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[Pro]

Progressive Metal Masters Dream Theater have released the following statement concerning their upcoming album "Dream Theater" set for release on September 24, 2013.

http://www.dreamtheater.net/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 6, 2013

DREAM THEATER UNVEILS MILESTONE NEW ALBUM;
GRAMMY®-NOMINATED ROCK ICONS TO RELEASE
FIRST-EVER SELF-TITLED COLLECTION;
WORLD TOUR TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON;
“DREAM THEATER” ARRIVES ON SEPTEMBER 24TH

Roadrunner Records has announced the eagerly anticipated new album from the legendary Dream Theater. “DREAM THEATER” – the first self-titled collection in the GRAMMY®-nominated band’s nearly three decade career – arrives at last on September 24th.

“DREAM THEATER” was recorded at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, New York, with founding guitarist John Petrucci producing and studio luminary Richard Chycki (Aerosmith, Rush) engineering and mixing. The album marks a brilliant new chapter for the always adventurous band, their first to have been written and recorded with drummer Mike Mangini wholly integrated into the creative process from the start.


“I see every new album as an opportunity to start over,” says Petrucci. “To either build or improve upon a direction that has been evolving over time or to completely break new ground. This is the first self-titled album of our career and there is nothing I can think of that makes a statement of musical and creative identity stronger than that. We’ve fully explored all of the elements that make us unique, from the epic and intense to the atmospheric and cinematic. We’re incredibly excited about ‘DREAM THEATER’ and can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

“DREAM THEATER” will be available in a wide range of distinctive versions, including standard and special edition CDs, 180 Gram Vinyl Double LP, and a Limited Edition Box Set. Pre-orders are scheduled to get underway sometime in July at the Roadrunner Records Webstore.

“DREAM THEATER” follows 2011’s acclaimed “A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS.” That album – highlighted by “On The Backs Of Angels,” which earned the iconic band its first ever GRAMMY® Award nomination (in the “Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance” category) – proved one of Dream Theater’s most successful, making top 10 chart debuts in 14 countries, including our own Billboard 200. “A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS” was hailed for its ambition, complexity, and sheer melodic power, with Japan’s influential BURRN! naming it as the year’s “Best Album.”

Furthermore, the special edition CD/DVD set of “A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS” included “The Spirit Carries On” – a 60-minute movie documenting Dream Theater’s drummer auditions, which resulted in the addition of the gifted Mangini. The challenge spurred Dream Theater to extraordinary artistic heights on “A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS” and the epic world tour that followed. Long known as one of hard rock’s most powerful live acts, the recalibrated band hit the road hard in celebration of the acclaimed album, a 15-month trek which saw sold out headline shows in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Central America, and South America.

With total sales exceeding 10 million albums and DVDs worldwide, Dream Theater have long stood among the upper echelon of hard rock giants. Albums such as 1992’s RIAA gold-certified classic “IMAGES & WORDS” (featuring the breakthrough top 10 single, “Pull Me Under&#8221 have earned the Long Island-based band countless accolades for their visionary synthesis of melodic power and virtuosic experimentation, including being named as one of Rolling Stone’s top 10 “Best Prog Rock Bands of All time.”

Since uniting with Roadrunner in 2007, Dream Theater has unleashed a series of remarkable albums, each work revealing stunning new musical facets and creative avenues. 2009’s “BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS” proved a milestone, debuting at #6 on the Billboard 200 – the band’s highest album chart debut to date.

Dream Theater will tour in support of “DREAM THEATER” – full details will be announced soon. For up-to-the-minute news and information, please visit www.dreamtheater.net/tourdates.

Dream Theater is: John Petrucci (guitar), John Myung (bass), James LaBrie (vocals), Jordan Rudess (keyboards and continuum) and Mike Mangini (drums).

Official Cover

Track Listing

1. FALSE AWAKENING SUITE
i. Sleep Paralysis
ii. Night Terrors
iii. Lucid Dream

2. THE ENEMY INSIDE

3. THE LOOKING GLASS

4. ENIGMA MACHINE

5. THE BIGGER PICTURE

6. BEHIND THE VEIL

7. SURRENDER TO REASON

8. ALONG FOR THE RIDE

9. ILLUMINATION THEORY
i. Paradoxe de la Lumière Noire
ii. Live, Die, Kill
iii. The Embracing Circle
iv. The Pursuit of Truth
v. Surrender, Trust & Passion

In Studio Episodes - The Making of Dream Theater

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4

Track Releases

Track 2 - The Enemy Inside
Track 8 - Along For The Ride

Pre-Order Information

Dream Theater will be available in a wide range of distinctive versions, including standard and special edition CDs, 180 gram double LP, and a limited edition boxed set. Pre-orders are available now at the Roadrunner Records Webstore. http://store.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/dream-theater.html. The iTunes digital pre-order is also available at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dream-theater/id676891642?ign-mpt=uo=4. Here you can already purchase the first released track The Enemy Inside for $1.29.

