DREAM THEATER ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF DRUMMER MIKE PORTNOY

[TAC]

BW, that all makes total sense. I agree.

[sfam2112]

And he did something similar with the Progressive Nation tours in 2009 with a guarantee of ANtR, ARoP and TCoT

Tiny, tiny nitpick. The Asheville, NC PN show only featured ANTR and TCOT. ARoP was replaced with Constant Motion that night. An exception, not the rule obviously. Your point stands. 🙂

[PetFish]

I've said a few times over the years that I'm all for Metro Part 3 to close out the trilogy but it doesn't even have to be an entire album, just a long concept song to bookend with Part 1 and perhaps on its own disc like 6DoIT.

My justification for a Part 3 is that people like a happy ending and right now the bad guy got away with it (again) at the end of Part 2 by killing Nicholas (again) and then continuing to live his best life.  He needs to be brought to justice by another Nicholas.  It could even be a reincarnated Victoria that was alive when the therapist killed Nicholas and she somehow tracks him down and catches/kills him.

Meh, I think it'd be fun.

[Lax]

Honestly, scenes is such a masterpiece, with an ending (and white noise going to the glass prison btw), that writing some follow up would mean they don't consider it so.
It's like mpt3, even as a song, can only fail.

I hope they'll go full prog and take some risks...I would be so disappointed to hear 40 minutes of chugchug and 40 minutes of inspiration corner

[wolfking]

I think the band putting extra pressure on themselves to write M3 just wouldn't be very smart.

[crystalstars17]

I'd add the inclusion of At Wit's End also.  Even though it was the current album cycle, they modified the set to include that song specifically largely in response to fan requests.

Yes, but by the time they did this it was unrealistic to see another show that tour (it was in a not-so-nearby city that would've meant travel and time off that was already too late to plan for) and if I remember correctly we even had tickets to another band that same night closer to home. So I missed the chance to see a song that I love because it wasn't in the normal setlist.

[Awaken]

I'd add the inclusion of At Wit's End also.  Even though it was the current album cycle, they modified the set to include that song specifically largely in response to fan requests.

Yes, but by the time they did this it was unrealistic to see another show that tour (it was in a not-so-nearby city that would've meant travel and time off that was already too late to plan for) and if I remember correctly we even had tickets to another band that same night closer to home. So I missed the chance to see a song that I love because it wasn't in the normal setlist.

Sort of same boat.  I had seen this tour in CT when they were closing w Pull Me Under (if I recall correctly).  When they booked the second leg and changed the encore to At Wit's End, that alone got me to head to Albany to see the (almost) exact same show just to see that song live.  I really wish they had it in their set the first time around, though.

[crystalstars17]

Sort of same boat.  I had seen this tour in CT when they were closing w Pull Me Under (if I recall correctly).  When they booked the second leg and changed the encore to At Wit's End, that alone got me to head to Albany to see the (almost) exact same show just to see that song live.  I really wish they had it in their set the first time around, though.

Yes!!! We must be in the same area. Exactly this!

This is why I prefer an entirely static setlist. With the alternatives I've only ever been burnt.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

That is why I believe that the business and the music are connected at the hip and inseparable for 99% of successful acts. I personally don't believe any consequential decision DT makes including using an 8 string, switching record labels, and yes, including changing the drummer, has zero to do with the business side of things. DT is THE thing for the band members. Besides MP they have no other enduring projects of any commercial relevance.

Woah woah. Don't be disrespecting JP's beard oil products now...

[Stadler]

Very true.  And the thing is with Space Dye Vest, that was a treat that every city on the tour got, not just one or two cities. That was one great thing about the static set lists; when the band pulled out something especially special in the last 13 years, you pretty much knew every city on the tour was getting it in most cases (Don't Look Past Me being an exception).

IMO the best solution is to have some tentpole songs and rotate the "filler" tracks. It creates interest while lowering the amount of songs to learn and lowering the chances that missing a particular song causes grief.

