New Dream Theater coming soon

[blindseyed]

I may be the only one excited about this (besides Vince) but thought I'd post it any way


BAND AND LABEL JOIN FORCES WITH NEW STUDIO ALBUM PLUS WORLD TOUR TO
FOLLOW

ROADRUNNER RECORDS is proud to announce the signing of progressive
metal pioneers Dream Theater. A new studio album, Systematic Chaos
is due in June. Dream Theater will hit the road in support of the
album for a world tour, including major festival appearances in
Europe.

Since their first studio release in 1989, this US based five-piece
has notched up record and DVD sales in excess of six million and
headlined to audiences of 20,000. Having undertaken seven world
tours across 42 different countries, Dream Theater has established
a live reputation that has swept them to arena-status around the
globe. They have appeared alongside acts such as Deep Purple,
Iron Maiden and Yes.

Recognized by peers and public alike for their advanced musical
expertise, the band (Mike Portnoy, drums; John Petrucci, guitar;
John Myung, bass; James LaBrie, vocals; Jordan Rudess, keyboards)
has long held the ability to combine complex arrangements with
unadulterated songwriting skills, the material often underpinned
by riffs as heavy as anything in the Metallica repertoire.

"This album's got all of the elements we've become known for,"
reveals Portnoy. "The focus on musicianship, the skull-crushing
riffs, the big progressive epics and the heart-wrenching melodies.
We've got one of the strongest and most devoted fan bases in the
world, and they should certainly be happy with the new material.
By working closely with the label we hope to turn a great many
new heads too."

"Dream Theater and Roadrunner Records have led parallel careers on
the cutting edge of metal for many years," say A&R men, Derek Oliver
& Dante Bonutto, "We're thrilled to be working with a genuine
market-leader, and when you add everything the guys bring to the
table to the independent spirit and work ethic of the label, the
results can only be exciting in the extreme!"

Prior to teaming up with Roadrunner, Dream Theater was signed to a
seven-album deal with Warner Music Group worldwide. The deal
commenced with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful
Images And Words (1992), a Gold-certified US release, and concluded,
in equal style, with Octavarium (2005), a Top 40 Billboard outing.
In August of last year the band issued Score, a live album/DVD
(recorded at Radio City Music Hall in New York), which went straight
to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard DVD charts, knocking Pink Floyd
from the top!

By the following month, the five were holed up at Avatar Studios in
New York, working on the new album with veteran engineer/ mixer Paul
Northfield (Rush, Queensryche, Porcupine Tree). As usual, Portnoy
and Petrucci chose to co-produce the project, which features seven
compositions (one a 25-minute epic), and word on the grapevine is
that the Dream Theater/Roadrunner alliance looks all set to kick
off with a classic.

Systematic Chaos, Dream Theater's ninth studio release, arrives at
a time when the band is casting a longer-than- ever shadow across the
rock and metal landscape. Their influence is being acknowledged by
an increasing number of contemporary, cutting-edge acts such as
Stone Sour, Trivium, Shadows Fall, Opeth as their fan base continues
to grow.

Touring plans will be announced shortly. Please visit
www.roadrunnerrecor ds.com or www.dreamtheater. net for
up to the minute information.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Oh, hellz yeah, biotches!!!! DT friggin rulez!!!!!

 

[Griffin]

Tracklist:

1. In The Presence of Enemies Pt.1
2. Forsaken
3. Constant Motion
4. The Dark Eternal Night
5. Repentance
6. Prophets of War
7. The Ministry of Lost Souls
8. In The Presence of Enemies Pt.2

Hope it's better than the last one. DT used to be my all time favorite band.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

The song titles sound awesome. I hope that it is like Train Of Thought with a touch of Scenes From A Memory....

 

[blindseyed]

The song titles sound awesome. I hope that it is like Train Of Thought with a touch of Scenes From A Memory....

Did you get to catch those live? They were awesome!
'Score' is a great DVD. I saw that tour, too...WOW!

 

[Divide Et Impera]

From www.mikeportnoy.com:

FIRST INSIGHT INTO THE NEW DREAM THEATER ALBUM!:
One of the companies I work closely with is re-issue label Rock Candy Records. The label is run by the legendary journalist and A&R duo of Derek Oliver & Dante Bonutto, who are also now working in conjunction with Roadrunner Records to bring new releases from classic bands to the market place.
Their first signing is Dream Theater, as announced a month or so ago. Of course the guys are very familiar with the band, having signed them to Elektra all those years ago.
Dream Theater have just turned in their new album Systematic Chaos to their label, and Derek Oliver was kind enough to forward me his thoughts on the album after living with it for a while and gave me the ok to run this as your exclusive first look into the album from someone who has a long and lasting passion for the band.

