Parasomnia Timeline Thread

[Mr.Mister]

So this is totally borrowed from South Park's creators talking about how to write stories but I think it applies to my hopes for DT16. They argue when you write a story if the structure is that of "and then this happen, and then this happen" is not as interesting as "but then this happens". When I think of the songs/albums I like the most I can see that same logic. For instance, Octavarium is a song that keeps you guessing, the first 5 min and the sounds at min 12, and the at the end are not what you expect, and yet, they are cohesive to the song.

Even for TA there were moments in that album that I love to this day because they did not follow the traditional song structure. I can think of the ending to AVFTTOTW song, weird? Yes but I was so happy it wasn't the expected quasi-mandatory crescendo happy ending that come from these type of songs. Metropolis is another great example from their earlier days. One band that did this beautifully was A7X with their last record. Even if you don't like the sound I think we can appreciate it was interesting.

By the same token, when i think of the last two MP albums I remember seeing studio clips where it was like "exellent then you solo, then you solo, and then we come back to the chorus. One of the reasons I don't revisit these as much.

I hope they keep breaking these patterns, take me in directions you can't see coming.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I am cool with whatever they decide to do so long as it sounds like a Dream Theater album but isn't entirely predictable. I don't really have a desire to hear a Metropolis part III but I guess it could be cool if they were really musically inspired to write it.

[hefdaddy42]

Metropolis Pt. 3 is the worst thing they could do. 

[The Letter M]

Metropolis Pt. 3 is the worst thing they could do.

You're right. Sequels are so outdated. Prequels are the in-thing now. Let's see Metropolis Part 0, or METR0POLIS.

-Marc.

[hefdaddy42]

Metropolis Pt. 3 is the worst thing they could do.

You're right. Sequels are so outdated. Prequels are the in-thing now. Let's see Metropolis Part 0, or METR0POLIS.

-Marc.

GET OUT

[The Letter M]

Metropolis Pt. 3 is the worst thing they could do.

You're right. Sequels are so outdated. Prequels are the in-thing now. Let's see Metropolis Part 0, or METR0POLIS.

-Marc.

GET OUT

I can see the promotional taglines now...

Mike Portnoy is back! Dream Theater are back! And this time, they're going back...WAY back...
Before Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory...
Before Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle & The Sleeper...
They're going back to...

METROPOLIS PART 0

-Marc.

[Mladen]

Of course we're skeptical of a Metropolis sequel at the moment, but if the guys come out a year from now with the Metropolis 3 announcement and talk about how the idea came organically, we will all be put in our place and will have to give it a chance. 

[hefdaddy42]

Of course we're skeptical of a Metropolis sequel at the moment, but if the guys come out a year from now with the Metropolis 3 announcement and talk about how the idea came organically, we will all be put in our place and will have to give it a chance. 

I will give ANYTHING they put out a chance.

But any hypothetical Metropolis Pt. 3 would basically have to be the consensus greatest thing they've ever done.  And the likelihood of that happening is near zero.  I see no upside to such a strategy.

[Dedalus]

Metropolis Pt. 3 is the worst thing they could do.

You're right. Sequels are so outdated. Prequels are the in-thing now. Let's see Metropolis Part 0, or METR0POLIS.

-Marc.

GET OUT

I can see the promotional taglines now...

Mike Portnoy is back! Dream Theater are back! And this time, they're going back...WAY back...
Before Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory...
Before Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle & The Sleeper...
They're going back to...

METROPOLIS PART 0

-Marc.

METRØPOLIS

[Mladen]

Of course we're skeptical of a Metropolis sequel at the moment, but if the guys come out a year from now with the Metropolis 3 announcement and talk about how the idea came organically, we will all be put in our place and will have to give it a chance. 

I will give ANYTHING they put out a chance.

But any hypothetical Metropolis Pt. 3 would basically have to be the consensus greatest thing they've ever done.  And the likelihood of that happening is near zero.  I see no upside to such a strategy.

I agree. Albums like Scenes from a memory are sort of sacred and shouldn't be touched in such a way. You can neither top them nor be even remotely equal in impact. However, Ian Anderson saw an upside to a strategy of doing Thick as a brick II, and so did Geoff Tate with Mindcrime 2. I don't know what the upside is either, but if John and Mike happen to figure it out and go that way, we will be in for an odd ride.