I don't know if this is what you mean, Reap, but just don't rotate the special stuff. Play SDV at all the shows, but rotate, say, "Pull Me Under" and "Strange Deja Vu" or something like that.  The songs that already get adequate airing.  Those are (potentially) easier to rotate anyway, since they are "under the fingers" so to speak.

[Metro]

No Metropolis 3 please. We live in the age of unnecessary sequels and reboots and requels and whatnot in movies and TV. I don't want DT going down that path.
Bringing back MP and just trying to repeat the past instead of doing something new would, for me, be the ultimate sign that DT has run its course and has nothing new or interesting to say.

[porcacultor]

I really doubt Metropolis Part 3 is a possibility. As a song within an album I think it could work (even better if it were like a seconds-long joke track [secret track? in the streaming era?] where we hear a member going "What, you thought we were doing that? Come on!").

[deggs37]

No Metropolis 3 please. We live in the age of unnecessary sequels and reboots and requels and whatnot in movies and TV. I don't want DT going down that path.
Bringing back MP and just trying to repeat the past instead of doing something new would, for me, be the ultimate sign that DT has run its course and has nothing new or interesting to say.

I gotta agree. I adore Pt1 and Pt2, but Pt3 would seem too hamfisted to me.

Let's try something new that doesn't sound like an imitation of 2112. I think having MP back in the band will be good for this since he seems to be the movie fanatic as well and can bring in some good ideas.

Unless they have a really good idea for a Pt3 and it came naturally. Not forced.

[Kyo]

I think it's more likely that JP wanted to experiment with an 8-string, so he got his buddies at EB/MM to create a signature model for him, than that he created a song to sell guitars.

If JP had been all about selling 8-string guitars, he would've done this years ago. The fact that he took this long to record his first song on an 8-string guitar seems to indicate that the commercial aspect of it wasn't a high priority for him at all.

[MirrorMask]

I really doubt Metropolis Part 3 is a possibility. As a song within an album I think it could work (even better if it were like a seconds-long joke track [secret track? in the streaming era?] where we hear a member going "What, you thought we were doing that? Come on!").

They should do a Metropolis pt 3, 25 minutes.

24 minutes and a half is the static noise from the end of Finally Free. Then someone comes in, finds Nick's body giving a gasp and shuts down the vinyl playing.

 

[gzarruk]

I think it's more likely that JP wanted to experiment with an 8-string, so he got his buddies at EB/MM to create a signature model for him, than that he created a song to sell guitars.

If JP had been all about selling 8-string guitars, he would've done this years ago. The fact that he took this long to record his first song on an 8-string guitar seems to indicate that the commercial aspect of it wasn't a high priority for him at all.

IIRC, he wanted to use an 8 for a long time but didn't want to use another brand and had to wait for EBMM to finally get him a prototype of their own. Definitely not a sales move at first.

Having said that... coming up with new models every single year like it's the next iPhone or something and charging as much as they do for their guitars feels a lot more like a cashgrab move.

[ZirconBlue]

I've said a few times over the years that I'm all for Metro Part 3 to close out the trilogy but it doesn't even have to be an entire album, just a long concept song to bookend with Part 1 and perhaps on its own disc like 6DoIT.

My justification for a Part 3 is that people like a happy ending and right now the bad guy got away with it (again) at the end of Part 2 by killing Nicholas (again) and then continuing to live his best life.  He needs to be brought to justice by another Nicholas.  It could even be a reincarnated Victoria that was alive when the therapist killed Nicholas and she somehow tracks him down and catches/kills him.

Meh, I think it'd be fun.

I'm not exactly clamoring for Met III, but if they were to do it, I agree with you on how to go about it.  Reincarnation stories are usually about righting past wrongs / correcting the mistakes from past lives.  So, in that way, a follow up would make sense to wrap up the reincarnation cycle.

[Stadler]

I've said a few times over the years that I'm all for Metro Part 3 to close out the trilogy but it doesn't even have to be an entire album, just a long concept song to bookend with Part 1 and perhaps on its own disc like 6DoIT.

