Just wanted to chime in that I forgot that there were interviews back during the Along for the Ride tour which indicates that the next album would be different because there would be more LaBrie input.
https://www.rockurlife.net/interview/english/dream-theater-19-08-13"Well, here's the funny thing. I didn't write any lyrics on this album. I step back. Because I was finishing up with my solo album and I just felt that my head, you know; as much as I was involved with all of this Dream theater album, when it came to the lyrics, I just said to John and the guys, "you know what, I'm gonna step back.
I'll get involved in the next album, but right now, I've written all these words for my solo album and I'm gonna step back" that's just where I wanted it to be...I just felt I've expressed myself enough as it is and everyone was cool, they wanted me to write like John "you got to write a couple, man." I was like "no, I think you should do it."
Am a bit not clear with Mangini. His statement could either mean he's going to develop ideas more fully for Dream Theater...or for a solo project?
https://www.technologytell.com/entertainment/32930/entertainment-tell-interview-dream-theater-drummer-mike-mangini-makes-his-dream-a-reality/"Whitman: Some of the other guys are involved in other projects. Jordan has his CD with Tony Levin and Marco Minnemann, Levin Minnemann Rudess. Are looking to do anything on the side, like a solo project or a grouping with some other musicians?
Mangini: I wasn’t, because I felt like joining this band meant that I had musicians to work with. For example, I have a lot of song chunks, a lot of demos, a lot of work that I’ve done, and I thought “Wow, I would love these guys to take some of my ideas, no matter what, and just do something with it.” But what I have learned is that the band really kind of does things together, and if I was to offer something, it would have to be extraordinary and be something that already fits the mold. So now, I’ve changed my tune and by default I would like to use these ideas at some point. But only after I do my work for the band. And once we’re on the road next year, then all this work, all this preproduction work I’m doing for the show, and preparation, will be finished. And I will be able to concentrate on bringing my ideas into making them a reality. Also, because I have now remodeled the top of my home, so I have a nice-looking area to have a B-room studio and my drum room is great, and I have all the equipment that I think I could ever need, so I’m kind of ready to do this now."