Distant Memories - New live release

[Lupton]

Even I wish they had done an official live release of The Astonishing, and I only like about 30% of that album. It just seems like a big gap in their current output for it not to exist. But I guess we've all just become spoiled with getting a live release with each studio album. Granted, the time between studio albums these days is much longer..

[Ben_Jamin]

Even I wish they had done an official live release of The Astonishing, and I only like about 30% of that album. It just seems like a big gap in their current output for it not to exist. But I guess we've all just become spoiled with getting a live release with each studio album. Granted, the time between studio albums these days is much longer..

Yes. MP spoiled us DT music fans with all these goodies and extras, he did it because he's a music fan and wanted these things when he was a young fan.

Also, it has to do with business. JP and the band may have wanted to do a live album. But the label, or their Management, didn't see it worthy of release and wouldn't really put out a profit. That's why going to shows are important for us fans to attend. You may not realize it, but Live shows are integral to the survival of a band.

It's why whomever was their booking agent at that time, screwed up majorly by placing the 2nd leg, in places where they have played before, or extremely close, so those that didn't get to see it are still too far away to attend, and those that did that didn't enjoy it, won't bother going again, so that leads to lesser crowds at the shows.

And with the I&W&B tour, you had Venues and Promoters calling Dream Theaters Booking, they wanted this tour. It's the only reason why Dream Theater was able to play here in New Mexico. And the band came to check out the venue, or at least Jordan Rudess did as is evidenced in one of his tweets, because he posted a picture on the freeway, by a native casino, and I know exactly where he took that picture. And one of the people I know said They were here too, but JLB had a cold was being an ass because of it, but I understood why. Doesn't help if the "Runner" is an ass, and makes that requestee seem like an ass and demanding.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Yeah, it's understandable that we didn't get an Astonishing release for business purposes (which really rings to my ears why they've been so strongly supporting their classic albums these past few years), but it did seem like a missed mark in the creative sense of the word. Not because it was the fandom's favorite album (which it clearly was not) but because they invested so much money in their stage design and the overall concept of the concert; and for that it really seemed much more fitting to document than Scenes From a Memory all over again (not shitting over Distant Memories, which I'm eagerly expecting), but it's obvious you can keep milking more money from SFAM or Images than what you could with The Astonishing.

[Lupton]

Even I wish they had done an official live release of The Astonishing, and I only like about 30% of that album. It just seems like a big gap in their current output for it not to exist. But I guess we've all just become spoiled with getting a live release with each studio album. Granted, the time between studio albums these days is much longer..

Yes. MP spoiled us DT music fans with all these goodies and extras, he did it because he's a music fan and wanted these things when he was a young fan.

Also, it has to do with business. JP and the band may have wanted to do a live album. But the label, or their Management, didn't see it worthy of release and wouldn't really put out a profit. That's why going to shows are important for us fans to attend. You may not realize it, but Live shows are integral to the survival of a band.

It's why whomever was their booking agent at that time, screwed up majorly by placing the 2nd leg, in places where they have played before, or extremely close, so those that didn't get to see it are still too far away to attend, and those that did that didn't enjoy it, won't bother going again, so that leads to lesser crowds at the shows.

And with the I&W&B tour, you had Venues and Promoters calling Dream Theaters Booking, they wanted this tour. It's the only reason why Dream Theater was able to play here in New Mexico. And the band came to check out the venue, or at least Jordan Rudess did as is evidenced in one of his tweets, because he posted a picture on the freeway, by a native casino, and I know exactly where he took that picture. And one of the people I know said They were here too, but JLB had a cold was being an ass because of it, but I understood why. Doesn't help if the "Runner" is an ass, and makes that requestee seem like an ass and demanding.

Unfortunately for myself it seems that circumstances are never right whenever they come to Dallas (where I live). I'm either financially compromised, or even if I have the disposable income, something else always seems to get in the way. Last time (in early 2019?) they played during or around the same month Voivod was here. I was out of work and strapped for cash. That Voivod's tickets were $25 certainly factored into the decision! (All this is IIRC - memory cheating not-withstanding)

Last time I saw a proper DT show was in 2000 on the Scenes tour. They played the (now defunct) Bronco Bowl. It's been awhile and I'm starting to think I'll never get a chance to see these guys live again. I'd like to at least catch one show with Mangini. I missed a lot when they opened for Maiden    Got to the venue late and caught the ass end of their set. (last riff of Constant Motion, Panic Attack, Pull Me Under I think? (it was such a cruel tease  ))

I think that's why I really enjoy these concert releases. Will probably get this new one to plug the hole of not being able to catch this tour in person!