Says Derek:
"Systematic Chaos is pretty full-on. You'll all be very surprised. It's undoubtedly the best record that they've recorded in many years - very accessible, very heavy and very melodic. They've managed to combine a sense of the past with the future and, unlike Rush, haven't dumped their glorious past in favour of annoying skinny tie affectations or garage rock pretence.
There are two absolutely killer tracks, Constant Motion and The Dark Eternal Night, the former is like Metallica with keyboards and the latter showcases the most intense and heavy musicianship that they've ever recorded - think Pantera jamming with Iron Maiden. Those tracks will be regarded as master classes in progressive metal for years to come. And they both boast lashings of melody.
The most accessible track is titled Forsaken, a blindingly obvious radio song that mixes contemporary modern rock ala Evanescence with the old school power balladry of Queensryche's Silent Lucidity whilst still packing a progressive rock punch. Do I smell a potential radio smash? Quite possibly.
Surprise contenders for classic status include Repentance, a brooding 10 minute creepy crawler that seeps its way into one's inner psyche from the first few seconds of playback. The impact of this track is enhanced by an abundance of unexpected spoken word contributions from a number of well known musicians. I won't spoil it by revealing exactly who they are as its a lot of fun trying to decipher for yourself. Musically think Pink Floyd duetting with Metallica on a decidedly trippy space rock epic.
The other major surprise is Prophet's Of War a magnetic and compelling six minute romp that appears to be a combination of electro pop and classic arena metal and it works brilliantly. Imagine walking into a Berlin discotechque at 2 in the morning with 2,000 nutters jumping up and down to a wild electro mash-up of the Prodigy, Queen, Robbie Williams, Metallica and Ramstein whilst Dita Von Teese dances in a cage.
Trad DT faire is offered up with The Ministry Of Lost Souls. Initially a piano driven ballad which builds into a colossal prog rock hoedown allowing Jordan Rudess to utilise every keyboard that he's acquired through the ages amongst a cacophony of wild jamming. Once the battle has been won, its all back to the main theme for a piping hot cup of cocoa and bed.
The 25 minute epic In The Presence Of Enemies is indeed a pleasure to experience. Split into two parts, which bookend the album, the vibe here is dark and distant. The song is driven by a particularly impressive bass riff and a full, open chorus with evil lyrics delivered convincingly by a more assured and focussed James LaBrie. Then, in the blink of an eye, it all kicks off as Portnoy jumps in with double kick drums thumping at an alarming speed and its heads down for the final push with swords, guitars, knives and keyboards re-enacting the Charge Of The Light Brigade.

Man of the match? Impossible to say as all of them are at the top of their game on this one. Portnoy? Well, he's just being Portnoy - crucially the most accomplished drummer of modern times.
Petrucci? He's off his head on virtually every track delivering the heaviest riffs this side of Black Sabbath and the fastest most precise plank spanking I've ever heard.
Myung? The guys doesn't have much to say for himself in interviews but his playing on this record speaks a thousand words.
Rudess? Possibly the bastard child of Keith Emerson and Rachmaninov. His playing is historic and, understandably, quite perplexing.
LaBrie? I have great pleasure in announcing that he, out of them all, has risen most magnificently to the challenge. Its clear that he's taking this particular moment in the bands career to up his game considerably, approaching each track with an intelligence that belies his previous output. By adapting his delivery to suit the mood of each song this fine fellow has breathed new life into an old frame. A great and significant accomplishment.
I came away from this album thinking that - and I'm not taking a pot shot here - if Iron Maiden and Metallica were currently writing and performing to this level of excellence then the world of rock would indeed be a far better place."

 

[blindseyed]

Sweet! Can't wait for the tour now

 

[ajcardfan]

Sounds like the album is going to be great. I've never seen this band live, I'm going to make a point of seeing them on this tour.

 

[blindseyed]

Sounds like the album is going to be great. I've never seen this band live, I'm going to make a point of seeing them on this tour.

They are awesome live. Be prepared for about a 3 hr show

 

[boisesuns]

Nice! Those guys are Amazinhg Musicians!

 

[Griffin]

In addition to the regular version CD, there will be a limited edition that will include the regular CD plus a DVD with a 5.1 surround mix of the album and a 90-minute 'making-of' documentary. Both versions are due on June 5th.

