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

[RoeDent]

I have confidence that those goosebumps moments will be there. The last album, while having not quite as many as ADTOE, still had a few of them. There's a few in TGOM, particularly "People just don't..." and the whole choir chorus.

[RMGadelha]

I can't wait for the bagpipes and the Tango bit Jordan mentioned, lol.

[Estiui]

I can't wait for the bagpipes and the Tango bit Jordan mentioned, lol.

What?! Where/when did he mention that? 

[liran95]

I've been thinking a lot about clock guy's significance, and IMO he's gonna be the main character, regardless of Gabriel being the chosen one.
I think it's not a coincidence that he's being revealed last, and I also think he will be the "silent character" (that has no singing role).
If he's indeed a child, that would make him the only child in the story (which we hadn't thought what meaning it would have). Also, it's pretty common in literature and poetry to use a child as "the voice of innocence and reason", so that would make him a decent option as the character who can end the dispute between the GNE and RRM.

Maybe hadi was right to be obsessed with the clock guy 

[mikemangioy]

The hype for clock guy is stronger than the hype for the album right now

[Evermind]

Also, it's pretty common in literature and poetry to use a child as "the voice of innocence and reason", so that would make him a decent option as the character who can end the dispute between the GNE and RRM.

I'm pretty tired of this trope to be honest, so I hope this is not the case here.

[BlobVanDam]

Maybe hadi was right to be obsessed with the clock guy 

Or maybe he wasn't.

[millahh]

Also, it's pretty common in literature and poetry to use a child as "the voice of innocence and reason", so that would make him a decent option as the character who can end the dispute between the GNE and RRM.

I'm pretty tired of this trope to be honest, so I hope this is not the case here.

At this point, I hope they never reveal him...the spot on the website stays dark, the "trading card" is blank", and the references to him in the story are removed....just to screw with people.

[ronnibran]

Maybe the final character will be a robot.  Ok probably not.

[RMGadelha]

Unless it's an android covered with skin... because we have seen his/her arms already in the pre-order page.

[CDrice]

Oh, you'll hear it when James switches characters in songs...

That's good to hear, but I'm really wondering how he'll do that. He's definitely a good singer, but singing in 7 different ways to reperesent the differnet characters seems pretty challenging. The only thing that I can think of that could work would be having a character for each of his singing style. Maybe something like this?

Lower speaking register: Daryus
Soft whispery voice: Evangeline
Falsetto: Faythe
Standard mid-range voice: Arhys
High belting register: Gabriel
Gritty Vocals: Nafaryus
Screamy vocals: Arabelle

Yeah, I really have no idea 

[Kotowboy]

I'm back ! 

It's The Astonishing month of release ! 

Not long now !

[Enigmachine]

It's funny how the official DT website still says "Dream Theater – New Album Out Now | Official Site" from 2013. I wonder how many people have been fooled by that to think that TA is out already.

[MirrorMask]

Oh, you'll hear it when James switches characters in songs...

That's good to hear, but I'm really wondering how he'll do that. He's definitely a good singer, but singing in 7 different ways to reperesent the differnet characters seems pretty challenging. The only thing that I can think of that could work would be having a character for each of his singing style. Maybe something like this?

Lower speaking register: Daryus
Soft whispery voice: Evangeline
Falsetto: Faythe
Standard mid-range voice: Arhys
High belting register: Gabriel
Gritty Vocals: Nafaryus
Screamy vocals: Arabelle

Yeah, I really have no idea 

Victoria in SFAM was obvious, Julian and Edward a bit less but once you know the story and the lyrics you kinda feel drawn into the character's point of view... but, to make an example, there's no enormous difference, "hey is it even the same singer?" vibe between the "Her ecstasy means so much to me" chorus and the "Her story it holds the key" one in Home.

We'll see... actually, we'll hear!

[noxon]

i guess we'll see... yes, we shall see.

[Bertielee]

i guess we'll see... yes, we shall see.

Now, you got me intrigued!

