Return of The Prodigal - welcome back MP! ...

[Mullmuzzler]

WHOA! ... ALL HAIL - The Prodigal is back in the DT fold, and 'I'm as excited
as a really excited person who's got a special reason to be excited!'. 

Been meaning to post for ages, but since I only visit now and again, and
I wanted to do so before Sunday in London, apologies in advance if some
of this has already been covered/answered.

After such a lengthy 'hiatus', I had pretty much given up hope of this ever
happening, so, whenever my wife(!) informed me, I just couldn't believe it!

Saw DT on every tour with MM, and he did a great job, but it was always
my hope that MP would return one day, and how! ... just love the new
track and, of course, the drumming! 

There are so many things I missed over the past 14 years, and wonder if
there will be a return to such things as 'Official Bootlegs' (possible extra
tracks like on BC&SL), the background voice samples, effects on James's
vocals like on 'Honor Thy Father', Mike's backing vocals on ANTR, etc.?

I have missed a gong in the drum set, double-neck guitar (on 'Octavarium'),
audible cymbals (maybe it's my equipment!), and maybe even some vocal
gymnastics from James again like at the end of 'Octavarium' (my fave DT
track, which I've been playing to death this past few months!) - just one
squeal James ... pleeeeeeeeeaaaassssse! 

As regards the possible setlist - has this been discussed anywhere? ...
Maybe opening with ANTR or TROAE to let Mike ease back into some
vocals? Does anyone think they'll play the 'Twelve-step Suite', or TBOT?
Will they open with the tail-end of TCOT (and maybe even on the new
album too)? Is the gig being filmed?

We had the very great pleasure of meeting Mike in early July 2018 after
an excellent Sons of Apollo gig in Belfast, and now that he's back in the
band, is there anywhere I can post some photos I took of the SoA fans
(with Mike) outside the venue (someone took a great one of us with the
man himself too - many thanks whoever it was!)? 

He was SO generous that night with his time, and I remember saying
that I wished he was still with DT ... ever the gentleman/diplomat, he
very courteously resisted the temptation to comment at length. 

We've had our tickets for months, and now the big day is almost upon
us as we head over from Ireland on Sunday morning, so, it just remains
to wish the band ALL the very best for the show (break a leg etc.!), and
welcome back MP, world-class drummer, writer, character, good egg,
and STAR - like SO many other fans, I have missed your presence in DT
SO much! 

Thank you for returning to the fold ... some things are just meant to be! 

\m/

[nobloodyname]

I remember you from MP.com (mostly because of your crazy line formatting!). Welcome back

Most of this has been covered multiple times over if you take a look in almost any thread. The consensus appears to be no 12SS, they'll probably open with Metropolis, Pull Me Under, The Glass Prison or Overture 1928, no filming, and they'll play Octavarium (not least because Jordan has shared a few clips of him practising runs from it). I think it's very possible they'll play The Best of Times.

Anyway, love your enthusiasm, and... see you on Sunday!

[Shadowmangini]

This is like an epistle. Very happy to see your excitement, it's pretty nuts to see him not only back but sounding better than ever!

[Uncle Rico]

I am very, very curious to see how he handles some of those very tough and hard to play Mangini parts...genuinely curious. I suspect he'll do his own interpretation, put his own spin on it, rather than trying to play it the same, hit for hit. Do any of you think he seriously put in a bunch of time and effort to learn them hit for hit? Interested on what others think on this matter.

[TAC]

I am very, very curious to see how he handles some of those very tough and hard to play Mangini parts...genuinely curious. I suspect he'll do his own interpretation, put his own spin on it, rather than trying to play it the same, hit for hit. Do any of you think he seriously put in a bunch of time and effort to learn them hit for hit? Interested on what others think on this matter.

Hit for hit..probably not. I think Mike will stay somewhat faithful but will ultimately play to the feel of the song.

I think MP recognizes MM's talent, and listening to parts of Night Terror, I feel like Mike was on overdrive .

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I am very, very curious to see how he handles some of those very tough and hard to play Mangini parts...genuinely curious. I suspect he'll do his own interpretation, put his own spin on it, rather than trying to play it the same, hit for hit. Do any of you think he seriously put in a bunch of time and effort to learn them hit for hit? Interested on what others think on this matter.

I've given my opinion on this very question on multiple threads so I'll keep it brief.

I am 99.9% certain he is going to do his own interpretation, as he has done in the past. See his Planet X cover which is VERY different from the original.

He's going to execute the key hits to make the song feel right and not much beyond that. Forget anything with complicated polyrhythms or limb independence. It never has been part of his style and it's not going to be now at age 57 just because he's doing a Mangini cover.

