On the Backs of Angels Thread

[TheGreatPretender]

Indeed, I never said that DT never wrote soft songs. I was pointing that MOST of their music is not remotely relaxing, and so that seems like a bizarre complaint to make.

Well, that is true. Especially since if you DO want relaxing, The Answer Lies Within is right there, and I'm sure Dramatic Turn of Events will have at least one soft song on it.

[reo73]

Relaxing is maybe the wrong word.  What I meant was less notes, less operatic, less lead wankery...just like KM did it years ago!

[bloop]

Rudess said there would definitely be some songs that were more mellow on the new album.

[TheGreatPretender]

Relaxing is maybe the wrong word.  What I meant was less notes, less operatic, less lead wankery...just like KM did it years ago!

Yeah, but I don't know if you can break something like that down in technical terms though. Kevin Moore had a very, very distinctive style. And JR has a very distinctive style, that's his own but very different.

I'm sure that if Moore stayed in the band, people would be saying, "That's so Kevin Moore by numbers! I wish the piano was more intense, more operatic."

[PixelDream]

I haven't been this happy with new music from DT since Train of Thought came out. That was the first DT album release since me being a fan. When 8VM came out I was underwhelmed but that was purely because it was more of a grower. SC was pretty neat in the beginning, but the enjoyment rapidly lowered. BC&SL is IMO a really good record, but it was maybe a bit too comfortable sounding.

This song keeps giving stuff to me after 10 listens, it's great. The fast little breaks are classic, and sometimes I still get caught off guard by the tricks they're pulling. The 'real' chorus in the second half of the song is pretty good. Even better is the piano solo and the guitar solo. that was really the moment in the song where I felt they reward the listener, and justify the epic opening of the song.

The ending is just.. wow. The intro, JR's big choir theme when the song gets heavy. The heavy riff that follows it.. They're still playing complicated stuff, but it's very tastefully done in this track, even the heaviness is tasteful.

I can only imagine this song will be appreciated a lot by (old school) DT fans. What's not to love?

[Aramatheis]

^ That was a very tasteful post, and was quite nice to read. Well done.


Also, I agree with your points.

[PixelDream]

Aramatheis  .

Also, the annoyance of being addicted to a song that you can only listen to in Youtube quality. Can't wait for the real deal, but I also can't imagine DT agreeing on such low quality standards. Why would they want to present their art in such way?

Now playing the OIALT version of 'Lines in the Sand' for the first time. Didn't know it was that good. Definately adds a lot of cool things to the original and the solo exceeded all expectations.

[abydos]

Because of 631,391 views
and 13408 likes. It also has a 720p option so the quality isn't that bad, tbh, pretty well represented if you ask me.

[PixelDream]

Because of 631,391 views
and 13408 likes. It also has a 720p option so the quality isn't that bad, tbh, pretty well represented if you ask me.

I must admit I'm a bit of an audiophile but the lack of clarity is obvious. Well, it leaves people wanting more, that's one thing.

[TheGreatPretender]

Still, it's pretty much as good as ripping a CD at 192kbps. I get that you're an audiophile, but still, "Why would they want to present their art in such way?" I really don't think they see a problem with it. I certainly don't. Would you expect them to release a flac file?

[abydos]

Well, some bands do that (The Gathering), but this is to promote the band and the album  and for that purpose this quality is good enough, imo.

[TheGreatPretender]

Besides, if you're so unsatisfied with the quality, then it'll be that much more incentive to buy the album. Even though I'm sure most DT fans already would, regardless. Point is, you'll have it.
And yeah, I think the ripped version sounds pretty great on my MP3 player, and in my car.

[orcus116]

Yeah, but DT are definitely more about the exciting aspect of music. They throw in some atmospheric stuff for sure, but it's not their main thing.

Well, I'd say their main thing is to be diverse and dynamic. I mean, half the reason I like them so much is that regardless of what I'm in the mood for, DT has something for me.
So even if I'm feeling like listening to something softer and more atmospheric, I can still resort to DT to enjoy something of the sort.

Indeed, I never said that DT never wrote soft songs. I was pointing that MOST of their music is not remotely relaxing, and so that seems like a bizarre complaint to make.

Relaxing is relative. I've definitely walked in on my old roommate passed out with the lights on blasting Opeth.

[darkshade]

Yeah, but DT are definitely more about the exciting aspect of music. They throw in some atmospheric stuff for sure, but it's not their main thing.

Well, I'd say their main thing is to be diverse and dynamic. I mean, half the reason I like them so much is that regardless of what I'm in the mood for, DT has something for me.
So even if I'm feeling like listening to something softer and more atmospheric, I can still resort to DT to enjoy something of the sort.