 

[Moral Panic]

More 10 minute tracks?

 

[Pro]

More 10 minute tracks?

Most assuredly. The idea of the album being their first self-titled album is to encompass everything that has made them what they are today over the past 28 years.

 

[ClassyPenguin]

Petrucci does indeed lift.

 

[that1dude24]

haven't been a huge fan of their recent output, hopefully this album turns out to be pretty good.

 

[ComputerMKII]

Dream Theater made a great album with Metropolis Part 2 but most of their music is soulless wankery with terrible vocals. I am not excited for their new album.

 

[Pro]

Petrucci does indeed lift.

 

[Pro]

Dream Theater made a great album with Metropolis Part 2 but most of their music is soulless wankery with terrible vocals. I am not excited for their new album.

Metropolis Part 2 is still their best album to date. Hard to improve upon a Concept Album written after they broke free of a bad record label and were allowed to do whatever they wanted. In addition, this was Jordan Rudess' debut album so it had a lot of good things going for it. I've enjoyed every album since however and do look forward to the new one with the same anticipation as always. Their talent is just to high to ignore.

 

[Moral Panic]

Most assuredly. The idea of the album being their first self-titled album is to encompass everything that has made them what they are today over the past 28 years.

I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I first learned of them via Rock Band. Some of their track lengths are ridiculous though, wonder if this album will have an even longer one.

 

[strafer]

Portnoy

 

[Pro]

I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I first learned of them via Rock Band. Some of their track lengths are ridiculous though, wonder if this album will have an even longer one.

Octavarium - 24:00
In the Presence of Enemies - 25:38
Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence - 42:02

But that's not fair to say they only write lengthy songs. They have so much content there are plenty of 5-8 minute songs.

 

[ComputerMKII]

Octavarium - 24:00
In the Presence of Enemies - 25:38
Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence - 42:02

But that's not fair to say they only write lengthy songs. They have so much content there are plenty of 5-8 minute songs.

5-8 minutes is long.

 

[Pro]

5-8 minutes is long.

It's typical metal length. Insert discussion on how metal writing is the best because it is composed of the most talented musicians who incorporate the most difficult songwriting techniques and tell in depth stories in their lyrics. Subjective opinions of course

Spoiler

Or Fact

 

[Altazor]

as far as I'm concerned, their previous album was a step in the right direction, felt more Dream Theater than the usual Portnoy "LET'S JUST MIMIC THIS CURRENT BAND I'M LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW". I hope this one improves on that.

and no, I don't miss Portnoy one bit.

 

[XenoRaven]

What happened to Portnoy? I haven't been following DT lately.

 

[Altazor]

Left the band/was kicked out. Basically, he wanted the band to be in a hiatus while he participated on some sideprojects (and he has a lot of those). The rest of the band felt they couldn't afford a hiatus and didn't want to stop.

 

[Pro]

What happened to Portnoy? I haven't been following DT lately.

Left DT back in 2010. Filled in for Avenged Sevenfold when The Rev died and there is a lot of speculation that this led to him wanting to leave DT...that he was burnt out on DT and happy playing with newer people. There was a lot of drama. He asked to get back in DT but they had already chosen Mangini by this point and couldn't let Mangini go after he already quit his professor job to join the band. So long story short Portnoy went on to form Adrenaline Mob and Winery Dogs with various Prog guys and does this now.

 

[ElyrionX]

So awesome. Can't wait.

 

[Shadow2222]

Hell yeah. DT is my favorite band of all time. I have memorabilia, all their albums released on vinyl, signed items from every current and former member of the band, and I've done a meet and greet with DT's current lineup and with Mike Portnoy.

 

[Pro]

as far as I'm concerned, their previous album was a step in the right direction, felt more Dream Theater than the usual Portnoy "LET'S JUST MIMIC THIS CURRENT BAND I'M LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW". I hope this one improves on that.

and no, I don't miss Portnoy one bit.

I miss him. He'll always be my fav drummer. He got me into drumming, but at the same time, DT is just fine without him and there's nothing negative about Mangini. All talented guys.

 

[Hugo!]

I will probably love this album but I find this title really stupid...anyway I'm curious to listen to Mangini's drums since he wasn't involved in the creative aspect of the last album.

 

[Pro]

I will probably love this album but I find this title really stupid...anyway I'm curious to listen to Mangini's drums since he wasn't involved in the creative aspect of the last album.

