If DT16 were confirmed to be a direct sequel to an LP...

[DT05]

(inspired by the Metropolis, pt. 3 discussion ongoing in the DT16 main thread), I'm not saying it would be a good idea, I'm not saying that it's in any way likely or preferable, but as we know, many bands have chosen to do a <INSERT ONE OF THEIR ALBUM TITLES HERE> 2, even this very band did such a thing except it was an album sequel to a lone song. So let's really see, if you were forced to accept that DT16 was a sequel to one of their other 15 albums, which one would you most readily welcome?

Now, a couple of criterias to consider for this hypothetical:
1. The sequel album will be identical in musical style to the initial album it is continuing. You wouldn't hear, for instance, a Metropolis pt. 3 that sounds like the 2010s era, you also wouldn't hear an Astonishing pt. 2 that attempts to sound like their old 1990s work. Assume that the general style and genres and influences of the first album, will be purposefully continued for the second.
2. The length of the album, in both duration and tracklisting, will be nearly identical to the first. So if you did ask for The Astonishing pt. 2, get ready for a 2+ hour record whereas if you choose Train of Thought 2 or BC&SL2, don't be surprised if there's only 6 or 7 songs
3. The cover artwork and visual aesthetic will be entirely hearkened to the original album as well, albeit with some kind of twist (honestly the best examples on this site are in that AI thread, albeit these are humorous examples)
4. The members of the lineup of that album will NOT BE RETURNING, so no, Awake 2 doesn't mean Kevin Moore comes back, and we all know that Charlie Dominici sadly cannot return as a guest due to his passing. Assume that the current DT lineup will take up this task.

So this is the question. Which album do you think would work best? Knowing full well that sequels are almost never ever worth it (just look at Operation Mindcrime 2). I know that this place is full of too dedicated of fans to drop DT over this, so, pick your poison!

e: oh right, my own answer. That Octavarium 2 idea sounds like a blast, though I can't even slightly imagine what it would be like. A mix of heavier darker songs (The Root of All Evil, Panic Attack, These Walls) and some lighter and more upbeat numbers (I Walk Beside You, The Answer Lies Within) and then two huge songs to end the thing with a clear dedication of a love letter towards progressive rock in that latter epic, and maybe a topical song for the slightly shorter of the epics.

[CraftyCaleb2483]

FII!!!!!

[DT05]

honestly I almost picked FII 2, imagine what Rudess could do in an album of that caliber

[CraftyCaleb2483]

honestly I almost picked FII 2, imagine what Rudess could do in an album of that caliber

He needs to get Derek's monster lead into his sound arsenal, that is my favourite keyboard sound ever

[MirrorMask]

I don't want to sound like I'm pissing on the parade, 'cause this is a DT discussion forum and it's therefore the perfect place to have a creative discussion like this, but...... hard pass.

Only the concept albums would make a tiny sense for a sequel, Metropolis 3 and Astonishing 2, but doing a "sequel" to any of the other album trying to mimic that style would be a huge let down and nothing that can compare to the original.

Most of their albums are very, very good and a sequel would be lesser. And the albums the fanbase likes the least.... it is likely that a second attempt won't do it right either 

[DT05]

I already pointed out that it wouldn't have a likely good outcome. The point of the discussion is to bite the bullet and pick one anyway. Are you scared to pick?

[Ben_Jamin]

I chose Seven Degrees just for the idea of having 2 discs with one being a collection of songs, and the other a one song concept . I think it'd be neat to go back to this idea.

[crystalstars17]

Octavarium is the only thing that makes sense.

[geeeemo]

Totally FII!  No other album has this style and sound. Its atmospheric, yet riffy at times. The demo version of this album has been at the top of my playlist for a while now. It is so good.
I take the "sequel" to mean a carrying on with either  story, sound or other aspect of an album, not just story.

[MirrorMask]

I already pointed out that it wouldn't have a likely good outcome. The point of the discussion is to bite the bullet and pick one anyway. Are you scared to pick?

Well, gun to the head, Octavarium 2 is the only one that almost makes sense, being the 16th album. On top of that, I want a more mellow album this time after two albums chock full of heavy songs with the occasional breather here and there.

[Trav]

Octavarium is the only thing that makes sense.

None of this makes sense 

[RoeDent]

It would be I&W 3 because ADTOE is I&W 2.

I propose Hexadectavarium

[Adami]

I assume by pt 2 for the non concept albums, you mean continuing on that style?

I personally wish they'd really keep exploring but they haven't done much of that in like 10 years. So if forced, I'd love a second attempt at an FII style of writing.

[emtee]

Awake

[macneil]

If I had to pick I would pick Octavarium 2: Trapped Again. It's a balanced album, a good mix of heavy and light, and has the obligatory DT epic. I think thematically it could work being the reunion of the band and looking back on the last 16 albums.

If I could vote AGAINST Metropolis Pt 3 I would. I think they're better off leaving it alone as there's no more story to tell, and it seems unlikely they could put out something that truly lived up to Scenes (I'd be happy to be proven wrong though). There seems to be a subset of fans who really want this for some reason though.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Honestly I'd have to pick a middle of the pack or even underperforming album so that there is some upside. It's hard to pick an unpopular album like SC or BCSL because people need to get excited about a sequel but it serves no to purpose to pick a top album except to ride the coattails of a big success.

With an album like Images, Scenes, or even ADTOE there is little chance to beat expectations.

[Wim Kruithof]

Like emtee, I'll chose Awake. It's environment is so dark and vunerable, you'll find that nowhere else in their discography. I could only dream of Scarred II.

[hefdaddy42]

Good luck with the thread, but I don't understand what a Train of Thought 2 would even be.

[Wim Kruithof]

Good luck with the thread, but I don't understand what a Train of Thought 2 would even be.

I'll think DT05 spoke more or less on 'an album like'. I voted on Awake because I love the dark influence with all those vunerable personal lyrics, but listened to Train of Thought on the road today. Another 'balls to the wall' metal album would also totally fits my cup of tea.

It is a little 'Dream Theater-forum like' to constantly start new topics, who slightly differ from hundreds of topics close to it. Little different question, just another point of view and we're off again.