AVFTTOTW First Single - The Alien 👽- Friday the 13th! (Pre-Orders as well!)

[Ben_Jamin]

So while imagining where the song would go based on the snippet, I tried to remember where I heard this pattern in the intro of Jordan playing keyboard chords building up while JP, JM, and MM are slaying it. Then I heard it in the intro of Pale Blue Dot while I was washing dishes. I think I know where they're going with this!

"Who's out there to save us from ourselves?"

THE ALIEN

New meta-album cycle!

 

 

OH...Plot Twist....We did not arrive back on Earth in the Album Art saga....We arrived in an entirely different world. With Aliens and Sleeping Giants amongst it's inhabitants. 


Here's my explanation...

I see we are finally coming back down to Earth in the Album Covers Meta story theme I can see happening with the album covers.



Since, Black Clouds and Silver Linings, each album cover has been telling some sort of story. As the door opens, we witness a circus clown on a unicycle riding a tightrope about to snap high above the clouds as a plane passes by. Apparently he gets by okay, as we "cross the bridges in the sky" "breaking all illusions" out into space. Peering through "The Looking Glass" we see Planet Earth, beautiful and illuminating. We come across a distant future dystopian world where "People just don't have the time for music anymore, and no one seems to care." This world is ruled by a Nefarious leader who rules over The Great Northern Empire with his Noise Machines. "The savior in the square" reunites the empire while his brother succumbs to fate, along with the Rulers son. The Great Northern Empire becomes Astonishing again. We now become "Untethered Angels falling into darkness" as we descend into a world ruled by machines, as the cover indicates Machine has now ruled over man, have the NOMACS conquered the humans in The Astonishing (?)...After receiving a signal, we have acquired a connection back home. Being "Out of Reach" and so far away "At Wit's End", we navigate circling back seeing Earth as a "Pale Blue Dot", all that "Ever is and ever was" for humans lies within that single dot.


IF this is the album cover. We now arrive back on Earth, with A View From The Top Of The World.


 
 

Edit: Or better yet, we were gone so long that we are now The Alien. 

[erwinrafael]

Friday the 13th can not come soon enough. 

[geeeemo]

.....9pm on a Thursday evening.........9pm on a Thursday evening........9pm on a Thursday evening.....

[GasparXR]

.....9pm on a Thursday evening.........9pm on a Thursday evening........9pm on a Thursday evening.....

....And so forth?

[chwik]

Somebody posted this pic comment from MM about the song:

So The Alien is Mangini's baby like Paralyzed.

It was Room 137 if my memory serves me well.

[BeatriceNB]

Somebody posted this pic comment from MM about the song:

So The Alien is Mangini's baby like Paralyzed.

It was Room 137 if my memory serves me well.

Mangini wrote the lyrics for Room 137, and the main riff for Paralyzed

[chwik]

Somebody posted this pic comment from MM about the song:

So The Alien is Mangini's baby like Paralyzed.

It was Room 137 if my memory serves me well.

Mangini wrote the lyrics for Room 137, and the main riff for Paralyzed

Guess my memory didn’t serve me well

[erwinrafael]

As John Petrucci said in his tweet, "The main riff in Paralyzed actually comes from a Mike Mangini idea which I modified from his original pentatonic/blues-based version into the more modal/exotic tonality that is heard on the album."

Which is why Mangini's drum intro playing to that riff is excellent. It was his idea.

[Bertielee]

Won't listen to the single or any snippet. It'll be hard!!! lol

B.Lee

Isn't The Alien the first song on the album?

It's like you started listening to the album, and then you'll finish it in two months. So much anticipation!

That's why I won't listen to anything until album release.

B.Lee

[the_silent_man]

Yeah I'm also going to try not to listen to this one this time, for a number of reasons.

1) It's still way too early 2 and a half months out for me, and once I listen I know I will want to return many times over the next 2 months;
2) It's one of the longer songs, which I'd rather save for the full listen;
3) It's the album opener as well.

Still going to read all the comments here and see the reaction. It's going to be tough haha!

[MoraWintersoul]

I ruined TEI and UA by excessive pre-album listening so I am going to try to sit this one out.

[WilliamMunny]

I remember hearing the 'singles' from anticipated releases dozens of times on the radio before the album actually dropped—"Until it Sleeps' immediately comes to mind.