For fans who actually know these MM-era drum parts intimately and want to hear them covered faithfully, just forget it. But I suspect the vast majority of people in the audience are going to be giddy just seeing this show, and will not care one bit about which polyrhythm Mangini played at this section in the Alien for example. In fact, they probably won't even know the difference. In essence, what he is going to do is going to work for nearly everyone except the hardcore drumming people, and Mangini super fans who make up 5% of the DT fan base.

[Dedalus]

I am 99.9% certain he is going to do his own interpretation, as he has done in the past. See his Planet X cover which is VERY different from the original.

It's quite possible that this approach will be the same as he did with PSMS.

Honestly, since he's the one who puts together the setlists and since we'll probably only have one or two songs from the MM era on this tour (we'll find out very soon), then he can pick songs that are easier to play and not have to worry about it.

Until they prove me completely wrong, I think the Mangini era will be represented on the shows on subsequent tours in a sporadic fashion (a couple of songs at most), so this won't be a big dilemma for MP.

[Adami]

I've given my opinion on this very question on multiple threads so I'll keep it brief.

I am 99.9% certain he is going to do his own interpretation, as he has done in the past. See his Planet X cover which is VERY different from the original.

He's going to execute the key hits to make the song feel right and not much beyond that. Forget anything with complicated polyrhythms or limb independence. It never has been part of his style and it's not going to be now at age 57 just because he's doing a Mangini cover.

For fans who actually know these MM-era drum parts intimately and want to hear them covered faithfully, just forget it. But I suspect the vast majority of people in the audience are going to be giddy just seeing this show, and will not care one bit about which polyrhythm Mangini played at this section in the Alien for example. In fact, they probably won't even know the difference. In essence, what he is going to do is going to work for nearly everyone except the hardcore drumming people, and Mangini super fans who make up 5% of the DT fan base.

You okay man?

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

You okay man?

Better than ever since I am with all of you fine people 

[Uncle Rico]

I've given my opinion on this very question on multiple threads so I'll keep it brief.

I am 99.9% certain he is going to do his own interpretation, as he has done in the past. See his Planet X cover which is VERY different from the original.

He's going to execute the key hits to make the song feel right and not much beyond that. Forget anything with complicated polyrhythms or limb independence. It never has been part of his style and it's not going to be now at age 57 just because he's doing a Mangini cover.

For fans who actually know these MM-era drum parts intimately and want to hear them covered faithfully, just forget it. But I suspect the vast majority of people in the audience are going to be giddy just seeing this show, and will not care one bit about which polyrhythm Mangini played at this section in the Alien for example. In fact, they probably won't even know the difference. In essence, what he is going to do is going to work for nearly everyone except the hardcore drumming people, and Mangini super fans who make up 5% of the DT fan base.

I agree. I just don't see him putting in the time and effort to learn Mangini's parts hit for hit. I think when all is said and done, people will look back and think Mangini did a much better job of learning Portnoy's parts, than Portnoy did learning Mangini's, which sucks. The sad thing about it is, there are some seriously cool drum parts that Mangini came up with, and there are plenty of fans who would still like to hear the original parts played, however sadly I just don't think Portnoy is up to the task.

[Mullmuzzler]

I remember you from MP.com (mostly because of your crazy line formatting!). Welcome back

Most of this has been covered multiple times over if you take a look in almost any thread. The consensus appears to be no 12SS, they'll probably open with Metropolis, Pull Me Under, The Glass Prison or Overture 1928, no filming, and they'll play Octavarium (not least because Jordan has shared a few clips of him practising runs from it). I think it's very possible they'll play The Best of Times.

Anyway, love your enthusiasm, and... see you on Sunday!

Ha! ... well done Sherlock! 

TBH, posting was a hiding behind the sofa and looking through my fingers job -
thank you for being gentle, and for your 'likes' everyone!  Yes, I remember
you too from MPF ... those were the days! 

An 'epistle', ha ha, and my 'crazy line posting' was to assist you, dear reader(s) -
long lines of text are harder to read. 

Thanks for the heads-up on the tracks - 'Octavarium' is my favourite, but
TBOT is my most played MP3 (I play it in memory of my own dear departed
father too - I read Mike's lyrics at the graveside), and would love to hear that
given a run out.  Also, if not the 'Suite', would be great to hear 'Repentance'.

My wife is usually my 'wingman' (woman!) at gigs, but our youngest son has
the signal pleasure this time! I'll be wearing the 'Octavarium' t-shirt he bought
me a while back (the red octagon), I shall also be sporting a red carnation,
and carrying a copy of the London Times(!) , so, NBN, if you see us knocking
about the arena tonight, please say hello!