[gzarruk]

Metropolis Pt. 3 is the worst thing they could do.

You're right. Sequels are so outdated. Prequels are the in-thing now. Let's see Metropolis Part 0, or METR0POLIS.

-Marc.

GET OUT

I can see the promotional taglines now...

Mike Portnoy is back! Dream Theater are back! And this time, they're going back...WAY back...
Before Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory...
Before Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle & The Sleeper...
They're going back to...

METROPOLIS PART 0

-Marc.

METRØPOLIS

Missed opportunity to name it PREtropolis.

[KevShmev]

People who want a Metropolis Part 3 are the same type of people who were still begging for Peter Gabriel to return to Genesis 40 years after he left the band or are hoping for a Neal Morse return to Spock's Beard decades later.  Some people just can't get over it and move on.

[TAC]

.. are the same type of people who were still begging for Peter Gabriel to return to Genesis 40 years after he left the band

people want this??

[ReaPsTA]

Metropolis Pt. 3 is the worst thing they could do.

You're right. Sequels are so outdated. Prequels are the in-thing now. Let's see Metropolis Part 0, or METR0POLIS.

-Marc.

GET OUT

I can see the promotional taglines now...

Mike Portnoy is back! Dream Theater are back! And this time, they're going back...WAY back...
Before Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory...
Before Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle & The Sleeper...
They're going back to...

METROPOLIS PART 0

-Marc.

METRØPOLIS

Missed opportunity to name it PREtropolis.

This is getting schizo

[Setlist Scotty]

Metropolis Pt. 3 is the worst thing they could do.

You're right. Sequels are so outdated. Prequels are the in-thing now. Let's see Metropolis Part 0, or METR0POLIS.

-Marc.

GET OUT

I can see the promotional taglines now...

Mike Portnoy is back! Dream Theater are back! And this time, they're going back...WAY back...
Before Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory...
Before Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle & The Sleeper...
They're going back to...

METROPOLIS PART 0

-Marc.

METRØPOLIS

Missed opportunity to name it PREtropolis.

This is getting schizo

You mean schizø? 

[ReaPsTA]

I feel uncultured for not getting this reference

[Dedalus]

People who want a Metropolis Part 3 are the same type of people who were still begging for Peter Gabriel to return to Genesis 40 years after he left the band or are hoping for a Neal Morse return to Spock's Beard decades later.  Some people just can't get over it and move on.

Well, DT fans aren't very good at letting go and moving on, as we've noticed in recent years.

But I also think an MP3 would be a bad idea (although the acronym is excellent  ).

[The Letter M]

But I also think an MP3 would be a bad idea (although the acronym is excellent  ).

I hope they'll opt for løssless!

People who want a Metropolis Part 3 are the same type of people who were still begging for Peter Gabriel to return to Genesis 40 years after he left the band or are hoping for a Neal Morse return to Spock's Beard decades later. Some people just can't get over it and move on.

Yeah, it'd be like all those Portnoy fans who want to see him rejoin Dream The-...oh.

-Marc.

[heirtoruin]

But any hypothetical Metropolis Pt. 3 would basically have to be the consensus greatest thing they've ever done.  And the likelihood of that happening is near zero.  I see no upside to such a strategy.

Everyone could ask themselves how much they truly loved and still spin Operation Mindcrime 2 these days!!!!!

[HOF]

Nicholas: A Metropolis Story.

[pg1067]

.. are the same type of people who were still begging for Peter Gabriel to return to Genesis 40 years after he left the band

people want this??

Is there even a Genesis for him to return to?

Nicholas: A Metropolis Story.

Young Nicholas.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

[TAC]

Nicholas: A Metropolis Story.

St. Nicholas: A Christmas Story

[gzarruk]

 

[The Letter M]

Nicholas: A Metropolis Story.

St. Nicholas: A Christmas Story

This is where they insert "The Holiday Spirit Carries On" as the penultimate track. The album closer will be called "Buy One Get One Free" as it'll be a satire on Black Friday 'sales'. Also on the album will be "(I'll Be) Home (For The Holidays)", complete with moaning vocals in the instrumental break.