So, in that way, I've never shied away from listening to pre-release tracks. I like having a little familiarity with the record when I finally give it a listen, and rarely do I find myself 'sick' of the song by the time the whole thing comes out—unless it's a really weak track.

In regard to the teaser, I am very stoked with what I hear. The only thing I wish it had was a piece of JLB's vocals as I am very curious to see how much processing they've gone with this time around. I suppose I'll know soon enough

[rab7]

I ruined TEI and UA by excessive pre-album listening so I am going to try to sit this one out.

I'm the opposite. For TEI, TGOM and UA, I listened to them many many times each, but they are among my favorite songs from their respective albums.

Don't get me wrong, I am worried that it is entirely possible to get tired, but thankfully they were all songs that could stand the test of time.

[Peter Mc]

I think it being the first song on the album (as it often seems to be with DT) it can risk being an issue as, every time you put the album on in the early days, you’ve already heard the opening track a bunch of times.  You then get impatient to get to the “new” stuff and can end up kind of resenting that song.  I suppose it’s up to is to show restraint though and not listen to it a thousand times before the album comes out.  I have got a bit better with that on recent releases from TA, LTE etc but I wasn’t a huge lover of the pre-released material so it was easier.  DT is traditionally a problem for me in terms of overplaying singles! 

[bosk1]

I think it being the first song on the album (as it often seems to be with DT) it can risk being an issue as, every time you put the album on in the early days, you’ve already heard the opening track a bunch of times.  You then get impatient to get to the “new” stuff and can end up kind of resenting that song.  I suppose it’s up to is to show restraint though and not listen to it a thousand times before the album comes out.  I have got a bit better with that on recent releases from TA, LTE etc but I wasn’t a huge lover of the pre-released material so it was easier.  DT is traditionally a problem for me in terms of overplaying singles! 

Yeah, I hear you on that.  I often find myself subconsciously feeling exactly that way. 

And it doesn't help if that first song doesn't immediately click with you either.  To give an example, I wasn't immediately that fired up about TEI.  I thought it was okay, but wasn't really that special, and I didn't immediately like it all that much.  Normally, that wouldn't really be much of a problem, except for:  The tour started pretty soon after the album release, and I was still feeling that way about TEI.  You wanna know who felt exactly the opposite and was completely in love with the song and pretty fired up about it?  John Petrucci.  And he asked me point blank after the show (or maybe it was even after the soundcheck--I don't remember for sure) what I thought about it.  And I could see by his demeanor, his tone of voice, etc., that he was in love with the song and expected that I would be as well.  I don't remember exactly what I said, but I was squirming quite a bit and said something pretty noncommittal because, while I didn't want to be disingenuous and fawn over something I didn't yet like all that much, but I also didn't want to pour cold water on his enthusiasm either.  I think I basically said something along the lines of, "there's a lot of cool stuff going on with it, but I have to admit, I haven't really had a chance to digest it yet and give it its due."  And then I quickly changed the subject to talk about one of the songs that I really did love.    As a footnote to that story, I have since grown to like and appreciate it a lot more after having seen it performed live a couple of times and just letting it grow on me.  But back to the main point of the discussion, that can impact initial impressions of a new album as a whole when having heard the opening track a bunch before album release.

[Lonk]

I have to say, with DT, there are a lot of songs that did not "click" for me until I experienced the song live (sometimes it took 2-3 times seeing it live).

That happened with Barstool Warrior. Did not care for the song initially, but the live performance made me appreciate the song a lot more. I remember the exact moment during the second leg of the tour, when JM was playing the slow bass part over the piano, right before JP's solo.

[bosk1]

I have to say, with DT, there are a lot of songs that did not "click" for me until I experienced the song live (sometimes it took 2-3 times seeing it live).

That happened with Barstool Warrior. Did not care for the song initially, but the live performance made me appreciate the song a lot more. I remember the exact moment during the second leg of the tour, when JM was playing the slow bass part over the piano, right before JP's solo.

Yeah, same with me.  What also helped me was randomly hearing it out of context of the album a couple of times, which kind of forced me to listen a bit more actively and to evaluate it on its own merits rather than as part of the album (which happened because my oldest son has it on a playlist, so I would hear it sometimes when he was playing stuff).

