*Official* The Astonishing discussion thread

[Mladen]

What's Lord Nafaryus' first name ?

Neil.

Neil before Nafaryus

[Kotowboy]

Finally some recognition.

[Rattlehead]

I finally got around to listening to this album and I'm really enjoying it so far I am going to see them at Radio City on Saturday so I'm trying to familiarize myself with the new material as much as possible. Favorite tracks so far are A Better Life and Lord Nafaryus.

[Bertielee]

I finally got around to listening to this album and I'm really enjoying it so far I am going to see them at Radio City on Saturday so I'm trying to familiarize myself with the new material as much as possible. Favorite tracks so far are A Better Life and Lord Nafaryus.

LN is my fave also. Well, for that matter, almost the whole of Act I is my fave.

B.Lee

[Grizz]

I find that this album is seriously hurt by its odd structure (lots of dying down in the middle of the first act which makes it drag and a hell of a lot of 80s-sounding guitar solos) and its excessive amount of slower songs. However, seeing it live gave me more appreciation for much of it. I like the album until The Answer, but then it picks up again until Gabriel opens his mouth in Savior in the Square. Unfortunately this part really kills the album because this part is a total cheesefest and I despise Act of Faythe. Thankfully I can wash it down with Three Days. Brother Can You Hear Me is decent, but the lyrics bother me because they tried way too hard and it's just like "We get it, he's gonna surrender and yield to his demands, he's gonna not stand together and fall as a result, he'll forsake him and let his brother dowwwwwnnnnn." The rest of Act 1 is kind of bland and draggy imo, except for A New Beginning, which I definitely didn't appreciate enough until I heard it live.
Act II has a great opening. Moment of Betrayal reminds me of Operation Mindcrime for some reason. I like the uniqueness of Hymn of a Thousand Voices. I find most of the rest of Act II kind of bland as well, but better than the bland parts of Act I.
A couple things that drive me nuts:
Act of Faythe. A bland song for the most part but then there's a build up and then... "MAH MUSIC PLAYAH!" Really? That's worse than The Best of Times right there.
LaBrie's laughter in 3 days. Makes me think of Scut Farkus.

[comment]

What's Lord Nafaryus' first name ?

Neil.

Neil before Nafaryus

[comment]

..and then... "MAH MUSIC PLAYAH!" Really? That's worse than The Best of Times right there.
LaBrie's laughter in 3 days. Makes me think of Scut Farkus.

[comment]

Love this album! 

At first it needed to grow on me a bit and I skipped around a lot.  The first ones I would revisit were:  Our New World, Dystopian Overture, Moment of Betrayal, The Gift of Music, A Life Left Behind, A New Beginning, 2285 ... Even Descent of the Nomacs and Machine Chatter.

Lately my favorites have been Chosen, X Aspect and Losing Faythe.  It's the powerful crescendos and melodies I love on these.

There are snipits that don't do it for me still...  The Answer, Lord Nafaryus,.. I love the guitar on Savior In The Square, but I don't like the "We have come to hear you sing". interruption.. 

My biggest criticism:  The Astonishing needs more "cow bell" being the final track with a title like that...  With a name like that I thought it would be DTs magnum opus of all time.  However, I do think it sounds good, I just expected more.  Same applies to Hymn of 1000. 

As a whole the album is awesome and I can just let it play and play and not get tired of it.  Looking forward to seeing it live this Sunday in Baltimore!   

[Dream Team]

Just realized lately how much I like the drumming in ONW. Relatively simple, but spot on.

[SystematicThought]

Just realized lately how much I like the drumming in ONW. Relatively simple, but spot on.

Agreeed. Mathias's drum cover really helped me understand the nuances of MM's playing on the track. It fits the music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30f3B3c_cbM

[comment]

It's intermission here in Baltimore.  The fist part was awesome!  They all sound great.  The bass drums are a little overpowering, but it's all good.  James took a break in the lyrics of... I don't remember which song and says.  "I'm choking on my spit!"  Lol

This times great album live with the visuals...

