On the Backs of Angels Thread

[Chino]

It's almost 8:30 at night and I am just noticing this thread. Why was there no facebook announcement?!? Anyways, I listened to the first four minutes of the song and can say that I am very confident in this album.

[Perpetual Change]

8. Drums are there, serving their purpose. I never expected some blowout performance from Mangini. Yes, some fantastic drumming, but nothing like "WOW BEST EVAR." He fits in, and it's actually nice to not have predictable drum fills every song. Drums are a bit low in the mix, I agree on that.

First couple of listens, that was my impression.  Then I listened again with a focus on the drums.  My mind is now blown.

Yeah. I listened in depth, and my post about it was probably buried somewhere in all the fanfare, but a close listening to the drumming on the track is really rewarding. Mangini is doing things that I just didn't expect to ever hear from Portnoy. The drumming is just so good if you're listening for it, but it doesn't stick-out as trying to show-off at all. Mangini is just such a great drummer, and I think comparing him to Portnoy will eventually feel like comparing Rudess to Sherinian. That's not a slight to either of those guys. But Mangini is just on a whole new level.

[gmillerdrake]

8. Drums are there, serving their purpose. I never expected some blowout performance from Mangini. Yes, some fantastic drumming, but nothing like "WOW BEST EVAR." He fits in, and it's actually nice to not have predictable drum fills every song. Drums are a bit low in the mix, I agree on that.

First couple of listens, that was my impression.  Then I listened again with a focus on the drums.  My mind is now blown.

I did the same thing. MM definately 'proves' (as if he had to) that he can handle drumming for DT. Can't wait to actually see him play With DT

[DeanTheater]

Okay, I have to chime in again.  I cannot get the chorus out of my head.  It is just so perfect with JP's guitar underneath "Tears fall from the shameless...." part.  Goosebumps.  It gives me a wonderful vibe like the middle melodic section of ANTR

If the rest of the album is in this vein of creativity, I am all in.

[The Silent Cody]

So, I just listened to the song and I have to tell that - I wasn't expecting that kind of song but it very good, Jordan is very hearable, JP solo is great, Mangini's ending of the song is a killer...and Myung - he is louder than on BC&SL. I will have to listen to it one more time, it's gonna be a great album, probably the best since Scenes... Has got a lot of Learning To Live vibe in the ending, don't you think?

[dongringo]

8. Drums are there, serving their purpose. I never expected some blowout performance from Mangini. Yes, some fantastic drumming, but nothing like "WOW BEST EVAR." He fits in, and it's actually nice to not have predictable drum fills every song. Drums are a bit low in the mix, I agree on that.

First couple of listens, that was my impression.  Then I listened again with a focus on the drums.  My mind is now blown.

Mine too. I keep hearing different little tid bits with every listen. MM sounds amazing on this song.

[Jamesman42]

8. Drums are there, serving their purpose. I never expected some blowout performance from Mangini. Yes, some fantastic drumming, but nothing like "WOW BEST EVAR." He fits in, and it's actually nice to not have predictable drum fills every song. Drums are a bit low in the mix, I agree on that.

First couple of listens, that was my impression.  Then I listened again with a focus on the drums.  My mind is now blown.

Yeah. I listened in depth, and my post about it was probably buried somewhere in all the fanfare, but a close listening to the drumming on the track is really rewarding. Mangini is doing things that I just didn't expect to ever hear from Portnoy. The drumming is just so good if you're listening for it, but it doesn't stick-out as trying to show-off at all. Mangini is just such a great drummer, and I think comparing him to Portnoy will eventually feel like comparing Rudess to Sherinian. That's not a slight to either of those guys. But Mangini is just on a whole new level.

I believe you guys since the three of us have a good amount of similar taste and views. I'll relisten for the drums.

[dongringo]

I've only listened to it twice, and I don't want to overdo it.  I don't want to get to a stage where I'm finding myself constantly listening to this song over and over.  To me it sounds so fresh, I want to try and keep it that way.

Your self control is admirable my friend.

[gmillerdrake]

but it doesn't stick-out as trying to show-off at all.

I am going to try and say this without sounding like a dick towards MP, so let it be known that I love MP and he is the reason I got into DT. But the difference to me as you pointed out could simply be the opposite 'egos'. MP admittedly was a control freak and had the whole OCD thing and what not. It's safe to say he 'needed' his drums to stick out and to be heard to satisfy his own issues.
  MM has admitted that he is there to help those guys produce great music and is extremely grateful for the opportunity. His lack of 'assertive' over the top drumming is not a detrement to DT at all...in fact it's something (judging from this one song) that they've really exploited in a good way. MM and MP are both phoenominal virtuostic players....with two different styles. I am pumped to hear an album of MM's style as DT's drummer.

[bosk1]

8. Drums are there, serving their purpose. I never expected some blowout performance from Mangini. Yes, some fantastic drumming, but nothing like "WOW BEST EVAR." He fits in, and it's actually nice to not have predictable drum fills every song. Drums are a bit low in the mix, I agree on that.

First couple of listens, that was my impression.  Then I listened again with a focus on the drums.  My mind is now blown.