[goo-goo]

LaserCD has pre-orders up

https://www.lasercd.com/search_results?sort_by=changed&sort_order=DESC

[DreamerTV]

Also EMP

https://www.emp-online.it/p/a-view-from-the-top-of-the-world/511341.html

There’s a 37min. documentary called Digging For A Spark - A View From Inside DTHQ

[The Letter M]

LaserCD has pre-orders up

https://www.lasercd.com/search_results?sort_by=changed&sort_order=DESC

Sweet!

The artbook contains 2CDs with the album plus an instrumental mix.  The Blu-Ray contains the album in a 5.1 surround mix plus a 37 minute documentary.  Also included is extended artwork and liner notes.

We get a documentary!!! About time! I'm sure DT fans who aren't big on JLB will enjoy the instrumental mix as well.

The box set contains: 

2LP (180g bright gold vinyl, exclusive gatefold sleeve), Limited 2CD/Blu-ray Artbook,

Zoetrope Slipmat, Beanie, Enamel Keychain, Poster,

8 x Artcards & Certificate of Authenticity in lift-off lid box

I'm kind of lukewarm on this box set. I've gotten every big box set since BC&SL, but this one doesn't feel like it's worth the $150 price tag. I dunno, maybe when actual product shots appear, I may change my mind, but I don't think this box set will sell out immediately. I do want the artbook at the very least!

-Marc.

[TAC]

What is a Zoetrope  Slipmat?

[Stadler]

So....   do I have to buy vinyl to get the blu-ray? 

If there's any trend in recent years that I despise more than any other, it's the bonding of the Blu-ray 5.1 mixes - which I LOVE - with vinyl - which I have almost* zero use for.




* I say "almost", because I have hung a few albums on the wall, if they have signatures and what not.

[rab7]

I think it being the first song on the album (as it often seems to be with DT) it can risk being an issue as, every time you put the album on in the early days, you’ve already heard the opening track a bunch of times.  You then get impatient to get to the “new” stuff and can end up kind of resenting that song.  I suppose it’s up to is to show restraint though and not listen to it a thousand times before the album comes out.  I have got a bit better with that on recent releases from TA, LTE etc but I wasn’t a huge lover of the pre-released material so it was easier.  DT is traditionally a problem for me in terms of overplaying singles!

This was my exact fear, and what happened with OTBOA. It is my 2nd least favorite song on that album.

I unfortunately have no self control and will always spam that first single nonstop. Fortunately for me, I never got tired of TEI, TGOM, and UA.

[bosk1]

As much as I love and support these guys, if the box set is the only way to get the documentary, then I guess I'm not getting the documentary.  As much as I like getting all the extras, when box sets are this expensive, that's a no-go.  And I don't care about and don't want the vinyl, so that's a deterrent as well.  I'm not complaining about the set though.  It's a cool package.  Just saying it doesn't suit my individual needs and budget.

[Bertielee]

As much as I love and support these guys, if the box set is the only way to get the documentary, then I guess I'm not getting the documentary.  As much as I like getting all the extras, when box sets are this expensive, that's a no-go.  And I don't care about and don't want the vinyl, so that's a deterrent as well.  I'm not complaining about the set though.  It's a cool package.  Just saying it doesn't suit my individual needs and budget.

Same for me. If only boxset, no documentary for me...

B.Lee

[Lonk]

Looks like there is a 2cd/Blue ray package, so not terrible. Assuming the second disc is all isntrumental?

Edit: Answered my own question here:

https://www.lasercd.com/cd/view-top-world-2cdblu-ray-artbook-preorder

The artbook contains 2CDs with the album plus an instrumental mix.  The Blu-Ray contains the album in a 5.1 surround mix plus a 37 minute documentary.  Also included is extended artwork and liner notes

[Max Kuehnau]

There will be the artbook though (CD, instrumental CD, Bluray, expanded art and liner notes) without the vinyl, so, no, the doc won't only come in the 150$ version. I guess the artbook is 50$ or what have you.

[Revenge319]

Personally, I'm tempted to spend the extra ~$30 and get the 2CD/Blu-ray version over the regular digipak CD. The only thing holding me back is that there's no confirmation that the Blu-ray will have videos for each song; if there are videos for each song, then I'll totally get the Blu-ray version of this album.

[The Letter M]

There will be the artbook though (CD, instrumental CD, Bluray, expanded art and liner notes) without the vinyl, so, no, the doc won't only come in the 150$ version. I guess the artbook is 50$ or what have you.