The Nomac display takes your pic and gives you a name..  😝  I'm "Jayme" from the Empire. 

Everyone that has a chance, I suggest catching this album live.  Soooo good!

[erwinrafael]

Just realized lately how much I like the drumming in ONW. Relatively simple, but spot on.

Agreeed. Mathias's drum cover really helped me understand the nuances of MM's playing on the track. It fits the music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30f3B3c_cbM

That is Mangini's approach to drumming even before Dream Theater. He compose his drum parts based on how it complements what the other instruments are doing and what the feel of the song needs. The drum parts sound relatively simple because they fit and and do not call attention to themselves. However, when you try to play the parts, a lot of them are actually difficult to pull off, especially when MM highlights more than one instrument while trying to keep a regular beat at the same time.

[KevShmev]

Just realized lately how much I like the drumming in ONW. Relatively simple, but spot on.

For sure. Not sure why, but I have noticed that TA has many more air drum-worthy moments than ADTOE or DT12 did (and I am a big fan of all three albums).

[SystematicThought]

It's such a small part and I have no clue why I like it so much, but the 8th notes on the kicks at the very end of Moment of Betrayal is one of my favorite parts on the whole album. I've liked it since it appeared at the end of the trailer in January

[romanticrocker]

Still think it could of been better if they had different singers do each character seriously how are we suppose to tell when faythe is singing lol thank god they have an site the gives a nice detail of each song

[erwinrafael]

Still think it could of been better if they had different singers do each character seriously how are we suppose to tell when faythe is singing lol thank god they have an site the gives a nice detail of each song

JLB uses a different vocal delivery when it is Faythe. It is noticeable in the Ravenskill conversation between Faythe and Arhys.

[Luoto]

Still think it could of been better if they had different singers do each character seriously how are we suppose to tell when faythe is singing lol thank god they have an site the gives a nice detail of each song

JLB uses a different vocal delivery when it is Faythe. It is noticeable in the Ravenskill conversation between Faythe and Arhys.

Plus Faythe has one of the most prominent musical themes attached to her. Remember that music was written first based on the script, and lyrical arrangement was done last.

[romanticrocker]

Still think it could of been better if they had different singers do each character seriously how are we suppose to tell when faythe is singing lol thank god they have an site the gives a nice detail of each song

JLB uses a different vocal delivery when it is Faythe. It is noticeable in the Ravenskill conversation between Faythe and Arhys.

For real I never noticed I'll pay more attention next time I know he uses it for nafaryus

[romanticrocker]

Still think it could of been better if they had different singers do each character seriously how are we suppose to tell when faythe is singing lol thank god they have an site the gives a nice detail of each song

JLB uses a different vocal delivery when it is Faythe. It is noticeable in the Ravenskill conversation between Faythe and Arhys.

Plus Faythe has one of the most prominent musical themes attached to her. Remember that music was written first based on the script, and lyrical arrangement was done last.

what I'm going to do is read the lyrics while listen to the album since they give a great detail of each song and what character is singing each part I read half of it yesterday and it's pretty awesome can't believe all the work they put into this album I think it would make a hell of a movie or musical if they don't get a Grammy for this album then I don't know what will earn them one

[Shadow2222]

At the Cincinnati show last night, James said they just filmed a video for Our New World, so that's something to look forward to.

[BlobVanDam]

Great choice of song to go with too.

[Kotowboy]

Yes ! Great news !

[Prog Snob]

Great choice of song to go with too.

Agreed! It's one of my favorites.

[mikeyd23]

Did they film live footage of the band performing the song for the music video? I thought I saw someone else say that...

[BlobVanDam]

Great choice of song to go with too.

Agreed! It's one of my favorites.

Definitely one of my favourites from the album, and I think it's also one of the songs that works best out of the context of the whole. The lyrics aren't too specific, it musically feels self contained, and it's a strong song, instantly kicking off with a great riff, has a catchy chorus, and a killer guitar solo.
I'm interested to see what they choose to do for the video, whether it's just them in a room performing, or whether they'll include some of the animation again.

