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

[lonestar]

Ok, I gotta admit, I fucking love the new track.

[chwik]

It makes sense that they would debut Moment of Betrayal in the context of a metal radio show. It's easily one of the most metal and most straightforward things on the album. But of course this choice in the context of the other marketing activities goes further down the misleading path of the trailer, indicating that the album is much more along the lines of modern heavy DT (think DT12) than it really is. The intro before the verse riff kicks in, particularly the first ~22 seconds with just the piano and the violin (or is it a cello?), are actually more representative of a good chunk of the album than the metal song that follows is.

I concur. Having only listened to the album once, I do remember this track as the most "standard DT-track" on the album, but it makes sense to release this track in the contexst of a metal show. But as said, it is not really that representative for the album as a whole. Remember that this album is still going to sound as DT, but at the same time it is not ;-)

I like this song, think it will kick ass when played live :-)

[mikemangioy]

Wow, what a way to wake up 
Amazing song, and yeah, many reviewers said that it's the most 'standard DT' one in the album.
Many moments made me go 

[Zydar]

A fine song, and a nice catchy chorus. Needs a few more spins though.

[Train of Naught]

I just sampled the song, but the youtube quality is really killing it, so I'll wait until there will be a better version, even if that means I'll wait till release. The couple of seconds I sampled were very promising 

[alexofsweden]

Great song, could be the best they´ve made since Breaking All Illussions. BUT, i´m a bit dissapointed in Manginis playing...There´s nothing memorable in his playing. Don´t get me wrong, I thnk he´s an awsome drummer but not ever once i´ve had the urge to airplay drums to an DT track with Mangini on drums. Kinda miss Portnoy now...

[Frankgate]

Awesome song, I'm even more encouraged. It reminds a lot of SFAM (and a bit of I&W). The good old days when DT just needed 6 minutes to write a wonderful song.

[YtseJamittaja]

not ever once i´ve had the urge to airplay drums to an DT track with Mangini on drums.

That's great point.

[jakepriest]

The verses give me a big TCOT vibe for some reason. The instrumental is pretty good; overall I feel the song might be a grower.
Real shame about the drum sound, which is pretty bad, but much better than DT12. LaBrie could have cut down on the effects aswell.

[mikemangioy]

On further listens, this sounds like a mesh of The Great Debate, Outcry and The Bigger Picture. Interesting mixture right there, the song is quite unique, when you put it in this perspective.
Also, the chorus reminds me of The Ones Who Helped To Set The Sun.

[BlobVanDam]

Great song, could be the best they´ve made since Breaking All Illussions. BUT, i´m a bit dissapointed in Manginis playing...There´s nothing memorable in his playing. Don´t get me wrong, I thnk he´s an awsome drummer but not ever once i´ve had the urge to airplay drums to an DT track with Mangini on drums. Kinda miss Portnoy now...

I've never in the past had the urge to air-drum to anything Mangini either, but some of the songs on the new album have me drumming along. There are some great beats and fills, and I think this album is the best MM has fit with DT yet.

[Zydar]

I've found myself air drumming to Enigma Machine a couple of times.

[Vandalism]

I was air drumming to the final section of moment of betrayal.

[nikatapi]

I've been air drumming to most of ADTOE and IT, TEI, TLG, yeah i love MM's playing i think.
The new song is not something i'm very excited about, i think the vocal lines kind of ruin it for me.

[Pettor]

Omg, I will love this album 

Edit: I always love when James LaBrie does this hi and low singing as with the chorus here. A bit like in the Ministry of Lost Souls chorus.

[Kotowboy]

Sounds just like ADTOE and DT12.

Disagree completely.

I got a huge SDOIT vibe from it.

[ariich]

Finally read noxon's review, and one thing that really stands out from his descriptions (which were hugely informative by the way, thanks!) was just how much DT is following a traditional opera approach with this. The second act overture was specifically mentioned, but the other thing that stood out was the first act finale being the longest piece and bringing together most of the cast. First Act finales are often one of my favourite things in operas, and so I'm really looking forward to hearing that one!

