New single, Night Terror. Discuss.

[Mebert78]

I've just seen this post on Reddit...

https://www.reddit.com/r/Dreamtheater/s/zM4BLobNhE

Apparently Hugh Syme has posted an edited version of the single art (including the fixing of the door knob that was in the wrong place  ). Make of this what you will 

I can't believe the artwork with the door knob in the wrong place made it to the final product and is all over YouTube and other websites for eternity. How did nobody catch that? I hope they can fix it in the album booklet before those are printed.

[TAC]

I can't believe the artwork with the door knob in the wrong place made it to the final product and is all over YouTube and other websites for eternity. How did nobody catch that?

This would've never happened with MP in the band. Oh wait.

[HOF]

The instrumental section is so tasty, hot damn. I love it, they really are back with a bang. Looking forward to the show in Amsterdam.

I have listened to it several times now, and while I think the verse/chorus is fairly silly, the instrumental section does make me feel things which is cool.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

This would've never happened with MP in the band. Oh wait.

[Whitefish]

So, even though this isn't my favorite DT single, I think that Night Terror is going to SLAY live.

Yeah, I agree.

[PixelDream]

Where did they go?

I even say this when bands release an album after two years with an unchanged line up. It's just 'they're back at it again'.

[dualpalmpilots]

After about a half dozen listens, verse 2 and the instrumental section are where I feel the song shines. As some have said, this "by the numbers" DT, but I don't think that's a bad thing. I think it sounds like a very good Dream Theater song that will probably kill as a show opener.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Seeing Portnoy back playing with Dream Theater in that music video... Chills.

[CrimsonSunrise]

One spin in and I'm digging it!  I liked MM but MP just adds a different and distinct grove to the mix. Can't wait to listen to the album as a whole.

[devieira73]

Seeing Portnoy back playing with Dream Theater in that music video... Chills.

They totally nailed this music video!

But just one thing: shouldn't MP has opened his eyes before showing him moving himself behind the kit? 

[BlackInk]

Also forgot to say in my last post: I didn't really consume the visual media when I first heard the song. I barely looked at the cover art and I didn't even realize there was a music video for like half a day. Having missed those visual cues, I actually didn't get that much of this "gothic" vibe from the song that many are pointing out. My first impression was just a metal track, proggy and heavy sure, but not really gothic.

I'm glad I managed to miss that part, because I think I wouldn't have liked the song as much if I associated it more with the goth vibe. But now that I can listen to it as a more "neutral" DT metal track, it works just fine, and all the other vibes in the music itself are more free to speak for themselves.

[cminor]

Having missed those visual cues, I actually didn't get that much of this "gothic" vibe from the song that many are pointing out.

I agree! The gothic vibe mainly origins from the "dark" music video. In addition, the chord progression starting at 5:30 (Am, E/G#, Fm, C#m) also has a certain gothic touch for me.

The only thing that bothers me a bit about the music video is that the editing / synchronization is not well done. Speaking from the perspective of a drummer, there are too many shots of MP where what you hear doesn't really match what you see.

[jayvee3]

Really enjoying the track. Cranked it a couple of times in the car loudly when on a decent drive, and really allowed me to digest it.

I feel like I hear so much different stuff in there, from "As I am" at the beginning, to some of the awesome guitar riffing from a minute or so in, that honestly sounds like it's come from a Symphony X album, particularly Iconoclast - which is not a bad thing. There are moments that remind me of "Sleeping Giant", "TCOT" and also bits of Liquid Tension Experiment. But it is also really cohesive and fresh sounding.

It's one of those tracks that I know I'll continue to enjoy as time goes on, as I'm not trying to force myself to get into it - I just genuinely like it, the 10 minutes fly by and I genuinely look forward to hearing it again.

Great to hear MP's drum work back - I will admit, I actually prefer MM's drum sound and fills, but MP definitely brings the Dream Theater signature sound, so it's a win all round.

Overall, killer track that has me pumped for the album, which also seems to have an intriguing concept/theme 👍

[emtee]

Video has 1.4 million views. I haven't ever paid attention to the previous singles # of views this soon after release so I have no idea if this is doing better, worse or about the same.

