Dream Theater: The Astonishing (now with moment of betrayal!)

[MirrorMask]

Ok, what would you think if when the Astonishing came out, it had a 'part 1' tagged onto the title? (and it's a double album) 

Or, even better - or worse, depending on points of view - the last song and the lyrics end on a total cliffhanger. And the story is resolved with a 30 minutes epic on the next album yet 

*Jordan randomly plays a vaguely medieval tune on his keyboard whilst at soundcheck*

Petrucci: That was kinda cool - LETS WRITE A FUTURISTIC YET MEDIEVAL DOUBLE CONCEPT ALBUM BASED AROUND THAT.

I will believe this is how it all went down until confirmed otherwise.

[TH1RT3EN]

Nice find. Here's the direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC1pXlIYbOc
Doesn't sound improvised to me either.

In fact, that seems structured as a composition instead of an improvisation. Also, EB/MM released a video of JP demonstrating his JP13 model and he played a small piece of Surrender to Reason just a few weeks before DT12's release. This is nothing more than speculation, but so is pretty much everything else in this thread, right?

[BlobVanDam]

SDOIT confirmed for the tour!

I hope that other bit is on the album, but it probably won't be. I often prefer JR's pre-album noodlings to the albums.

[AboutToCrash]

2 60 minute discs and end the show with SDOIT in its entirety? That would be epic as SDOIT is practically a 42 minute flowing concept (I suppose it's 1 track but feels like a short concept album)

[BlobVanDam]

If they're playing anything else on the tour, I doubt it will be their longest song. If they have that much time left in the set, I expect they'll want a bit of variety to cover some live staples.

[Kotowboy]

Nice find. Here's the direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC1pXlIYbOc
Doesn't sound improvised to me either.

In fact, that seems structured as a composition instead of an improvisation. Also, EB/MM released a video of JP demonstrating his JP13 model and he played a small piece of Surrender to Reason just a few weeks before DT12's release. This is nothing more than speculation, but so is pretty much everything else in this thread, right?

I think it was This Is The Life intro.

[V_R11]

Nice find. Here's the direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC1pXlIYbOc
Doesn't sound improvised to me either.

Given how talented Jordan is,it could easily be improvised. But I hope not. I really liked it

[Darkstarshades]

I doubt it is fully improvised simple because of how many effects and combinations it uses.

[Pragmaticcircus]

I just saw that interview Jordan done with Sweetwater (it's like an hour long) around the 40 min mark he starts to play stuff, anyone think they might be nuggets there??

[ResultsMayVary]

That part he played sounded a lot like something you'd hear from an overture (no I'm not talking about him playing the SDOIT part at the beginning  ).

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I doubt it is fully improvised simple because of how many effects and combinations it uses.

Or it could be a small composition used to showcase the Kronos. Nothing is certain.

[Kotowboy]

I doubt it is fully improvised simple because of how many effects and combinations it uses.

Or it could be a small composition used to showcase the Kronos. Nothing is certain.

Is anything certain in life ?

[Darkstarshades]

It could be a small composition to showcase the Kronos....
Using a style and sounds thought for the album.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

It could be a small composition to showcase the Kronos....
Using a style and sounds thought for the album.

Or it could be nothing. My money is on nothing, given how cautious and secretive they've been about the new record.

[Darkstarshades]

It could be a small composition to showcase the Kronos....
Using a style and sounds thought for the album.

Or it could be nothing. My money is on nothing, given how cautious and secretive they've been about the new record.

Plot twist.
Every single one of JR's improv, including the LA LTE Universal Mind extended solo, are used on the new record somehow.

[MajorBoobage]

https://www.facebook.com/johnpetrucciFB/photos/a.133462500039104.42405.126844294034258/1054823121236366/?type=3&theater

[lucasembarbosa]

If mixing process started in mid-october and they still are not finished, there must have LOT of stuff in there...

[Nomaniac]

Maybe the 3-disk theory is not so crazy after all

But seriously, if they're taking this long, I'm hoping they get that drum sound right this time . . .

[Nomaniac]

Nice find. Here's the direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC1pXlIYbOc
Doesn't sound improvised to me either.

I hope it's not! That snippet ROCKS!!!

But of course never put it past the Keyboard Wizard to be able to come up with ingenious pieces on the fly

[Kotowboy]

Nice find. Here's the direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC1pXlIYbOc
Doesn't sound improvised to me either.

I hope it's not! That snippet CLOCKS!!!

FTFClocksGuy

[lucasembarbosa]

 

[Nomaniac]

 

Well played sir

[Kotowboy]

10 tracks for act ll 100%
 

clocks guy was wrong ?! Who saw THAT coming ?!

[Train of Naught]

hey Kotowboy why u put the fucking clock back of char 8? huh? the FBI must take dt and punish DT. hey Kotowboy u need to prison for end of the world.cause you have 1 fucking clock.

[Bertie_Wooster]

This is with regard to those who wish Steven Wilson would produce the new DT album.   I give you exhibit A.   Listen to "take shelter" on Anathema's album Distant Satellites then listen to the same song on their new live record "a sort of homecoming"      This is proof that we don't want Steven Wilson anywhere near a Dream Theater album.  ALL of the distant sattelite songs sound better on the new live album.

[ne9149]

https://www.facebook.com/johnpetrucciFB/photos/a.133462500039104.42405.126844294034258/1054823121236366/?type=3
strings and choir 

[Kotowboy]

Good spot ! 

[noxon]

And it also says Brass..

I guess there's a reason why they need concert halls and theatres this tour...

[thosava]

And doesn't the one next to that say surf (something)? Strange 

[SwedishGoose]

https://www.facebook.com/johnpetrucciFB/photos/a.133462500039104.42405.126844294034258/1054823121236366/?type=3
strings and choir 

Niceley spotted.... this will be soo interresting... can't wait to see this live on the 1st and 2nd of March...

[Another_Won]

Is that actual strings and choir?  Could that be parts done by Jordan, with effects on the keyboard?  I only ask because I'm assuming someone here knows it those would be separated out if they were only done by Jordan.  If so, it turns out to be a welcome discovery, imo, and also not that unexpected given the nature of the release.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Having real orchestral and choir elements throughout the album would be awesome! Please let it be that 

[Enigmachine]

I'm not that surprised that mixing a double album would take about a month and a half. I think the strings and choir may be real and they may want another to collaborate once more with with Eren's Berklee orchestra and integrate it more fully into the album as a whole. It would be very interesting to see DT do that.

[countoftuscany42]

I had heard a rumor months ago through a friend that he knew someone who had a connection to the studio DT recorded at and believed this album was going to be very special and elaborate, specifically mentioning an orchestra.  whether that's the case or not who knows, but with everything else happening for TA i'd like to believe it 

[The Fatal Tragedy]

Hmm... I didn't know we could post stuff like this. In that case, I've been keeping track of potential studio material that Jordan Rudess has been recently playing at numerous keyboard demonstrations, all of which I think does not sound improvised.
The first video took place right after a studio session sometime in April.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jshQWP0gQ-k
Keep track of everything Jordan Rudess plays without Marco Parisi during the video. The most interesting spot is at the 12 minute mark. Here he talks about and demonstrates a pipe organ sound that he and DT wanted to use for the new album.

Here's two other demo's that Rudess did at Drum Fest 2015. To me, the style of music does match what I would expect to be on the new album in one way or another.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gex6oo7U8FY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoUL_BBICQQ