*OFFICIAL* A Dramatic Turn Of Events discussion thread

[Misirlou]

I realized how nuts they went with the instrumental sections on this album, probably more than on any other, honestly.

Bridges in the Sky, Outcry, Lost Not Forgotten, and Breaking All Illusions have instrumental sections that go over 4 minutes and are absolutely brilliant and chaotic.

[hefdaddy42]

Removed the Spoiler banner from the title of this 14 year old thread.

[gzarruk]

Not my favorite MM album, that's A View, but this one was still is   just with a couple low points.

[durga2112]

Removed the Spoiler banner from the title of this 14 year old thread.

FINALLY I can read this thread without worrying about spoilers. 

[WilliamMunny]

I was so lukewarm on this record, but it's really, really grown on me.

I do not like anything nearly as much that has come since, and I feel like this might be the most 'balanced' record in their catalog...at least top-3 (like I&W and Scenes)

[Misirlou]

I was so lukewarm on this record, but it's really, really grown on me.

I do not like anything nearly as much that has come since, and I feel like this might be the most 'balanced' record in their catalog...at least top-3 (like I&W and Scenes)

I´ve heard people say they used the I&W structure for this record. Personally, I don´t hear it.

[durga2112]

I´ve heard people say they used the I&W structure for this record. Personally, I don´t hear it.

I think about half the songs fit that structure. "On the Backs of Angels" ("Pull Me Under"), "Lost Not Forgotten" ("Under a Glass Moon" - the way the rhythm shifts during the chorus is a dead giveaway), and "Far From Heaven"/"Breaking All Illusions" ("Wait for Sleep"/"Learning to Live" - a short song followed by a lengthy, proggy song that reprises the main musical motif of the first song). Anything else feels like a stretch to me, but these songs definitely sound like they're cut from the same cloth as the songs on I&W.

[Cavalry of Despair]

I think about half the songs fit that structure. "On the Backs of Angels" ("Pull Me Under"), "Lost Not Forgotten" ("Under a Glass Moon" - the way the rhythm shifts during the chorus is a dead giveaway), and "Far From Heaven"/"Breaking All Illusions" ("Wait for Sleep"/"Learning to Live" - a short song followed by a lengthy, proggy song that reprises the main musical motif of the first song). Anything else feels like a stretch to me, but these songs definitely sound like they're cut from the same cloth as the songs on I&W.

Yeah those ones are glaringly obvious, I'm convinced that anyone who denied it back then just didn't want to be perceived as detractors since Portnoy "agreed" with Thiago Campos's post and framed it as a negative thing. IMO that was hypocritical considering how often DT would almost directly rip musical ideas from other artists (e.g. Muse) during the 00s. Personally I think it was a cool idea to write new material using structures from their quintessential album, 20 years later.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

You guys are making me want to give this album a spin for the first time in a while...

[gzarruk]

Yeah those ones are glaringly obvious, I'm convinced that anyone who denied it back then just didn't want to be perceived as detractors since Portnoy "agreed" with Thiago Campos's post and framed it as a negative thing. IMO that was hypocritical considering how often DT would almost directly rip musical ideas from other artists (e.g. Muse) during the 00s. Personally I think it was a cool idea to write new material using structures from their quintessential album, 20 years later.

He also commented on the BMU/BMD similarities to a song by the band RED, and I was like "did he forget Never Enough exists?".

[CraftyCaleb2483]

Removed the Spoiler banner from the title of this 14 year old thread.

Dammit Hef, I haven't listen to ADTOE yet! Now you've ruined the surprise!
*storms off*

[Misirlou]

Yeah those ones are glaringly obvious, I'm convinced that anyone who denied it back then just didn't want to be perceived as detractors since Portnoy "agreed" with Thiago Campos's post and framed it as a negative thing. IMO that was hypocritical considering how often DT would almost directly rip musical ideas from other artists (e.g. Muse) during the 00s. Personally I think it was a cool idea to write new material using structures from their quintessential album, 20 years later.

Yeah, pretty much. And funny enough Portnoy was often the most open about their influences when writing songs, and I think he openly acknowledged the Muse inspiration that is all over Octavarium.

[Northern Lion]

I was so lukewarm on this record, but it's really, really grown on me.

I do not like anything nearly as much that has come since, and I feel like this might be the most 'balanced' record in their catalog...at least top-3 (like I&W and Scenes)

I've never been lukewarm about it since this is the album that got me into DT, but I do agree with you that it sits right at the top area of their catalog.  It's a brilliant album.

[Northern Lion]

You guys are making me want to give this album a spin for the first time in a while...

