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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: mikidream on October 05, 2013, 11:49:49 AM

Title: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: mikidream on October 05, 2013, 11:49:49 AM
Yesterday I was watching some videos on YouTube and I bumped into one of the ones where you can listen to all the songs of the AA saga together... let's clarify it, this is not a discussion pro or against Portnoy... but while I was listening to these songs I thought that they where dark, angry and harsh...so my question is: do you think that DT have lost their dark side? The last two albums contain heavy songs and some of them explored difficult emotions and difficult states of mind (as TEI for example) but... I don't know... in my opinion they are not so dark and so "disturbing" as some old songs are, what do you think?
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Kotowboy on October 05, 2013, 12:00:49 PM
:(
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Kotowboy on October 05, 2013, 12:01:37 PM
Nightmare to remember is a bout a car crash and behind The Veil is about kidnapping.


Not sure where you're going with this.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 05, 2013, 12:10:07 PM
Quote from: mikidream on October 05, 2013, 11:49:49 AM
in my opinion they are not so dark and so "disturbing" as some old songs are, what do you think?
I have no idea what you're talking about.  They've never had any disturbing songs. 
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Ravenfoul on October 05, 2013, 12:23:29 PM
? DT 12 Felt pretty dark. Not awake dark or ToT heavy. Certainly darker than ADOTE.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: 425 on October 05, 2013, 12:31:39 PM
Quote from: hefdaddy42 on October 05, 2013, 12:10:07 PM
I have no idea what you're talking about.  They've never had any disturbing songs. 

Yeah, not even close. I mean, even if you aren't much into darker music, there is no DT song that even comes close to disturbing. Lyrically, the closest they've been is maybe the TTTSTA section of SDOIT, and even that… I just cannot say that it is "disturbing."
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: tjanuranus on October 05, 2013, 12:38:10 PM
I've never in my life thought of DT's music as disturbing lol. In fact the more songs we have like Surrounded and Innocence faded the better! I love the heavy stuff too but I love this new album because it's really melodic.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: mikidream on October 05, 2013, 12:50:25 PM
Ok guys, maybe it is just me and maybe "disturbing" was the wrong word to use. I wanted just to point out that in my opinion maybe after MP left, the band could have decided to not explore some dark atmospheres that you could find in ToT for example and in most of the songs of the AA saga. Again, if it is just my opinion, no problem.. :smiley: it is just that I noticed the contrast between the atmosphere of DT12 (that I love btw) and some of  old DT songs mostly written by MP...
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: me7 on October 05, 2013, 01:22:30 PM
I agree with your opinion. DT had a darker side to them that was fuelled by MP. It began with The Mirror/Lie and was persistent throughout the AA saga, but also on ToT as a whole and on ANTR and TCOT. "Disturbing" is too strong a word, but the notion is right.
I also think that with ADTOE and DT12, JP and JR focused more on lighter songs (especially on ADTOE) and I hope that that darker side will return in future albums.

EDIT: Add "Beyond this Life" and "Home" to the list of darker songs.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: mikidream on October 05, 2013, 01:27:49 PM
QuoteI agree with your opinion. DT had a darker side to them that was fuelled by MP. It began with The Mirror/Lie and was persistent throughout the AA saga, but also on ToT as a whole and on ANTR and TCOT. "Disturbing" is too strong a word, but the notion is right.
I also think that with ADTOE and DT12, JP and JR focused more on lighter songs (especially on ADTOE) and I hope that that darker side will return in future albums.