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[blindseyed]

In addition to the regular version CD, there will be a limited edition that will include the regular CD plus a DVD with a 5.1 surround mix of the album and a 90-minute 'making-of' documentary. Both versions are due on June 5th.

Wow that is sweet!
I am hoping they add a Phx date to their tour (tey usually do)
I'm thinking it will be Aug 1st

 

[Griffin]

Wow that is sweet!
I am hoping they add a Phx date to their tour (tey usually do)
I'm thinking it will be Aug 1st

They just did: July 25th.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Do I smell an ASFN-DTer Meet coming down the pipes?

Count me in....

 

[blindseyed]

Do I smell an ASFN-DTer Meet coming down the pipes?

Count me in....

Wed July 25th, thanx Griff.
I'm in for a meet since I will most definately be there.

 

[Gambit]

Tracklist:

1. In The Presence of Enemies Pt.1
2. Forsaken
3. Constant Motion
4. The Dark Eternal Night
5. Repentance
6. Prophets of War
7. The Ministry of Lost Souls
8. In The Presence of Enemies Pt.2

Hope it's better than the last one. DT used to be my all time favorite band.

Octavarium actually keeps growing on me. NOt their best work, but a solid effort, especially the title track.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

I always like Oactivarium from the start. I dunno. I know it ain't Train Of Thought or Metroplis 2: SFAM, but it was a pretty good album on it's own and I like it better than SDOIT, which I never got into....

 

[Gambit]

I always like Oactivarium from the start. I dunno. I know it ain't Train Of Thought or Metroplis 2: SFAM, but it was a pretty good album on it's own and I like it better than SDOIT, which I never got into....

I loved the title track on Six Degrees, but the rest of the album never did it for me. My favorite is of coures Metropolis Part 2, Images and Words being a close second, with Awake not far behind.

 

[Griffin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkF4JD2rO3Q

After hearing "Constant Motion" and "Dark Eternal Night", I have to lower my expectations (again) for this album. I can see how many people will really dig it, but for me my favorite album of theirs is Awake and it seems like their sound has evolved so much over those 12 years they sound like a different band. Now I don't mind when a band evolves, but they seem to be evolving in a direction opposite of my current musical tastes. To me heaviness, speed, complexity and demonstration of technical prowess will always come secondary to atmosphere, emotion, intelligent lyrics and great melody. Lately, I just don't see much of that in their music, I just don't feel it. I suck at trying to describe music, but if you listen to the song above and then listen to a song like "Voices" you'll see what I mean.

 

[blindseyed]

Got my tix for the June 25th show at Dodge Theater, Section 203 smack dab in the middle...

 

[vince56]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkF4JD2rO3Q

After hearing "Constant Motion" and "Dark Eternal Night", I have to lower my expectations (again) for this album. I can see how many people will really dig it, but for me my favorite album of theirs is Awake and it seems like their sound has evolved so much over those 12 years they sound like a different band. Now I don't mind when a band evolves, but they seem to be evolving in a direction opposite of my current musical tastes. To me heaviness, speed, complexity and demonstration of technical prowess will always come secondary to atmosphere, emotion, intelligent lyrics and great melody. Lately, I just don't see much of that in their music, I just don't feel it. I suck at trying to describe music, but if you listen to the song above and then listen to a song like "Voices" you'll see what I mean.

Don't ask me how, but I have an advance copy of the new Dream Theater CD.

I agree with everything you said above, and this album is another step in the wrong direction. They're better than this. Petrucci has become Mr. Random Notes, and their music sounds contrived. They've been steadily going downhill since Kevin Moore left them IMO. Falling into Infinity had some great songs on it, as did SFAM, but since then, I can only name about 5 songs on 6DOIT, ToT, & Octavarium, total, that I think are on par with early Dream Theater work.

Nothing beats Awake. No album I've heard since even comes close.

The new Symphony X CD & Trivium CDs both smoke the new DT.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

You feel like passing along that CD you don't like to someone who might actually enjoy it (Me! Me! Me!)?

 

[Gambit]

Bump

So the album has been out for a while now...I just picked it up and listened through once. I think it is a solid effort and look forward to going through more times so as to digest it. A lot of prog instrumental sections, which is awesome, some sparse sections as well (Repentence). Pretty much a blend of the styles they explored in the past, plus Train of Thought. Another excellent addition to their catalogue, in my view. I will have to listen more times before a final verdict though.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Yeah, I like it too....

 

[blindseyed]

Bumpin this thread
To ask if anyone is going to the show on the 25th ?(in Phx at the Dodge)