Quote from: jammindude on October 11, 2024, 06:07:12 PMIt was not my intention to make it sound as if I didn't love MCR. I absolutely love the black parade and I think it's a brilliant album. But I still say that musically they couldn't be more far apart. When i'm jamming out to MCR, it reminds me of a black humor, goth version of Cheap Trick.

Apologies dude, I read it as you weren't really into MCR. I suppose I was looking at it as music as a whole. Within the context of just western rock music, yes they are quite different, but if we are looking at all music (which I suppose I was) then there are bands that are obviously further away from what DT are doing, than MCR.

Either way, MCR rule 

Quote from: DTwwbwMP on October 10, 2024, 11:26:46 AMDISAPPOINTED 
Honestly, this could be song 7 on BC&SL! Not that it's bad or anything, I just hoped for a more "melodic" DT but got the same generic chugga chugga DT. I hoped for something more along the lines of ADTOE. Oh well. The production is great and I obviously love the drums but the song just didn't "move" me like I had hoped/expected.

I know am in the minority but honestly excited for Ports back I was one of those who thought they were for the most-part still putting out some great material anyway.

Otherwise yes above quote is how I feel too.
First single though and always keen as for the next record \m/

Quote from: Architeuthis on October 11, 2024, 08:54:48 PMExcellent song imo! High energy, catchy and great sound. I love the modulation/key change in the chorus near the end, which really elevates the song.

I loved that part, too. This is a very exciting time for the band. They sound reinvigorated.

It has been rather interesting to read the reactions to the new track.

I reckon there are two aspects to the overall reaction. The excitement is because we are getting new DT music and the overall "meh" reaction to the track itself is because we are expecting DT to be something that it is not.

I am 32 years old. I was 11 when I had my "Holy shit!" moment when I heard As I Am as part of a mixtape. It was my gateway to heavier, more complex music. I reckon, as it was the case with me, they have been the gateway prog for many others.

Other musicians have pushed the boundaries of prog and introduced us to new possibilities, but DT has remained the same and while it is all soothing and familiar, I think a lot of us are thinking that "We heard this before."

For me, with all due respect to every other opinion, I have stopped expecting DT to push the boundaries of prog metal and I just take them as they are now, more like an anchor in the ocean of prog that others expand the boundaries of.

There was an MP interview in the begining of 2010's where he was talking about Neil Peart's rediscovery period and him taking drum lessons and he said "Maybe, when the kids go off to college, I'll do something similar." I was desperately hoping that he would, for him to add new things to his arsenal and not just rely on an expanded drum and cymbal setup for variety. That did not end up happening and arguably, we have an even more loose MP now, in terms of playing style. Post-2010 MP is perfect for a more mainstream rock setting. (And yes, he did try with multiple bands, didn't take off.)

In addition, I sometimes think that they are a bit disconnected with what the fans actually want from them. When they auditioned Thomas Lang, he had a very different interpretation of the 3 audition tracks, especially The Dance of Eternity. JLB and JR had differing reactions to this: While JLB loved it, JR specifically stated that "Fans are used to hearing the songs a certain way." As a fan, I disagree with this, if I want to hear the songs as they are, I can just go and listen to the albums. For a live setting, I would like a bit of an alternate approach, not changing the songs in their entirety, but little bits here and there to spice things up, but I guess JR's performance conservatism is due to his classical training. I like Gavin Harrison's approach to this, he tries to change things up for his live performances a little to keep it interesting.

I hardly think that the rest of Parasomnia will blow me away and I have set my expectations accordingly.

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'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've been listening to the Night Terror for about 10 times now.
Here is my plusses and minuses;

+ Portnoys Drumming
+ Good riffing!
+ Good chorus, but the basic DT chord progression in the end. I think I have heard it tens of times since 2010.
+ Gothic, "Opethesque gothic theme" in the music video.
+ LaBrie sings in comfortable zone. Not too high.