Yes thank you, that's what I meant...:smiley:
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: liran95 on October 05, 2013, 01:48:40 PM
IDK, BTV feels pretty dark.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: 425 on October 05, 2013, 01:50:53 PM
I'm sorry, but how is Beyond This Life a darker song? Yeah, the lyrics are partially about a murder but certainly have their uplifting elements, and the music includes a trademark DT zany instrumental section, which is not at all dark. Just to name three, Build Me Up, Break Me Down, The Enemy Inside, and Behind the Veil are certainly darker than Beyond This Life.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: The Stray Seed on October 05, 2013, 02:13:05 PM
In response to the title: no.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: BlackInk on October 05, 2013, 02:14:37 PM
In response to the title: Yes.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Bertielee on October 05, 2013, 02:15:18 PM
Quote from: The Stray Seed on October 05, 2013, 02:13:05 PM
In response to the title: no.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: RoeDent on October 05, 2013, 02:16:50 PM
James LaBrie sounds positively evil in the first verse of Behind the Veil. Anyway, I don't think DT have ever been about the "dark side". If you want that, go for screaming death metal or whatever.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Sycsa on October 05, 2013, 02:20:04 PM
Beyond This Life is uplfting, Deep Purple style blues!
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: me7 on October 05, 2013, 02:34:57 PM
Quote from: 425 on October 05, 2013, 01:50:53 PM
I'm sorry, but how is Beyond This Life a darker song? Yeah, the lyrics are partially about a murder but certainly have their uplifting elements, and the music includes a trademark DT zany instrumental section, which is not at all dark. Just to name three, Build Me Up, Break Me Down, The Enemy Inside, and Behind the Veil are certainly darker than Beyond This Life.

(Just to clarify: I don't mean the lyrics, not at all, just the music. The stuff that, for the most part, is conceptualised by JP, JR and formally MP before any thought is put into the lyrics.)

Weird, I find BMUBMD very uplifting. Just like Nu Metal should, it tries hard hard to dress itself with evilness but ultimately I feel uplifted by the melodies, especially the chorus. TEI and BTV are heavy, but not dark. Try to compare the intros of ANTR and TEI to get a feel for what I mean with the word "dark". mikidream probably means the same thing.

BTL has an uplifting chorus, but is dominated for me by the downward spirals of the verses and especially the instrumental section. The zanyness only adds to the darkness, kind of like a descent into madness.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: commanderbob on October 05, 2013, 03:44:23 PM
Angry.

Angry is the word we're all looking for here.  And yes, I believe MP brought an angry-sounding element some of the time, because it seems to be gone now.  I don't have a problem with that element being there, and am not implying that HE is angry, but that he liked that edge in the music.  I like it too.  I like the new direction a little better though.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 05, 2013, 04:14:05 PM
Quote from: mikidream on October 05, 2013, 12:50:25 PM
Ok guys, maybe it is just me and maybe "disturbing" was the wrong word to use. I wanted just to point out that in my opinion maybe after MP left, the band could have decided to not explore some dark atmospheres that you could find in ToT for example and in most of the songs of the AA saga. Again, if it is just my opinion, no problem.. :smiley: it is just that I noticed the contrast between the atmosphere of DT12 (that I love btw) and some of  old DT songs mostly written by MP...
Those were the things that were always out of character for DT.  They haven't lost anything, they have just returned to form after those aberrations.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: FracturedMirror on October 05, 2013, 04:35:34 PM
Quote from: hefdaddy42 on October 05, 2013, 04:14:05 PM
Quote from: mikidream on October 05, 2013, 12:50:25 PM
Ok guys, maybe it is just me and maybe "disturbing" was the wrong word to use. I wanted just to point out that in my opinion maybe after MP left, the band could have decided to not explore some dark atmospheres that you could find in ToT for example and in most of the songs of the AA saga. Again, if it is just my opinion, no problem.. :smiley: it is just that I noticed the contrast between the atmosphere of DT12 (that I love btw) and some of  old DT songs mostly written by MP...
Those were the things that were always out of character for DT.  They haven't lost anything, they have just returned to form after those aberrations.