[cminor]

"Invisible Monster" has made it to 1.9 million views in 3 years, so yeah, I think 1.4 million in just 3 days is quite a lot!

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Video has 1.4 million views. I haven't ever paid attention to the previous singles # of views this soon after release so I have no idea if this is doing better, worse or about the same.

It's doing significantly better than prior singles in terms of number of views. (We don't know at large if that correlates with people loving it). Everything in DT land right now appears to be doing better in terms of views and sales.

[devieira73]

"Invisible Monster" has made it to 1.9 million views in 3 years, so yeah, I think 1.4 million in just 3 days is quite a lot!

But I think the fair comparision is with The Alien, first single off A View (3.9 million views in 3 years). But, yes, the difference is massive!

[naimad]

I'm very excited to actually have some thoughts on a new DT single, and pretty much only positive ones too! I'd almost forgotten how it feels to be excited by DT music. My musical tastes have largely moved beyond DT at this point, so I don't know how much of this is nostalgia talking, but I don't care. I love nostalgia, and am just happily seizing the moment to embrace it at this point.

What I was most looking forward to with having MP back was to get a sense of natural groove back, where every single hit isn't exactly 110 volecity right on the grid. While this isn't really a groovy song, it has plenty of the related concept of "drive" that I have not felt from them in many years.

The drums also sound beefy and natural, except maybe the snare which could maybe have been pulled back just a little to give it more room and make it "feel" bigger. But it's still cool and I don't really mind. The toms sound fantastic, really crisp and spacy. I don't think I've appreciated until now how big of a draw Portnoy's style was for me in DT's music. Obviously the other guys are amazing too, but Portnoy's very recognizeable style is really what got me into them. I've never studied the videos and played along for hours and hours to any other band member. So hearing his style, and even seeing him in the music video was such a warm and rewarding experience.

One thing I really appreciate is that the mood of the song is consistent. I listened to View this past week, just to refamiliarize myself with it a little. The experience were honestly a bit frustrating at times because I never felt like I was allowed to really rest and stew in a mood. Even within individual sections llike verses, the mood and tones shift all over the place and I rarely feel like I can just listen and absorb the feel before it changes. I don't remember how much this was a thing on DoT, but I remember it bothering me on TA as well. Maybe the rest of Parasomnia will have this issue, but at least for Night Terror, it was so nice to be able to be immersed in a vibe that actually held up consistently throughout the track. It's a journey down a cool road; whereas much of View feels like trying to walk down a road but you're constantly being pushed and buffeted every which way, and you really have to struggle to make progress.

I love the shift to the triplet riff for the second verse. That went hard for me, very ItNoG, which was cool to hear. And again, they pulled off a shift like that while still maintaining the mood of the rest of the song. I also absolutely love the section that starts at 7:15. Such much energy and classic DT vibes with that riff. I also really appreciate the more tasteful and expressive solo from JP, that's always when he's at his best in my opinion.

The radio edit is a lot more focused and cohesive, but also a lot less fun, so it's the album version all the way for me.

Also agree with those who have said that LaBrie sounds surprisingly good here. It was really cool to hear actually, and reminded me that I actually like the guy's voice when it's allowed to breathe and not be bogged down by strained melodies or post-production. And as I said on page one of this thread, Myung sounds really beefy and aggressive, which is always nice to hear.

So yeah, I'm really happy with the track, and it makes me actually look forward to a DT album for the first time in a decade.

I agree with everything you said. I'm so glad I like the single. Hopefully they can come up with something great this time after a row of disappointing albums.

[Kocak]

But just one thing: shouldn't MP has opened his eyes before showing him moving himself behind the kit? 

Imagine if they were to announce that MP is back with this video, instead of doing it a year ago...

[Mister Pimmer Perp Merp]

Love Jordan's sounds on the second verse... they did a really great job switching things up and keeping it interesting in the song. Full version, the radio edit is also super solid on its own....however JP's soaring melody in the last part of the solo is more fulfilling in the full version. I feel like this song really is a shining example to old town and knew what this band is all about both live and in the studio they give something for the progressive fans but also for the friend you bring along that wants to hear great songs that they can hang with.

