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

[Max Kuehnau]

Very excited about all of this, I just hope whatever they have planned for the tour it doesn't involve playing to a click.

Isn't that their standard m.o. since Mangini joined?

yes, very much so and there is no reason for them to change that. It would be immeasurably dangerous for them not to play to a click, because of how difficult the music is. (and it wouldn't be enjoyable for me personally at all)

[MirrorMask]

Very excited about all of this, I just hope whatever they have planned for the tour it doesn't involve playing to a click.

They're celebrating Scenes from a Memory. A click is literally the first thing you'll hear

[cramx3]

Very excited about all of this, I just hope whatever they have planned for the tour it doesn't involve playing to a click.

Isn't that their standard m.o. since Mangini joined?

yes, very much so and there is no reason for them to change that. It would be immeasurably dangerous for them not to play to a click, because of how difficult the music is. (and it wouldn't be enjoyable for me personally at all)

immeasurably dangerous? 

They used to, I don't see why they can't again, but I have no expectation of that. 

Personally I wish they dropped it

[Max Kuehnau]

Yes, because not using a click increases the likelyhood of inaccuracies and mistakes and that's not fun at all. Plus, we all should know that most of their music is difficult to play and clicks make for a cleaner and more consistent  end result Who would want inaccuracies and mistakes? Not me. (I only listen to Mangini-era live albums for that very reason among others)

[Max Kuehnau]

Very excited about all of this, I just hope whatever they have planned for the tour it doesn't involve playing to a click.

They're celebrating Scenes from a Memory. A click is literally the first thing you'll hear

very true

[YtseJamittaja]

I think the click is not that they could do mistakes but because the lightning show and backing videos stays in sync with music.

(Even though they haven't used video screen for years, wonder why...)

[bosk1]

Yes, because not using a click increases the likelyhood of inaccuracies and mistakes and that's not fun at all.

No, that isn't really the case at all.  Neither using one nor not using one contributes to mistakes.  But using one CAN make it more difficult to recover from minor mistakes.  Really, the only reason they started using one in the Mangini era was to be able to sync up video, lighting, and backing tracks.  It has nothing to do with trying to eliminate mistakes.  Playing to a click does not help with that.

[Adami]

Yes, because not using a click increases the likelyhood of inaccuracies and mistakes and that's not fun at all.

No, that isn't really the case at all.  Neither using one nor not using one contributes to mistakes.  But using one CAN make it more difficult to recover from minor mistakes.  Really, the only reason they started using one in the Mangini era was to be able to sync up video, lighting, and backing tracks.  It has nothing to do with trying to eliminate mistakes.  Playing to a click does not help with that.

This is true.

Without a click, they can course correct if necessary. With a click? If you mess up and miss a beat or lose track for just one small section, the song is 100% screwed.

[Max Kuehnau]

Yes, because not using a click increases the likelyhood of inaccuracies and mistakes and that's not fun at all.

No, that isn't really the case at all.  Neither using one nor not using one contributes to mistakes.  But using one CAN make it more difficult to recover from minor mistakes.  Really, the only reason they started using one in the Mangini era was to be able to sync up video, lighting, and backing tracks.  It has nothing to do with trying to eliminate mistakes.  Playing to a click does not help with that.

well, as they say: you learn something new every day. I'm no exception to that.   Apart from all that, I'll be happy to see them when they'll play in Germany. (and I'm sure they will)

[cramx3]

Personally I don't mind mistakes, at least not song destructing mistakes which is very rare from a band that's been performing live for a long time like DT.

I just feel without a click, the music usually gets a slightly more up tempo beat live and I always feel that extra bit makes the live music more fun when you are in the venue. 

Mike Portnoy's SHattered Fortress show had an energy that I haven't seen from DT in a long time, I think it had something to do with playing a little more up tempo and feeling off the crowd.  Makes it feel more "live" to me.  I don't need a note for note replica of the album.

[mikeyd23]

Yes, because not using a click increases the likelyhood of inaccuracies and mistakes and that's not fun at all.

No, that isn't really the case at all.  Neither using one nor not using one contributes to mistakes.  But using one CAN make it more difficult to recover from minor mistakes.  Really, the only reason they started using one in the Mangini era was to be able to sync up video, lighting, and backing tracks.  It has nothing to do with trying to eliminate mistakes.  Playing to a click does not help with that.

I think several of the guys are on record saying part of the reason they wanted to try using a click with MM was to keep tempos under control as well.

[Max Kuehnau]

Makes sense. (what bosk said as well) And again, it's much appreciated by me. (and btw, I'm not trying or intending to be mean here. Never have never will)

[cramx3]

Makes sense. And again, it's much appreciated by me. (and btw, I'm not trying or intending to be mean here. Never have never will)

You weren't being mean, just stating your opinions.  I know you aren't the only one who enjoys them playing with a click.

[Max Kuehnau]

Really? Wow ok. Didn't think so.

[bosk1]

I can see both sides of it.  Playing to a click makes the performance more consistent, tempo-wise, and allows them to add all those subtle textures with lights, backing tracks, and video, and that can make for a better experience for some.  On the other hand, even if the shows are relatively the same, the smallest changes in tempo to react to the crowd energy or whatever, can make the shows feel like they have more energy, which can make for a better experience. 

To me, I'm not really on one side or the other.  I see the benefits of both, and can enjoy both approaches.

[JustDefyYou]

Mangini is such a beast that they is no way he is going to rush or drag that much that would warrant a click, Portnoy was the one always pushing the tempos but it is okay in a live setting, gives the performance some life. Their performances to the click have been too rigid for me, they are SO in time it becomes distracting. It made sense with the Astonishing tour because they had all the orchestra samples to trigger that had to be in time. SFAM is basically the best thing ever and I would love for them to tackle it head on.