DT have always had songs with a darker edge to them.  Killing Hand is dark, and it's from the first album.  And I think that Space Dye Vest is pretty dark as well.  I've always quite liked it, but it has always struck me being quite dark and bleak.  A lot of people think dark means heavy, and vice versa, but that's not the case.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 05, 2013, 04:37:09 PM
Quote from: FracturedMirror on October 05, 2013, 04:35:34 PM
Quote from: hefdaddy42 on October 05, 2013, 04:14:05 PM
Quote from: mikidream on October 05, 2013, 12:50:25 PM
Ok guys, maybe it is just me and maybe "disturbing" was the wrong word to use. I wanted just to point out that in my opinion maybe after MP left, the band could have decided to not explore some dark atmospheres that you could find in ToT for example and in most of the songs of the AA saga. Again, if it is just my opinion, no problem.. :smiley: it is just that I noticed the contrast between the atmosphere of DT12 (that I love btw) and some of  old DT songs mostly written by MP...
Those were the things that were always out of character for DT.  They haven't lost anything, they have just returned to form after those aberrations.

DT have always had songs with a darker edge to them.  Killing Hand is dark, and it's from the first album.  And I think that Space Dye Vest is pretty dark as well.  I've always quite liked it, but it has always struck me being quite dark and bleak.  A lot of people think dark means heavy, and vice versa, but that's not the case.
I know that they have always had a dark (and heavy) side.  I was referring specifically to the songs he mentioned.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: j on October 05, 2013, 04:41:02 PM
Personally, the only album of DT's I would describe as "dark" is Awake.  I agree that "heavy" and "dark" are not remotely synonymous.

-J
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Nearmyth on October 05, 2013, 04:46:05 PM
DT has not lost their dark side. MP definitely brought an angry-ness and aggressiveness to their latter releases (TOT, SC, BCSL), but DT12 certaintly has its dark moments. The intro of The Enemy Inside is dark, heavy, and evil. Behind The Veil is aggressive and dark yet melodic.

That being said... I think DT does need a generally dark album next, something a bit more edgy, like Awake or ToT. And it's true that dark doesn't always mean heavy. Even Awake's softest songs had a dark edge to them.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Rhayader on October 05, 2013, 05:03:47 PM
No, they didn't lose it, and that's the problem. They still do these cookie monster riffs and try to be dark all the time and be evil. They didn't use to do it on the earlier albums.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: TAC on October 05, 2013, 05:23:42 PM
Quote from: Kotowboy on October 05, 2013, 12:01:37 PM
Nightmare to remember is a bout a car crash and behind The Veil is about kidnapping.


Not sure where you're going with this.

:lol

K-boy, I agree!
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: fibreoptix on October 05, 2013, 05:25:21 PM
Quote from: Rhayader on October 05, 2013, 05:03:47 PM
No, they didn't lose it, and that's the problem. They still do these cookie monster riffs and try to be dark all the time and be evil. They didn't use to do it on the earlier albums.

Cookie monster riffs? You mean like, riffs the cookie monster would play? Is that what this cooke monster thing has boiled down to now?

OT, whilst the darkness has definitely been toned down since SC and BCSL, it's still there a little bit. Just not as prevalent as before.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: senecadawg2 on October 05, 2013, 05:27:34 PM
In terms of subject matter, DT has never been especially dark. In terms of sound, outside of perhaps Awake, they definitely aren't dark.

So I'm not sure what they could've lost.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Zook on October 05, 2013, 06:01:05 PM
Quote from: fibreoptix on October 05, 2013, 05:25:21 PM
Quote from: Rhayader on October 05, 2013, 05:03:47 PM
No, they didn't lose it, and that's the problem. They still do these cookie monster riffs and try to be dark all the time and be evil. They didn't use to do it on the earlier albums.

Cookie monster riffs? You mean like, riffs the cookie monster would play? Is that what this cooke monster thing has boiled down to now?

OT, whilst the darkness has definitely been toned down since SC and BCSL, it's still there a little bit. Just not as prevalent as before.

ME WANT COOKIE

DUNN DUNN DUNNDUNN

Cookie Monster invented the chugga riff.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Rattlehead on October 05, 2013, 06:09:08 PM
Quote from: fibreoptix on October 05, 2013, 05:25:21 PM
Quote from: Rhayader on October 05, 2013, 05:03:47 PM
No, they didn't lose it, and that's the problem. They still do these cookie monster riffs and try to be dark all the time and be evil. They didn't use to do it on the earlier albums.