- The chorus is almost too invisible. Maybe they should have milked it more.
- Vocal melodies in the first verse are soooooo lacking.. Something DT has done a lot the past 10 yrs. No melody.
- Solo-section is too long and predictable... And actually the whole song is too long.


Overall, I like the song a lot! I bet it is going to be great when played live in Helsinki next month!
I like this actually far more than any other DT single after Portnoy left. Maybe it is just because of Portnoy.
I have had this opinion that the singles are almost always the worst songs on the album, which makes me very excited about the whole album.

p.s. the artwork is bad 

Quote from: wolfking on October 11, 2024, 04:23:24 PMYeah, but you're not human. 

Thanks, glad I didn't spend too long trying to figure it out myself! 

Subscribed!

also somehow missed this  - also subscribed, thanks for the tab!

edited - I can't quote the og post - oldmanyellingatclouds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z-l8kuPKz0

this tempo makes more sense

I read through the first page of posts before deciding I wouldn't read any more until I got my own initial thoughts out.

It's a good song, the chorus has been my earworm now for two days. Listened to it several times on the first day. Let's just say that my prior fears were allayed.

I'm getting Nightmare to Remember + Invisible Monster vibes right away, + some ADTOE vibes sprinkled in (OTBOA??). It's Dream Theater, in all their glory.

What I was hoping for in this new era was a culmination of everything that has ever made them great. I think this song is showing that potential. Can't wait to hear the whole album.
 

Now I've listened to it maybe 8 times and it's had time to settle, I've gotta say that I'm really loving what I'm hearing on Night Terror.

It's repetitive, but I think they're intentionally leaning into a singular riff that drives the whole song. Like, this is a track where they've jammed through a riff and added layers and explored it fully and it's turned into this whole big 10 minute piece. I love that. The criticism I'm seeing is that it has the usual DT tropes: a good but obvious chorus, a long instrumental build-up, a widdly middle section... but honestly I don't think they set out to write it like that, I think it came about naturally. Like I can feeeeel the energy in the studio as they worked through this riff that JP or whomstever brought in and the exploration of that has turned into NT.

That's about as pure a songwriting methodology as any to me. I reckon other tracks will have a more 'composed' feel.

Some more stuff:

1. As a keyboard player, there's not enough JR on this song to satisfy me. I don't think what he's doing is particularly interesting or prominent enough. But it's a metal track, and his layers add a lot to it. I hope he has some more standout moments in the other songs.
2. There's an electronic stuttering leading into the drop that starts at 0:49 and bursts at exactly 1:00. Freaking cool. Really subtle. I want to know whose idea that was.
3. The fast riff starts panned left with the rest of the instrumentation on the right, then when it comes in properly it's center. Such an awesome effect, and I really hope that they keep that panning live like they did with Paralyzed.
4. People are calling this a spiritual successor to Invisible Monster, but I think it's closer to Panic Attack in tone; exploring an intense emotional experience through fast riffage.

My brother raised a very good point, that this single isn't primarily designed to sell the album to Dream Theater fans because we're all definitely buying the album anyway. The best foot forward for an album we're all definitely listening to already is something that will have wider appeal, and I think that's why this is the track they've chosen.

It has done the typical DT magic spell on me.

First listen: It's Okay. Typical bag of tricks. Sounds disjointed and random. Great to hear/see MP back!

Fifteenth Listen: These formerly disparate parts really work great together. It really gels! I love this!

It's already affecting my album rankings.

Quote from: crystalstars17 on October 12, 2024, 03:10:20 AMWhat I was hoping for in this new era was a culmination of everything that has ever made them great. I think this song is showing that potential. Can't wait to hear the whole album.

This is great news coming from you.
I was with you because of my love for the Mangini stuff, but a lot of us became huge fans way before that. Dream Theater was a special band, and literally swept me off my feet. I was in my 20's when I&W came out, and they made me feel like a giddy 14 y/o discovering music again.

