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

[noxon]

When we will hear another single?

Soon.

Despite the less-than-typical song lengths, do the new songs still have the signature sounds that DT is known for, past and present? Do the longer songs of the album still evoke an epic feel, even if they're under 10 minutes long? And do any of the songs sound like instant DT classics?

I think D/T successfully manages to mix in enough of the familiar with new (for DT, not like groundbreaking stuff) stuff to keep everyone happy. It feels like a Dream Theater album through and through, focused more on the riffy and heavier side that we maybe know from albums like Awake and Train of Though, while still having a lot of prog-elements to it. The fact that they wrote the album in one sitting with the requirement that they should be able to perform it right there and then makes the album feel a lot more organic than some of the other DT albums (such as Systematic Chaos or Black Clouds). You can hear it in Untethered Angel - there's no extra rhythm guitar track covering the solos - the songs are possible to play without cheating with backing tracks.

Do James’ vocals on the rest of the album have the same reverb effect like in UA? Or is it just that one song?

Rest of album? No. But there's effects where they wanted the vocals to have effects. It was a creative decision, like it or not.

[Rushspirit2112]

I wonder what song is going to be released?

[fadetoblackdude7]

Do James’ vocals on the rest of the album have the same reverb effect like in UA? Or is it just that one song?

Rest of album? No. But there's effects where they wanted the vocals to have effects. It was a creative decision, like it or not.

Thanks for answering. I like the way the vocals sound on UA, but not sure if I’d like it like that the whole album. Like you said, when it’s called for.

[gzarruk]

Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

When is your review coming?

[lifesonrules65]

There is a review in the new Decibel Magazine, but I'm not too fond of the review style. Everything has to be a simile, and the choices made describing certain tracks were just weird. Like - there's a Metallica-style track. So what simile is used? Enter Sandman. It's as though thats the only Metallica song the reviewer knows.


Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

Noxon,

1. What was your initial reaction to your first listen to the whole album?
2. How many times have you listened to the album in total?
3. How has the album grown?  Is it getting better with each listen?
4. Are there any songs that could have benefited from being longer allowing more room to breath and develop?

Frank

[Mladen]

This might be a subjective question but might be interesting nonetheless. Given that the album puts the emphasis on live feel, riffs and rocking attitude, do you still feel like the album is melodically rich and adventurous enough? That's one of the things that made The Astonishing so fantastic for me.

[noxon]

Noxon,

1. What was your initial reaction to your first listen to the whole album?
2. How many times have you listened to the album in total?
3. How has the album grown?  Is it getting better with each listen?
4. Are there any songs that could have benefited from being longer allowing more room to breath and develop?

Frank

1. Different from what I expected, but not in a negative way. My first reaction was "this is fun!".
2. Somewhere around 20-30 times.
3. Not going to lie, I found this album to be an instant hit, so it didnt really have much room to grow.
4. No. I personally do not get obsession to have very long songs.

This might be a subjective question but might be interesting nonetheless. Given that the album puts the emphasis on live feel, riffs and rocking attitude, do you still feel like the album is melodically rich and adventurous enough? That's one of the things that made The Astonishing so fantastic for me.

Sure. There's plenty of stuff here that will surprise people. But it is "a guitar album".

[lifesonrules65]

Noxon,

Thanks for the information.

Frank

[cramx3]

My first reaction was "this is fun!".

 

[Renzo]

Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

Although I have my preferences regarding the Dream Theater discography, I do not think they have made a truly BAD record because I know that each album has its own personality, from the metal-oriented TOT to the operatic TA. So I ask you, what is in your opinion the feature of Distance Over Time that makes it different from other DT records?

[AboutToCrash]

Is out of reach connected to pale blue dot in the same way WFS and LTL, FFH and BAI are?

[Mladen]

Thanks for the reply. 

[Fritzinger]

There is a review in the new Decibel Magazine, but I'm not too fond of the review style. Everything has to be a simile, and the choices made describing certain tracks were just weird. Like - there's a Metallica-style track. So what simile is used? Enter Sandman. It's as though thats the only Metallica song the reviewer knows.


Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

I would very much like to read that review, but I can't find it?? Could you give a link please?

[erwinrafael]

I am intrigued by the track times of the album:

Mid
Short
Mid

Mid
Short
Mid

Long
Short
Long

Does this actually mean anything, noxon? I am sort of thinking that the songs are structured in such a way that the album has three sections.

I think I am overthinking this.

[gzarruk]

Noxon, I'd like to know how you'd compare Mike's drum parts (playing, not the sound/tone) in DOT to with the previous MM era albums, specially DT12, which is his best, imo.

[The Letter M]

Despite the less-than-typical song lengths, do the new songs still have the signature sounds that DT is known for, past and present? Do the longer songs of the album still evoke an epic feel, even if they're under 10 minutes long? And do any of the songs sound like instant DT classics?

I think D/T successfully manages to mix in enough of the familiar with new (for DT, not like groundbreaking stuff) stuff to keep everyone happy. It feels like a Dream Theater album through and through, focused more on the riffy and heavier side that we maybe know from albums like Awake and Train of Though, while still having a lot of prog-elements to it. The fact that they wrote the album in one sitting with the requirement that they should be able to perform it right there and then makes the album feel a lot more organic than some of the other DT albums (such as Systematic Chaos or Black Clouds). You can hear it in Untethered Angel - there's no extra rhythm guitar track covering the solos - the songs are possible to play without cheating with backing tracks.