You really should, it's a great listen.  Pick a rainy day where nothing is going on, and pop it in

[WilliamMunny]

I've never been lukewarm about it since this is the album that got me into DT, but I do agree with you that it sits right at the top area of their catalog.  It's a brilliant album.

It's rare that something can still surprise me 15 years later, but every time I put ADTOE on, I hear something/feel something new. I think, lyrically speaking, John really outdid himself on a few of those songs.

[Misirlou]

It's rare that something can still surprise me 15 years later, but every time I put ADTOE on, I hear something/feel something new. I think, lyrically speaking, John really outdid himself on a few of those songs.

It´s basically Petrucci´s baby, he apparently also wrote a lot of the drum parts too from what I´ve read, before Mangini joined. And produced the whole thing by himself for the first time, without his collaboration partner Portnoy. So yeah, he did outdo himself on almost every department here.

[Ben_Jamin]

I was listening to this album during work this morning, and I got to say that BItS is such an amazing song!  It's probably the heaviest song on the album and it's pretty technical and that chorus!  Man what a good song this is!

You should've seen me when I heard the intro start at the first show since Covid. It's fantastic live and of course I was singing along to the chorus.

[Jamesman42]

Removed the Spoiler banner from the title of this 14 year old thread.

And onward does the god continue his wrath of power and destruction.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

It's rare that something can still surprise me 15 years later, but every time I put ADTOE on, I hear something/feel something new. I think, lyrically speaking, John really outdid himself on a few of those songs.

I know that Dream Theater aren't necessarily known for their lyrics, but when they nail them, I think they elevate the entire experience. I was listening to Trial of Tears the other day and was like... I'm genuinely compelled by the story being told here.

Unfortunately, some of the band's lyrics, particularly during the late first-Portnoy era (and Parasomnia as well, to be honest) are poor enough that I feel they bring the experience down. I think they rebounded big time in this department with ADTOE, and Petrucci deserves a lot of credit for that.

[hefdaddy42]

And onward does the god continue his wrath of power and destruction.

SLOWLY

[Dream Team]

I know that Dream Theater aren't necessarily known for their lyrics, but when they nail them, I think they elevate the entire experience. I was listening to Trial of Tears the other day and was like... I'm genuinely compelled by the story being told here.

Unfortunately, some of the band's lyrics, particularly during the late first-Portnoy era (and Parasomnia as well, to be honest) are poor enough that I feel they bring the experience down. I think they rebounded big time in this department with ADTOE, and Petrucci deserves a lot of credit for that.

I agree completely. In general, I think the lyrics range from good to great on all releases EXCEPT the era you mentioned. For such a guitar virtuoso, it's a huge bonus that JP also carries most of the lyric-writing burden and usually writes something good (imo anyway).

[TheOutlawXanadu]

I ended up listening to the whole album and watching some of the Luna Park DVD. I was reminded of what a special period for the band that was - In a pickle from the MP departure, but they stepped up to the plate and delivered what I think may be their best album outside my personal Mount Rushmore, ushering in a new era that stands out from the rest of their catalog. And I think the change in sound from the darker, heavier approach of SC and BC&SL to the lighter, prog style of ADTOE was a breath of fresh air.

A side note that while the Luna Park show is awesome, it sounds like a JP guitar stem half the time. Also, I don't think I had mentally registered how long ago that was until I saw how young all the guys looked.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I ended up listening to the whole album and watching some of the Luna Park DVD. I was reminded of what a special period for the band that was - In a pickle from the MP departure, but they stepped up to the plate and delivered what I think may be their best album outside my personal Mount Rushmore, ushering in a new era that stands out from the rest of their catalog. And I think the change in sound from the darker, heavier approach of SC and BC&SL to the lighter, prog style of ADTOE was a breath of fresh air.

A side note that while the Luna Park show is awesome, it sounds like a JP guitar stem half the time. Also, I don't think I had mentally registered how long ago that was until I saw how young all the guys looked.

JP in particular looks a lot different. He's lost a lot of muscle mass.

[Schurftkut]

JP in particular looks a lot different. He's lost a lot of muscle mass.

he quit bodybuilding because of how injury-prone it is.

[hefdaddy42]

A side note that while the Luna Park show is awesome, it sounds like a JP guitar stem half the time.

I saw that one when they released it in theaters.  JP was so loud he drowned everything else out.

[gzarruk]

I saw that one when they released it in theaters.  JP was so loud he drowned everything else out.

His guitar tone is also heavily processed with a lot of chorus effects. IIRC, they had some behind the scenes issues with the recordings and had to go to extra lengths to save the project, hence why it took them so long to release it.

JP in particular looks a lot different. He's lost a lot of muscle mass.

And a lot of his hair went from his head to his beard