*Official* The Astonishing discussion thread

[chrisgazpacho]

For you Spotify guys, it's now up for me here, central time zone 

iTunes music is up as well.

[Grizz]

$34 for HDTracks?!?
Someone please tell me that the $15 CD was mastered with competence...

[BlobVanDam]

$34 for HDTracks?!?
Someone please tell me that the $15 CD was mastered with competence...

The CD of The Astonishing has better mastering than the HDTracks version of DT12.

I have no idea how the HDTracks version of The Astonishing compares to the CD though. Hopefully when someone here buys it, they can do a comparison.

[rumborak]

Life Left Behind also has some very uncommon DT writing in it. Really like that tune (despite the Tempus Fugit opening).

[Grizz]

$34 for HDTracks?!?
Someone please tell me that the $15 CD was mastered with competence...

The CD of The Astonishing has better mastering than the HDTracks version of DT12.

I have no idea how the HDTracks version of The Astonishing compares to the CD though. Hopefully when someone here buys it, they can do a comparison.

Thank god, I thought I was gonna have to sell my Dad on the idea. 

[rumborak]

Can't say the mastering bothered me. I doubt the purchase would be worth it.

[pcs90]

I can't imagine it being a major difference like it is with DT12.

[BlobVanDam]

The mastering on the CD actually makes it DT's most dynamic studio album since SFAM. I hope they continue with that. It makes the album so much more enjoyable to listen to.

[The Presence of Frenemies]

Am I the only one who thinks the title track slays Our New World? ONW is okay, but has a very ordinary feeling to it. Kind of like...Wither? (not a great comparison but couldn't think of a better analog). Astonishing, though...that ending...best two minutes of DT since Razor's Edge.

[evz]

$34 for HDTracks?!?
Someone please tell me that the $15 CD was mastered with competence...

Usually there is a promo code (like 15-20% off)for new releases, unfortunately I haven't received the email with it yet, I usually don't get them until after 11 PST 

[pcs90]

Am I the only one who thinks the title track slays Our New World? ONW is okay, but has a very ordinary feeling to it. Kind of like...Wither? (not a great comparison but couldn't think of a better analog). Astonishing, though...that ending...best two minutes of DT since Razor's Edge.

I really do like Our New World, but the title track is a great ending. I'm not sure why some people have said they don't understand why it's there. That ending is so over the top, I love it.

[lonestar]

Downloading now...... (legitimately of course)

[ZKX-2099]

More songs need James' maniacal laughing.

[BlobVanDam]

More songs need James' maniacal laughing.

I love that so much. It's cheesy but awesome.


And am I the only one who maniacally laughs along with it?

[Dexter1225]

I just got the HDTracks promo email.  However, it doesn't seem to have come with the full lyric book, FYI

[RMGadelha]

More songs need James' maniacal laughing.

I love that so much. It's cheesy but awesome.


And am I the only one who maniacally laughs along with it?

Me too, haha. Not only his laughing, but also his screams during The Walking Shadow. "YOU MURDERER!!!!!!" It set the mood so damn well!

[jdprsaga]

After A few listening and a bit too much wine... I'm all into Nafaryus!!! all his songs  I'm like.. yeah this dude rocks!

[pcs90]

Not only his laughing, but also his screams during The Walking Shadow. "YOU MURDERER!!!!!!" It set the mood so damn well!

YESSS! I'm not normally a fan of screaming lyrics and stuff like that but this absolutely works.

[Volante99]

Wow, overall what a great album!!

The writing is truly inspired, production is better, and the whole album just has so much heart and energy that's been lacking since at least Octavarium.

My only complaint is that some parts of the album feel bloated.
Certain songs sound like definite filler while other songs are rushed. I think if they had trimmed this album down by about a half hour and let the quality songs breathe a little, it could have been their best record since Awake. Overall it's really really good.

[RMGadelha]

After A few listening and a bit too much wine... I'm all into Nafaryus!!! all his songs  I'm like.. yeah this dude rocks!

