Official Parasomnia album discussion thread ***SPOILERS***

[The Letter M]

Gotta add that I feel like the back-half of the album is stronger than the front-half. Anyone else feel that way? At least the album gets better as it goes along if you listen in order. Better than an album that gets worse as you go along. 

-Marc.

[SeRoX]

The Shadow Man Incident.

My first reaction after only listen: Their best epic song since Octavarium. Maybe this thought will change but I am sure I'm impressed on my first listen than A View, TCOT, IT and ITPOE.

It has Octavarium (keyboard especially) and In The Presence Of Enemies vibes all around. My only complaint is it lacks vocals. James is great from begining to end.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Gotta add that I feel like the back-half of the album is stronger than the front-half. Anyone else feel that way? At least the album gets better as it goes along if you listen in order. Better than an album that gets worse as you go along. 

-Marc.

Yes absolutely better back half. The overture is neat, but I only really have a desire to revisit AWD-TSMI unless at the gym.

[Subsub74]

A solid 9/10 for me after about 5 whole listenings (except Bend the Clock which has turned about 20 times in my head).
The whole concept is really good, I like the atmosphere and its coherence all along the tracks.
There is not a single track that I would skip.
My favorites? Well, Bend the clock comes first, then Dead asleep, Midnight Messiah and Night Terror.
Still need a couple listens of The Shadow Man Incident (first half is great, still not into the second part).
But man, Bend the clock is so catchy, almost perfect in any way, I only regret the fade out which for me comes way too early while JP was just starting to compete with the never-ending comfortably numb solo... A pure piece of art.
If I would summarize my first feelings, I would say it'd be mid way between Train of Thoughts and The Astonishing.

[BeatriceNB]

Anyone felt like Portnoy was more "restrained" in this album? Compared to the last two album with him on drums. The usual fills and beats are there, but it doesn't seem like he's doing something busy every bar, like in Wither, for example.

[The Letter M]

Anyone felt like Portnoy was more "restrained" in this album? Compared to the last two album with him on drums. The usual fills and beats are there, but it doesn't seem like he's doing something busy every bar, like in Wither, for example.

I did notice he seems to serve the song fairly well in most cases across the album. Is it a lack of creativity, or a sign of maturity that not every verse needs fills and changed grooves? Either way, nothing stood out to me as super distracting from the song, and everything just blended together well. On top of that, the drum sound itself is immaculate.

-Marc.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Anyone felt like Portnoy was more "restrained" in this album? Compared to the last two album with him on drums. The usual fills and beats are there, but it doesn't seem like he's doing something busy every bar, like in Wither, for example.

Maybe to an extent. I dunno. Some of it could be age but it might also be more of that new team spirit rather than me-me-me attitude James was talking about.

He's playing quite a bit on ABM.

[evilasiojr]

He's playing a lot in Dead Asleep and TSMI imo too

[joevaicci]

After 5-6 spins I gotta say I like this better than any MM-era album....maybe a close tie with ADTOE. It definetely sounds like new age-DT, but more 'fresh'. I am getting vibes from all MM-era albums especially the ones after ADTOE. It feels like there's more life in this record somehow. Also the vocal melodies have improved a little bit compared to the last few records.

- The overture has its moments, but I don't think I'll be revisiting this one much in the future.
- Night Terror is a cool single, definetely cathcier than the Alien.
- A Broken Man is a grower for sure with some awseome moments.
- Dead Asleep is quite interesting and has the most memorable riff. I totally hear Beyond this Life at some point. The lyrics are silly as hell on par with the Count of Tuscany almost.
- Midnight Messiah is cool, but kinda the least interesting song for me.
- Are We Dreaming...I don't know why this is a standalone interlude. I am quite curious as to how it came to be. Was it originally part of a track? Did they write this as an afterthought to bridge songs or what? It's cool though.
- Bend the Clock is a great, great ballad.Old-DT vibes for sure.
- The Shadow Man Incident is definetely the Astonishing 'entering the chat'. I also get Octavarium feels here and there. The very ending is going to be my alarm sound from now on


All in all, that was enjoyable and I don't expect DT to re-invent the wheel at this point or sound like a totally different band altogether with each new record as they used to. This level of output keeps me happy personally. Also, I think parts of this album are going to slap even harder live. Peace out

[MinistroRaven]

I've spun Parasomnia over 100 times now, and my thoughts are solidified—this album is easily in my top five: Scenes from a Memory, Octavarium, Parasomnia, Images & Words, and WDADU.

