Dream Theater

I actually do agree with Phrygian Sunshine.
DT were becoming way too metal and not enough prog like the great balance they had between the two on earlier releases such as I+W and Awake and even SFAM.
That perfect balance between the two made them sound unique and set them apart from every other band out there.
With all respect to MP,I think he was pushing them too much in the metal direction to please the masses and this was starting to make them sound like just another Metallica.
I did enjoy BC&SL a lot more than SC though.

Wow! It has been several days since I've had the chance to come back to this forum and I'm pleasantly surprised to find so many cool comments in response to my original post. Thank you, DT fans!

Okay, I'll add my 2 cents as well...I have spoken about my general praise for the new album but this thread is interesting and I'll comment again. I have been a fan of DT since about 1992. Their first song that I heard that I liked was Pull Me Under. A song which today I really don't ever listen to. Maybe my musical tastes are changing. Anyway, their albums up to and most of Octavrium, I'd say are more original and orchestral sounding. After that I have to tell you I kind of lost interest in them for the most part of the next couple albums. Train of thought, Systematic Chaos and Black Clouds and Silver Linings were almost unlistenable to me. Okay there were a few tracks in there I like such as Stream of Consciousness, Vacant, Wither, Ministry of Lost Souls and Repentance but that was about it. They went in a much more metal direction. The reason I got in to DT in the fist place is because they WEREN'T just a metal band. Their music seemed like earlier on seemed better composed and lighter. More orchestral. Beautiful music.

Along comes ADTOE. I was hopeful, but also afraid we'd have just another metal album. At first, for the first few weeks I loved it. Now, over a month or so later I still like it but I am not loving it as much as I first did. At first, I think I loved it so much because it was so different than the last few albums. So with that I was relieved. I have to say though that it is still a great, great album. I still don't list to BMU BMD. That scream just kills it for me. Makes me think of their song from years ago that I also never like: Burning My Soul. Most of the other tracks are great. One think I did notice with the drums though compared to earlier albums is that now their seems to be more standard double bass where it sounds like MM is running. To me, and I know very little about drums, it just sounds like a generic drum beat instead of a more complex drum pattern. It seems like it is just for a speed effect. Again, a bland metal drum technique that most metal bands use.

The slower tracks on the album are so amazing and I think these are the types of tracks that show of James' singing talents the best. All three slower tracks are great. I wish DT could somehow create a long 10+ minute epic track in a slower style. It seems like all their epics (which most I really do like) are all heavy tracks.

But for me overall, I like the more orchestral side of DT. I hope that this album is a step back in that direction. Breaking All Illusions, Outcry, Far From Heaven, and Beneath The Surface are my favorites on this album. Thanks DT...great album overall!

@Psygnosis99:

"Couldn't disagree more in every way. No need to elaborate, if you call yourself such a fan why on and cry about things almost no one else agrees with?"

I don’t feel that my post was whiny in the least bit. I tried to be very concise with my thoughts and feelings for the new album without being combative or arrogant about it in any way. Nor do I believe that a person is required to absolutely love every note that a band plays in order to qualify as a true fan. All artists decline eventually and there’s no shame in that.

For example, let’s take a look at another classic progressive rock group: Rush. I love Rush. I grew up listening to Rush. I can definitely say that Rush is one of my all-time favorite bands, however, as far as I’m concerned, they didn’t need to make any more albums after “Signals.” Sure, they still write and record songs and some of them are OK, but the music no longer exudes that crucial magic. Does that mean that I am no longer a Rush fan? Not at all. Rush has created enough great music throughout their career to earn my lifelong appreciation. Anyone who has listened to “Hemispheres,” “2112,” “Moving Pictures,” and “Permanent Waves” should know exactly what I mean.

For me, the same has become true with Dream Theater. I think that “Images and Words” and “Scenes from a Memory” are two of the most important albums ever recorded, but, looking at their last three albums, I would have to say that DT is now on the downswing. No doubt they will continue to make albums for years to come and I’m sure that I will buy some of it, but I would be very, very surprised (and pleasantly so) if they ever recapture the scope and beauty of those earlier recordings.

