they did when the album first came out. There's a darkness there, but it's not hopeless—it's about fighting back, pushing through the struggle. That's something I think a lot of us can relate to, especially after the last few years. So yah, I don't think it's weird at all that Train of Thought has gotten better for you over the years. In fact, I think a lot of Dream Theater fans are starting to come around to that realization. It might not have the variety of Octavarium or the emotional storytelling of Scenes From a Memory, but it's a damn good album that's aged like fine wine. Sometimes you don't need a ton of variety—just a band at the top of their game, doing what they do best.