Parasomnia Timeline Thread

[Max Kuehnau]

It's that time (again!), and I'm here for it. This is the timeline thread for DT16. As usual, any and all updates will be added in as and when they happen (and I'll find them. Please message me in case you might be faster than me in some cases) Again, thanks very much to Sebastiàn Pratesi for starting the tradition with me in 2018. This will likely be my final timeline thread until MM rejoins (in case that ever were to happen).
Here we go:

Preface:
August 1st: John mentions studio time for DT16 to be slated to begin at the end of 2023 or early 2024, also mentions more 8 string action (https://metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/dream-theater-is-plotting-studio-time-for-a-new-album?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-metalinjection&utm_content=later-36882929&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkin.bio)
Late August 2023: Jordan mentions working on solo music first.
Late September 2023: Jordan is working on his solo album.
October 25th, 2023: MP returns. (as has been well documented everywhere)
January 27th, 2024: John mentions DT starting the DT16 sessions in less than two weeks. (https://youtu.be/HRyiPpQMLlo?feature=shared&t=890)
--end of preface--
February 8th: DT16 sessions initiated (https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GRFUrueWY/?igsh=b29oaGpxYjAwcmtq)
March 6th: John and JT at DTHQ only as of now, because of Jordan's (and probably MP's) involvement in Cruise To The Edge, sessions will resume in full lineup afterwards (https://www.instagram.com/p/C4Lz6ajuRSL/)
March 15th: James is working on (not recording, sorry, my mistake) vocals at DTHQ (https://www.instagram.com/p/C4jQ92_OntI/?igsh=MTF5ZXNodXdjZjF0Mw%3D%3D)
March 21st: Writing sessions continue (https://www.instagram.com/p/C4ydpo-OiFD/)
April 8th: MP finished recording drum parts, recording continues (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-5TGTFeGKNNkj9kFS8R7E5Bu6DUnkISg/view)
May 1st: John finished recording guitar parts (https://www.instagram.com/p/C6bkxRqiqg4/)
May 26th: Jordan prepares for recording keyboard parts (https://www.instagram.com/p/C7cHD8TufQ5/)
June 26th: Jordan finished recording keyboard parts (https://www.facebook.com/reel/1396977624326365)
July 13th: James starts recording vocal parts
July 31st: James finishes recording vocal parts (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1082564023225677&set=a.215199723295449&_rdc=1&_rdr) Recording process completed
------------------end of recording process----------------
----Initiation of promo cycle-----
October 5th: Vanishing At Sunrise (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eqgRZnLNEio)
October 6th: Nocturnal Trial By Fire (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/je01NVSAshk)
October 7th: Swimming Through Waves (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fAs0q5x82J4)
October 8th: Drifting Through Sleep Transition (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9ZJJRnL6fHc)
October 10th (likely): Why Can't I Remember Anything? (to be added in) and  including press release day as well

Press release:
Parasomnia, released on February 7th, 2025, production by John, engineering by JT Meslin and Andy Sneap, Mixing and mastering by Andy Sneap

    In The Arms Of Morpheus (5:22)
    Night Terror (9:55)
    A Broken Man (8:30)
    Dead Asleep (11:06)
    Midnight Messiah (7:58)
    Are We Dreaming? (1:28)
    Bend The Clock (7:24)
    The Shadow Man Incident (19:32)


Addendum: This code (https://imgur.com/a/Gs2PQ79) One word for the album title, 8 pieces, possible title: Twilight (?)

[Mladen]

Here we go again. 

[gzarruk]

I'm ready

[Stadler]

Not really all that thrilled about the "8-string".  None of the music I really dig engages that instrument with any regularity.   Just write good songs, and play them well.

[Adami]

Not really all that thrilled about the "8-string".  None of the music I really dig engages that instrument with any regularity.   Just write good songs, and play them well.

An 8 string can add cool dimensions, but JP has said he will not change his playing style and will simply play the 8 string the same way he would play a 7 string. So you'll just get more low chug, sadly. Lots of possibilities, but doesn't look like we'll see them.