[Mister Pimmer Perp Merp]

One spin in and I'm digging it!  I liked MM but MP just adds a different and distinct grove to the mix. Can't wait to listen to the album as a whole.

Also those background vocals add some extra special sauce back into the mix.

[Dream Team]

tl;dr

Didn't count every section but is the whole thing in 4?

[Kyo]

tl;dr

Didn't count every section but is the whole thing in 4?

Not at all, but almost all of the first four minutes is (except for a single shortened bar before the chorus), which is quite a lot.

[Vlasto]

Can't deny I was hoping for something new, freshy, different, but could have been warned when MP introduced Siamese kit 
But as admirer of their music, like that song either ...song intentionally referring to many of previous albums.

I'd just wish this like pre-seque title song and then rest main songs carrying new style.

[Max Kuehnau]

tl;dr

Didn't count every section but is the whole thing in 4?

judging from the tabbed out version (for guitar), it largely is in 4/4 with some select few sections being in 7/8, so nothing that is far out.

[TAC]

I said I'd leave the song until the album came out, but I couldn't. I need to break this song down and my initial listens the other day didn't do it for me.

This song gets a lot better with repeated listens. I really wanted to latch onto the instrumental sections and break down the arrangement.

First, I cannot believe nobody in that room thought the beginning didn't sound like AS I Am, or they did and were like fuck it. To me, that's doorknob on the wrong side negligence. But other than burying James in the mix (his vocals a better than originally thought) that's really my only complaint.

I think throughout the song, MP is really good. Did he raise his game? He's extremely busy throughout. I definitely feel a lot better about it than I did the other day.

[Shadowmangini]

It sounds almost exactly like As I Am to me, mixed with a little A Nightmare to Remember but way better vocal performance.

[SeRoX]

But other than burying James in the mix (his vocals a better than originally thought) that's really my only complaint.

This. I mean vocals are much more energic and lively than Alien but especially on the second verse and chorus vocals are burried in the mix. That alone takes something from the song.

[Mister Pimmer Perp Merp]

REMEMBAHHH ANYTHING?!!!!

Rad.

Vocals are very much like how I felt on awake hearing him sing with grit for the first time. I am totally OK with him being like a super versatile James Hetfield that can sing beautiful melodies.

JL I believe it's the reason we all come back to hear their music over and over again just he has something unique and delivers a very emotional performance.

[red barchetta]

This was not love at first sight like some of their masterpieces.  But it's a good track overall and the instrumental part is very good.  I hope there is a lot of better stuff ahead.

[Jamesman42]

I listened again today. Still feels dense but not in a bad way. It needs more listens. The song is growing on me.

I started hearing JR's parts more, and subtle things about MP. This was something that really hit me today. JR has some cool stuff going even when he is in the background.

And MP throws in these little things, and it just sounds like him, and it's his personality as a drummer coming through again from the days of BCSL. While I am medium on that album, he always brings interesting drums to every DT album. It feels more nuanced here, but listen on good speakers or earbuds and it is rewarding.

[Glasser]

Definitely a grower. My first reaction was the main riff kicks ass, the chorus is boring, and JLB sounds good. Now I really love it! It's right in the pocket of what's expected of DT. I'm going to try to not listen to anymore singles and stop playing this one. I want the full album experience without already knowing too much. Very excited!

[wolfking]

Definitely a grower. My first reaction was the main riff kicks ass, the chorus is boring, and JLB sounds good. Now I really love it! It's right in the pocket of what's expected of DT. I'm going to try to not listen to anymore singles and stop playing this one. I want the full album experience without already knowing too much. Very excited!

Chorus gets better after a couple of listens.  I'm probably not listening to it anymore either at this point.  I'm happy after I think 4 listens and will leave it at that.

[Glasser]

Chorus gets better after a couple of listens.  I'm probably not listening to it anymore either at this point.  I'm happy after I think 4 listens and will leave it at that.

I scratched that new DT itch now I'll wait for the release

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Is it just me or when JLB is sitting on the bed does he look like he has heartburn?