Thought I would update this thread with mini review of DoT and where it will placed
Pre releaseFirst of some thoughts about what I was craving from the new album before release. I am always a sucker for highly melodic albums with heavier moments. The type of progressive metal they play in SFAM and SDOIT is perfect for me. Some superb musicianship combined with great melodies. Mangini era hasn't been my favorite so far and I really wanted something different for the drumming. A bit more melodic like Portnoy. Also a lot more grooves! Sound wise I think TA was a big improvement from DT12 so something more like that. Also, I wanted something crazy from DT. Something that made my brain melt.
The singlesBecause I couldn't hold myself from listening to the new stuff I did hear the three songs released prior to the album.
Untethered Angel felt like a quite classic single from DT. It's solid song and nice listen but doesn't do anything unexpected. I was a bit disappointed when released since my hype was quite high.
Falling Into Inifinity was a huge improvement for me. A fantastic Metallica song in the vein of DT. The grooves combined with the riffs and bass is
This really got me excited since I haven't heard DT play in that way for a long time. Stuff is happening and cool details everywhere!
Paralyzed is a really good solid song. The drum intro really gets me every time and the hook is good. Somehow it doesn't do much new but still the song is perfect in length and delivery for what it is. Usually the second song is the worst part on every album for me. The Looking Glass (well second REAL song), BMU, BMD, TALW etc. This is my favorite in a long time!
The other songsThe level of excitement when this album finally was released can't really be described. I went up 5am in the morning and hooked up my best headphones. Eagerly listening through the first three song just waiting for
Barstool Warrior to go on. This is a song that I never got excited about BEFORE the album release. Reviews said it was a good song but usually it was all about PBD or AWE. I knew the intro since it was part of the snippets before release and that is had this Genesis vibe. I remember so clearly when I listened to this song for the first time. Instant love. The vibe is fantastic and the progression of the hook gets me. LaBrie's delivery of the verses and hook just gets me. It has this bitter sweet sound. Then there's the solo part. I am a sucker for Rudess piano and this one is so very beautiful. Ofc the piano is just there to lean into the guitar solo. This is the reason I love Petrucci. FUUUUUU it's good! I don't know how many times I have listened to this one now but it still as fantastic as the first time. One of the best songs DT have done in years! I love this songs in the same way I love Surrounded and that is big words for me.
Du du dum, du du du dum etc.
Room 137 is a really fun and different song. Usually the songs where DT sounds like some other more mainstream type of metal I can find it cringy. This works. Mangini's groove with the cool riff is the highlight and the strange lyrics are strangely enjoyable
It's a song that works very well for the flow of the album. I don't usually listen to the song by itself but always enjoy it after BW. Not too much to say about this song but once again it's solid.
S2N compensates for the lack of awesome Myung riffs over the last albums. Intro riff is so cool! Once again the groove is in focus. There's notes everywhere, there's changes, there's Mangini going freaking crazy. The hook is great! This song really verified that this album totally changed my mind about Mangini. It's wasn't bad before or anything, just that now it's some of the best I heard! "WOW". Have to mention that the TDEN ending works so good in this song!
At Wit's End. It's hard to get the right words for this song. To start it's one of the best song they have ever created. Period. LaBrie has written some of the best lyrics for both him and DT. The subject is difficult and emotional and you know that just from the chaotic intro. The way the song starts aggressive, goes into frenetic mode and then ends in this beautiful soaring section is what really makes the song so strong. Second vers has some really cool changes with the "You feel I'm asking too much of you but can't let go" followed by the crushing "Deafening, deafening, Shout it out, shout it out". It feels like everything good with DT is somewhere to find in this song and every member delivers 100%. The change from "Walked inside, it's never ending turn" into "Don't leave me now, don't leave me now" and at the same time going from dark riffs into the guitar is genius! Majestic!
One song that no one talked about in reviews really was
Out of Reach. I am kind of a sucker for cheesy LaBrie ballads. He has this great 80s hair ballad voice that isn't used very often. I get tons of that here. The song is really breathy, has that great Petrucci solo part. "She's without a care, electrified and hell-bent" and "The waves crash over me, far below but I breach" has some really cool vocal delivery. Overall I think this is the most underappreciated song on the album. It's perfect between AWE and ...
Pale Blue Dot. The brain melter. YES! Haha that intro is crazy cool! This is where any disbelief to Mangini for anyone just has to be forever gone. It has some Fatal Tragedy combined with Dance of Eternity stuff going on. Choosing to make a song with focus on space and making it this really dark, chaotic and in the hook majestic tune is brilliant. Nightwish and similar would have tons of orchestration to make it big and grand, but this is somehow more fitting imo. My only complaint would be that the song is a bit short and could have a chaotic song structure to follow the chaotic nature of the instrumentation. But I have been craving a song like this for a long time.
My Viper King actually grew quite a lot. I am not a fan of Highway Star type of songs but this one is a lot more fun. Queen has I Am in Love With My Car and it's fun to see DT going a bit crazy on the subjects as well. LaBrie seems to have a lot of fun here.
+ Great flow between songs!
+ Mangini shows he is a perfect fit for the band.
+ Every member gets to shine over and over again.
+ Groooooooves!
+ Best sounding record since SDOIT.
+ Some of the best lyrics in a long time.
+ The length of the album feels perfect!
+ LaBrie still sounds awesome!
- PBD could have been longer and have a more memorable ending.
- The single are always very by the numbers.
- Mixing is sometimes a bit strange. Could increase keyboard/LaBrie at times.
Some final thoughtsA lot of my wishes for the album actually came through. That almost never happens!
Whatever they did when recording this album they should do it again. Petrucci said it sounded organic before release and he is right! It does. It sounds like a band having a blast! And the sound is back! Just listen to DT12 Looking Glass and then switch over to Barstool Warrior. The change is HUGE!
So after giving it month of listening this album actually is my
3rd favorite album from DT pushing down TOT to a 4th. It's not in the divine section with SFAM and SDOIT but actually quite close.