[MoraWintersoul]

I mean, food for thought, but DT is one of the few bands even putting out live DVDs these days. Most bands, when asked about that, say that their labels tell them DVDs always lose money and that's the end of conversation. The fact that DT is skipping their usual practice of putting one out after about every tour isn't all that surprising. It's sad that TA is the tour that took a hit, given that it would have been different from their other live DVDs - I doubt there will be anything on Distant Memories that improves upon B4TW. But seeing how the interest just wasn't there for the tour, maybe they would have lost money on it.

[Setlist Scotty]

I mean, food for thought, but DT is one of the few bands even putting out live DVDs these days. Most bands, when asked about that, say that their labels tell them DVDs always lose money and that's the end of conversation. The fact that DT is skipping their usual practice of putting one out after about every tour isn't all that surprising. It's sad that TA is the tour that took a hit, given that it would have been different from their other live DVDs - I doubt there will be anything on Distant Memories that improves upon B4TW. But seeing how the interest just wasn't there for the tour, maybe they would have lost money on it.

What I find particularly curious is why we have never seen an official release of that Japanese show that was filmed during the 2017 tour. All the heavy lifting was already done, so it's strange that this hasn't seen release (yet) despite the fact that there are plenty of fans who have expressed interest in getting an officially released copy of it - probably more fans interested than in a TA live release. Even the band has expressed interest in releasing it, so I wonder why it still hasn't happened. Is it because JL's performance was not good enough and it would be too challenging to re-record the necessary parts and sync them up with the video? Or because bootleg copies are out there, they are concerned about fans doing A-B comparisons after additional pos-production work is done so they are happy with the result? Or is it something else?

[cramx3]

I mean, food for thought, but DT is one of the few bands even putting out live DVDs these days. Most bands, when asked about that, say that their labels tell them DVDs always lose money and that's the end of conversation. The fact that DT is skipping their usual practice of putting one out after about every tour isn't all that surprising. It's sad that TA is the tour that took a hit, given that it would have been different from their other live DVDs - I doubt there will be anything on Distant Memories that improves upon B4TW. But seeing how the interest just wasn't there for the tour, maybe they would have lost money on it.

What I find particularly curious is why we have never seen an official release of that Japanese show that was filmed during the 2017 tour. All the heavy lifting was already done, so it's strange that this hasn't seen release (yet) despite the fact that there are plenty of fans who have expressed interest in getting an officially released copy of it - probably more fans interested than in a TA live release. Even the band has expressed interest in releasing it, so I wonder why it still hasn't happened. Is it because JL's performance was not good enough and it would be too challenging to re-record the necessary parts and sync them up with the video? Or because bootleg copies are out there, they are concerned about fans doing A-B comparisons after additional pos-production work is done so they are happy with the result? Or is it something else?

Sometimes I wonder if bands hold back some of these to keep for future products to sell.  Like maybe on the 30th anniversary of I&W they release it as some sort of special product with a new edition of the album.  Just a guess, could be a bunch of reasons. 

[Ben_Jamin]

I mean, food for thought, but DT is one of the few bands even putting out live DVDs these days. Most bands, when asked about that, say that their labels tell them DVDs always lose money and that's the end of conversation. The fact that DT is skipping their usual practice of putting one out after about every tour isn't all that surprising. It's sad that TA is the tour that took a hit, given that it would have been different from their other live DVDs - I doubt there will be anything on Distant Memories that improves upon B4TW. But seeing how the interest just wasn't there for the tour, maybe they would have lost money on it.

What I find particularly curious is why we have never seen an official release of that Japanese show that was filmed during the 2017 tour. All the heavy lifting was already done, so it's strange that this hasn't seen release (yet) despite the fact that there are plenty of fans who have expressed interest in getting an officially released copy of it - probably more fans interested than in a TA live release. Even the band has expressed interest in releasing it, so I wonder why it still hasn't happened. Is it because JL's performance was not good enough and it would be too challenging to re-record the necessary parts and sync them up with the video? Or because bootleg copies are out there, they are concerned about fans doing A-B comparisons after additional pos-production work is done so they are happy with the result? Or is it something else?

I can understand this one, because they also went to the lengths to get the bootlegs deleted from Youtube. Maybe, it's the label as well, that decided that. OR Management, and they decided, why not. I don't know...

As Cram said, this one could be for a lot of reasons.

