New Album “Distance Over Time’, First Set of 2019 Tour Dates announced!

[MirrorMask]

DISTANCE OVER TIME - 22 FEBRUARY 2019

1. Untethered Angel (6:14)
2. Paralyzed (4:17)
3. Fall Into The Light (7:04)
4. Barstool Warrior (6:43)
5. Room 137 (4:23)
6. S2N (6:21)
7. At Wit’s End (9:20)
8. Out Of Reach (4:04)
9. Pale Blue Dot (8:25)
10. Viper King (4:00) (Bonus Track)

Very interesting, like Marc mentioned, no songs over 10 minutes. They definitely went for a more concise approach with this one.

For perspective, think of an album (length only, not necessarily the style) with:

1. The Enemy Inside
2. Hell's Kitchen or About to Crash reprise or I Walk Beside You
3. Behind the Veil or Under a Glass Moon or Constant Motion
4. Erotomania or Fatal Tragedy
5. Another Day
6. Surrender to Reason (Appropriate, since someone joked S2N could be Surrender 2 Neeson)
7. Metropolis Pt1
8. Far From Heaven
9. A Rite of Passage or Take The Time
10. The Silent Man

Fatal Tragedy is a fine example of a song that has memorable vocal lines, great melodies an an all-out long solo section that still doesn't take 11 minutes to achieve this. So there can be crazy musicianship in the album even if no song is overlong.

[RoeDent]

Forgive me for this, but has it actually been confirmed that At Wit's End is James'? I've missed it if they have.

Fun fact: The gap between The Astonishing and Distance Over Time's releases is the 2nd-longest in DT history, behind that between WDADU (March 1989) and Images and Words (July 1992).

[Samsara]

So these track lengths are more my speed. I shouldn't be having my hopes up, but I do. Bring on the record! 

[MirrorMask]

Forgive me for this, but has it actually been confirmed that At Wit's End is James'? I've missed it if they have.

I'm quite confident it was explicitly revealed in an interview / press release where they first mentioned the song titles we didn't know yet.

[Max Kuehnau]

Forgive me for this, but has it actually been confirmed that At Wit's End is James'? I've missed it if they have.

I'm quite confident it was explicitly revealed in an interview / press release where they first mentioned the song titles we didn't know yet.

indeed it is James' lyrics for AWE yes.

[devieira73]

DISTANCE OVER TIME - 22 FEBRUARY 2019

1. Untethered Angel (6:14)
2. Paralyzed (4:17)
3. Fall Into The Light (7:04)
4. Barstool Warrior (6:43)
5. Room 137 (4:23)
6. S2N (6:21)
7. At Wit’s End (9:20)
8. Out Of Reach (4:04)
9. Pale Blue Dot (8:25)
10. Viper King (4:00) (Bonus Track)

Very interesting, like Marc mentioned, no songs over 10 minutes. They definitely went for a more concise approach with this one.

For perspective, think of an album (length only, not necessarily the style) with:

1. The Enemy Inside
2. The Looking Glass
3. Under a Glass Moon
4. Fatal Tragedy
5. Another Day
6. Surrender to Reason
7. Metropolis Pt1
8. The Gift of Music
9. Take The Time
10. Cover My Eyes

Interesting! It's like we can "proof" that DT can make a great album with these track lenghts (edited for my personal taste )

[rab7]

DISTANCE OVER TIME - 22 FEBRUARY 2019

1. Untethered Angel (6:14)
2. Paralyzed (4:17)
3. Fall Into The Light (7:04)
4. Barstool Warrior (6:43)
5. Room 137 (4:23)
6. S2N (6:21)
7. At Wit’s End (9:20)
8. Out Of Reach (4:04)
9. Pale Blue Dot (8:25)
10. Viper King (4:00) (Bonus Track)

Very interesting, like Marc mentioned, no songs over 10 minutes. They definitely went for a more concise approach with this one.