"I am impressed
You brought us all to tears!"

[pdurbin22]

Why the hell did the iTunes download not come with a digital booklet? I think I'm loving this but I am so lost!

[gm5k]

3:20 of "When Your Time Has Come" is so unique melodically to me and creates such a great atmosphere 

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I think DT really scored a high this album in regards with them not holding back the epicness, the grandeur and the theatrics. Lord Nafaryus, Three Days and The Walking Shadow are three of my favorites because such elements are so present and in your face all the time.

Also, the ballads are incredible. The acoustic piano sounds absolutely amazing, and it made me recall that one of the things that people wanted the most about Rudess was more piano. Well, we now have an album in which the piano is the main instrument throughout. Amazing stuff.

[RMGadelha]

Not only his laughing, but also his screams during The Walking Shadow. "YOU MURDERER!!!!!!" It set the mood so damn well!

YESSS! I'm not normally a fan of screaming lyrics and stuff like that but this absolutely works.

The whole track works for me. The mood is so tragic and creepy. That ending describing "as the weapon..." was so unexpectedly awesome. Funny how one of my favorite tracks is one of the shortest ones

[jdprsaga]

BTW Manginni is freaking awesome in this album!!! even if not outspoken about it before, I did felt like he overplayed it in DT11 and DT12, but this time he just told me to shut!

And I agree with the some other guys here about that saviour in the square Intro!! WOW!

[Sacul]

This is like DT meets Disney or Ayreon

[pdurbin22]

I'm still only about 50% through my first listen, but I will say this: anyone who thought Dream Theater was not deserving of the "progressive" descriptor of their genre will retract their words after hearing this. Love it or hate it, it's really, really different.

[wideworldofmike]

This album is shiny and new. Sooooooooo good.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

This is like DT meets Disney or Ayreon

There's this beautiful theme at the end of Begin Again that reminds me a lot of Disney. Good times.

[pdurbin22]

"A New Beginning." Holy f**k are you serious? Dream Theater in a groove? Yes!

[bankshot]

I just got the HDTracks promo email.  However, it doesn't seem to have come with the full lyric book, FYI

I was about to reply saying my order did come with a PDF, but you're right - the PDF is just the cover image and nothing more. Normally I wouldn't care too much, but the booklet is kinda important to understand what's going with this album! Guess I'll be writing them an email to see if anything can be done.

And yikes, the $34 was a bit of a sticker shock compared to the $15 Amazon CD (which I just canceled yesterday when it was confirmed that HDTracks would have the album). Even with discount code it's almost twice the price. But I guess as a double album it's in line with other HDTracks prices.

Now to listen...

[pcs90]

This is like DT meets Disney or Ayreon

The Answer reminds me very much of some sort of Disney theme.

[blackmetal666]

Best album since Scenes from Memory.
Have done 8 complete listens at this point.

Haven't really liked any albums since six degrees much...but Astonishing has me floored.

This is as much as anyone could have hoped for at this point in their career.
That Dream Theater magic is back!!

So stoked about this album

[Implode]

Can we talk about how Hymn of a Thousand Voices  and Our New World don't sound like standard DT? This is like, the first time they've done this in a looong time. I didn't think they still had it in them.

When I think of DT playing something new in TA, first that comes to mind is A Life Left Behind.

Life Left Behind also has some very uncommon DT writing in it. Really like that tune (despite the Tempus Fugit opening).

I'd say LLB still sounds like DT, but it very good light DT. It's my favorite on the album I think.

That's why Our New World is my favorite song on the album, yeah. Completely unexpected, different style.

And that might be my second favorite song at the moment. It's so....different. Just doesn't sound like them at all. It's great!

[Architeuthis]

I pre-oredered it from my local music store last week so it would be here by Friday.  I called today and the store owner forgot to order it.  I have to wait for another week to hear TA now...Arghh!!!