[MirrorMask]

i guess we'll see... yes, we shall see.

Wait, what, the dude that photoshopped James' face over all the characters was right?

 

[chego_voice]

i guess we'll see... yes, we shall see.

Wait, what, the dude that photoshopped James' face over all the characters was right?

 

You're welcome! 

[Pax]

I'm back ! 

It's The Astonishing month of release ! 

Not long now !

You missed much of the party here

[Kotowboy]

25 more astonishing days

[CDrice]

Oh, you'll hear it when James switches characters in songs...

That's good to hear, but I'm really wondering how he'll do that. He's definitely a good singer, but singing in 7 different ways to reperesent the differnet characters seems pretty challenging. The only thing that I can think of that could work would be having a character for each of his singing style.

Victoria in SFAM was obvious, Julian and Edward a bit less but once you know the story and the lyrics you kinda feel drawn into the character's point of view... but, to make an example, there's no enormous difference, "hey is it even the same singer?" vibe between the "Her ecstasy means so much to me" chorus and the "Her story it holds the key" one in Home.

We'll see... actually, we'll hear!

That's sort of what I mean. In Scenes the only to distinguish Julian and Edward is by the lyrics. But, at least to me, the way John explained it the interview and the way noxon said it implies that even without lyrics we'll know which character James is impersonating. It will be interesting to hear how he does this.

But as you said, we'll hear in due time 

[Pragmaticcircus]

Can't wait to see who this ninth character is in the Astounding!!! 

We've all been through alot together hippies, not long left!

[RMGadelha]

Would be nice to have the places tab unlock at the same day the characters and map thing finishes, which is tomorrow (I hope).

[fadetoblackdude7]

I wonder if the NOMAC section on the bottom of the page is gonna change, or if it's just.....there.

[SystematicThought]

Would be nice to have the places tab unlock at the same day the characters and map thing finishes, which is tomorrow (I hope).

I didn't even see the Places Tab with the lock over it until now. I have no clue why I didn't see that. Now I'm excited!

[GasparXR]

Would be nice to have the places tab unlock at the same day the characters and map thing finishes, which is tomorrow (I hope).

I didn't even see the Places Tab with the lock over it until now. I have no clue why I didn't see that. Now I'm excited!

I'm guessing it will be a breakdown off all the locations on the fully revealed map, maybe with a small bio of their significance.

[SystematicThought]

That'd be cool. I've always liked that sort of thing in video games, especially when it's done well

[Darkstarshades]

Final Fantasy: The Astonishing

Square Enix has confirmed its developement.
OS by Dream Theater (The Astonishing music, as well as extra music by DT)
It's SE's first installment not to be set on a fictional world.

2017 game of the year award.

[noxon]

It's funny you should say that - cause there's a certain section in a certain song I could -swear- I'd heard before in a Final Fantasy game...

[Darkstarshades]

It's funny you should say that - cause there's a certain section in a certain song I could -swear- I'd heard before in a Final Fantasy game...

I really hope it's something like this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ7jRcrDR4s

My goodness...
Regardless of what it is, my hype just got doubled.

[RoeDent]

I'm guessing it will be a breakdown off all the locations on the fully revealed map, maybe with a small bio of their significance.

Hopefully with plenty of pictures too.

[BlobVanDam]

I'm guessing it will be a breakdown off all the locations on the fully revealed map, maybe with a small bio of their significance.

Hopefully with plenty of pictures too.

If it's similar to the character section, it may just be pictures, with their significance left until the listening experience, much as it is with the characters and map so far.

[The Paddies]

For the ones hoping for a documentary (a la Systematic Chaos): sorry, but it won't happen. Heard that from Jordan Rudess' mouth. Considering the amount of work the band has done for this record, it's not a surprise to me. Fortunately The Astonishing is one big epic music fest!

[Thematt202]

So, today should be C(lock)-Day!

[Jinx]

i guess we'll see... yes, we shall see.

Now, you got me intrigued!

I think during the tour there will be images of the various characters on the screen while they are talking/singing.