This thread is a summary of what we know so far. Further discussion, speculation, etc. in the appropriate threads is welcome. But I thought it might be easier on everyone if we posted a thread and periodically updated it with the facts that we know are true.
Album detailsDream Theater's 11th studio album, A Dramatic Turn Of Events, is set for U.S. release on Roadrunner records on September 13, 2011. The track listing is as follows:
1. On the Backs of Angels (8:46)
2. Build Me Up, Break Me Down (6:59)
3. Lost Not Forgotten (10:11)
4. This is the Life (6:57)
5. Bridges in the Sky (11:01)
6. Outcry (11:24)
7. Far From Heaven (3:56)
8. Breaking All Illusions (12:25)
9. Beneath the Surface (5:26)
The album is available for preorder on
Roadrunner's site (as well as through other retailers) in four formats:
The album is available in the following formats:
-Standard: CD only
-CD/DVD: Standard CD with The Spirit Carries On documentary DVD
-Vinyl
-Deluxe edition: CD + DVD + vinyl + instrumental only CD + digital download of the standard album the day before release date + turntable mat + lithograph + chance to obtain "ticket for life"
Short summary of DT's drummer situation:
Mike Portnoy left the band in September 2010. Shortly after, the band auditioned seven world class drummers: 1. Mike Mangini 2. Derek Roddy 3. Thomas Lang 4. Virgil Donati 5. Marco Minnemann 6. Aquiles Priester 7. Peter Wildoer.
Dream Theater and Roadrunner Records released a 3-part documentary about the auditions. In part 3, the new drummer's identity is revealed.
Official trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yljVzWLlNa0Episode 1 (posted 4/25/11):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L609JsPFmmIEpisode 2 (posted 4/27/11):
https://www.youtube.com/user/RoadrunnerRecords#p/u/0/-vaDfcKzLbYEpisode 3 (posted 4/29/11):
https://www.youtube.com/roadrunnerrecords#p/u/0/2QHMQjH17awThe band's eleventh album, titled
A Dramatic Turn of Events, is currently being mixed and is slated for a September 13, 2011 U.S. release.
The first track, On The Backs Of Angels, was released on RoadRunner's YouTube channel June 29, 2011.
Chronology:
9/8/2010: Mike Portnoy announces he has left Dream Theater. An announcement from the band follows shortly thereafter. It is revealed that Dream Theater will enter the studio and begin writing the new album in January 2011.
10/18/2010: Drummer auditions begin. The auditions are held over a 3-day period. It is later revealed that 7 drummers auditioned.
10/24/2010: Mike Mangini becomes Dream Theater's next drummer.
11/5/2011: Dream Theater notifies auditionees of the audition results.
1/3/2011: Dream Theater enters the studio to begin work on DT's 11th album.
3/2/2011: Dream Theater completes the writing stage for DT's 11th album.
4/18/2011: James LaBrie began tracking vocals for DT's 11th album.
4/21/2011: DT release video trailer of the new drummer auditions on the band's Facebook page.
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg863060#msg8630604/22/2011: Comments from Peter Wildoer posted on this forum:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg863061#msg8630614/25/11:
Documentary, pt. 1 now available for viewing!!!
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg863063#msg8630634/26/11: Some additional information about the structure and length of the auditions from Peter Wildoer:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg863065#msg8630654/27/11:
Episode 2 now up!
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg863067#msg8630674/28/11:
Some comments about the process from Derek Roddy on his forum:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg863070#msg863070Metal Insider posts interview with documentary director, Mike Leonard:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg863444#msg8634444/29/11:
Peter Wildoer on his audition preparation:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg864295#msg864295Peter Wildoer on receiving the audition results:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg865432#msg865432Documentary, pt. 3 released:
https://www.youtube.com/roadrunnerrecords#p/u/0/2QHMQjH17awDream Theater's new drummer is announced. And the new drummer is:
Mike Mangini!5/4/11:
Mike Mangini reveals in an interview with Modern Drummer Bogs that the new album is set for release sometime in the Fall of 2011. Vocals and keyboards were being finished at the time of the interview.
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg872335#msg872335Another great interview where Mike Mangini reveals more information about the audition process, his work on the new album, and his drumming.
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg872880#msg8728805/11/11John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess discuss Mike Portnoy leaving the band, the audition process, and writing the new album. JP projects a September release.
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg881259#msg8812596/7/11John Petrucci mentions that the band will likely play one song from the new album during the summer festival shows and then will base the album support tour in the fall around the new album:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg911803#msg911803Album name, track names, and U.S. release date are revealed:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg911807#msg9118076/28/11John Petrucci announces mixing and mastering for the new album are complete.
6/29/11The album's first track, On The Backs Of Angels, is debuted on RoadRunner's YouTube channel:
Listen here6/30/11Album artwork released:
https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22350.msg939978#msg939978