OK comrades, the countdown is on, time to face Storm Ashley(!), and here's
hoping for a stellar night!

Over and out!

\m/


P.S. Also missed Jordan's bells, like on TGP - great that they've already made
an appearance on NT! 

[Rob24]

I've given my opinion on this very question on multiple threads so I'll keep it brief.

I am 99.9% certain he is going to do his own interpretation, as he has done in the past. See his Planet X cover which is VERY different from the original.

He's going to execute the key hits to make the song feel right and not much beyond that. Forget anything with complicated polyrhythms or limb independence. It never has been part of his style and it's not going to be now at age 57 just because he's doing a Mangini cover.

For fans who actually know these MM-era drum parts intimately and want to hear them covered faithfully, just forget it. But I suspect the vast majority of people in the audience are going to be giddy just seeing this show, and will not care one bit about which polyrhythm Mangini played at this section in the Alien for example. In fact, they probably won't even know the difference. In essence, what he is going to do is going to work for nearly everyone except the hardcore drumming people, and Mangini super fans who make up 5% of the DT fan base.

Absolutely insane, mega toxic rambling.

[axeman90210]

I agree. I just don't see him putting in the time and effort to learn Mangini's parts hit for hit. I think when all is said and done, people will look back and think Mangini did a much better job of learning Portnoy's parts, than Portnoy did learning Mangini's, which sucks. The sad thing about it is, there are some seriously cool drum parts that Mangini came up with, and there are plenty of fans who would still like to hear the original parts played, however sadly I just don't think Portnoy is up to the task.

I think it's true that MM has put down some drum parts that are beyond MP's standard capabilities (unless he went and practiced for months in a way that he largely hasn't done for a long time now). I also think that he'll put the MP spin on any MM songs both out of necessity and his own personal style, though like someone else said, I think the changes won't be noticed except by drum aficionados and/or people actively looking for the difference. Lastly, I think that ethos is part of MP's overall approach to the instrument, he's talked in the past about not playing his own parts exactly the same hit for hit from night to night in his different bands, so I don't think that him not learning Mangini's parts exactly the same is the slap in the face that some might make it out to be.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Absolutely insane, mega toxic rambling.

OP posed a question to the forum. I answered. Either I'm right or I'm wrong and we'll find out tonight..that's all that matters.

None of what I said was rambling or toxic actually. A prior example was stated. A prediction was made based on the example. The last paragraph addresses what it all means, which I included because people keep asking this question. Quite simple and concise actually.

[wolfking]

I don't see them playing many MM songs to be honest.  Wouldn't surprise me if there's only a couple.

Edit:  3 hour show I see.  Scrap that thinking then.

[nobloodyname]

Absolutely insane, mega toxic rambling.

Nah. I'm a big fan of MP's and I'm delighted he's back in the band but I think Barstool's post was pretty much spot on (for once )

[Max Kuehnau]

not for once  (bit more often than that  )

[Max Kuehnau]

I don't see them playing many MM songs to be honest.  Wouldn't surprise me if there's only a couple.

Edit:  3 hour show I see.  Scrap that thinking then.

not entirely, since they now have material from 11 MP era albums at their disposal as opposed to five with MM. It might actually only be a few. Might be hard to include material from every album of their 16 into three hours.

[Uncle Rico]

not entirely, since they now have material from 11 MP era albums at their disposal as opposed to five with MM. It might actually only be a few. Might be hard to include material from every album of their 16 into three hours.

11? I thought there were 10? Or are you including A Change of Seasons in there? Also, three hours?! Holy shit. Didn't know the boys still had that kind of energy in them; that's awesome. Makes me feel bad for LaBrie though. Three hour show, right out of the gate.

[Max Kuehnau]

Parasomnia is their 11th MP era album (it's not released yet of course, but I'm sure they will include Night Terror into the programme and maybe one more. Or maybe not). No I wasn't including Change O.

[Uncle Rico]

Parasomnia is their 11th MP era album (it's not released yet of course, but I'm sure they will include Night Terror into the programme and maybe one more. Or maybe not). No I wasn't including Change O.

Oh gosh I totally forgot about the new album 

[Trav]

Hey MullMuzzler, were you the one back on the MP forum that said Van Halen III was your favorite VH album? And you had mentioned you seemed to like all the stuff that other people thought were not the best albums? For some reason that sticks in my head.

[TAC]

And you had mentioned you seemed to like all the stuff that other people thought were not the best albums? For some reason that sticks in my head.

Sounds like Stadler. 

[Trav]

Sounds like Stadler. 

Poor Stads.