I respect your opinion. My opinion is that I like all DT albums including ADTOE

They always blow my mind

I agree in certain points, specialy about the last album. I think that this one it's not bad, but it's not the best, like some say.
I think it's not right to criticize peolple who express their opinion because it's less good about the band, people must respect each other.
My sencire opinion? ADTOE, it's one of their poorest albums, doesn't have the spirit that I feel on the others, and Mike Mangini isn't so special at all, he still hasn't fully captured the DT drumming. I understand, because it's his first, but I think that his capability till now in DT it's being way overated.
Being mad with MP for quiting the band it's one thing, saying that DT it's sounding like never before because of the new drummer???
This is being incoeerent with yourselfs opinion about DT the years before, so that great love that I saw on DVD's, concerts, was a lie?!

Personal tastes again.....reading the concert reviews, where a poster was so happy with the 'Glass Moon' set list. Ya know, shame on me, but that is my least favorite and always skipped track on I&W. That does not mean that I am not a fan (at least I hope not).

The heaviness of the last two releases did bring in a new set of fans. That has been apparent at concerts over the past few years. There was a bit too much imo.

The concert in DC and the new release have allowed me to do one really important thing: listen to their back catalogue again and enjoy it as I did before the 'departure'. I'm very grateful for that.

And, yes, as we get older, most things don't grab us as they did. 'Events' would have really blown me away if I was 25. As is, it worked its magic quite well.

ILPower, I agree with you that it's not right to criticize people who express their opinions, no matter if they're positive in nature or negative. At the end of your post though you're sprouting some logical fallacies in my opinion. One can be disappointed when Portnoy decides to leave the band and still think that what happens afterwards is a big improvement. Something you love can in fact get even better. Perhaps that's not what you meant and if I misinterpreted your post I apologize. I for one do think that the members of Dream Theater sound better than ever at the moment but that doesn't mean that I don't love Portnoy and what he's done these past 25 years. Scenes From A Memory remains my favorite album but A Dramatic Turn Of Events is definitely top 3 in my book and if I had to give it a proper ranking I'd probably say that it's their second best album. After the first two listens though I didn't think it belonged in my top 5.

About Mike Mangini; who one's favorite drummer is is of course a matter of taste and there's no "right or wrong" there. However, I figured I might as well express my own opinion while I'm at it. In terms of pure skill and polyrythmical abilities I must say that Mangini is way ahead of Portnoy (one would almost think that he has more than one brain in that head of his) and the creative way in which he utilizes his monstrous kit allows him to emphasize the harmonical movements in the songs in ways I've never, ever heard before. Have you seen them live this tour? I think that if the new album was mixed the way their previous albums were (with the drums being more in the forefront, overwhelming and sometimes drowning other aspects of the music) people would probably embrace Genie's playing a lot more cause he's doing a lot of insane yet subtle things in these songs. The "drum camera recording" picked up some of that when they performed Outcry live, stuff you wouldn't really notice on the record unless you're really paying attention and focus on what Genie is playing and/or unless you have a really high end stereo system that is able to properly separate the different instruments, not allowing them to sort of "float together". Here's a link to the clip.

About the mix, I love the fact that a lot of stuff is a lot more balanced on this record (Myung can be heard, the sound of the guitars and keyboards are awesome) but if I could choose I would have wanted the drums to stand out a bit more. I think that some middle road between the old records and ADTOE in terms of mastering would be perfect for my taste.

Note that I'm in no way saying that my opinion is right and someone else's is wrong cause personal opinions are just that; personal. I just wanted to share my two cents on the matter. Anyways, I can't wait for the gig in Stockholm and I'm thinking of catching a flight to Helsinki to see them there as well. I haven't fully decided yet.

I just realised that this discussion happens everytime DT brings out a new album. There are always fans that either like it, don't like it, or aren't sure what to think of it. I really liked all the albums so far, but what's wrong with not (partially) liking a new album? It happens! I mean, say you're making dinner and the meal you make, you are really looking forward to it, but in the end you don't like the taste of it.

Well, that happens to bands as well. Doesn't mean you have to stop cooking that meal. Except you don't wait 2 years to make a meal again...

Ditto everything you just said.