So, I've been creeping in this thread since the beginning, and I've managed to get a few spins in of the album. I tried going into this without expecting anything, and by doing so, I was able to enjoy it for what it was. Aside from that, and knowing Portnoy would celebrate with 40k FB likes, I started considering a thought experiment.
Now, lets start off and say all of these guys were unknown before SoA. Lets say Portnoy didn't have any history with DT, wasn't juggling any other bands, and there were no controversies surrounding him. Lets also say their personalities are the same, and MP was pushing his SoA and this particular album in full force, and they managed to get some opening spots with some big named bands for exposure throughout this year.
After a full cycle of touring SoA, album and merch sales, where do you think Portnoy and the rest of SoA would be as far as recognition, appeal, and rate of rising amongst the ranks? Think the history surrounding these guys are holding them back, or do you think it's their particular style of music that, lets say, has a preset "peak" that keeps them from becoming huge this day and age? Also, it would be interesting to see what these guys would come up with if they didn't have their entire professional history behind them that majorly influences what they're doing now. In todays musical climate, think Portnoy would think as he did when he wrote around the WDaDU era? My mother and I used to make up ideas of what Beethoven and Mozart would be doing if they were alive today.
They're curious thoughts. I'm curious if they would be well beyond 40k likes if these powerhouse musicians just showed up out of nowhere with SoA and blew everyone away. Or perhaps, do you think people would hear this and say, "meh" and simply move on, and in the end, Portnoy would be looking at a few hundred FB likes.