In the Arms of Morpheus, The Shadow Man Incident, Dead Asleep, Midnight Messiah and Bend the Clock are my absolute favorites. The atmosphere, the compositions, the performances—everything just clicks. 
And let's be real, the return of Portnoy is a HUGE deal for me. I've dreamt about this moment forever, probably even more than the second coming of Christ, LOL. He plays for the songs here, rather than constantly showing off, and I think it works brilliantly. The drum sound is huge. The overall production is impeccable.

Also, I love how the album feels so cohesive. There are musical motifs that pop up throughout, giving it that semi-concept album feel. The transitions between tracks, the recurring themes—it's all so well put together.

Dream Theater delivered big time. 

[HOF]

Well, now I will be disappointed if Bend the Clock doesn't do anything for me.

[wolfking]

Just starting my listen now.

Once the riff kick in on Morpheus at 1:51, all I hear is Korn........

[SeRoX]

Well, now I will be disappointed if Bend the Clock doesn't do anything for me.

Can't speak for you or anyone but I can see Bend the Clock will be instant classic among the fans or top favourite at least. If you love oldschool DT Bend The Clock hits you like a truck.

[HOF]

Can't speak for you or anyone but I can see Bend the Clock will be instant classic among the fans or top favourite at least. If you love oldschool DT Bend The Clock hits you like a truck.

I do love old school DT, especially the old school DT ballads, so fingers crossed...

[wolfking]

Night Terror is decent but on my first listen, falls short after the excellent intro of Morpheus.  ABM still doing nothing for me and as it finishes, it hasn't captured my attention at all, but early days.

[DreamerTV]

If you have the chance, I highly recommend listening to it on Apple Music in Dolby Atmos. I'm doing it right now (I'm at Dead Asleep), and the listening experience is absolutely mind-blowing. I even managed to appreciate Night Terror.

This album is amazing, and while it's true that there are several references to instrumental parts from past albums, there are some stunning vocal passages that feel almost unprecedented for DT.

The only thing Bend the Clock is missing to become DT's new anthem—or a Comfortably Numb of 2025 (tonight I'm allowing myself to exaggerate, but it's not far from what I actually think)—is a more singable chorus.
Apart from that, it's a wonderful song with a solo that you can listen to over and over again without ever getting tired of it. I think I've had similar experiences only with the solos in Scarred and Another World.
Bravi DT!

[TAC]

The only thing Bend the Clock is missing to become DT's new anthem—or a Comfortably Numb of 2025 (tonight I'm allowing myself to exaggerate, but it's not far from what I actually think)—is a more singable chorus.

Huh. I find the chorus really memorable, and it was the first passage that really stuck for me.

[DreamerTV]

Huh. I find the chorus really memorable, and it was the first passage that really stuck for me.

Don't get me wrong, I love it too.

But try comparing it to one of those choruses that everyone sings at a concert.

Can you picture the same thing happening with Bend the Clock?
I can't.

But I absolutely don't rule out that this might just be my own limitation.

[wolfking]

Not sure what it is with me and later DT but I just finished my first listen through and am so underwhelmed it's not funny.  Honestly found it a slog to get through for some reason.  I take solace though how A View took a couple of years to really open up but after one listen, I think I'll come back to it in a few days, as I don't have any real urge to play this again.

Even BTC and TSMI didn't really grab me.  Maybe it needs more listens but could TSMI be any less epic?  But, I think I'll keep quiet, give it time and keep coming back to it, like A View, I'm sure it will open up in time.

[gborland]

Is it too early to nominate "He woke to a horrible sight" as the worst lyric since "MY MUUUUUUSIIIIIC PLAAAAAAAAAAAYEEEEEEEER"?