Thanks for the answer! Sounds like it'll be an enjoyable listen, especially since I quite enjoy Awake and Train of Thought. The next seven weeks will be hard to wait!

-Marc.

[dream75]

There is a review in the new Decibel Magazine, but I'm not too fond of the review style. Everything has to be a simile, and the choices made describing certain tracks were just weird. Like - there's a Metallica-style track. So what simile is used? Enter Sandman. It's as though thats the only Metallica song the reviewer knows.


Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

I would very much like to read that review, but I can't find it?? Could you give a link please?

Search on Reddit 

[Pound4aBrown]

But it is "a guitar album".

Hell Yeah.

[gzarruk]

There is a review in the new Decibel Magazine, but I'm not too fond of the review style. Everything has to be a simile, and the choices made describing certain tracks were just weird. Like - there's a Metallica-style track. So what simile is used? Enter Sandman. It's as though thats the only Metallica song the reviewer knows.


Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

I would very much like to read that review, but I can't find it?? Could you give a link please?

Search on Reddit 

Just read it... can't believe there's people who can write this, call it a "review" and get paid for it. There's 0% useful info there, just a bunch of mumbo jumbo from a guy who clearly doesn't care about the music at all

[axeman90210]

Turns out I've got an extra ticket for the NYC show. Fifth row and pretty well center if anybody's interested in paying cost for it.

[Ben_Jamin]

4. No. I personally do not get obsession to have very long songs.

Me either...

I'm actually glad the songs aren't really long. Thats what I enjoyed about ADTOE, it broke the streak of having a 20 minute epic. I grew tired of them once I heard BC&SL was going to be loaded with longer songs.

And after The Astonishing, this is what is needed. Once I heard Untethered Angel, I'm sure DoT will end up in my top 5.

[cramx3]

Turns out I've got an extra ticket for the NYC show. Fifth row and pretty well center if anybody's interested in paying cost for it.

I still don't have a ticket, but my friend is extremely likely to be coming with me so I'd be interested if he drops out, but I wouldn't know that until much closer to the date (and we are waiting to closer to buy tickets since any decent seat has been sold).

[dream75]

When we will hear another single?

Soon.

How soon? Less than 4 weeks?

[gzarruk]

When we will hear another single?

Soon.

How soon? Less than 4 weeks?

Definitely less than 7 weeks

[noxon]

Is out of reach connected to pale blue dot in the same way WFS and LTL, FFH and BAI are?

No.

Noxon, I'd like to know how you'd compare Mike's drum parts (playing, not the sound/tone) in DOT to with the previous MM era albums, specially DT12, which is his best, imo.

I feel the drumming on D/T is inspired. It's engaging and fun - fits in with the mood. The bass and drums have to be much more active in creating diversity here as the guitar is so focused on riffs here.

So I ask you, what is in your opinion the feature of Distance Over Time that makes it different from other DT records?

Groovy riffs. This is a much more riff focused album than I think before.

[dream75]

When we will hear another single?

Soon.

How soon? Less than 4 weeks?

Definitely less than 7 weeks

I hope less than 7   

[gzarruk]

Noxon, I'd like to know how you'd compare Mike's drum parts (playing, not the sound/tone) in DOT to with the previous MM era albums, specially DT12, which is his best, imo.

I feel the drumming on D/T is inspired. It's engaging and fun - fits in with the mood. The bass and drums have to be much more active in creating diversity here as the guitar is so focused on riffs here.

That's what I wanted to hear, specially the bolded part
If there's more JM/MM moments like DT12 had, then it's going to be killer

[Renzo]

Groovy riffs. This is a much more riff focused album than I think before.

Great news then  Thanks noxon

[Ninjabait]

Other than that; what do you want to know about the new album?

How are Rudess's parts shaping up? Are they mostly piano/organ focused like on UA/The Astonishing?

When we will hear another single?

Soon.

Is that at Soon EST, Soon GMT, or Soon UTC?

[noxon]

Yes, Piano and Organ are the major types of sounds used on keys.

[axeman90210]

Turns out I've got an extra ticket for the NYC show. Fifth row and pretty well center if anybody's interested in paying cost for it.

I still don't have a ticket, but my friend is extremely likely to be coming with me so I'd be interested if he drops out, but I wouldn't know that until much closer to the date (and we are waiting to closer to buy tickets since any decent seat has been sold).

Cool, keep me in the loop if you end up needing a ticket.

[GasparXR]

Groovy riffs. This is a much more riff focused album than I think before.

The first album this reminds me of is Falling Into Infinity, even though this album apparently is on the heavier side. FII is one of my favourite DT albums for that very reason, so that makes me excited.

[Ninjabait]

Yes, Piano and Organ are the major types of sounds used on keys.

HYPE. His piano parts are always just so delightful

[SeRoX]

Noxon, most of all agree that James is always great on studio.

How you find him on DoT comparing the rest? Something new or something "wow" on this album?

[Pax]

Are there songs with a crazy instrumental section that comes close to atonality (like ministry of lost souls, itpoe, outcry)? If so, which one (section) is your favorite?