*Official* The Astonishing discussion thread

[pringkaarwanda]

Dream Theater upload a lot of the astonishing song in their official youtube
https://www.youtube.com/user/dreamtheater/videos

[V_R11]

I really want The Astonishing: The Musical

[erwinrafael]

I really want The Astonishing: The Musical

I have a feeling that their decision to stage a full "The Astonishing"-only tour is a testing of the waters. Now that I had listened to it a lot of times, I find myself thinking that one does not write a musical this elaborate without planning to bring this on stage as a full-scale production at some point.

[me7]

The opening four notes of Ravenskill reminds me of the Tetris theme. Can't stop thinking about it whenever it starts.

What have you done...!

Now I'm scared of my next listen

[Bolsters]

Actually, they uploaded the entire thing.

[GJE]

I am deeply impressed, a great dvd.
And am only at number 12.
Can't wait for the live DVD.

[chego_voice]

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?

No hahahahahaha me too!

[MirrorMask]

I'm about to go into my lunch break, chain store nearby here I come!  stoked to see that the vast majority of the comments are very positive!!! 

[jcmoorehead]

Only heard the first disc so far but I am absolutely loving what I am hearing. Being brought up with Meat Loaf and The Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, these sorts of things have always been right up my street. I'm looking forward to being able to enjoy the second disc and then delving into the story a little bit more. I can't really fault what they've done though and as with others I have to say that James sounds amazing on it.

[Pragmaticcircus]

Listening to the album for the 4th time now, there's something I really like about A Better Life, it's not groundbreaking or original but its nice.
Plus, the last minute reminds me of Operation Mindcrime 

[thosava]

The album was in the mailbox when i got home! 
I'm gonna hit play in a couple of minutes. I have never been this excited for a CD before.

[TheGreatPretender]

Well, I should have known that sleep would be impossible. Woke up at 2 AM and downloaded the digital version of the album, and man... Wow, just wow. I mean, it might be corny to say, but I truly am astonished. It's definitely everything I was hoping for, but at the same time, so much better than I could have imagined. Part of the reason I got into DT was their awesome super fast playing, but the other part was that they can just take you on these amazing musical journeys, and this album is really so much about the latter. What a trip.

More songs need James' maniacal laughing.

I just wish there was footage of him recording that.

[BlobVanDam]

More songs need James' maniacal laughing.

I just wish there was footage of him recording that.

If this isn't the second video on the Astonishing page, I'm going to be really disappointed now.

Or maybe if you click the NOMAC eyes, it just plays audio of JLB maniacally laughing.

[Pragmaticcircus]

And what's so special about the STILL unlocked places tab, why is it so important when we've heard the album, know the characters, know the story?

[TheGreatPretender]

And what's so special about the STILL unlocked places tab, why is it so important when we've heard the album, know the characters, know the story?

Well, considering that RR hasn't sent people their digital downloads yet, I'm guessing all that stuff will probably be unlocked and sent out by some guy who's probably still sleeping, lol. JP also said they were planning to have the track list link to actual explanations of scenes for people who didn't quite get what's happening in the story, so there should be more to that as well.

[BlobVanDam]

And what's so special about the STILL unlocked places tab, why is it so important when we've heard the album, know the characters, know the story?

Don't know, but I don't see any reason for it not to be revealed now. Maybe later today?

[erwinrafael]

Tonight before I sleep, I would listen with the intent of focusing on John Myung. Many are complaining that he underplayed in the record, but off the top of my head, I can remembers distinct moments like the intro of A Life Left Behind, the groovy section of A New Beginning, the outro of Moment of Betrayal, the "rap" and the fast section of the Path That Divides, and the heavy section of My Last Farewell. Usually my trick here is to listen at a low volume because that is when I hear him more. 

[Pragmaticcircus]

And what's so special about the STILL unlocked places tab, why is it so important when we've heard the album, know the characters, know the story?

Don't know, but I don't see any reason for it not to be revealed now. Maybe later today?

Hope so Blob, I hope so     

[erwinrafael]

Anybody here loved the slow polyrhythms by Mangini in The Walking Shadow? See, that staple of his drum solos CAN be musical. 

[Zydar]

I was just walking back to work after my lunch break, listening to A Life Left Behind on Spotify - it's one of the standout tracks for me so far. I'm a sucker for catchy choruses. And that "video gamey" intro is nice too.

[snapple]

I've only listened to the first disc so far.



I don't like it.

