DT to play the whole I&W in full next year!

[SystematicThought]

The only thing I think they ought to change in the set list is the order of the first set.  I am a big believer in the first two songs being big crowd pleasers, and while The Bigger Picture is great, it being the second song just seems odd, just like The Shattered Fortress being second on the Along for the Ride tour was odd.  They seem to like putting a somewhat newer song they hadn't played yet live as the second song, but I think something like that is better suited for the middle of the set list.  Bust out a couple of live mainstays before going with something that has never been played before.

I just figured they did TSF second because it's so intense for MM that he wouldn't have as much energy to do it later.

[Dream Team]

Since I'm a drummer and not a 🎸 player: does tuning down just mean that all strings for both JP and JM are tuned down a half-step and doesn't require learning new fingerings?

[NOMAC2107]

Since I'm a drummer and not a 🎸 player: does tuning down just mean that all strings for both JP and JM are tuned down a half-step and doesn't require learning new fingerings?

Mostly the same, but a fingering may be changed if a note sounds quite strange. I've found that certain chords sound a little different, even if fingered the same, than how they should.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Since I'm a drummer and not a 🎸 player: does tuning down just mean that all strings for both JP and JM are tuned down a half-step and doesn't require learning new fingerings?

Yeah, that's what Metallica does. All their strings are downtuned 1 half step and they play the songs just like they would've played them in the E standard tuning.

[rumborak]

A lot of stuff JP plays relies on open strings and specific layouts on the fretboard. I'd be surprised if he went through the pain of adjusting any of that.

But, the guitar is always the instrument that is affected the most by downtuning. The reason for that is, guitar strings are specifically designed to be under the tension that achieves the intended pitch. So, tuning a low E string to Eb isn't the same sound as a string designed to be tuned to Eb (is there was such a thing).
So, I certainly don't have perfect pitch, but I can always tell a downtuned guitar because the timbre of the strings sounds off.

[Evai]

He probably changed string gauges to compensate for the loss of tension

[noxon]

It's not that strings are intended to be of a certain tuning, but lower tuning does require thicker strings which in turnmore tension for it to sound good. But we're not talking half step down, more like going to a open C chord or something or other "djentish" sounds. Going even further down requires even more tension, which is why you often see the bug 8-string guitars (and even some 7-string guitars) being made with fanned frets - - as it compensates for the thicker string.

Tuning down as Metallica (and now DT) does shouldn't require much difference in the guitar setup (unless their guitar techs are idiots). Maybe some saddle-adjustments for intonation.

[rumborak]

It's not that strings are intended to be of a certain tuning, but lower tuning does require thicker strings

Um, why do you think string boxes come labeled with exactly the tuning they are intended for? You can even buy specific "drop D" string sets, because even an E string downtuned to D sounds different in timbre.
The strings are absolutely designed to sound best at their target pitch, no question about it.

And if you don't believe me, do an experiment. Record a G note on a regularly tuned E string. Then downtune the E to Eb, and record a G (now of course on the fourth fret). Compare the sound, they will be different.

[MirrorMask]

So, in the end... what exactly was the deal with the Epica album and The Dark Eternal Night? it had to do with the alphabetic order of songs and album titles?

[ToT-147]

So, in the end... what exactly was the deal with the Epica album and The Dark Eternal Night? it had to do with the alphabetic order of songs and album titles?

Yes.. Apparently Bosk doesn't have WDADU (this we already knew) and Train of Thought on his computer, so several minutes after listening TDEN, album: SC, artist: DT, the player went to the next artist: Epica..

[aprilethereal]

Apparently they're leaving out A Life Left Behind and TSCO now. Can anybody confirm that?

EDIT: Yup.

[Dream Team]

Apparently they're leaving out A Life Left Behind and TSCO now. Can anybody confirm that?

EDIT: Yup.

And leaving in AIA. 

[IDontNotDoThings]

So, in the end... what exactly was the deal with the Epica album and The Dark Eternal Night? it had to do with the alphabetic order of songs and album titles?

Yes.. Apparently Bosk doesn't have WDADU (this we already knew) and Train of Thought on his computer, so several minutes after listening TDEN, album: SC, artist: DT, the player went to the next artist: Epica..

Bosk had reordered his SC album to have TDEN as the last song.

[noxon]

Um, why do you think string boxes come labeled with exactly the tuning they are intended for? You can even buy specific "drop D" string sets, because even an E string downtuned to D sounds different in timbre.

https://www.ernieball.com/guitar-strings/electric-guitar-strings/slinky-nickel-wound-electric-guitar-strings#P02221

String gauge has more to do with tension than anything else - but of course a thinner string may sound a bit thinner since it has less metal to interact with the coil with - but not much difference through an amp. The main reason I play with 9 gauge strings (regular slinky) is because it's lower tension than going for a 10 gauge, and is much easier to do wild bends with. Soundwise, not that much of a noticable difference, a bit darker tone with heavier strings, but thats it.