Cookie monster riffs? You mean like, riffs the cookie monster would play? Is that what this cooke monster thing has boiled down to now?

Yeah, really... what the hell is "cookie monster riff" supposed to even mean?  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Outcrier on October 05, 2013, 06:19:17 PM
Quote from: fibreoptix on October 05, 2013, 05:25:21 PM
OT, whilst the darkness has definitely been toned down since SC and BCSL, it's still there a little bit. Just not as prevalent as before.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: King Postwhore on October 05, 2013, 06:38:35 PM
I'm just waiting for the Dark Lord Sith Mod to respond himself.   Then you'll feel the wrath of the "dark side".
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 05, 2013, 06:56:57 PM
Quote from: Rhayader on October 05, 2013, 05:03:47 PM
No, they didn't lose it, and that's the problem. They still do these cookie monster riffs and try to be dark all the time and be evil. They didn't use to do it on the earlier albums.

(https://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i238/hefdaddy42/funny/dogcomeon_zps1d39aeb2.jpg)
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: philippaopao on October 05, 2013, 07:01:02 PM
IT's "Live, Die, Kill" feels dark and depressing for me.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: BlobVanDam on October 05, 2013, 07:23:30 PM
Quote from: Rattlehead on October 05, 2013, 06:09:08 PM
Quote from: fibreoptix on October 05, 2013, 05:25:21 PM
Quote from: Rhayader on October 05, 2013, 05:03:47 PM
No, they didn't lose it, and that's the problem. They still do these cookie monster riffs and try to be dark all the time and be evil. They didn't use to do it on the earlier albums.

Cookie monster riffs? You mean like, riffs the cookie monster would play? Is that what this cooke monster thing has boiled down to now?

Yeah, really... what the hell is "cookie monster riff" supposed to even mean?  :facepalm:

Whenever someone uses the term cookie monster, it mostly just means they probably don't like heavier metal.


If we're talking "dark", I don't think DT have ever been that dark, but I don't think they've lost any of that on the most recent album. If we're talking "anger", then I don't think they've ever had much of that either, and that's usually an album to album attribute, so I'm not worried about that either.

DT's albums have always mixed and matched their attributes, and if one doesn't click with you, maybe the next will.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Thoughtspart3 on October 05, 2013, 07:42:49 PM
LOL  :rollin  You guys are killing me with this cookie monster stuff.  ME WANT COOKIE! 
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: AngelBack on October 05, 2013, 08:03:07 PM
Dark and heavy are certainly not the same thing.  I listen to a lot of death metal and it is waaayyyy dark, lyrically and musically.  I think the push toward heavy was largely MPs influence and that what we have on the last two albums is what JP/JR really enjoy most.  A mix of heavy and melodic, beauty and power.  Don't see them putting out another Honor thy Father (which I love BTW).  I am loving what they are doing and I believe it is just a little more mature and reflective of who DT is at this point in time.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: TheAtliator on October 05, 2013, 08:28:07 PM
DT12 is dark as hell during some parts.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: jayvee3 on October 05, 2013, 09:50:46 PM
I think they have always had some darker sounding stuff - on from songs from Awake, all the way through to DT. Even songs like Vacant or Disappear can be cosidered 'dark', in tone and emotion. What I think they have lost (and thank god), are the MP growls that he seemed to want to add in more and more as albums progressed. Some of it worked, but most of the time, it was pretty ordinary. I think the last two albums have certainly had some darker moments, but balanced them perfectly amongst everything else that makes DT who they are..
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: adamack on October 05, 2013, 09:58:09 PM
Quote from: mikidream on October 05, 2013, 12:50:25 PM
Ok guys, maybe it is just me and maybe "disturbing" was the wrong word to use. I wanted just to point out that in my opinion maybe after MP left, the band could have decided to not explore some dark atmospheres that you could find in ToT for example and in most of the songs of the AA saga. Again, if it is just my opinion, no problem.. :smiley: it is just that I noticed the contrast between the atmosphere of DT12 (that I love btw) and some of  old DT songs mostly written by MP...

I know exactly what you mean man. I don't see why people were acting like you are crazy, geez.