Yes!

 

[RDreamer]

as far as I'm concerned, their previous album was a step in the right direction, felt more Dream Theater than the usual Portnoy "LET'S JUST MIMIC THIS CURRENT BAND I'M LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW". I hope this one improves on that.

and no, I don't miss Portnoy one bit.

Mostly the same here. I feel like he was an amazing drummer, for sure, perhaps better than Mangini, but their direction with him at the helm was pretty stagnant. I'm hopeful since A Dramatic Turn of Events was pretty good.

 

[Pro]

Mostly the same here. I feel like he was an amazing drummer, for sure, perhaps better than Mangini, but their direction with him at the helm was pretty stagnant. I'm hopeful since A Dramatic Turn of Events was pretty good.

It's refreshing to hear logical statements like this. As much as I like Portnoy, I can agree with this line of thinking and the pros that come with a new mind in Mangini. Excited to see what he'll bring to the table on the new album. Video mentions how some of his impromptu parts made it into the final cut.

 

[Fenderputty]

So I know this if a new DT album thread and all, but still the best place to ask. You think Liquid Tension Experiment will ever get together again? I saw them the last time they got together and it was amazing. Some small venue in downey CA area.

Also ... I've enjoyed pretty much all their stuff. I was never a huge fan of Lebrie, so the newer stuff is nice to me. He's more toned down because he can't hit the notes like he used to.

I enjoyed Mangini on the last alum as well.

 

[Pro]

So I know this if a new DT album thread and all, but still the best place to ask. You think Liquid Tension Experiment will ever get together again? I saw them the last time they got together and it was amazing. Some small venue in downey CA area.

Also ... I've enjoyed pretty much all their stuff. I was never a huge fan of Lebrie, so the newer stuff is nice to me. He's more toned down because he can't hit the notes like he used to.

I enjoyed Mangini on the last alum as well.

Hard to say. From what I understand, Portnoy still hasn't talked with the other guys since he left the band. That being said, I don't see how they can cut off contact forever given 25 years of brotherhood together. It sure would create a lot of buzz in the Prog community if it happened though.

 

[Altazor]

So I know this if a new DT album thread and all, but still the best place to ask. You think Liquid Tension Experiment will ever get together again? I saw them the last time they got together and it was amazing. Some small venue in downey CA area.

I don't think Petrucci/Rudess and Portnoy are on speaking terms, so... I don't think they'll reunite any time soon. And if Petrucci, Rudess, Levin and Mangini form a new band, it'd be a bit different I think.

 

[Fenderputty]

LTE chances of getting back together is the worst thing about Portnoy leaving.

I loved Portnoy too. I enjoyed all the alumbs everyone hates. Mangini will be a nice change though.

 

[sparky2112]

I believe Portnoy has spoken to one or two of the guys in the last six months or so. Seem to remember that from his last Twitter Q&A.

I have to say, I have listened to Dramatic Turn A LOT, and find it a really strong disc, and that's not even considering it was written without a *major* contributor (Portnoy). Can't wait for the new stuff.

 

[that1dude24]

So I know this if a new DT album thread and all, but still the best place to ask. You think Liquid Tension Experiment will ever get together again? I saw them the last time they got together and it was amazing. Some small venue in downey CA area.

i'm insanely jealous. love liquid tension experiment, hopefully they get back together for something before they all turn 75.

 

[The Boat]

They never surpassed Metropolis pt 2, but Dramatic was good so I'm still psyched for this. Mangini's no Portnoy, but the guy's awesome too. Hell, seeing a Mangini drum workshop live was what got me listening to more prog metal.

 

[Fenderputty]

i'm insanely jealous. love liquid tension experiment, hopefully they get back together for something before they all turn 75.

This is the show I went to. Small venue. Less than 1000 all seated. One of my top 5 shows ever.

http://www.calprog.com/LTE_Gig_Pics.htm

EDIT: I think Six Degrees is DT's best.

 

[Pro]

Watched DT open for Iron Maiden once. I went for the DT but I love Maiden too so the show was killer.

 

[allisolm]

Haven't been good since

 

[Manu]

as far as I'm concerned, their previous album was a step in the right direction, felt more Dream Theater than the usual Portnoy "LET'S JUST MIMIC THIS CURRENT BAND I'M LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW". I hope this one improves on that.

and no, I don't miss Portnoy one bit.

My man.

This seems to be a "do or die" album, I have high expectations for it.

 

[Kusagari]

Images and Words and Scenes From A Memory are their peak.

Hopefully they somehow find the magic of Scenes again.

 

[Pro]

My man.

This seems to be a "do or die" album, I have high expectations for it.