[The Stray Seed]

Sounds just like ADTOE and DT12.

Disagree completely.

I got a huge SDOIT vibe from it.

Intro gives me a pleasant Finally Free vibe. Found myself singing "Friday evening, the blood's still on my hands".
Considering it as a whole, the song is killer. I can already hear the crowd singing along to the chorus, like an anthem. JLB really has some soaring vocals on this one, but actually every DT member gets his moments to shine. Yes, it has the typical Dream Theater brand sound, I can hear influences from many previous works, but remember: many reviews have stated that this is one of the few "safe" songs on the album. Well, safe but killer anyway Also, loving the mix and the overall sound.

[theanalogkid7]

I listened to Moment of Betrayal MOB live during the show, and absolutely dug it.  I keep wanting to re-listen, but after hearing confirmation of spoilers in the lyrics, I really don't want to spoil the story.  So, I've resorted to just listening to the first little bit before the lyrics start a couple of times to hold me over - haha!

I have to say, the more I hear JP and JR talk about the use of the acoustic instruments rather than synthesized/digitized stuff, the more excited I get for this album.  You just can't replicate a live orchestra or chorus, nor a Steinway grand or a B3 with Leslie.  I've always felt that the sound, timbre, ambiance, mojo, whatever you want to call it, that these "real" instruments add to rock/prog/metal creates such an amazing and enjoyable listening experience when it's done right, but sadly we just don't get that often.  I look to albums like Metallica's S&M, Rush's Clockwork Angels, and even Illumination Theory from D12 (and BTFM), and I see it done right.  I really think if any band can this marriage of sound off right now, it's DT.

Sorry for rambling, or if none of that makes since.  It's 4:30am, and I've not slept at all tonight! Haha.

[Kotowboy]

I deliberately listened to it without paying any attention to the lyrics. Not that I care about spoilers on a rock album anyway

[V_R11]

That JP solo though

[Kotowboy]

I've found myself air drumming to Enigma Machine a couple of times.

I've air drummed to plenty of MM tracks. But I do miss MPs playing even though he only had about 5 fills.

[RoeDent]

Everything about that track is awesome! The instrumental break definitely gives off Outcry vibes. Oh, and *sounds key change klaxon*

[RoadTrain_of Thought]

I like the song a lot. That intro!

[Panar]

Moment Of Betrayal has a different sound than TGOM..maybe another mix??

[EraVulgaris]

Moment Of Betrayal has a different sound than TGOM..maybe another mix??

It was taken from a radio show, therefore the quality is pretty bad.

I agree with whoever said that LaBrie sounds overproduced. Apart from that, the song is pretty neat. I do like the fact that the instrumental sections seem to be much shorter and way more focused.

[CoT67]

Moment Of Betrayal has a different sound than TGOM..maybe another mix??

Apart from the quality, I think the guitars are more up front in this song... which IMHO isn't a bad thing

[Kotowboy]

A few people who've heard the proper album say it's a lot more dynamic than usual. Which is fine by me.

I think Black Clouds is their best sounding RR album so far.

[V_R11]

Lyrics to MoB anyone?

[CoT67]

A few people who've heard the proper album say it's a lot more dynamic than usual. Which is fine by me.

I think Black Clouds is their best sounding RR album so far.

Definitely. Unfortunately I think that's because of their change of engineer, every album by Chycki seems to be plagued by similar issues in the mix (overproduced vocals and snare/drums in general)... At least it's getting better this time.

[Kotowboy]

Lyrics to MoB anyone?

" Feeeeeeeeeel The Adrenaline..." 

[The Stray Seed]

3:44 - 3:56 twelve seconds of pure awesomeness

[Cyclopssss]

Must. Restrain. The. Urge.

[nikatapi]

Do you think we're going to get an official release of the song? I'd love to hear it with a proper audio quality.

[chego_voice]

How can james labrie sound "overproduced"? Good god! 

For me, he's sounding better than ever!