For perspective, think of an album (length only, not necessarily the style) with:

1. The Enemy Inside
2. The Looking Glass
3. Under a Glass Moon
4. Fatal Tragedy
5. Another Day
6. Surrender to Reason
7. Metropolis Pt1
8. The Gift of Music
9. Take The Time
10. Cover My Eyes

Interesting! It's like we can "proof" that DT can make a great album with these track lenghts (edited for my personal taste )

Oooh Cover My Eyes is a great idea because it's an actual bonus track! I originally chose Far From Heaven because it's a ballad written by James so it's a perfect analog.

Also I just made my suggested list into a playlist, and while About to Crash Reprise is amazing, the transition from that to the next song was extremely jarring

[Pound4aBrown]

This album is gonna slay.
Sure I would've liked at least one 10+ min song, but oh well.
No filler, all killer works just fine.

[MirrorMask]

First Google result for Viper King:

https://xcom.wikia.com/wiki/Viper_King_(XCOM_2)

I'm gonna take a wild guess and I'll assume it won't be it.

[erwinrafael]

So the geek in me tried to mirror the track lengths with existing DT songs and this is the playlist I came up with:

Moment of Betrayal (6:12)
Hell's Kitchen (4:17)
Under a Glass Moon (7:03)
Peruvian Skies (6:43)
Another Day (4:23)
The Enemy Inside (6:17)
Metropolis Pt. 1 (9:32)
Our New World (4:12)
Take The Time (8:21)

The Gift of Music (4:00)

That's not a bad listen at all!

[Ninjabait]

DISTANCE OVER TIME - 22 FEBRUARY 2019

1. Untethered Angel (6:14)
2. Paralyzed (4:17)
3. Fall Into The Light (7:04)
4. Barstool Warrior (6:43)
5. Room 137 (4:23)
6. S2N (6:21)
7. At Wit’s End (9:20)
8. Out Of Reach (4:04)
9. Pale Blue Dot (8:25)
10. Viper King (4:00) (Bonus Track)

Huh...outside of The Astonishing, this is the first album since the debut to not include a song over 10 minutes in length.

This tracklist looks more like something Spock's Beard would put out, tbh, not that that's a bad thing! Now let's get a single!

-Marc.

There has also only been one song off the last 3 albums that's over 10min long, and that's Illumination Theory. I thought it might've been a fluke, but it seems like DT is actively trying for shorter song lengths and more concise songs. I think it's a good, healthy change!

Ready for my weave to be snatched tbh

[Chino]

Is the bonus track not going to be on every copy sold? Will we have to pay more for one additional song?

[Max Kuehnau]

DISTANCE OVER TIME - 22 FEBRUARY 2019

1. Untethered Angel (6:14)
2. Paralyzed (4:17)
3. Fall Into The Light (7:04)
4. Barstool Warrior (6:43)
5. Room 137 (4:23)
6. S2N (6:21)
7. At Wit’s End (9:20)
8. Out Of Reach (4:04)
9. Pale Blue Dot (8:25)
10. Viper King (4:00) (Bonus Track)

Huh...outside of The Astonishing, this is the first album since the debut to not include a song over 10 minutes in length.

This tracklist looks more like something Spock's Beard would put out, tbh, not that that's a bad thing! Now let's get a single!

-Marc.

There has also only been one song off the last 3 albums that's over 10min long, and that's Illumination Theory. I thought it might've been a fluke, but it seems like DT is actively trying for shorter song lengths and more concise songs. I think it's a good, healthy change!

Ready for my weave to be snatched tbh

how so?

[erwinrafael]

^ If I may answer, trying to go for relatively shorter songs would tend to make songwriters focus on writing good melodies and rhythms, instead of relying on technical prowess to carry them through.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

I really like those song titles. They're different. I read them and I instantly feel curious about them. Can't wait to hear "Barstool Warrior".

[dream75]

So, judging by the available information - as far as lyrics goes;

Untethered Angel, Barstool Warrior and Pale Blue Dot is written by JP, Room 137 is written by Mangini, At Wit's End and Out of Reach written by LaBrie.

That leaves Paralyzed, Fall Into The Light and at least two songs we don't know the title for yet - and I believe they said JM wrote lyrics for two.

Paralyzed and S2N written by JM
Fall Into The Light by JP ?