The hard, and darker sound of ToT, songs like Fatal Tragedy, ITPOE Part 2, and songs from Awake (The Mirror, Voices, etc.), and even Misunderstood (moreso musically than lyrically) all contrast in a sense with the themes on the previous 2 albums.

I feel that ADToE and DT12 both had a very spiritual, optimistic overtone. Songs about faith, hope, and the more beautiful sides of life made up the bulk of these albums. Sure, there is BtV, but the 2 albums are overwhelmingly optimistic.

I don't know if I'd say that they "lost" their darker side. I'd probably say that they just chose to focus these past 2 albums in an overall optimistic light, possibly due to the departure of MP. They've been through the equivalent of a life-changing experience in a band sense, and I think that may have had a bit to do with their choice to focus on the positive things in life. Just a theory.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: 7StringedBeast on October 05, 2013, 10:05:13 PM
I think ToT and Mirror/Lie are the only DT songs that are kind of aggressive or angry sounding.  And not even everything on ToT is like that. 

I personally love the Mirror because of the pure emotion in the lyrics and their delivery. 

"Hypocrite, how could you be so cruel, and expect my faith in return"

That is a great line, and it's angry.  I don't they have had that kind of feelings in their songs for a long time.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: ? on October 05, 2013, 11:30:23 PM
Quote from: Zook on October 05, 2013, 06:01:05 PM
ME WANT COOKIE

DUNN DUNN DUNNDUNN

Cookie Monster invented the chugga riff.
:lol
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Ħ on October 05, 2013, 11:37:37 PM
To all those saying DT isn't dark, just listen to In The Name of God.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Dark Castle on October 05, 2013, 11:46:48 PM
Quote from: Ħ on October 05, 2013, 11:37:37 PM
To all those saying DT isn't dark, just listen to In The Name of God.
I don't see people saying they can't be dark, but rather, that they were never disturbing to begin with.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: BlackInk on October 06, 2013, 01:42:13 AM
I'm not sure what everyone thinks when they think "dark side", but for me it doesn't at all mean "evil" or "heavy". DT12 is for me a large step away from their dark side because it's so nice and kind sounding most of the time. It's almost naive, musically.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: mikidream on October 06, 2013, 03:37:52 AM
QuoteAngry.

Angry is the word we're all looking for here.  And yes, I believe MP brought an angry-sounding element some of the time, because it seems to be gone now.

QuoteI know exactly what you mean man. I don't see why people were acting like you are crazy, geez.

The hard, and darker sound of ToT, songs like Fatal Tragedy, ITPOE Part 2, and songs from Awake (The Mirror, Voices, etc.), and even Misunderstood (moreso musically than lyrically) all contrast in a sense with the themes on the previous 2 albums.

I feel that ADToE and DT12 both had a very spiritual, optimistic overtone. Songs about faith, hope, and the more beautiful sides of life made up the bulk of these albums. Sure, there is BtV, but the 2 albums are overwhelmingly optimistic.

Yes thank you guys :smiley: that's exactly what I meant... I think that the main problem is that I didn't know exactly how to express the concept, therefore I tried to use different adjectives...but some of them were probably misleading...

QuoteI think ToT and Mirror/Lie are the only DT songs that are kind of aggressive or angry sounding.  And not even everything on ToT is like that. 

I personally love the Mirror because of the pure emotion in the lyrics and their delivery. 

"Hypocrite, how could you be so cruel, and expect my faith in return"

That is a great line, and it's angry.  I don't they have had that kind of feelings in their songs for a long time.

I don't agree that these are the only DT songs where you can find this feelings but... YES, this is, more or less, what I wanted to say  :smiley:
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: wolfking on October 06, 2013, 03:53:25 AM
Quote from: mikidream on October 05, 2013, 11:49:49 AM
Yesterday I was watching some videos on YouTube and I bumped into one of the ones where you can listen to all the songs of the AA saga together... let's clarify it, this is not a discussion pro or against Portnoy... but while I was listening to these songs I thought that they where dark, angry and harsh...so my question is: do you think that DT have lost their dark side? The last two albums contain heavy songs and some of them explored difficult emotions and difficult states of mind (as TEI for example) but... I don't know... in my opinion they are not so dark and so "disturbing" as some old songs are, what do you think?