-Marc.

[Wim Kruithof]

People who want a Metropolis Part 3 are the same type of people who were still begging for Peter Gabriel to return to Genesis 40 years after he left the band or are hoping for a Neal Morse return to Spock's Beard decades later.  Some people just can't get over it and move on.

I like the idea of expending previous thoughts like Metropolis pt. III, Octavarium pt. II or even Black Clouds & Freakin' Thunder for all I care, but I see that puts me in a corner to be judged...

[nobloodyname]

I think the bottom of this particular barrel was reached quite a number of posts ago Come on DT, give us at least something

[Dedalus]

People who want a Metropolis Part 3 are the same type of people who were still begging for Peter Gabriel to return to Genesis 40 years after he left the band or are hoping for a Neal Morse return to Spock's Beard decades later.  Some people just can't get over it and move on.

I like the idea of expending previous train of thoughts like Metropolis pt. III, Octavarium pt. II or even Black Clouds & Freakin' Thunder for all I care, but I see that puts me in a corner to be judged...

[Pebsie]

We've (and by we I mean not me but I've been reading it all so I'm part of this too!!!!) spent a good 30 pages worth of forum posts now speculating on what this means and where they'll go and we're now over a month past the announcement and... nothing! A small Q&A with MP where he didn't say much of anything. I know they're all busy but man... if it were me I'd want to make sure all my ducks were in a row before announcing something this huge. The phenomenal momentum they generated has been all but lost. It's still exciting and I know we'll all swoon at the slightest hint of news over the next few months but I really really want to know the behind the scenes situation that forced them to reveal this before they had much of anything to announce alongside it.

[the_silent_man]

We've (and by we I mean not me but I've been reading it all so I'm part of this too!!!!) spent a good 30 pages worth of forum posts now speculating on what this means and where they'll go and we're now over a month past the announcement and... nothing! A small Q&A with MP where he didn't say much of anything. I know they're all busy but man... if it were me I'd want to make sure all my ducks were in a row before announcing something this huge. The phenomenal momentum they generated has been all but lost. It's still exciting and I know we'll all swoon at the slightest hint of news over the next few months but I really really want to know the behind the scenes situation that forced them to reveal this before they had much of anything to announce alongside it.

This. I posted a similar thing a week or so back and was effectively laughed at and that there was no more updates because Portnoy rejoining was not big news. Well, yes, not for music in general, but for the prog metal community I would say this is HUGE. DT are the biggest band in that community and MP is the most public figure.

Anyway, this thread has gone so far derailed now because of no updates. Is there anything on the new album at all? Is there even any timeline of when they're hitting the studio? Soon, or into next year?

Another thing I am really surprised at -  some of the big festivals have started announcing lineups for summer next year already and I would have thought DT would have jumped on that. Perhaps this will all come out soon. Appreciate they are all taking some well deserved time off, but I hope it's not radio silence until the new year. Feels like a wasted opportunity to capitalise on this news...

[TAC]

We've (and by we I mean not me but I've been reading it all so I'm part of this too!!!!) spent a good 30 pages worth of forum posts now speculating on what this means and where they'll go and we're now over a month past the announcement and... nothing! A small Q&A with MP where he didn't say much of anything. I know they're all busy but man... if it were me I'd want to make sure all my ducks were in a row before announcing something this huge. The phenomenal momentum they generated has been all but lost. It's still exciting and I know we'll all swoon at the slightest hint of news over the next few months but I really really want to know the behind the scenes situation that forced them to reveal this before they had much of anything to announce alongside it.

This. I posted a similar thing a week or so back and was effectively laughed at and that there was no more updates because Portnoy rejoining was not big news. Well, yes, not for music in general, but for the prog metal community I would say this is HUGE. DT are the biggest band in that community and MP is the most public figure.

Anyway, this thread has gone so far derailed now because of no updates. Is there anything on the new album at all? Is there even any timeline of when they're hitting the studio? Soon, or into next year?