Although, I do hope that one day, we will see a Rock Opera musical of The Astonishing, in the same style of Ayreon, at least. I could see JLB playing either Arhys and The Narrator, or at least the Narrator and Daryus, with other Singers being the other cast. If I had the money, I definitely would fund this myself.

[Architeuthis]

It was filmed for Japanese TV so perhaps that network has the rights to it. I've seen the show a couple times and it is quite good. I liked the filming and sound, and it kind of has a darker raw energy to it reminiscent of Iron Maidens Death On the Road DVD from the Dance Of Death Tour.
Labrie wasn't bad at all, withe exception of a couple of rough spots and the band was having fun.

[Ben_Jamin]

And now...

We have to wait till 12/18.

Things shutting down has caused delays in every step of the release process.

[devieira73]

And now...

We have to wait till 12/18.

Things shutting down has caused delays in every step of the release process.

Really? Where did you see that?

[TheRich13]

Yes ! 12/18 ! Just got an email from century media ... ugh !

[JRuless]

Dear 2020.  You've failed,  you're dismissed. Bye!

[devieira73]

I just received that message too (but I wonder if it's only for the artbook this delay):

"Thank you for ordering Dream Theater - Distant Memories - Live in London Ltd. Deluxe 3CD+2Blu-Ray+2DVD Artbook from the Century Media Official Store. Due to delays at every step of the release process, caused by the current global pandemic, including printing, packing, shipping, importing, and more, the release date for Dream Theater - Distant Memories - Live in London Ltd. Deluxe 3CD+2Blu-Ray+2DVD Artbook has been forced to move from 11/27 to 12/18. We expect to receive stock by 12/11. Your order will ship on or around that date, and you will receive an email confirmation when it ships.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your patience.

Regards,
The Century Media Family"

[Ben_Jamin]

Yeah, it glanced past that part, it looks like the Artbook. So, I don't expect it till Christmas.

[cramx3]

Ugh whats annoying too is they don't seem to want to just send me my devin Townsend live album separately so now I'm double punished

[Ben_Jamin]

Ugh whats annoying too is they don't seem to want to just send me my devin Townsend live album separately so now I'm double punished

Really. I ordered that too, but didn't check to see. I bet a lot of bands on Century Media, are facing these delays.

[Madman Shepherd]

At least this delay *sort of* makes sense unlike The Astonishing debacle.

[Ben_Jamin]

At least this delay *sort of* makes sense unlike The Astonishing debacle.

You mean the 3D printed NOMAC wasn't the cause of the delay...

That company that printed the 3D NOMAC probably had setbacks themselves, with the machines, the plastic, or even the designs not coming out right. 3D printing isn't that easy to do, especially with the intricate design the NOMAC actually became. It's really pretty, and really finely detailed.

[bosk1]

Had the album been embraced by the fanbase, they would have easily done it. However, it was very polarizing. Why put the money into recording a live version of an album that a lot of fans didn't care for?

If you believe in something that strongly, you have the conviction to see it through and not cave to fan pressure. They were all in until about midway through that tour and then they caved and fell back on Images and Words 25. Not to make this about Portnoy because he absolutely has nothing to do with it, but he would have fought for it. It was even better live musically.

Totally agree.  By "caving in" for lack of a better term, as you said, they let the critics win, and the many fans who love the album, and there are many us, lost.  I would be lying if I said that didn't dent my faith in the band and their decision-making.  After being tired of the band for much of the late 00's, since it felt like the Portnoy and Friends show from a PR and public image standpoint, they had won me back over as a diehard fan for much of the 10's, but while they will likely always be one of my two or three favorite bands ever, my fandom doesn't have the same joy it did four or five years ago.  And hey, that is me problem, not their problem, but I am just saying.