It won't be do or die. This will be their 12th Studio Album to go along with multiple Live Performance releases (the new Live at Luna Park being released later this year as well). When you go this long in your career and have a solid, global fan base built up you just keep on ticking until you get too old to do it anymore. Portnoy would talk about the Dream Theater machine and how he built it to a point where it will just continue to run. They adhere to a pretty consistent schedule of releasing a new album every 2 years and then touring to release a Live DVD. If they were dependent on popularity they wouldn't have lasted half this long.

 

[sqwarlock]

Just keep moving in the direction that A Dramatic Turn... took and I'll be happy. I've only missed a couple of DT concerts since I became a fan in 2004, and that's only because they didn't come through Phoenix. To say they're one of my favorite bands is putting it mildly.

 

[Altazor]

EDIT: I think Six Degrees is DT's best.

I think Disc 1 is, to me, one of the most creative things they ever did. Blind Faith, except for the chorus, is amazing prog-metal.

On the other hand, Disc 2... um. There are good parts but nothing on there makes me go "wow", though the Goodnight Kiss guitar solo comes damn close.

So... I guess I'd consider SDOIT Disc 1 amongst their best work, and Disc 2 would be not bad but not really great either. At least I like it better than most of the things they did afterwards.

 

[Pro]

SDOIT is really good. Disappear is their saddest song next to Space-Dye Vest. Space-Dye Vest is just depressing. But both show how emotional the band can be. Beneath the Surface falls in this category too (which I still maintain is about Portnoy regarless of what the band says).

 

[TheExodu5]

Liquid Tension Experiment 2 is their best album. LTE may as well be Dream Theater, with the added bonus of not having their terrible vocalist.

If I have to pick from the actual DT albums, it'll be Scenes From a Memory if only for The Dance of Eternity.

 

[Altazor]

SDOIT is really good. Disappear is their saddest song next to Space-Dye Vest. Space-Dye Vest is just depressing. But both show how emotional the band can be. Beneath the Surface falls in this category too (which I still maintain is about Portnoy regarless of what the band says).

Absolutely agreed regarding Disappear and SDV, love both of them (even if SDV is more Kevin Moore feat. Dream Theater than a song by DT).

which reminds, goddamn I miss Kevin Moore.

 

[ElyrionX]

I don't think Petrucci/Rudess and Portnoy are on speaking terms, so... I don't think they'll reunite any time soon. And if Petrucci, Rudess, Levin and Mangini form a new band, it'd be a bit different I think.

If anything, Rudess and Petrucci are the ones out of the whole band who are more likely to be speaking to Portnoy.

And along with some of the guys in here, I am a huge fan of DT. I have seen them four times live. Twice was during the most recent Asian tour. Saw them once when they came to Singapore and then I flew to Taiwan to see them again.

 

[Pro]

I'll keep the OP updated when new information gets released. I imagine new Making Of Episodes will be released periodically until the album's release date. Also more pre-order information should be available come July.

 

[Manu]

It won't be do or die. This will be their 12th Studio Album to go along with multiple Live Performance releases (the new Live at Luna Park being released later this year as well). When you go this long in your career and have a solid, global fan base built up you just keep on ticking until you get too old to do it anymore. Portnoy would talk about the Dream Theater machine and how he built it to a point where it will just continue to run. They adhere to a pretty consistent schedule of releasing a new album every 2 years and then touring to release a Live DVD. If they were dependent on popularity they wouldn't have lasted half this long.

I think it's "do or die" because they played it safe with A Dramatic Turn of Events (which I really liked, but it was their most by-the-numbers album ever, some of the songs even were almost re-writes of older songs) and now's the time to show they can actually continue without Portnoy and see what Mangini can bring to the table.

 

[Altazor]

If anything, Rudess and Petrucci are the ones out of the whole band who are more likely to be speaking to Portnoy.

Hm, yes, probably. I don't think LaBrie would like to speak to him again, IIRC they didn't get along very well and Portnoy had expressed his intention of replacing the singer on a couple of occasions. And Myung... well, the fact that he immediately began writing lyrics again speaks for itself, I guess :lol

 

[Pro]

Updated the OP with a link to the Official Cover of the album, the Track Listing, and a link to Episode 2 of the "In Studio" Making Of documentary.

 

[Pro]

First album single released. The Enemy Inside. Check the OP for the track listing. It's pretty BA. Fast tempo for a DT song. Reminds me of Panic Attack mixed with some Symphony X Set the World on Fire (the drums are similar). Shaping up to be another great album.

 

[Manu]

Yeah, there was another thread for the single.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=644615

 

[Pro]

OP Updated with new track "Along For The Ride". Still keeping the thread updated.