Well, I actually thought DT12 was the band going back to a more darker sound.  Even the more ballad type songs incorporate some insanely heavy moments.  I think overall it's got some of the heaviest stuff they have ever done.

DT have never really been dark or disturbing.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: 7StringedBeast on October 06, 2013, 08:52:36 AM
Oh by ToT in my post I mean the album Train of Thought not the song Trial of Tears.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Ruba on October 06, 2013, 11:02:19 AM
Quote from: hefdaddy42 on October 05, 2013, 12:10:07 PM
Quote from: mikidream on October 05, 2013, 11:49:49 AM
in my opinion they are not so dark and so "disturbing" as some old songs are, what do you think?
I have no idea what you're talking about.  They've never had any disturbing songs.

I think Misunderstood and Disappear are a bit disturbing.

Back to topic: the last two albums are definately the least dark ones since FII. I usually like their heavier and darker stuff, so I'll hope they will bring some darkness back to the next album. DT12 has some pretty dark lyrics however.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Nearmyth on October 06, 2013, 02:45:37 PM
Quote from: Ħ on October 05, 2013, 11:37:37 PM
To all those saying DT isn't dark, just listen to In The Name of God.

There's a difference between "dark", and simply angry or aggressiveness. I do think the latter two are what we're looking for here.

Voices is dark. The Mirror is dark. Misunderstood is dark. Repentance is dark. Just a few examples. I think for a song to be "dark", it has to also have a dark subject.

TOT is very aggressive and angry, but the only song I'd consider dark on that record is This Dying Soul. The others have a more "hell yeah badass chuggah chuggah riff angry" feel.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Zook on October 06, 2013, 02:54:14 PM
The fact that they have Take The Time on the Dark Side CD of Greatest Hit means they don't have a dark side. Heavy side, but dark isn't the right descriptor.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Tis BOOLsheet on October 06, 2013, 03:22:47 PM
wasteland
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Cable on October 06, 2013, 06:06:10 PM
Wow, dark DT thread and no mention (I think) of TDEN and ITPOE? That album in general dealt with topics that were a little more dark.

Yes about the topic, and I'm glad; TDEN lyrics were bad I feel, as was most of SCs lyrics that were purposely fantasy and dark per JP himself. But overall DTs dark is not super dark, no. But their last albums with MP were certainly darker as a whole than earlier stuff as a whole.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Daso on October 06, 2013, 09:40:28 PM
There were certainly some moments that captured both the dark and angry flows at the same time, like ANTR's intro or pretty much every other moment with heavy/fast riffs (Constant Motion definitelly sounds angry and there is something vaguely dark to it) and/or symphonic, almost gothic-like strings/choirs, which are the feature I capture the most out of BC&SL. At times certain wackiness (like JR's xylophone [or something like that] part in Endless Sacrifice) can sound eerie, which may provoke the "evil" feeling in a way.

It was kind of in there with Outcry, and then there's that part in Enigma Machine which sounds like it was literally left out of BC&SL and placed in DT12,. Not too much more to mention, though, so perhaps they are picking a different direction creatively.

As in what I think about it, I think it's great they leave it out. There were some great moments of it, others just felt pushed into the music, but I've had enough of it. I don't really see it as something DT's music needs.  I wouldn't even include it in a description of their music. They have other great angles which I want to hear more often that they have in both ADToE and DT12 (like bass-drum backing a guitar solo for the latter). I think part of the reason why I see BC&SL as one of their weakest (if not their weakest) album is that one. Most of the time it felt like they were losing their essence, heading into another direction which didn't really fit them musically or, to say it differently, that I wasn't looking for in their music (just to place the blame on myself because they're free to do what they want as musicians  :biggrin:).
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: jayvee3 on October 06, 2013, 09:58:22 PM
Quote from: CableX 1814 on October 06, 2013, 06:06:10 PM
Wow, dark DT thread and no mention (I think) of TDEN and ITPOE? That album in general dealt with topics that were a little more dark.