[The Letter M]

*Looks at thread title on main forum page*
"More 8"

Sooooo... DT16 is a sequel to Octavarium, being that 16 = 8 x 2? 

-Marc.

[Max Kuehnau]

I see you intended to be funny, but this is because of the thread title character limit, as mundane as it is. Everything will need restructuring through the course of leading up to DT16 anyway.

[efx]

Range of instrument has for me no meaning in of itself, it's just a tool in the end. I liked ATM though, I was fearing it would be more Meshuggah inspiried as a lot of people go that route (and as much as Meshuggah is my favorite band, they're impossible to copy) but he ended up using it in a cool way.

[jimgolf]

More 8 

[The Letter M]

I see you intended to be funny, but this is because of the thread title character limit, as mundane as it is. Everything will need restructuring through the course of leading up to DT16 anyway.

I figured it had to do with the thread subject character limit, but I couldn't resist. Also, it's likely the album will come out in 2024 at some point, and the sum of the digits in 2024 equals.... you guessed it - 8.

-Marc.

[Mr.Mister]

Yay! Let's do a fun wish list

Realistic Wishlist: keep making the albums they want to make and sound how they want it.

Fanboy wishlist:
- 12 strings accoustic - John can create magic accoustic sounds.
- Vocal instrumentation from James: he can add so much to songs with sounds beyond the lyrics.
- Epics: they do them so well and while we just got AVFTTOTW I wouldn't mind another one.
- Groovy bass sections: as in ones where JM takes center stage
- Instrumentals: it's been a minute since one
- Concepts: it doesn't have to be a concept album but I remeber finding out about a mind beside itself and it made me want to listen to the songs more and dissect them. (Also because the songs are so great - but I like the nerdfest that comes with nuggets).

[Max Kuehnau]

Yay! Let's do a fun wish list

Realistic Wishlist: keep making the albums they want to make and sound how they want it.

Fanboy wishlist:
- 12 strings accoustic - John can create magic accoustic sounds.
- Vocal instrumentation from James: he can add so much to songs with sounds beyond the lyrics.
- Epics: they do them so well and while we just got AVFTTOTW I wouldn't mind another one.
- Groovy bass sections: as in ones where JM takes center stage
- Instrumentals: it's been a minute since one
- Concepts: it doesn't have to be a concept album but I remeber finding out about a mind beside itself and it made me want to listen to the songs more and dissect them. (Also because the songs are so great - but I like the nerdfest that comes with nuggets).

I have nothing against mentioning wishes, but there is a speculation thread for this specifically. (you can find it below or above mine on the main page. It blew up the timeline thread for View unneccessarily. I want to keep this one to facts (although I absolutely don't mind any humour)

[pg1067]

*Looks at thread title on main forum page*
"More 8"

Sooooo... DT16 is a sequel to Octavarium, being that 16 = 8 x 2? 

JP's new axe:

[Max Kuehnau]

I mean, possibly yes. He just needs to bulk up even more for this one.   He could do it well though.

[Architeuthis]

I'm sure Tosin has some influence on JP leaning towards the eight string even more than on AVFTTOTW. Those guys had a lot of fun touring together and are likely good friends now.   

[Wim Kruithof]

Shout-out for the effort Max, really slayed that thread when Distance and A View came out. Can't wait, honestly.

And I really, really would like an Octavarium pt. 2.

[TheCountOfNYC]

I'd love more Mike Mangini lyrics, because Room 137 can't be his only lyrical contribution to the band. Would also love for Jordan to take a crack at some lyrics, I feel like he would crush it.

Letting the bass take center stage here and there would be nice, and not just for an intro.

Vocal harmonies please. Dream Theater doesn't do stuff like Forsaken or the beautiful agony section of A Nightmare to Remember anymore, which is a shame, because it really added so much to their music.