I'm still surprised how many people checked out during the Mangini Era. But I do understand it.

It took me two days to listen to the single. It's definitely a personal record, because since SC I've always listened to the singles the exact moment I realized they were released. This time it was "I'll listen to it later". It's probably the first time I've listened to DT in a year (or almost a year). I must have listened to something when MP came back and then nothing.

One additional thing: I don't remember the first time I listened to an Octavarium's song. Did they release an 8V's single? TRoAE? I don't remember. From the 90s until ToT I'm sure the first time I listened to the new songs was listening to the CD after buying it.

Well... I didn't like it at all. I don't know, but I get the vibe that we've gone back in time and are watching/listening to the successor to SC/BCSL. Since this is the band's worst era for me, I'm unlikely to like it.

It's a long song that seems to be composed around the main riff (which I didn't think was that great). The instrumental section is completely boring.

MP is there and doing what MP is supposed to do (and what he has consistently done for years). A lot of people will be happy and I'm glad they are. But for me it's MP being MP, so it's just OK. Nothing special.

JLB seems to be singing in a comfortable zone and does a good job. It doesn't help that the vocal melodies are completely lifeless.

I think my biggest disappointment goes to the trio of JM, JP and JR. They seem to just be doing their day job, with nothing interesting in 10 minutes of music.

It's definitely one of their worst first singles IMO. Only beats AROP (which isn't that hard). Even SC came up with a better song (CM).

Not excited until now.

PS: DTF has a new look? Something is different here lol

I fear if the next single is more metal than this we're basically just getting a metal album. I wouldn't want an album similar to Night Terror but that's what might be happening.

Quote from: nick_z on October 11, 2024, 10:39:11 AMA few listens in, I guess you can count me in the "song is ok/good but I'm a bit underwhelmed" camp. Not even sure how to define underwhelmed. I guess it's not so much like I was expecting something 100% fresh and new (what would that even mean at this point anyway?), but I had this feeling they'd release something a little more energized as a first single with MP back (although it certainly warms the heart to hear his playing on a new DT song - and this coming from someone who really liked MM too). Not in the sense of super-technical, or "metal", or heavy. More like , I don't know, some palpable sense of enthusiasm. I mean, The Alien is not a song I necessarily love, and in many ways (like a lot of A View...) you could say it was pretty canonical DT... but it was a right-out-of-the-gate boom! We are having fun. Here it's like the guys are only, um, mildly enthusiastic? 

This is exactly how I felt! Shortly after it released I described The Alien to a friend as a surprisingly solid slab of 8/10 DT, this was more like 6/10. Again, very decent, nothing much to point out as a flaw, and that whammy JP solo is excellent (not so much the classic epic JP after it that we'd heard several times before). And I understand why they'd choose it as a single, it was probably hard to resist a 10-minute song that's still easily digestible despite the length and with so much MP focus. But a part of me was like... nothing's sparkling, nothing's electric. Most of A View blurs into a 60-minute Invisible Monster to me, but at least there's Transcending Time, you know?

Ok, I have 5 spins of NT under my belt now, 4 of them on my headphones and completely undistracted and focused.

I like it but I don't love it. The one aspect that keeps rising to the top when I hear it is; I've heard this before on BC&SL and SC. Parts that sound so familiar that it's difficult for the song to have a unique and new personality. I guess logically it makes sense since they left off there. I'm still excited and open minded about the album and very happy to see them together again.

Quote from: TheBarstoolWarrior on October 12, 2024, 05:54:38 AMI fear if the next single is more metal than this we're basically just getting a metal album. I wouldn't want an album similar to Night Terror but that's what might be happening.

If so, that would be too pretty heavy albums in a row, which is a bit unusual for them to do two similar albums back to back.  Different lineups, yes, and while their core sound is always omnipresent, they usually go for a different overall sound on one album from the previous one, and Night Terror definitely feels like a continuation of the A View... sound.