Like Vampires and general creatures of the night?  :yarr
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Ħ on October 06, 2013, 10:04:40 PM
Quote from: Nearmyth on October 06, 2013, 02:45:37 PM
Quote from: Ħ on October 05, 2013, 11:37:37 PM
To all those saying DT isn't dark, just listen to In The Name of God.

There's a difference between "dark", and simply angry or aggressiveness. I do think the latter two are what we're looking for here.

Voices is dark. The Mirror is dark. Misunderstood is dark. Repentance is dark. Just a few examples. I think for a song to be "dark", it has to also have a dark subject.

TOT is very aggressive and angry, but the only song I'd consider dark on that record is This Dying Soul. The others have a more "hell yeah badass chuggah chuggah riff angry" feel.
ITNOG is dark in exactly the way you describe.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: sylvinception on October 07, 2013, 02:33:57 AM
By "dark side", if you referred to BC&SL and SC, well I must say I'm really glad they lost their dark side. :biggrin:
Otherwise, I never really saw a "dark side" in their previous works, exept on ToT. :justjen
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: me7 on October 07, 2013, 03:17:07 AM
Quote from: sylvinception on October 07, 2013, 02:33:57 AM
By "dark side", if you referred to BC&SL and SC, well I must say I'm really glad they lost their dark side. :biggrin:
Otherwise, I never really saw a "dark side" in their previous works, exept on ToT. :justjen

Don't you think that songs like The Mirror/Lie are absent on ADTOE and DT12?
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 07, 2013, 03:32:25 AM
Quote from: me7 on October 07, 2013, 03:17:07 AM
Quote from: sylvinception on October 07, 2013, 02:33:57 AM
By "dark side", if you referred to BC&SL and SC, well I must say I'm really glad they lost their dark side. :biggrin:
Otherwise, I never really saw a "dark side" in their previous works, exept on ToT. :justjen

Don't you think that songs like The Mirror/Lie are absent on ADTOE and DT12?
They were also absent on I&W and FII.  It's not a big deal, nothing they do has been lost.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: mikidream on October 07, 2013, 03:40:51 AM
Quote from: me7 on October 07, 2013, 03:17:07 AM
Quote from: sylvinception on October 07, 2013, 02:33:57 AM
By "dark side", if you referred to BC&SL and SC, well I must say I'm really glad they lost their dark side. :biggrin:
Otherwise, I never really saw a "dark side" in their previous works, exept on ToT. :justjen

Don't you think that songs like The Mirror/Lie are absent on ADTOE and DT12?

when I wrote the expression "dark side" I was thinking about songs as the mirror/lie or also this dying soul or the glass prison... it is clear now that everyone has different ideas about the concept of "dark side". But when I listen to a song like the mirror or to some songs of the AA saga I can't help noticing that the atmosphere is completely different compared especially to the last two albums... 
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: sylvinception on October 07, 2013, 04:20:12 AM
Ok I understand what you mean.

But as long as they don't "remake" SC or BC&SL, that's ok for me!! :biggrin:
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Super Dude on October 07, 2013, 06:07:25 AM
If anything, they lost their lighter side. They used to be able to write good ole fashioned rock. When did that go out the window?
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Zook on October 07, 2013, 06:17:46 AM
Yeah, I'm tired of this hip hop crap they've been doing on the last few albums.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: kirksnosehair on October 07, 2013, 06:28:33 AM
I believe that MP definitely had an influence on the tone of some of Dream Theater's music.  The songs in the AA saga, for example, are all driven by heavy lyrical references to alcoholism and recovery, certainly not uplifting material.  And for the most part, those songs are all minor key, riff-oriented, very guitar-driven songs.  "Repentance" is different, but you know what I mean.


I can see how some listeners would hear a lot of that material as "dark" because we all listen to music from our own perspective and to someone who hasn't listened to a lot of, say, Cannibal Corpse, or maybe Life of Agony (or other black-metal/doom type stuff) it's certainly plausible for them to hear a tune like "The Root of All Evil" and think it sounds "dark."