This is correct. LaserCD lists thr artbook as

2CDs with the album plus an instrumental mix.  The Blu-Ray contains the album in a 5.1 surround mix plus a 37 minute documentary.  Also included is extended artwork and liner notes.

It's selling for $45 on LaserCD, which is a decent price for what you get, which is definitely what I'm getting at least.

Personally, I'm tempted to spend the extra ~$30 and get the 2CD/Blu-ray version over the regular digipak CD. The only thing holding me back is that there's no confirmation that the Blu-ray will have videos for each song; if there are videos for each song, then I'll totally get the Blu-ray version of this album.

I think if there was a visualizer element (like with Transatlantic's The Absolute Universe, or LTE'S LTE3), it probably would have been mentioned. I think all we get on the BD 8s the 5.1 mix and the documentary.

-Marc.

[Chino]

It'd be cool if you could at least buy the documentary at the merch stand at a live show.

[geeeemo]

I think it being the first song on the album (as it often seems to be with DT) it can risk being an issue as, every time you put the album on in the early days, you’ve already heard the opening track a bunch of times.  You then get impatient to get to the “new” stuff and can end up kind of resenting that song.  I suppose it’s up to is to show restraint though and not listen to it a thousand times before the album comes out.  I have got a bit better with that on recent releases from TA, LTE etc but I wasn’t a huge lover of the pre-released material so it was easier.  DT is traditionally a problem for me in terms of overplaying singles! 

Yeah, I hear you on that.  I often find myself subconsciously feeling exactly that way. 

And it doesn't help if that first song doesn't immediately click with you either.  To give an example, I wasn't immediately that fired up about TEI.  I thought it was okay, but wasn't really that special, and I didn't immediately like it all that much.  Normally, that wouldn't really be much of a problem, except for:  The tour started pretty soon after the album release, and I was still feeling that way about TEI.  You wanna know who felt exactly the opposite and was completely in love with the song and pretty fired up about it?  John Petrucci.  And he asked me point blank after the show (or maybe it was even after the soundcheck--I don't remember for sure) what I thought about it.  And I could see by his demeanor, his tone of voice, etc., that he was in love with the song and expected that I would be as well.  I don't remember exactly what I said, but I was squirming quite a bit and said something pretty noncommittal because, while I didn't want to be disingenuous and fawn over something I didn't yet like all that much, but I also didn't want to pour cold water on his enthusiasm either.  I think I basically said something along the lines of, "there's a lot of cool stuff going on with it, but I have to admit, I haven't really had a chance to digest it yet and give it its due."  And then I quickly changed the subject to talk about one of the songs that I really did love.    As a footnote to that story, I have since grown to like and appreciate it a lot more after having seen it performed live a couple of times and just letting it grow on me.  But back to the main point of the discussion, that can impact initial impressions of a new album as a whole when having heard the opening track a bunch before album release.

First, since this is only my 2nd album release since I became a fan, I am used to learning and liking songs and not albums, as I bounced around learning and loving their discography. Last time, with my first album release, I listened as much as I could when the singles came out. Then when the album came out, I just skipped those until I kind of caught up, mixing in listening to my favorites more.  .  For me, sometimes I don't love a DT song until much later - then it's almost like a new song because I will have skipped it....

Bosk along the lines of TEI, but with PBD. (and I am of no importance to JP) I did the aftershow in Reno and met JP. I asked him when they are done with an album, is there ever that one song that you say to yourself "Wow! we just nailed it! That is the bomb!" He said yes and for D/T it was PBD. Now I like PBD, but  not to that extent. Fortunately for me, he doesn't care one way or the other what I think, and I am sure I was very much excited in my response... 

[goo-goo]

Fuck it: artbook, black vinyl and digipack for me. Ordered!  Don't know why I'm more stoked for this album than DoT even though I still play it a lot.

[hefdaddy42]

Definitely the artbook for me.  I've been extremely impressed with the artbooks for LTE3 and Distant Memories.

[Hypnotherapist]

Pre-sale also released at Nuclear Blast (DE):https://www.nuclearblast.de/de/shop/artikel/gruppen/51000.1.nuclearblast.html?article_group_sort_type_handle=rank&custom_keywords=dream+theater&custom_artists=4103364&sli=27147652#page-1

[Peace and Love]

On the Blu-Ray: Digging For A Spark - A View From Inside DTHQ Documentary

Hell yeah!