Quote from: wolven74 on October 11, 2024, 09:23:15 PMI remember on the s/t Patrucci had described his tone as something akin to a rich chocolate layer cake. I think his tone here matches that description so much more than on the s/t. There's something about having Portnoy back on the throne that brings everything together. The writing chemistry is back. Looking forward to Parasomnia like a kid on Christmas Eve. I've missed this feeling.

With all due respect, the writing chemistry never went away.  The writing was just fine on the five previous albums.

This is the most powerful their chemistry has ever sounded together in this format. It's the best sounds out of everyone. I remembered the chorus after one day, which will play well for all fans to me. This is top sounding song recorded and as of the moment top 10 songs. If they have this capability if they do other songs now or in the future with different styles, it's just gonna sound very lush and powerful. Very exciting times.

Quote from: KevShmev on October 12, 2024, 07:19:50 AMWith all due respect, the writing chemistry never went away.  The writing was just fine on the five previous albums.

Exactly. I have never understood this comment.

Quite. Different to the later Portnoy era certainly but not worse.

Quote from: Schurftkut on October 12, 2024, 02:47:44 AMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z-l8kuPKz0

this tempo makes more sense

There is a youtube channel I watch at 1.5x speed because it's usually an hour or longer, but I can keep up with his gameplay and narration at that faster speed.

After I watched that channel yesterday, I decided to watch the music video for the single but forgot to turn off the 1.5x speed, and it sounded better at that speed. Maybe that's what missing, some of that energy. Maybe.

I've only listened to it twice. When it came out and yesterday. Sorry if I hit on things that have already been talked to death. ☠️

First impressions:
- Right off the bat, I noticed the same drum fill from the end of ANTR. Maybe a connection. Nightmare=Night terror. Or probably more MP being MP. That's his style.

- I like the mix a lot. I'm glad they kept the same production team as View.

- Sounds very much like a cross between something from View and something that might have made BC&SL. So, pretty much a cross between where they left off on both previous albums.

- JLB in his comfort zone. Not really pushing it. I get it. He sounds good.

- JR Circus section 😁

- The instrumental section felt like it really dragged after a while. Especially when JP got to his solo, I was ready for it to be over already.

Felt pretty underwhelmed by it. DT by numbers. But that's their style.

Second impressions:
It hit much better on the second listen yesterday. That JR Circus thing felt less...circus-y?
The instrumental section didn't feel as long. I would still trim the guitar solo a little but not much.

Still DT Black Clouds+View for me. Which is fine. I loved View for the most part. To this day, I still don't think I've made it all the way through BC&SL. Certainly not in one sitting, anyway. But it has songs/moments I like. I digest...
Looking forward to the rest of the album.

Quote from: emtee on October 12, 2024, 06:31:42 AMOk, I have 5 spins of NT under my belt now, 4 of them on my headphones and completely undistracted and focused.

I like it but I don't love it. The one aspect that keeps rising to the top when I hear it is; I've heard this before on BC&SL and SC. Parts that sound so familiar that it's difficult for the song to have a unique and new personality. I guess logically it makes sense since they left off there. I'm still excited and open minded about the album and very happy to see them together again.

I keep hearing a lot of The Glass Prison. The ringing chords, JR's little keyboard lead before the first chorus, and the vocal melody in general.

Quote from: HOF on October 12, 2024, 11:08:51 AMI keep hearing a lot of The Glass Prison. The ringing chords, JR's little keyboard lead before the first chorus, and the vocal melody in general.

This. I definitely got a TGP vibe from day one.

And as I've stated before, I get some of the comparisons to BCSL, but that album sounded so completely lifeless and tired and unenthusiastic. Whereas this single is somewhat along the same musical lines, but completely reinvigorated. For as much as everyone is calling it "dark and brooding" (which it is) there seems to be an underlying "giddiness" and a joy and excitement of playing together that hasn't been there in a very long time.