With that said, I think they're probably still very capable of creating that kind of vibe but they've probably just decided to explore some different directions with tone in the last couple of albums.



Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: me7 on October 07, 2013, 06:50:09 AM
As someone pointed out, we (who agree with the OP) don't mean darkness in the way of doom metal, but rather the aggressiveness, the anger and the despair  that MP's influence brought to the table. The Mirror/Lie is far from doom or black metal but it still sounds tormented in a way. The same goes for the AA saga and most of ToT. I really appreciated this side of DT, especially how Awake houses both, angry AND uplifting music. The past two albums have been a bit too dominated by uplifting IMO, bring back the dynamics!
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: jonnybaxy on October 07, 2013, 07:04:39 AM
I'd say they are heading down the path of prog rock rather than prog metal now, I do agree they have lost some touch with their heavier 'darker' riffs and songs.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Zook on October 07, 2013, 07:07:13 AM
I'd rather they became Prog Rock than Cock Rock.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: BlobVanDam on October 07, 2013, 07:07:31 AM
I think DT12 is definitely metal, not what I'd call rock. Lots of heavy riffing, and even JP's lowest tunings. There's plenty of balance between the metal, and the lighter, more optimistic stuff though.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: mikidream on October 07, 2013, 07:19:27 AM
Quote from: me7 on October 07, 2013, 06:50:09 AM
As someone pointed out, we (who agree with the OP) don't mean darkness in the way of doom metal, but rather the aggressiveness, the anger and the despair  that MP's influence brought to the table. The Mirror/Lie is far from doom or black metal but it still sounds tormented in a way. The same goes for the AA saga and most of ToT. I really appreciated this side of DT, especially how Awake houses both, angry AND uplifting music. The past two albums have been a bit too dominated by uplifting IMO, bring back the dynamics!

:tup :tup
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Super Dude on October 07, 2013, 07:29:04 AM
Quote from: Zook on October 07, 2013, 06:17:46 AM
Yeah, I'm tired of this hip hop crap they've been doing on the last few albums.

Although I guess it's better than KrotchRaut.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Zook on October 07, 2013, 07:33:37 AM
Anything is better than KrotchRaut, come on now.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Virtualman64 on October 11, 2013, 04:27:04 PM
Lyrically I think so,and I'm glad.Musically I think they still retain enough of their metalness to be considered "dark"
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: Cable on October 11, 2013, 05:12:18 PM
Quote from: BlobVanDam on October 07, 2013, 07:07:31 AM
I think DT12 is definitely metal, not what I'd call rock. Lots of heavy riffing, and even JP's lowest tunings. There's plenty of balance between the metal, and the lighter, more optimistic stuff though.


Aye. I haven't seen the obligatory Bakerman answer here on JPs forum for the tunings, be I think the huge majority is on a 7 string in standard, with IT in 7 A standard if course.
Title: Re: Have DT lost their "dark side"?
Post by: philippaopao on October 12, 2013, 12:32:59 AM
Quote from: mikidream on October 07, 2013, 07:19:27 AM
Quote from: me7 on October 07, 2013, 06:50:09 AM
As someone pointed out, we (who agree with the OP) don't mean darkness in the way of doom metal, but rather the aggressiveness, the anger and the despair  that MP's influence brought to the table. The Mirror/Lie is far from doom or black metal but it still sounds tormented in a way. The same goes for the AA saga and most of ToT. I really appreciated this side of DT, especially how Awake houses both, angry AND uplifting music. The past two albums have been a bit too dominated by uplifting IMO, bring back the dynamics!

:tup :tup

Dare I say, I think many past songs are quite "dark" because MP (and the rest of the band) have been struggling in their own personal lives at some point. Personally, I wouldn't expect the recent DT to write some tormenting lyrics in the near future given the impression that they're really enjoying the refreshing work with MM. It's like they're all about enlightenment and like to have a mature, reflective and optimistic view of things to come.