[Prog Snob]

Great choice of song to go with too.

Agreed! It's one of my favorites.

Definitely one of my favourites from the album, and I think it's also one of the songs that works best out of the context of the whole. The lyrics aren't too specific, it musically feels self contained, and it's a strong song, instantly kicking off with a great riff, has a catchy chorus, and a killer guitar solo.
I'm interested to see what they choose to do for the video, whether it's just them in a room performing, or whether they'll include some of the animation again.

It'll probably be the same as The Looking Glass with some minor animations included. It would be great if they could get a couple of actors to play Faythe and Gabriel in the video.

The song itself completely reminds me of Six Degrees (About to Crash & Reprise). It has a good upbeat feel to it.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

If they market it correctly, the song really has a chance to go down as one of the great guitar songs, similar to Under a Glass Moon. It's got an awesome riff, the whole song revolves around the riff, and it's got a couple of melodic, roaring solos as well.

[ZirconBlue]

Did they film live footage of the band performing the song for the music video? I thought I saw someone else say that...

I think they're just going to use some fans' cell-phone videos.

[mikeyd23]

Did they film live footage of the band performing the song for the music video? I thought I saw someone else say that...

I think they're just going to use some fans' cell-phone videos.

[Prog Snob]

Did they film live footage of the band performing the song for the music video? I thought I saw someone else say that...

I think they're just going to use some fans' cell-phone videos.

[King Postwhore]

 

OH NO YOU DI'INT!!

[Kotowboy]

I wouldn't mind a "tour journal" type video a la Wither...

But seeing as it's part of The Astonishing - it will probably be similar to The Gift Of Music.

[cramx3]

Great choice of song to go with too.

Agreed! It's one of my favorites.

Definitely one of my favourites from the album, and I think it's also one of the songs that works best out of the context of the whole. The lyrics aren't too specific, it musically feels self contained, and it's a strong song, instantly kicking off with a great riff, has a catchy chorus, and a killer guitar solo.
I'm interested to see what they choose to do for the video, whether it's just them in a room performing, or whether they'll include some of the animation again.

It'll probably be the same as The Looking Glass with some minor animations included. It would be great if they could get a couple of actors to play Faythe and Gabriel in the video.

The song itself completely reminds me of Six Degrees (About to Crash & Reprise). It has a good upbeat feel to it.

This was never a top song for me from the album, although I do enjoy it, but it definitely has a good upbeat feel plus seeing it live was awesome because it was at the point int he concert where people finally stood and got to rock out so that has added some more likes from me for this song.  I do think it's a good choice for a music video too, actually has some marketability to people outside of the prog metal genre.

[Prog Snob]

Great choice of song to go with too.

Agreed! It's one of my favorites.

Definitely one of my favourites from the album, and I think it's also one of the songs that works best out of the context of the whole. The lyrics aren't too specific, it musically feels self contained, and it's a strong song, instantly kicking off with a great riff, has a catchy chorus, and a killer guitar solo.
I'm interested to see what they choose to do for the video, whether it's just them in a room performing, or whether they'll include some of the animation again.

It'll probably be the same as The Looking Glass with some minor animations included. It would be great if they could get a couple of actors to play Faythe and Gabriel in the video.

The song itself completely reminds me of Six Degrees (About to Crash & Reprise). It has a good upbeat feel to it.

This was never a top song for me from the album, although I do enjoy it, but it definitely has a good upbeat feel plus seeing it live was awesome because it was at the point int he concert where people finally stood and got to rock out so that has added some more likes from me for this song.  I do think it's a good choice for a music video too, actually has some marketability to people outside of the prog metal genre.

Obviously. Blob likes it.   

[ThatcrazyKISSfan]

I was at the Cinct show last night. Great show. I really hope they have another US tour. That album took a while to grow on me. I'd love another chance to see it.