[Pragmaticcircus]

On my 4th listen, also up to a Life Left Behind.
Intro reminds me of Yes.
And oddly enough, the rest of song makes me want to hear Devin Townsend do an Epicloud style version of it! 

[jakepriest]

I was just walking back to work after my lunch break, listening to A Life Left Behind on Spotify - it's one of the standout tracks for me so far. I'm a sucker for catchy choruses. And that "video gamey" intro is nice too.

Definitely a standout track. The last "I'm waking up" part is pure bliss. 

[Pragmaticcircus]

I love that piano intro to Ravenskill!

[jakepriest]

I love that piano intro to Ravenskill!

When it goes heavy it gets even better. Definitely my favourite track so far. 

[Pragmaticcircus]

I love that piano intro to Ravenskill!

When it goes heavy it gets even better. Definitely my favourite track so far. 

Hello fellow Devhead?!!   

[BlobVanDam]

About the best I could do.

https://www.blobvandam.com/link/JLB_HAHA.mp3

[Pragmaticcircus]

Don't like Chosen at all, makes me feel a bit sick   

But A Tempting Offer, Woah. Polytonal piano intro by the sound of it, back to the prog again!

[RaasMah]

There is so many highlights from this album! Im really starting to love it.

My favs, of the top of my head:
A new begining solo - deffinietly the best moment in the album imo
Nefarius! love the theatricality
The choir and instrumental in TGOM remain amazing for me
Intros to Heavens cove and A life left behind

Over all loving it the more I listen to it. And im satisfied to see there are plenty of awesome JP solos, I kinda fearded there wouldnt be enough.

So far the only thing im dissapointed in is the ending. Not that its not good, it fits, but I really wanted it to end with an epic guitar solo ala Razors edge or IT.

[James.v6]

Totally fall in love with TA. Lot of strong moments.
First 10 songs of Act 1..really killed me. Labrie have one of The most awesome vocal moments of his career. All of the JP solos are very soulful.
Songs like A Better Life, A Savior in The Square and Lord Nafaryus oh god a missed songs like that. Evil moments like in A Tempting Offer ufff.
Really Astonishing.

[lightbug]

in "The walking shadow", at 2:03, that is faythe theme  , what a nice detail , before... well you know 

[porcacultor]

I'm liking it more every time I listen to it. This is surely the band having a LOT of fun.

Must mention separately that Our New World is one of the coolest tracks they've EVER put out. I'm anxious just thinking about seeing it live!

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

I really want The Astonishing: The Musical

I have a feeling that their decision to stage a full "The Astonishing"-only tour is a testing of the waters. Now that I had listened to it a lot of times, I find myself thinking that one does not write a musical this elaborate without planning to bring this on stage as a full-scale production at some point.

I mean to honor the fact that they go by the name Dream Theater, I feel that would be their true destiny. 

[erwinrafael]

I really want The Astonishing: The Musical

I have a feeling that their decision to stage a full "The Astonishing"-only tour is a testing of the waters. Now that I had listened to it a lot of times, I find myself thinking that one does not write a musical this elaborate without planning to bring this on stage as a full-scale production at some point.

I mean to honor the fact that they go by the name Dream Theater, I feel that would be their true destiny. 

They started it with the last album. The last album is constructed like a concert set, with a theatrical opening, the sequence of the songs arranged to pace like a concert, and ending with some sort of end credits music.

[Logain Ablar]

Hey all. I'm a long time lurker on DTF, but feel compelled to post something for once.

I totally love this album - so many great moments!

Some thoughts:

• JLB!!! - Fantastic job. He really gets to shine on this album.
• JP - Some really tasty solos. Though they seem to sit a little further back in the mix than usual??
• The production is really great. Lots of breathing room for all the different elements.
• It's definitely best appreciated when listening from start to finish. It's not the type of album you dip in and out of.
• The story wasn't totally clear to me for the first couple of listens. I'll need to get the lyrics to see who's talking when.
• I think this album is going to work really well in the live setting. This was a bit of a concern when I bought the concert ticket up front, but I can totally see how it will translate to the stage.

So far the only thing im dissapointed in is the ending. Not that its not good, it fits, but I really wanted it to end with an epic guitar solo ala Razors edge or IT.

I'd agree with this, though it's only a minor nitpick. "Astonishing" (the final track) is excellent, but they could have milked it out for another couple of minutes and I would have been totally fine with that.

I'm going to have this playing constantly from now until the 18th Feb in the London Palladium. Cannot wait!!