Agreed Progmetty,
I could not be happier with Mangini into DT! Let me say I was a huge MP fan; it was JP's insane skills and MP's over the top drumming that pulled me into the Dream Theater fold many years ago. But from the auditions forward, I have had nothing but a positive feel about MM in the band. I get the feeling that it was time, for MP, as well as the rest of DT, to move on.
Please don't take the "MP bashing" stance, as I still really appreciate MP's post DT work, esp with Winery Dogs; But I personally feel that MM is at another level in regards to ability. Now keep in mind, we are talking about musicians that are in the top 0.01% of their respective fields, so objectivity is a factor. I will say that I had a big hope that Bobby Jarzombek would have had a shot once a change was needed, and I sometimes still wonder what he could have brought into the new band; but I feel that MM has absolutely killed it from day one. Obviously, one only needs to cruise these message boards to get a variety of opinions since the change (hard to believe it has been 5 years).
I was also listening to the 4th wall in my automobile, which has a nice sound system, and I love how the sound moves from left to right channels--is really cool- with MM cymbals; I think in has to do with his symmetrical kit set-up. I think he brought a cool new feel to a lot of the older songs, infusing his own style into the mix. In particular, I really like the different drum fills in "Lifting Shadows", after the JP slow solo after the verse "and she listens openly"--right before the "pours his soul into the water" section-- really cool fill ending with a nice double bass roll that was not in the original Awake recording.(Nice soulful JP work throughout BTW in that song in the live album.)
Anyhow, just to see other MM supporters Progmetty!