My justification for a Part 3 is that people like a happy ending and right now the bad guy got away with it (again) at the end of Part 2 by killing Nicholas (again) and then continuing to live his best life.  He needs to be brought to justice by another Nicholas.  It could even be a reincarnated Victoria that was alive when the therapist killed Nicholas and she somehow tracks him down and catches/kills him.

Meh, I think it'd be fun.

I'm not exactly clamoring for Met III, but if they were to do it, I agree with you on how to go about it.  Reincarnation stories are usually about righting past wrongs / correcting the mistakes from past lives.  So, in that way, a follow up would make sense to wrap up the reincarnation cycle.

There's a little bit of meta stuff there too; the reincarnation of the classic era of the band...

[emtee]

Someone mentioned just doing a Met3 song and I actually like that idea. Maybe a 15-20'ish epic as an album closer.

[Setlist Scotty]

If they were to do it, I'd love to see it be more of a short 3 minute song or something completely the opposite of what everyone would expect. Not a joke track like porcacultor was suggesting, but something that would fulfill the request and yet not consume another album or significant section of the album.

[hefdaddy42]

Or maybe just not do it.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Someone mentioned just doing a Met3 song and I actually like that idea. Maybe a 15-20'ish epic as an album closer.

It's a little fan service-y for my tastes but I won't deny that it could be pretty awesome if done correctly.

[HOF]

They should call the next album Metropolis 3 but then just make a regular album that has nothing to do with the story.

[TAC]

Here's an interview with Dino Jelusick where he talks about his involvement with Mike Mangini's solo album - he recommended oe of the guitar players and was going to sing on the album as well, but his litigation with Frontiers stopped him from doing so. It's at the 12 minute mark, and he also talks about having long calls with Jordan Rudess and about congratulating MP on his return to DT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FgyuSvpadQ&t=1042s

@Rodrigo....have you put in a request with DT's management for an interview regarding MP's return, and if so, how have they responded?

[JiM-Xtreme]

They should call the next album Metropolis 3 but then just make a regular album that has nothing to do with the story.

Or, perhaps even better way to troll the fanbase, just skip Part 3 altogether and go straight to Part 4 

[Setlist Scotty]

They should call the next album Metropolis 3 but then just make a regular album that has nothing to do with the story.

Or, perhaps even better way to troll the fanbase, just skip Part 3 altogether and go straight to Part 4 

The only problem with that is then there will continue to be the inevitable "what happened to part 3?" questions as well as "when are you gonna do part 3?" 

[Jamesman42]

Metropolis Pt 4: Exponential Growth

[bosk1]

Here's an interview with Dino Jelusick where he talks about his involvement with Mike Mangini's solo album - he recommended oe of the guitar players and was going to sing on the album as well, but his litigation with Frontiers stopped him from doing so. It's at the 12 minute mark, and he also talks about having long calls with Jordan Rudess and about congratulating MP on his return to DT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FgyuSvpadQ&t=1042s

@Rodrigo....have you put in a request with DT's management for an interview regarding MP's return, and if so, how have they responded?

Not sure if Rodrigo may have something specific to add, but from my contact with the promotion team, everything is on hold at the moment, and they are going to start rolling out press, interviews, etc. at a later date (I do not have the specific timeline.  I just know that for what I am working on, I was basically told "not yet--we'll let you know when we're ready to run with all that.").

[TAC]

Here's an interview with Dino Jelusick where he talks about his involvement with Mike Mangini's solo album - he recommended oe of the guitar players and was going to sing on the album as well, but his litigation with Frontiers stopped him from doing so. It's at the 12 minute mark, and he also talks about having long calls with Jordan Rudess and about congratulating MP on his return to DT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FgyuSvpadQ&t=1042s

@Rodrigo....have you put in a request with DT's management for an interview regarding MP's return, and if so, how have they responded?

Not sure if Rodrigo may have something specific to add, but from my contact with the promotion team, everything is on hold at the moment, and they are going to start rolling out press, interviews, etc. at a later date (I do not have the specific timeline.  I just know that for what I am working on, I was basically told "not yet--we'll let you know when we're ready to run with all that.").