Yeah. I listened in depth, and my post about it was probably buried somewhere in all the fanfare, but a close listening to the drumming on the track is really rewarding. Mangini is doing things that I just didn't expect to ever hear from Portnoy. The drumming is just so good if you're listening for it, but it doesn't stick-out as trying to show-off at all. Mangini is just such a great drummer, and I think comparing him to Portnoy will eventually feel like comparing Rudess to Sherinian. That's not a slight to either of those guys. But Mangini is just on a whole new level.

Same here.  I don't mean that as a slight to MP at all--he is and will likely always be one of my favorite drummers (he is probably still my TOP favorite at the moment).  But, yeah, Magini is doing some things that are mindblowing.  And since MP already blew my mind many times over throughout the years, this is like an exponential mindblowing to the extent that my mind is blown just trying to comprehend how much my mind is being blown.

[Jamesman42]

OK, yeah, there is great drumming there. Especially the cymbal work. Another "exceeds expectation," then!

[CrimsonE]

Now that I've had a few listens, I must say that I love this song.  It sounds so much more coherent than just about anything they've done since I&W.  I love how much this song drives forward throughout, reminding me much like 80's Rush or early 90's Fates Warning.  If this is typical of the new album, then we are certainly going to have a real winner.  

[dongringo]

this is like an exponential mindblowing to the extent that my mind is blown just trying to comprehend how much my mind is being blown.

[sonatafanica]

alright i'm not seeing anything anywhere about it but that album art is a joke, right

[Jaffa]

Not that we know of.

[Gorille85]

alright i'm not seeing anything anywhere about it but that album art is a joke, right

I wish it was...

[GandL]

Agree, I think it's gonna be a winner. I like that song very much and it grows on me after each listening. Every instruments sound awsome, I can also ear old and new era in there, like it very much.  

[rush-signals]

Now after my fourth listening and closing my eyes and really listening, well it's coming together more and more. I'm hearing some really sick transistions and breaks. The mix is sounding better too. I just wish I could here the cymbals more right now. I think the vocals are spot on for the mood and feel of the song.

[KevShmev]

I am surprised so many are so surprised to hear piano on this tune, considering there is plenty of piano on practically every Rudess-era DT record. 

Anyway, while this song sounds pretty cool, some of Rudess' patches yet again are a little iffy, but that is a minor gripe at this point.  His lead part during the latter part of the intro is very Endless Sacrifice-ish.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I think the lead works better here than it did with Endless Sacrifice. I feel this lead adds some tension to the intro, whereas Endless Sacrifice is like "lol sad lead"

[SystematicThought]

I am surprised so many are so surprised to hear piano on this tune, considering there is plenty of piano on practically every Rudess-era DT record. 

Anyway, while this song sounds pretty cool, some of Rudess' patches yet again are a little iffy, but that is a minor gripe at this point.  His lead part during the latter part of the intro is very Endless Sacrifice-ish.

I don't think the piano has ever been the main solo though, or not as prominent

[Jamesman42]

I am surprised so many are so surprised to hear piano on this tune, considering there is plenty of piano on practically every Rudess-era DT record. 

I think it's more about "Rudess solo that works well at the onset?! WHAT!?"

I think the lead works better here than it did with Endless Sacrifice. I feel this lead adds some tension to the intro, whereas Endless Sacrifice is like "lol sad lead"

Bro, do not hate on ES or that nice sad lead.

[Ravenheart]

New song is alright. Nothing incredible or unpredictable, but it's a nice change of pace for the band.

The album art is a joke.

[Heaven Outcry Angel]

The album art is a joke.

wow, rude.

Im not laughing,

[Ravenheart]

Okay.

[dongringo]

Am I the only one who likes the album art? I don't understand it, which is what I like about it. It's thought provoking and totally unexpected.

[CrimsonSunrise]

Same here.  I don't mean that as a slight to MP at all--he is and will likely always be one of my favorite drummers (he is probably still my TOP favorite at the moment).  But, yeah, Magini is doing some things that are mindblowing.  And since MP already blew my mind many times over throughout the years, this is like an exponential mindblowing to the extent that my mind is blown just trying to comprehend how much my mind is being blown.

umm...that's a lot of blowing.....

[i am fabio]

Album art is refreshing and the tune is great. There are bad things I could find about both of course but just gonna enjoy it!

[Heaven Outcry Angel]

Okay.

get over yourself.

[Ravenheart]

Okay.

get over yourself.

WTF? 

[emindead]

I am surprised so many are so surprised to hear piano on this tune, considering there is plenty of piano on practically every Rudess-era DT record.  

I think it's more about "Rudess solo that works well at the onset?! WHAT!?"

Or more: "YES!!!! NO BEBOT SOLO!!! AND WE'VE BEEN ASKING FOR MORE PIANO AND WE GOT WHAT WE WANTED!!!"

[Nick]

Okay.

get over yourself.

WTF? 

Raven, your comment on the art was not needed, it was not constructive in the least bit. HOA, watch how you react with people, report a post if it's against the rules.

[Nic35]

This song is good, but it isn't catchy at all. That's the biggest complaint about it.

I give it a 6/10.

[Heaven Outcry Angel]

Yes

sorry Raven

Im just touchy when it comes to DTyou didnt deserve that..

[YtseJam]

I was bored on the first listen... waiting for the moment of awesomeness   which I must have missed  

It's very reminiscent of other songs in the DT catalog but if this is the first release I hope that doesn't mean this is the best  

Sorry to be a negative nancy