The reason they label stuff is to make it easier for people to string a guitar. EADGBe is the standard tuning, so it's easier to just say "this is the E string, put it there" than say "this is the 46 string, you should figure out for yourself where it goes on the guitar".

There's no set "gauge" to use for a "drop D" tuning, but since you want the correct tension it may be advisable to go for a 52 gauge instead of a 46 gauge. But you'll be fine going for a 46 too, it'll just have a slightly more sloppier reaction due to the decreased tension on the string.

But don't take my word for it: https://ehomerecordingstudio.com/best-guitar-strings/

[ToT-147]

So, in the end... what exactly was the deal with the Epica album and The Dark Eternal Night? it had to do with the alphabetic order of songs and album titles?

Yes.. Apparently Bosk doesn't have WDADU (this we already knew) and Train of Thought on his computer, so several minutes after listening TDEN, album: SC, artist: DT, the player went to the next artist: Epica..

Bosk had reordered his SC album to have TDEN as the last song.

Right.. I forgot about that..

[Estiui]

So they shortened the setlist? 2 songs seems quite a lot, around 10 mins per night, how's that?

[cramx3]

So they shortened the setlist? 2 songs seems quite a lot, around 10 mins per night, how's that?

Have we been given a reason why?  Maybe after the first show they realized it is too much to perform that show every night?

[MirrorMask]

I believe they realized the show was too long. My show with 20 minutes of intermission lasted 3 hours basically on the clock. 60 precise minutes in the first set, 60 and more of I&W with all the extended outros and the drum solo, and 25 minutes of A Change of Seasons.

[cramx3]

I believe they realized the show was too long. My show with 20 minutes of intermission lasted 3 hours basically on the clock. 60 precise minutes in the first set, 60 and more of I&W with all the extended outros and the drum solo, and 25 minutes of A Change of Seasons.

But 3 hours including the intermission has been normal for them.  DT12 tour was like that, 3 hours on the dot.  Maybe these songs are just more strenuous for JLB? 

[Chino]

What songs got the axe?

[erwinrafael]

ALLB and TSCO are not really vocally challenging for JLB. According to somebody who watched the Rome show, it took them over 3 hours with those two songs included, so maybe it is the show length.

[Jinx]

Shame about ALLB not overly fussed about TSCO.

[jsbru]

I do love ALLB.

It doesn't make much sense that they only played them for two shows.  They're both kind of ballads, though, so maybe they thought Hell's Kitchen combined with the two ballads from I&W were enough.

[Architeuthis]

I'm ok with those two songs getting the axe..  Please do "NOT" cut The Bigger Picture, that needs to stay through the entire world tour!!

[RodrigoAltaf]

Hey, does anybody know what happens during the intermission? The video shown on the AFTR Tour was awesome!

[Architeuthis]

Hey, does anybody know what happens during the intermission? The video shown on the AFTR Tour was awesome!

You'll just need to see The Bigger Picture to find out..

[MirrorMask]

Hey, does anybody know what happens during the intermission?

Nothing. This time nothing happens. They even turned the house lights back on and put on the standard music.

[TheCountOfNYC]

Bummed about TSCO getting cut. I love that song dearly but haven't seen it live yet. I still need to see John play that solo in person.

[ReaperKK]

Really happy to see TSCO gone. That has been on one of my least favorite DT songs for years and I don't really care to see it again live.

[gmillerdrake]

Yo' Bosk....any inside info. as to when we might 'generally' expect the announcement of the US tour dates/cities?

[TAC]

Yo' Bosk....any inside info. as to when we might 'generally' expect the announcement of the US tour dates/cities?

I got this Bosk!




Soon..

[bosk1]

  I have no idea.  All I can say for certain is that it'll likely be before Atlanta wins a Super Bowl.

[cramx3]

  I have no idea.  All I can say for certain is that it'll likely be before Atlanta wins a Super Bowl.

burrnnn

[jsbru]

I do hope it's "soon."  My friends and I are chomping at the bit to make plans for this.  We're all pretty big fans of early DT.

[fadetoblackdude7]

It's pretty plain and clear that most people are sick of TSCO, and I'm one of them. IMO, they should put that song on the shelf for a solid 10 years and play some other ballads that are as equally emotional (TA has provided a fair few) This way, when they finally dust it off and play it again, people will be delighted to hear it return and consider it a real treat!