Another thing I am really surprised at -  some of the big festivals have started announcing lineups for summer next year already and I would have thought DT would have jumped on that. Perhaps this will all come out soon. Appreciate they are all taking some well deserved time off, but I hope it's not radio silence until the new year. Feels like a wasted opportunity to capitalise on this news...

Yup.

[Setlist Scotty]

We've (and by we I mean not me but I've been reading it all so I'm part of this too!!!!) spent a good 30 pages worth of forum posts now speculating on what this means and where they'll go and we're now over a month past the announcement and... nothing! A small Q&A with MP where he didn't say much of anything. I know they're all busy but man... if it were me I'd want to make sure all my ducks were in a row before announcing something this huge. The phenomenal momentum they generated has been all but lost. It's still exciting and I know we'll all swoon at the slightest hint of news over the next few months but I really really want to know the behind the scenes situation that forced them to reveal this before they had much of anything to announce alongside it.

This. I posted a similar thing a week or so back and was effectively laughed at and that there was no more updates because Portnoy rejoining was not big news. Well, yes, not for music in general, but for the prog metal community I would say this is HUGE. DT are the biggest band in that community and MP is the most public figure.

Anyway, this thread has gone so far derailed now because of no updates. Is there anything on the new album at all? Is there even any timeline of when they're hitting the studio? Soon, or into next year?

I understand the interest in wanting to know more because I'm in that boat, too. But if we go back to when JR replaced DS, there really wasn't that much in terms of interviews with the band at that time. If anything, it was more interviews with DS in the first few months after the announcement because he was releasing his first solo album as well. I see a parallel here with MM. But later on there were interviews with the guys in the band even before SFaM, so I would imagine the same will be true in the coming year.

Another thing I am really surprised at -  some of the big festivals have started announcing lineups for summer next year already and I would have thought DT would have jumped on that. Perhaps this will all come out soon. Appreciate they are all taking some well deserved time off, but I hope it's not radio silence until the new year. Feels like a wasted opportunity to capitalise on this news...

I would imagine that their book agent(s) are already fully involved with scheduling appearances at all those festivals, but for now are keeping a tight lid on it because the band is probably still working out a plan/schedule for album #16. But I have no doubt that later on it will be announced that they'll be hitting the summer festival in Europe - it would be the perfect opportunity for them to do a warm up leg and reinvigorate the fan base and others in the lead up to their next album.

[Dream Team]

Whatever they come up with on the new album, I hope the renewed energy leads them to push the envelope a bit. Not in an off-putting way, but maybe something a little jazzier, a little bluesier, acoustic/piano stuff. A more pimped-out variation of the Viper King style. Would love their take on a slow, doomy Sabbath-like track. Most of us agree they've played it safe on the last 2 albums, something bolder would be welcomed (but let James sing to his strengths).

[Stadler]

.. are the same type of people who were still begging for Peter Gabriel to return to Genesis 40 years after he left the band

people want this??

Are you kidding? 

When the first Archive sets came out, it was revealed that Gabriel re-recorded some of the vocals for the live stuff. Later when the box sets came out (and in advance of the 2007 tour) they did a bunch of mutual appearances together (Gabriel is still very much friends with all members of the band and is still involved in band decisions, at least as regards the years he was in the band).  I was posting at the Genesis forum at the time and when that all came down, the fanbase was in an uproar over the possibility of the five members of the band going on tour.

And it was fascinating listening to some of these people; Genesis tours stadiums with their standard latter day set (the hits), and some of these people thought that 60,000 people would pay to watch a band recreate a double album concept record from 1974, when most people at the current stadium shows don't even know Peter was ever a member of the band!!    Can you imagine the uproar when people go see "Peter Gabriel and Genesis" at a stadium and don't see "Misunderstanding" and "Sledgehammer"?!?

The point is that sometimes fans suck. 

[pg1067]

most people at the current stadium shows don't even know Peter was ever a member of the band!!

A work friend of mine is a member of the local Elks lodge, and he's brought me out to Wednesday night trivia a couple times, including last night.  One of the questions began, "Before Phil Collins," and I already knew that the answer was Peter Gabriel.  Unfortunately, it was not a buzz-in situation, so knowing the answer quickly didn't help.