[Dublagent66]

I call bullshit on the tour dates.  Like I said in FB, 4 California dates and nothing for Arizona?  What.  The.  Fuck.

[Sebastián Pratesi]

I went through all media articles I could find so far about the information discovered on Friday.

• A few don't mention the treasure hunt at all. (Even when it's a major part of the press release).
• There's one article in Spanish with a very lazy translation of the press release, using future tense for the verbs in the paragraphs about the hunt. (As in, "there will be one winner".)
• This other site writes how Scenes from a memory hasn't been played in its entirety in 20 years, which makes absolutely no sense. (Full performances occurred in 2000 and 2005.)
• Some articles mention that you can get tickets and more information in the band's official website. (Which, as of right now, is false.)
• Finally: an article states that Distance over time will be released 4 (four) years after The Astonishing.

Has this always been the case with Internet journalism RE: new music? I haven't been around for previous cycles.

I did find one nice piece, by Spencer Kaufman on Consequence of Sound:
https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/11/dream-theater-new-album-distance-over-time-2019-tour/

[cramx3]

I think that's just what you are seeing in "journalism" in general these days

[wolfking]

something to wash the stain of "The Astonishing" from my mind. 

I like it.

This.

Although, I'm not too keen on how Labrie sounds here.

[gzarruk]

Here’s a list of things we should be getting soon/in a few weeks:

- Official release date (we know it will be released in February, but we don’t have the exact date yet)
- Tracklist (and hopefully track lenghts)
- A full song/single

Seriously cannot wait to know more about this album

[KevShmev]

Yes, because not using a click increases the likelyhood of inaccuracies and mistakes and that's not fun at all. Plus, we all should know that most of their music is difficult to play and clicks make for a cleaner and more consistent  end result Who would want inaccuracies and mistakes? Not me. (I only listen to Mangini-era live albums for that very reason among others)

With all due respect, if you want a (near-) perfect performance with no mistakes or inaccuracies, that is what the studio records are for.

[Sebastián Pratesi]

I think that's just what you are seeing in "journalism" in general these days

Oh; bummer. 

[gzarruk]

Mike Mangini on Facebook:

New Album Cover and Clip. It reflects a lot of the energy and melody of the whole album. I never like reading "this is our best album" by anyone because it never is in my opinion. I just want listeners to think, "ok.. THIS is a great album, I really like songs a,b,f,h the best, but I can listen to it from front to back and stay interested." That's as simple as it should be I think.

[DoctorAction]

Mike Mangini on Facebook:

New Album Cover and Clip. It reflects a lot of the energy and melody of the whole album. I never like reading "this is our best album" by anyone because it never is in my opinion. I just want listeners to think, "ok.. THIS is a great album, I really like songs a,b,f,h the best, but I can listen to it from front to back and stay interested." That's as simple as it should be I think.

Nice. I like how Mike's coming across here: realistic/understated/quietly confident

[YtseJamittaja]

Speaking of click track, they should increase every song's (at least heavy ones) tempo with +10bpm adding more power and live feeling.

[Logain Ablar]

Speaking of click track, they should increase every song's (at least heavy ones) tempo with +10bpm adding more power and live feeling.

I'm not particularly bothered by them playing to a click, as it seems everyone is doing it these days, but this is an idea worth trying. Tweak the tempo up by a couple of bpm to give a bit of extra energy. I remember on my first watch of Breaking The Fourth Wall, thinking that some of the songs seemed slow, but that's most likely in comparison to other live versions, and they were bang on tempo with the album versions. I think there's an expectation for live versions to sound a little more rushed, as adrenaline kicks in on stage.

Anyway, I'm very excited for the album. Far too early to make any sort of judgement, but from the clip, I'm definitely hearing more cymbals and a more natural snare sound. Though, for me, great songs are what I'm hoping for, and a nice mix will be a bonus.

The cover straight away reminded me of this:



Maybe robot hands are in, this season?   

[The Curious Orange]

Yes, because not using a click increases the likelyhood of inaccuracies and mistakes and that's not fun at all. Plus, we all should know that most of their music is difficult to play and clicks make for a cleaner and more consistent  end result Who would want inaccuracies and mistakes? Not me. (I only listen to Mangini-era live albums for that very reason among others)

I've been listening to a lot of Grateful Dead lately - a band that never played a song the same way twice. Man, if you don't like "mistakes" (or "improvisation" as it's sometimes called) your head would literally explode if you heard some of the Dead's stuff. As someone else said, perfection is for the studio. Even with a click-track, there's a surprising amount of improvisation in DT shows - go see them 2 nights running and listen to all the subtle differences in the solos, etc. It's only the timing that's consistent with a click. Live music should be a "one time" spontaneous experience, IMO.

[Lax]

Honestly, snippet sounds good
and
I discovered DT with SFAM album + VHS (and the tour was obviously already done)
I'm so hyped, I already know I'll buy tickets for any french show next year
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

[Another_Won]

Love it all, snippets, cover, title . . . can't wait for more!   

Hey Bosk, can we update the background for the forum? edit: I guess it's more correct to say, can we have another background for the new album

[Max Kuehnau]

Love it all, snippets, cover, title . . . can't wait for more!   

Hey Bosk, can we update the background for the forum? edit: I guess it's more correct to say, can we have another background for the new album

This. All you said.

[lucasembarbosa]

Love it all, snippets, cover, title . . . can't wait for more!   

Hey Bosk, can we update the background for the forum? edit: I guess it's more correct to say, can we have another background for the new album

This. All you said.

I think we should wait for the release, it could have some relevant piece in the booklet that's worth including in the forum's design...

[Max Kuehnau]

Yeah maybe.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

We graciously welcome DOT to the acronym list.

[lucasembarbosa]

.