I might also be thinking of This Dying Soul and not TGP. The chorus at least. Probably some of both.

Quote from: HOF on October 12, 2024, 11:28:00 AMI might also be thinking of This Dying Soul and not TGP. The chorus at least. Probably some of both.

TDS at that keyboard part at 3:15.

BTW - Night Terror will be your tour opener....

A few observations after sitting with Night Terror for a few days. I do quite like it. Is it the best DT song I've heard in the last 10 years? No. I do think it's decent though. I do think lyrically the chorus is weak, but I have no problem with JLB's delivery. My favourite part are Jordan's keys at the start of the instrumental section. Side note, I watched the video and there are a few parts where it cuts to Rudess and he appears to be playing along with the main riff, but you can't (or I couldn't) actually hear anything. Portnoy is fine. I'm quite neutral on his performance (and him as a drummer anyway) so I am fine with what he does.

Count me as one who actually prefers the radio edit. It makes it seem a bit more focused I guess. The intro is better with it being trimmed, and even though you lose some of those keys from Rudess I said I liked, it still seems better on the whole.

I think where I'm at with DT is that I'm more invested in this release than I have been with a DT album since, The Astonishing probably (and we know how that turned out). I feel that I am more interested in hearing what they have done on this album, than I have been for a long time. It is mainly due to Portnoy returning. Not necessarily because I prefer him as a drummer (although I do) over Mangini, it's more because I hope it has reinvigorated the band to create their best album this century. It's interesting, for a band that have been going 40 years, I've never felt like they were past it creatively. I don't expect them to top I&W, but I would not be surprised in the slightest if they wrote some songs here that are better than the top 20% of their 2000s output. Night Terror isn't one of those songs, but that's OK, we've got the whole rest of the album. In my head, they are still capable of that. I think I'm optimistic about the upcoming album, which creates an expectation. Initially this new song didn't meet those expectations, but after a few days I'm fine with what we've got.

I was thinking about Metallica earlier, and how, for a band that is over 40 years old, they don't feel like a band able to create anything that could ever come close to their creative peak. I do consider Metallica the greatest metal band of all time, and their creative peak is pretty much insurmountable for any band. Ever. Maybe I hold them to a higher standard but when they release a new album I don't hold much hope for them releasing anything I'll truly love. The last album that had songs I truly loved was 2008! 16 years is a long time. Dream Theater are not that band for me, I'm happy to say. They still have it in them, and sadly I don't think Metallica do. I could absolutely see them releasing an album that could land in my top 5 by the band. That's just part of where my head is at going into the new record, and the expectations I have for new music.

Really having a hard time getting past them rhyming "terror," "hysteria," and "fire."



Also, misheard lyric alert: "do the lions on the record break."

Well, do they?

I will say this is the most times I've listened to a new DT song since Octavarium, so there's at least something piquing my interest here.

So far, my thoughts:

GOOD

• The sound
• The riffs
• JP's solo

BAD

• Jordan's solo.
• Jordan's lead sound (press a different damn button on the keyboard next time, we've heard this one to death).
• Vocal melodies feel like an afterthought. I wish they would compose a TUNE for James to sing.

Quote from: HOF on October 12, 2024, 01:21:34 PMReally having a hard time getting past them rhyming "terror," "hysteria," and "fire."



Also, misheard lyric alert: "do the lions on the record break."

Well, do they?

I will say this is the most times I've listened to a new DT song since Octavarium, so there's at least something piquing my interest here.

Well to be fair, Terror, hysteria, and fire occur a lot in dreams. So it is fitting.
Dream Theater is really living up to their band name on this album's subject matter.

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

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.

Quote from: PixelDream on October 12, 2024, 06:01:57 PMThe instrumental section is so tasty, hot damn. I love it, they really are back with a bang. Looking forward to the show in Amsterdam.

Where did they go?