Indeed, I never said that DT never wrote soft songs. I was pointing that MOST of their music is not remotely relaxing, and so that seems like a bizarre complaint to make.

Relaxing is relative. I've definitely walked in on my old roommate passed out with the lights on blasting Opeth.

Ironically, what if he was blasting a song like To Bid You Farewell 

[ariich]

My brother listens to Opeth most nights to help him relax and get to sleep, so I know what you mean orc.

[Gadough]

Only Dream Theater fans could carry on a 1,500+ post conversation about one song.

[TheGreatPretender]

Only Dream Theater fans could carry on a 1,500+ post conversation about one song.

That's why we're awesome.

[Ben_Jamin]

Why is their not a Back of Angels video...?

[Zydar]

Here ya go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PAdcBUpl7o

Or did you mean an official music video like CM or Forsaken?

[hefdaddy42]

Why is their not a Back of Angels video...?

When did you expect them to shoot it?  They released it on youtube within a day or two of the album's mixing and mastering being completed.  They have been rehearsing for the tour, and now the tour has started.

[EpicCookie]

I hope they will bring out a full-length video of one of the songs on the album for once

[chrisbDTM]

I hope they will bring out a full-length video of one of the songs on the album for once

that would be cool. considering they go on youtube anyway (or maybe an on-demand video service) so no need for 'mtv-length'

[Dream Team]

Yeah, but DT are definitely more about the exciting aspect of music. They throw in some atmospheric stuff for sure, but it's not their main thing.

Well, I'd say their main thing is to be diverse and dynamic. I mean, half the reason I like them so much is that regardless of what I'm in the mood for, DT has something for me.
So even if I'm feeling like listening to something softer and more atmospheric, I can still resort to DT to enjoy something of the sort.

Indeed, I never said that DT never wrote soft songs. I was pointing that MOST of their music is not remotely relaxing, and so that seems like a bizarre complaint to make.

Yeah. I would say that if you want the keys to sound like Pink Floyd or Porcupine Tree, then you should listen to those bands. Jordan Rudess is in Dream Theater.

[OsMosis2259]

I'd be cool if they didn't shoot a video for this album.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

I'd be cool if they didn't shoot a video for this album.

This. I don't want a different image of this song in my head. I already have the image.

[reneranucci]

I can them playing in a plane dressed as clowns. That'd made a cool video.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

I can them playing in a plane dressed as clowns. That'd made a cool video.

Actually, that's not a bad idea.

[emindead]

Actually, it is.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww_txPLKBjY&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

[TheGreatPretender]

I'd be cool if they didn't shoot a video for this album.

This. I don't want a different image of this song in my head. I already have the image.

That's why this video should be classic Heavy Metal. Meaning, for the most part, it should just be on-stage footage of them, or footage of them performing in like a dark studio. Without any necessarily associated images.

The bigger problem I'd have with the video is that it's an 8 minute song, and no doubt they'd have to shorten it to like 4 and a half minutes tops, which would just ruin the song, with abbreviated intro and outro and other cut backs, maybe even a shortened solo. And judging from Constant Motion music video, the editing would be so sloppy that it would feel like the music is just cutting to different parts.

[JLa]

All in all a good song. Not great, but certainly not bad either. I don't think it's the best album opener (although I haven't heard the rest of the album, heh), but it has a nice feeling to it. I wish LaBrie would take more chances though. I'm sure he's got more than this in him. Great playing by Mangini, thumbs up! He fits like the famous glove. Petrucci solid as always, nice to hear Myung again, and creds to Rudess as well.

Way to go, DT! Looking forward to the new album!

[TheGreatPretender]

I don't think it's the best album opener (although I haven't heard the rest of the album, heh), but it has a nice feeling to it.

Don't forget, Pull Me Under was an album opener too, to arguably DT's best album. And this is better than PMU, imo.

[JLa]

I don't think it's the best album opener (although I haven't heard the rest of the album, heh), but it has a nice feeling to it.

Don't forget, Pull Me Under was an album opener too, to arguably DT's best album. And this is better than PMU, imo.

True, but I think that PMU is more energetic, and PMU's chorus is more "catchy". At least that's how I feel.

[hefdaddy42]

I don't think it's the best album opener (although I haven't heard the rest of the album, heh), but it has a nice feeling to it.

Don't forget, Pull Me Under was an album opener too, to arguably DT's best album. And this is better than PMU, imo.

I don't think it's better than Pull Me Under by any stretch, but it's a cool song.

[TheGreatPretender]

True, but I think that PMU is more energetic, and PMU's chorus is more "catchy". At least that's how I feel.

Well, I really doubt they're aiming to become a mainstream hit again. Still, Pull Me Under was kinda moody, and I think the two are very similar in tone.