[ToT-147]

First Google result for Viper King:

https://xcom.wikia.com/wiki/Viper_King_(XCOM_2)

I'm gonna take a wild guess and I'll assume it won't be it.

  I hope not..

[noxon]

Is the bonus track not going to be on every copy sold? Will we have to pay more for one additional song?

I believe if you're ONLY getting the standard jewel case version, you won't get it, but all other versions will have it. That's the typical InsideOut way...

[fadetoblackdude7]

Is the bonus track not going to be on every copy sold? Will we have to pay more for one additional song?

I believe if you're ONLY getting the standard jewel case version, you won't get it, but all other versions will have it. That's the typical InsideOut way...

Perfect. I always get the jewel case for everything and I hate bonus tracks on albums

[pg1067]

57 minutes isn't long for prog, I have some more or less pop albums of that length or more in my collection.

Rush - Hemispheres:  36:11
Yes - Close to the Edge:  37:15
Genesis - Nursery Cryme:  39:26
King Crimson - In the Wake of Poseidon:  41:18

[DreamerTV]

DT fans, that weird species of human kind that after listing its exaggerated length as one of the main reasons behind TA lukewarm reception, is able to complain about an hour long album with songs of the average length of 6,5 minutes.

[Adami]

DISTANCE OVER TIME - 22 FEBRUARY 2019

1. Untethered Angel (6:14)
2. Paralyzed (4:17)
3. Fall Into The Light (7:04)
4. Barstool Warrior (6:43)
5. Room 137 (4:23)
6. S2N (6:21)
7. At Wit’s End (9:20)
8. Out Of Reach (4:04)
9. Pale Blue Dot (8:25)
10. Viper King (4:00) (Bonus Track)

Very interesting, like Marc mentioned, no songs over 10 minutes. They definitely went for a more concise approach with this one.

Only on a prog board will this comment make sense haha. I remember when I did my first huge album, I hired this girl to scream/sing on it, and the song was 6 minutes, which I thought was pretty short (for me in general) and she was like "it's so long! I'm used to 3 minute songs"

[ToT-147]

DT fans, that weird species of human kind that after listing its exaggerated length as one of the main reasons behind TA lukewarm reception, is able to complain about an hour long album with songs of the average length of 6,5 minutes.

 

[Darkstarshades]

Most of the bands I hear have records around 50-65 mins
In fact, DT is the band that has released the most 75+ min records that I follow closely.

[Dream Team]

I love the idea of more of the shorter, sharp punchy songs like the ones on DT12. Very hyped. Fun fact: the first DT album to have (including the bonus ) 10 tracks, which of course was the normal amount of songs for many bands in the days of cassettes, etc.

[The Letter M]

DISTANCE OVER TIME - 22 FEBRUARY 2019

1. Untethered Angel (6:14)
2. Paralyzed (4:17)
3. Fall Into The Light (7:04)
4. Barstool Warrior (6:43)
5. Room 137 (4:23)
6. S2N (6:21)
7. At Wit’s End (9:20)
8. Out Of Reach (4:04)
9. Pale Blue Dot (8:25)
10. Viper King (4:00) (Bonus Track)

Huh...outside of The Astonishing, this is the first album since the debut to not include a song over 10 minutes in length.

This tracklist looks more like something Spock's Beard would put out, tbh, not that that's a bad thing! Now let's get a single!

-Marc.

There has also only been one song off the last 3 albums that's over 10min long, and that's Illumination Theory. I thought it might've been a fluke, but it seems like DT is actively trying for shorter song lengths and more concise songs. I think it's a good, healthy change!

Ready for my weave to be snatched tbh

how so?

What would Rush do? Writer shorter, concise songs... 

-Marc.

[Pax]

I'm very disappointed by the track lengths, because I've almost never heard a prog metal song I've actually ''loved'' that was this short (the only exceptions being The Brain Dance by AAL and first 8 minutes of Nocturnal Conspiracy by Haken).

