MM is transcribing two "epic" songs, which fuel speculation of ACOS/Octavarium/6DOIT, but I guess it could maybe include A Mind Beside Itself, too.
Wasn't the quote "monster" songs? which can refer to anything, I'd put even Learning to Live in that list but they've played it some times during his first concerts with the band.
You are right...I got confused and was calling it "epic."
https://twitter.com/ManginiMike/status/798421746638618624About the surprise opener, it can be a surprise for most of the reasons:
- It's a long epic that usually closes a set.
ACOS would fit here, but then again, bosk said it was something they've played recently. When you combine the "played recently" hint with the fact that MM was transcribing the monster songs, it doesn't fit very well that the opener is one of the monster songs. But whether "monster" means the same as "epic," we can't be sure.
- It's a ballad or a slowish song.
It's possible. Disappear based on James saying he loved that song? It hasn't really been all that recent since they've played that to my knowledge. Along for the Ride? This is the Life? The Spirit Carries On? Vacant?
- It's an instrumental... but why waste at the beginning some breathing time for James?
This is why I suspect if Raw Dog is the surprise previously unplayed track, it's not going to be the opener. It would be weird to open without James, and that would also probably stand out more to bosk, and also, of course, they haven't played that recently.
- It's a random song that in indsight is good to start things off, but you'd never considered it as an opener.
I think this is the highest probability. Think of songs they've played somewhat recently that aren't necessarily epics that would fall into this category. That aren't album openers, either, since that wouldn't be all that surprising. One of the ballads could fit into this category, too.
It's probably not from TA, since that wouldn't be all that surprising or unusual. Probably not DT 12, because neither TEI or LG would be surprising as openers, and STR and TBP have not been played recently. Maybe AFTR?
The only ones that would be unusual from ADTOE would be TITL, FFH, or BTS. Definitely not OTBOA (it already opens an album), or BITS (they already opened with that). Hard to see how any other song from that album would be notable.
It's not from BC&SL. I don't know of any song from SC that would make me think twice as an opener. Nor Octavarium, unless it is the title track.