I get what you guys are saying.  But just to add a bit to the discussion, it wasn't just about "caving" because the album didn't do as well as expected.  There's more to it than that.  They were planning on recording the show.  But keep in mind DT's practice of typically recording shows toward the very end of their tours (which a lot of bands do).  If I am correctly remembering what JP told me at the time (and filling in some other information from other sources), I believe the issue was this:  They had a date and venue chosen (and, yes, I know which one), but as I recall, that date got either canceled or postponed.  That created some complications for recording a show for the TA tour.  For one thing, the stage production for that show was all leased to the band by a third party company--it was not owned by DT.  So with the official TA tour wrapping up, their lease on that equipment was expiring.  Also, they were starting the tour for I&WAB.  So in order to record the show at that point, they would have had to schedule another one-off show during or after the I&WAB tour, as well as having to go back and rent the entire stage setup again.  It was just a lot of extra little headaches beyond simply hiring a filming crew to document the tour.  And the decision was, as I understand it, along the lines of:  Given that the demand for live DVDs is already pretty low, and the demand for this one in particular doesn't seem to be high, it isn't worth it to plan a one-off date later, re-rehearse/learn the set, get the stage production in place again now that it is gone, and do this.  It may feel to us as fans that, subjectively, those are small obstacles to overcome.  But we aren't standing in the band's shoes.  If they don't perceive that there is a demand for something that requires extra cost and effort that go beyond what it normally takes to produce something like this, I can see why they wouldn't feel it was justified.  I think it's cool that they were at least still strongly considering booking a one-off to do it in the first place, even if they ultimately decided against it.  I wish it would have happened.  I know JP wanted to do it.  But I get why, collectively, they decided that the extra hurdles and lower demand didn't justify it as a business decision.

As to the current release, I am looking forward to it.  I get some of the comments about not being overly excited about it.  On some levels, I am in the same boat.  Back when set lists changed, it was really cool to get a release that was different than what most of us would have seen at our particular show.  But that said, I still really look forward to getting to re-live the tour, even if the video presentation is very similar to what I saw.  I may not listen to it as often as if it was completely different (like I did with LAB or Score, for example--I listened to those a TON).  But I still enjoy getting to revisit my memories of that great live show.

[geeeemo]

Well.....I ordered the artbook edition and got the delayed email as well.  However..After my bestie all of a sudden became a fan, I have been sending her all manner of
DT stuff and ordered it for her as well.  As it was late in the game, it wasn't available at Century, but I found it at Napalm....Just got an email that it has shipped!

Yay! for her.      for me. 

[Ben_Jamin]

Had the album been embraced by the fanbase, they would have easily done it. However, it was very polarizing. Why put the money into recording a live version of an album that a lot of fans didn't care for?

If you believe in something that strongly, you have the conviction to see it through and not cave to fan pressure. They were all in until about midway through that tour and then they caved and fell back on Images and Words 25. Not to make this about Portnoy because he absolutely has nothing to do with it, but he would have fought for it. It was even better live musically.

Totally agree.  By "caving in" for lack of a better term, as you said, they let the critics win, and the many fans who love the album, and there are many us, lost.  I would be lying if I said that didn't dent my faith in the band and their decision-making.  After being tired of the band for much of the late 00's, since it felt like the Portnoy and Friends show from a PR and public image standpoint, they had won me back over as a diehard fan for much of the 10's, but while they will likely always be one of my two or three favorite bands ever, my fandom doesn't have the same joy it did four or five years ago.  And hey, that is me problem, not their problem, but I am just saying.

I get what you guys are saying.  But just to add a bit to the discussion, it wasn't just about "caving" because the album didn't do as well as expected.  There's more to it than that.  They were planning on recording the show.  But keep in mind DT's practice of typically recording shows toward the very end of their tours (which a lot of bands do).  If I am correctly remembering what JP told me at the time (and filling in some other information from other sources), I believe the issue was this:  They had a date and venue chosen (and, yes, I know which one), but as I recall, that date got either canceled or postponed.  That created some complications for recording a show for the TA tour.  For one thing, the stage production for that show was all leased to the band by a third party company--it was not owned by DT.  So with the official TA tour wrapping up, their lease on that equipment was expiring.  Also, they were starting the tour for I&WAB.  So in order to record the show at that point, they would have had to schedule another one-off show during or after the I&WAB tour, as well as having to go back and rent the entire stage setup again.  It was just a lot of extra little headaches beyond simply hiring a filming crew to document the tour.  And the decision was, as I understand it, along the lines of:  Given that the demand for live DVDs is already pretty low, and the demand for this one in particular doesn't seem to be high, it isn't worth it to plan a one-off date later, re-rehearse/learn the set, get the stage production in place again now that it is gone, and do this.  It may feel to us as fans that, subjectively, those are small obstacles to overcome.  But we aren't standing in the band's shoes.  If they don't perceive that there is a demand for something that requires extra cost and effort that go beyond what it normally takes to produce something like this, I can see why they wouldn't feel it was justified.  I think it's cool that they were at least still strongly considering booking a one-off to do it in the first place, even if they ultimately decided against it.  I wish it would have happened.  I know JP wanted to do it.  But I get why, collectively, they decided that the extra hurdles and lower demand didn't justify it as a business decision.