[Max Kuehnau]

All speculative posts should go into here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=57713.0

[Max Kuehnau]

I’d love more Mike Mangini lyrics, because Room 137 can’t be his only lyrical contribution to the band. Would also love for Jordan to take a crack at some lyrics, I feel like he would crush it.

Letting the bass take center stage here and there would be nice, and not just for an intro.

Vocal harmonies please. Dream Theater doesn’t do stuff like Forsaken or the beautiful agony section of A Nightmare to Remember anymore, which is a shame, because it really added so much to their music.

not correct, since View (the piece) had its middle movement feature vocal harmony parts (not unlikely to the beautiful agony section of Nightmare, but different, luckily)
And JM did take centre stage for quite a bit during View itself too (all my natural instincts are begging me to stop) and sections of The Alien and some others. (doesn't mean to say I wouldn't welcome these aspects to be developed further, but it's wrong to think they weren't present on View)

Anyway, we'll see what they will come up with, since every album is a clean slate.

[Max Kuehnau]

Shout-out for the effort Max, really slayed that thread when Distance and A View came out. Can't wait, honestly.

And I really, really would like an Octavarium pt. 2.

Thanks very much, one does their best. My pleasure. (I do like to think I did a better job in 2020 and 2021 for View than I did in 2018 and 2019 for D/T, but to each their own)

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Not really all that thrilled about the "8-string".  None of the music I really dig engages that instrument with any regularity.   Just write good songs, and play them well.

I am sure JP plans on using the 8 string for a good song.

[TAC]

Not really all that thrilled about the "8-string".  None of the music I really dig engages that instrument with any regularity.   Just write good songs, and play them well.

I am sure JP plans on using the 8 string for a good song.

[Stadler]

Not really all that thrilled about the "8-string".  None of the music I really dig engages that instrument with any regularity.   Just write good songs, and play them well.

I am sure JP plans on using the 8 string for a good song.

That's not what I meant (and I think you know that).   

[nobloodyname]

I see you intended to be funny, but this is because of the thread title character limit, as mundane as it is. Everything will need restructuring through the course of leading up to DT16 anyway.

Why not just delete "more 8" from the title? It's superfluous, really.

[Max Kuehnau]

I just did. I will always do my best to keep the updated titles through the course of this album cycle as concise as I can anyway

[Mladen]

So wait, there's not gonna be more 8? 

[Max Kuehnau]

So wait, there's not gonna be more 8? 

more 8 string guitar parts, yes

(I'm sure there won't be any references to Octavarium on DT16, or, worse, a continuation of the album or concept (some thought so), because DT never make the same record twice, and to me that's a good thing)

[Schurftkut]

So wait, there's not gonna be more 8? 

more 8 string guitar parts, yes

(I'm sure there won't be any references to Octavarium on DT16, or, worse, a continuation of the album or concept (some thought so), because DT never make the same record twice, and to me that's a good thing)

in b4 but what about ADTOE?

[Max Kuehnau]

No. I won't tolerate any more derailment. I will report back when there is more news. See you soon everyone.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

So wait, there's not gonna be more 8? 

more 8 string guitar parts, yes

(I'm sure there won't be any references to Octavarium on DT16, or, worse, a continuation of the album or concept (some thought so), because DT never make the same record twice, and to me that's a good thing)

in b4 but what about ADTOE?

Hey, if you're going to use one of your past albums for inspiration it should be your best one 

Thank God they did that.

[LKap13]

Very excited. AVFTTOTW was amazing. They showed how creative, virtuosic and fresh their music can be. What will the next album bring?

[goo-goo]

Anything said about the new album in JP's Guitar Universe by any chance?

[bosk1]

There are two things that immediately come to mind:

1.  More 8 

And also...

2.  More 8 

[Schurftkut]

i'm hoping for more piano from Rudess, less effects on JLB's vocals, MM getting the drums to sound like he wants, and moar of that basstone JM got on the view

[Kocak]

I would like DT to mix things up a little:

1. Work with an outside producer.
2. Work with anyone but Hugh Syme for the artwork.