[BeatriceNB]

Don't get me wrong, I love it too.

But try comparing it to one of those choruses that everyone sings at a concert.

Can you picture the same thing happening with Bend the Clock?
I can't.

But I absolutely don't rule out that this might just be my own limitation.

Weird, when I first heard the song my first thought was "what a sing-along-y song", and pictured everyone moving their arms and all that. It's kinda like The Spirit Carries On to me.

[PixelDream]

It's a dark and heavy album overall. I like it, for sure. There's a good energy going on here.

I've heard most track multiple tracks, except Bend The Clock and The Shadow Man Incident which I've only heard once both. BTC is a fresh ballad type of song with a great ACOS style solo at the end.

I don't hear TSMI building up to something epic, it just ends. But that's just after the first listen.

That instrumental section of TSMI is absolutely fire though.

I really like Dead Asleep, that's a bangin' riff right there.

Not the most original album by the band, but they obviously stumbled upon a certain vibe and totally rolled with it.

The Broken Man theme throughout is a very nice touch.

I'm not blown away (yet) but definitely happy with what they cooked up being a band that's been going at it for 40 years.. very impressive.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Not sure what it is with me and later DT but I just finished my first listen through and am so underwhelmed it's not funny.  Honestly found it a slog to get through for some reason.  I take solace though how A View took a couple of years to really open up but after one listen, I think I'll come back to it in a few days, as I don't have any real urge to play this again.

Even BTC and TSMI didn't really grab me.  Maybe it needs more listens but could TSMI be any less epic?  But, I think I'll keep quiet, give it time and keep coming back to it, like A View, I'm sure it will open up in time.

I'm sure the epic will unfold. A 20m song is a lot in one sitting.

After 16 albums I think we're all pretty hard to impress at this point.

[gborland]

Shadow Man is ITPOE pt 3.

[wolfking]

I'm sure the epic will unfold. A 20m song is a lot in one sitting.

After 16 albums I think we're all pretty hard to impress at this point.

Definitely.  I'm jumping the gun of course but I was fully prepared for this reaction. 

Will give it time.

[wolfking]

Shadow Man is ITPOE pt 3.

I can actually get on board with this.

[TAC]

Shadow Man is ITPOE pt 3.

 

[jammindude]

Shadow Man is ITPOE pt 3.

If ITPOE was any good. (Love part 1...despise part 2. )

[Awaken]

The chorus in TSMI starting at 8:05 is one of the best chorus melodies they have ever written, that section is Peak DT. The busy music to that melody, a really fresh approach for a DT Chorus. One of the best parts ever for me from my Favoriten band. And the whole instrumental part following that part, Peak DT!

This grabbed me on first listen and I look forward to it each time I spin the track.  Along w the chorus for Bend the Clock, the two best on an album with pretty strong choruses across the board.  JLB sounds great on this album. 

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

If ITPOE was any good. (Love part 1...despise part 2. )

Part 2 just makes me scratch my head. I can't imagine being so stoked to hear that song at the time and then getting *that* on release day.

[BeatriceNB]

Part 2 just makes me scratch my head. I can't imagine being so stoked to hear that song at the time and then getting *that* on release day.

Why is ITPOE 2 widely disliked? Is it the Sacrificed Sons Dark Master melody, the lyrics, both?

[wolfking]

I can't imagine being so stoked to hear that song at the time and then getting *that* on release day.

I can relate to this today. 

[wolfking]

Part 2 of Enemies is amazing.  Destroys part 1 IMO.

[bosk1]

Is it too early to nominate "He woke to a horrible sight" as the worst lyric since "MY MUUUUUUSIIIIIC PLAAAAAAAAAAAYEEEEEEEER"?

Too early to fully contextualize the "horrible sight" lyric.  But the "music player" lyric is fantastic, so if that's the comparison you want to use, that puts the lyric writing on this album in VERY strong company.

Part 2 of Enemies is amazing. 

Totally agreed.  Haven't seen very many people at all slagging part 2 (other than Samsara, if I recall, and his wife).

[TAC]

I like ITPOE Pt 2 for sure!