I want songs that take me to another dimensions when I listen to them, I don't want songs which do nothing more than just make me say ''oh, really nice'' when I hear them. DT has been my favourite band because it could do that much more often than any other band could. But last two albums were really meh to me, and I'm afraid it will keep going that way with this one.
I see I'm a minority here with this attitude, but come on guys, you could've at least wrote ONE song that's not this short.

[Darkstarshades]

I'm very disappointed by the track lengths, because I've almost never heard a prog metal song I've actually ''loved'' that was this short (the only exceptions being The Brain Dance by AAL and first 8 minutes of Nocturnal Conspiracy by Haken).

I want songs that take me to another dimensions when I listen to them, I don't want songs which do nothing more than just make me say ''oh, really nice'' when I hear them. DT has been my favourite band because it could do that much more often than any other band could. But last two albums were really meh to me, and I'm afraid it will keep going that way with this one.
I see I'm a minority here with this attitude, but come on guys, you could've at least wrote ONE song that's not this short.

Like someone else said, it's indeed surprising giving the conditions in wich the album was written.

I can't even say they attempted to recreate Images & Words writing, they kind of just started to write together like when they wrote Train of Thought.
I hope this album plays out like Images & Words or Awake (which actually has a single 10+ song) and not like DT12 which feels more like a collection of single attempts to me.

[cramx3]

you could've at least wrote ONE song that's not this short.

7. At Wit’s End (9:20)

that's not one long enough song?  I get it, there's now a trend of three albums with shorter songs, but you said you wanted one longer song.  9 minutes isn't short.

I wonder if the live show comes into account with the shorter songs though.  Maybe with so many epics already and fans wanting them to keep playing those (Octavarium is a top songs DT fans want to see according to the poll here) the band doesn't feel like they should write another one because they don't want to play so many epics in a show?  Shorter songs are easier to insert in/out of a setlist.  Just speculating here.

[Bertie_Wooster]

I hope the viper king is similar to the bee by Amorphis

[Architeuthis]

I hope the new record label pushes for some airplay on the hard rock stations around the U.S. and hopefully they get some long past due exposure that they deserve!

[me7]

Is the bonus track not going to be on every copy sold? Will we have to pay more for one additional song?

I believe if you're ONLY getting the standard jewel case version, you won't get it, but all other versions will have it. That's the typical InsideOut way...

Perfect. I always get the jewel case for everything and I hate bonus tracks on albums

Me too buddy, me too.

[Ben_Jamin]

you could've at least wrote ONE song that's not this short.

7. At Wit’s End (9:20)

that's not one long enough song?  I get it, there's now a trend of three albums with shorter songs, but you said you wanted one longer song.  9 minutes isn't short.

I wonder if the live show comes into account with the shorter songs though.  Maybe with so many epics already and fans wanting them to keep playing those (Octavarium is a top songs DT fans want to see according to the poll here) the band doesn't feel like they should write another one because they don't want to play so many epics in a show?  Shorter songs are easier to insert in/out of a setlist.  Just speculating here.

Maybe they need to stop these Anniversary shows.

[cramx3]

you could've at least wrote ONE song that's not this short.

7. At Wit’s End (9:20)

that's not one long enough song?  I get it, there's now a trend of three albums with shorter songs, but you said you wanted one longer song.  9 minutes isn't short.

I wonder if the live show comes into account with the shorter songs though.  Maybe with so many epics already and fans wanting them to keep playing those (Octavarium is a top songs DT fans want to see according to the poll here) the band doesn't feel like they should write another one because they don't want to play so many epics in a show?  Shorter songs are easier to insert in/out of a setlist.  Just speculating here.

Maybe they need to stop these Anniversary shows.

Well topping it off with ACOS must have been difficult, I'm just wondering if after doing that they realize maybe they need to relax with the epics 

[Polarbear]

Let's get the obvious out of the way, length of the song has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the music within.

It remains to be seen if the songwriting on this album is strong or not, but I welcome the attempt to do more concise songs. DT12 was bit of a hit or miss Imo, hope they can do better this time.

This is just a personal opinion of mine, but the hallmark of a great prog band is an ability to condense all the intricacies and elements of their music into a "short" song. All the best prog bands were able to do it, with Rush being a good example.