Translation:
DREAM THEATER, the giants of Prog have returned with a new album, DISTANCE OVER TIME, which will be released on February 22nd by InsideOut Music. As we'll tell you right now, we have here a real masterpiece. The group's legendary musicality, technique, and creativity are waiting for you. The band of John PETRUCCI are not slowing down at all, because after a career spanning more than 30 years the band have released their 14th album. Not to mention numerous live albums and EP.
After the release of their concept album, THE ASTONISHING, to mixed reception, DREAM THEATER proposes here that they know how to do better. Certain parts are maybe too short, but there is a lot of intensity. All of the ingredients that make up a good piece by Dream Theater, have been reunited. This group's style in particular, we have found on each song in a more refined way. DISTANCE OVER TIME benefits from an irreproachable production where every instrument is highlighted. This is all certainly due to the way the band have written and recorded the album, as explained by John PETRUCCI and James LABRIE. For the first time in 20 years, the 5 virtuosos have locked themselves in the isolated Yonderbarn studios, situated in Monticello, New York, for 4 months.
"Of course, we have written a lot of records together, but we have traditionally gone to a studio just for recording. Meanwhile, everyone is on the move or staying at a hotel", explains PETRUCCI. "This time, we've decided to do something different. At Yonderbarn, we did not have any distraction, so we are able to concentrate ourselves creatively, working 12-14 hours a day and enjoying ourselves during our writing sessions." "It was like going to a summer camp," LABRIE tells us. "Being together with each other, in fact, was a profound experience. I think that the songs reflect that energy. It was a lot fun to have a situation so powerful at this point in our careers."
DISTANCE OVER TIME begins with UNTETHERED ANGEL, a title for a classic hit by modern DREAM THEATER. The track features heavy riffs and haunting vocals. In the middle section, we find a classic duel between PETRUCCI and RUDESS, but without padding in a way that may discourage some [literal translation: but without leaving in additions that may discourage some]. PARALYZED gives full meaning to the quality of the production. The heavy riff at the beginning has some similarities to TOOL, the subtleties of John MYUNG's bass playing and LABRIE's vocal arrangements have made an excellent song. FALL INTO THE LIGHT made me think of the "IMAGES AND WORDS era, both in terms of composition and structure. The middle section is a melodic acoustic break that gives you goosebumps before taking you away with the PETRUCCI's and RUDESS's leads.
Much like the previous album [That seems right?], BARSTOOL WARRIOR is simply grandiose. We have returned to the great hour of the prog ambiances of FALLING INTO INFINITY. The guitar lines, piano, and drums are played with incredible finesse. Maybe it's better on headphones [?], but the arrangement is truly excellent.
ROOM 137 and S2N are as far as DREAM THEATER is concerned, more aggressive. Special mention goes to S2N with a solo straight out of SATRIANI which is going to burst live and an epic ending where RUDESS makes a great demonstration of all his talent. AT WIT'S END, the longest track on the album at over 9 minutes, one finds all the different facets of the group: multiple moods, syncopated riffs, slow passages, melancholic piano parts, etc.
OUT OF REACH, the ballad of the album: the melodies of PETRUCCI and RUDESS perfectly accompany LABRIE's vocal lines. PALE BLUE DOT ends the album in a masterful way. More than 8 minutes of happiness with a multitude of instrumental sections and cinematic landscapes. The track will be a place of pride for the 4 musicians, who do not hesitate to make us travel to the complex universe. Without doing too much, MIKE MANGINI floods this song with all his talent. The richness of his playing will blow your mind.
DISTANCE OVER TIME is a total success for DREAM THEATER. This album will for sure make the top of fans' rankings. The band have made a real success in terms of composition and production, and without losing any of their values, will also make it easy for newbies to enter into the complex universe of the Prog masters. ESSENTIAL.
Topic: New Album “Distance Over Time’, First Set of 2019 Tour Dates announced! (Read 258669 times)