Bosk, that's great! Thank you for responding. I was just wondering.

You're working on a DTF Q&A I hope!!!

[gzarruk]

Here's an interview with Dino Jelusick where he talks about his involvement with Mike Mangini's solo album - he recommended oe of the guitar players and was going to sing on the album as well, but his litigation with Frontiers stopped him from doing so. It's at the 12 minute mark, and he also talks about having long calls with Jordan Rudess and about congratulating MP on his return to DT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FgyuSvpadQ&t=1042s

@Rodrigo....have you put in a request with DT's management for an interview regarding MP's return, and if so, how have they responded?

Not sure if Rodrigo may have something specific to add, but from my contact with the promotion team, everything is on hold at the moment, and they are going to start rolling out press, interviews, etc. at a later date (I do not have the specific timeline.  I just know that for what I am working on, I was basically told "not yet--we'll let you know when we're ready to run with all that.").

Bosk, that's great! Thank you for responding. I was just wondering.

You're working on a DTF Q&A I hope!!!

I'd be pleasantly surprised if that was the case. Wasn't MP not too fond of DTF? (to put it nicely)

[Dedalus]

They should call the next album Metropolis 3 but then just make a regular album that has nothing to do with the story.

Or, perhaps even better way to troll the fanbase, just skip Part 3 altogether and go straight to Part 4 

Sort of like Traveling Wilburys

[MinistroRaven]

Here's an interview with Dino Jelusick where he talks about his involvement with Mike Mangini's solo album - he recommended oe of the guitar players and was going to sing on the album as well, but his litigation with Frontiers stopped him from doing so. It's at the 12 minute mark, and he also talks about having long calls with Jordan Rudess and about congratulating MP on his return to DT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FgyuSvpadQ&t=1042s

@Rodrigo....have you put in a request with DT's management for an interview regarding MP's return, and if so, how have they responded?

Not sure if Rodrigo may have something specific to add, but from my contact with the promotion team, everything is on hold at the moment, and they are going to start rolling out press, interviews, etc. at a later date (I do not have the specific timeline.  I just know that for what I am working on, I was basically told "not yet--we'll let you know when we're ready to run with all that.").

Bosk, that's great! Thank you for responding. I was just wondering.

You're working on a DTF Q&A I hope!!!

I'd be pleasantly surprised if that was the case. Wasn't MP not too fond of DTF? (to put it nicely)

Maybe is with another band member, if that's what he is working on

[RodrigoAltaf]

Here's an interview with Dino Jelusick where he talks about his involvement with Mike Mangini's solo album - he recommended oe of the guitar players and was going to sing on the album as well, but his litigation with Frontiers stopped him from doing so. It's at the 12 minute mark, and he also talks about having long calls with Jordan Rudess and about congratulating MP on his return to DT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FgyuSvpadQ&t=1042s

@Rodrigo....have you put in a request with DT's management for an interview regarding MP's return, and if so, how have they responded?

I haven't...but that's a great idea! I'll do it.

[ReaPsTA]

Very true.  And the thing is with Space Dye Vest, that was a treat that every city on the tour got, not just one or two cities. That was one great thing about the static set lists; when the band pulled out something especially special in the last 13 years, you pretty much knew every city on the tour was getting it in most cases (Don't Look Past Me being an exception).

IMO the best solution is to have some tentpole songs and rotate the "filler" tracks. It creates interest while lowering the amount of songs to learn and lowering the chances that missing a particular song causes grief.

I don't know if this is what you mean, Reap, but just don't rotate the special stuff. Play SDV at all the shows, but rotate, say, "Pull Me Under" and "Strange Deja Vu" or something like that.  The songs that already get adequate airing.  Those are (potentially) easier to rotate anyway, since they are "under the fingers" so to speak.

We are on the same page.

[ReaPsTA]

I think the band putting extra pressure on themselves to write M3 just wouldn't be very smart.

I agree. Would like them to just focus on making good music.