Dream Theater

Hey guys,

first of all: I absolutely LOVE ADTOE. I think it's a masterpiece from start to finish. You get the feeling that every member is inspired and motivated, it's melodious, heavy, proggy, cinematic, balanced. I don't wanna be the first to whine about the album, because I don't. I think it's awesome. This is just a tiny thing that makes me a little sad when thinking of the past...

Now ever since Systematic Chaos came out, people could notice a change in DT's sound. While these albums were awesome in their way (in my opinion), people missed something from them. For me it was mainly the "color", the brightness, the happiness of the older times. SDOIT was such a bright album, but after BC&SL it seemed like they didn't really want to return to that at all.

And then MP left the band... I was curious whether these guys were trying to get back the older, more colorful sound and now that I've heard the new album lots of times, I think yes, the color is back. ADTOE is vivid and transparent again, it features dark and bright sections, it's diverse. I couldn't be happier with it... Or could I?

My favorite DT album is I&W. Not because of the technical side, but it's the incredible warmth and the uplifting side that made me love it in the first place. And this is something that whilst adoring ADTOE I'm still kinda missing from DT... Listen to Surrounded, my favorite DT song. The "his shadow slowly fading from the wall" part makes me happy everytime and is probably my favorite DT moment.

I miss fast sections with major chords. Simple as that. Anyone feel the same way?

Anyone?

I had the very same hope going into ADTOE, that the warmer sound of DT would come out more. I always had the impression that MP was member of the band who pushed the most toward the really dark sounds in albums like TOT and DC&SL, so it made sense to me that this album would be much brighter. While it turns out that isn't quite the case, I do think that ADTOE gives us a lot of reasons to be optimistic that DT will move into a brighter sound in the future. Songs like Beneath the Surface make it very clear that there are a lot of negative feelings from the MP split that the group is working through and I think that set the stage for a lot of the darker qualities on this album. That said though, I think there is also a feeling of hopefulness that permeates the whole album and it has some of the most uplifting (see: Bridges in the Sky), energetic and playful (see: Lost Not Forgotten) music that we've heard from DT in a long time. So I think we may still hear some fast sections with major chords in the not-too-distant future. =)

No, I definitely agree with you in the lack of uplifting parts from recent albums, but ADTOE has the perfect balance in my opinion. Outcry is probably my favorite song off the album and is a perfect example of how there are more uplifting themes in this album. I mean uplifting in quite a literal sense when talking about Outcry, because as JP already said, the chorus is almost symphonic in a way and it really feels like you are soaring the air. Its a really amazing feeling I think. The lyrics are uplifting and powerful as well and it just has become a classic for me. The epic instrumental section doesn't hurt as well :p

I feel this album has really showed everyone that they are still Dream Theater and, while metal is great, its not the entire sound of the band. This is evidenced in the ballads which I really love as well. I can't even think of a criticism for the album beside the fact that its making me not do anything other than listen to Dream Theater, which is never a bad thing anyway. Definitely in the top 3 of my favorite albums so far..

Lack of uplifting parts? You guys must have missed Breaking All Illusions ;P

When I said a lack of uplifting parts, I was referring to previous recent albums like SC and BC&SL. I totally agree that Breaking All Illusions is uplifting...and also amazing.

Thanks for the answers!

Well, of course Breaking All Illusions is uplifting, it's just no Surrounded, you know? Listen to the verses of Surrounded. Madness. But I guess I can't complain and I shouldn't compare it too much to their older sound because I&W also had that late 80's sound that isn't very welcomed by a lot of people I guess.

But as Emerald Thoughts said: This album could've been a bit brighter and I suppose the upcoming albums will be. :)

Greetings, The Shaman and all other humans responding to The Shaman's comments, this is RC, and I greet you with much light and love. I sense that you all are, just like me, human members of the Galactic Federation of the Family of Light, as I sense JP, JM, JL, JR, and MM to be members of as well.

I totally agree with what all of you have said regarding the dark, and light(spiritual information) presented in all of DT's albums, and how each one can distinguish periods in DT's vibrational(music) history where dark prevailed and light was evolving. I totally understand what you all are trying to say, in that I too, have battled with the dark inside of me while my growing spark of light has been expanding and ascending. DT's music is, as they say, an important fabric of my life.

I agree that, in recent years, starting from, I would say, DT "6 Degrees of..." to "Black Clouds...", DT's music was heading towards dark, while respecting the light. Within each album between 2002-2009, there were lyrics, and musical harmony that was of light, but it was steadily declining.

Now, "A Dramatic Turn of Events" really tells the story, of who members of DT are individually, and as a whole, and the direction they are heading. I have a post on "BANTERS & BRAWLS"(even though Im not banterin' or verbally brawlin' anyone), where I write about Being part of the Family of Light, and I feel in my heart, the JP, JM, JL, JR, and MM, are members of this family too, although, they definitely have become gods with their "divine gifts", as they have mastered the vibration of musical harmony. Come check it out, and please leave your comments.

We are all members of the Family of Light, and as I inteprete this album and in particular "Outcry"; DT is letting us know, this is where we stand, come join the "war to end all wars", and feel, and know deep within ourselves, our hearts, and minds, and all that we are, that a new reality is among us, and no longer will we be defined by the dark. We have learned to love the dark, and embrace it because it is part of us, but We will not be defined by the dark anymore, we will be defined by the light and love, and other harmonic, higher vibrational frequencies.

DT is moving into this new reality, and they are our way showers. This album marks the new reality that is DT, and next albums will be felt throughout this universe.

May Peace, Respect, Light, Love, and Harmony be with us, all, at this juncture in our lives. May Oneness Bless Us All.

I find This Is The Life and Breaking All Illusions to be very uplifting, 2 of my favorites on the album.

I too love that life affirming style DT are capable of producing. But chose not to for the last couple of albums. This one was a wonderful return to that proggy, uplifting style of Images and Words. Breaking All Illusions is one of their most wonderful songs in years. Myung ought to write at least one track on every album from now on!

I find Octavarium to be a cathartic, uplifting album, too. Maybe it's just me.

i love this album a lot! i can say i love every track on the album. Even the ballads which usually take some time to sink in for me really hit me on this one.

This album is right up there with octavarium and awake for me as my favorites. (too hard to choose 1 favorite!!)