That's really understandable, and thanks for that insightful information.

It's these aspects of the music business, I wish fans could understand a bit more. I totally didn't snap about the bands leasing out equipment. Those LED screens were pretty amazing, and were probably expensive too.

[Shadow2222]

Interesting, so the release of the CD/Blu-ray isn't delayed, simply some of the bundles? I wish they could send a digital copy in the meantime

[ReaperKK]

I wonder if the vinyl set is delayed, I haven't gotten any emails about it.

[Mladen]

Thanks for that information, bosk. 

[goo-goo]

Just got my shipping confirmation for the CD/bluray from LaserCD.

[cramx3]

I definitely recall Bosk talking about that awhile ago during the TA tour.  If I recall, hints were maybe the Sydney Opera House for the filming? I'm not sure I'll get an acknowledgement regardless, but it just goes to show there's a lot of different angles as to why or why not a show gets a video release.  I would have loved it personally, but I do understand why things ended up being the way they were.

[KevShmev]

Good info, bosk1.  I was unaware of some of that.

But that leads to this question: why was the planned date cancelled or postponed? 

And honestly, I think the "DVD's don't sell well anymore" line the band has used is a somewhat of a cop-out.  I recall the band used it when asked why there was no TA tour DVD, but here we are a tour later and they are releasing a new one.  They have now released one from every tour featuring a new album with Mangini, except for the one from The Astonishing.  I guess we'll see how much they really believe in the album when we see how much of it is gets played in the future. 

[cramx3]

I think a lot of bands use the DVDs don't sell anymore excuse yet we haven't really seen much of a stop with regards to bands releasing them, DT being one of them

[Madman Shepherd]

I think a lot of bands use the DVDs don't sell anymore excuse yet we haven't really seen much of a stop with regards to bands releasing them, DT being one of them

Well, when you look at past released that have a limited run of several thousand or 10,000 or whatever it was and this new one, at least the CD/bluray artbook had a limited run of 200, I would say that yeah, they dont sell as well any more.

[MoraWintersoul]

I have seen a stop. The only bands I can think of that put out DVDs at DT's pace are Katatonia, Devin, Nightwish and some of MP's projects.

[kirksnosehair]

I guess we'll see how much they really believe in the album when we see how much of it is gets played in the future.

I'm guessing they'll probably pick out a few of the better, more interesting tracks from that album and do some kind of medley like they've done before with other albums, but I'd be surprised if they devote more than 15 minutes of show time to it.  I am a huge fan of this group and sitting here right now the only two track names I can remember from TA are "Dystopian" something and "Descent of the Nomacs" or something like that.  I admit that I've never made it more than about 5 tracks into it without switching it off.  Something tells me I'm not alone in this. 


TA is Dream Theater's "Love Beach" 

[Skeever]

The DVDs do not sell well anymore, but part of that (for me) is because there's really nothing worth buying. I don't want/need to see these guys play the songs exactly the same as they are played in the studio, with the sound quality being less full and the vocals being worse. Combine that with material that I think is the worst the band have ever done (The Astonishing), and that DVD would have been a hard-pass for me.

So what would I buy? Short of the performances surpassing their studio counterparts in some way, maybe I would be more interested if the performances were looser, included jams/extended parts, or were reworked live so that it was like listening to something new...

[devieira73]

The musical aspect aside, the real sad side of DT not releasing a live DVD from TA tour is that it was just the most beautiful show presentation that the band ever did and probably never will.

[cramx3]

I think a lot of bands use the DVDs don't sell anymore excuse yet we haven't really seen much of a stop with regards to bands releasing them, DT being one of them

Well, when you look at past released that have a limited run of several thousand or 10,000 or whatever it was and this new one, at least the CD/bluray artbook had a limited run of 200, I would say that yeah, they dont sell as well any more.

Sell and sell well are different. I think you have a valid point that they don't fly off shelves like they once did, but I do still see a good amount of releases...

Let's see, here's all the live blurays/DVDs released this year I purchased:

Eclipse - Viva LaVicTOURia
Redemption - Alive in Color
Def Leppard - London to Vegas
Metallica - S&M2
Kamelot - I Am the Empire

and I'm still waiting on these orders:

Dream Theater - Distant Memories
Blind Guardian - Imaginations from the Otherside 25th Anniversary
Devin Townsend - Order of Magnitude

so it's a mix of big, medium, and small bands still making video releases.  Also, Alestorm released a full concert on youtube and on social media seem to be toying with making it an official release on physical media.