If DT16 had guest vocals on just one song, who would you want to sing?

[DT05]

Guest vocals aren't big in the world of Dream Theater, but they aren't entirely unheard of. Let us not forget the greats who contributed their voices to this band other than James, such as Theresa Thomason who sang the vocalizations in "Through Her Eyes" and "The Spirit Carries On". She would then be asked to return for "The Great Gig in the Sky", and, some sources on the internet say she provides backing vocals on both "The Great Debate" and "Solitary Shell" (though I can't seem to nail down this as fact or just theory, maybe someone better versed than me knows!).

We also have, most famously, Doug Pinnick of King's X who comes out on the chorus of "Lines in the Sand", perhaps the most renowned example of a guest vocalist in that he comes from the same world of rock and metal that they do. This song being such a fan favorite, it is clear that Doug's inclusion in the song is seen as a positive more than anything (even if it took I myself some time to warm up to that chorus when I was younger!)

Now may I draw your attention to one of my favorite live moments I ever saw, which was, James LaBrie coming onstage during Opeth's set in basketball shorts to belt the final chorus of "In My Time of Need" in late springtime 2008 in Florida. First time I saw both bands and I was over the moon in joy.

Now, I recall there once being a time that they suggested having Akerfeldt on for harsh vocals, I think for "A Nightmare to Remember" possibly, but that ended up getting scrapped. Also in the drummer auditions immediately post-Portnoy, they considered Mr. Peter Wildoer who does drums and harsh vocals on James LaBrie solo albums. Both of these would have been fascinating dynamics to bring to the very limited guest vocal lineup.

But these days, I wonder, will we ever see a guest vocalist spot on a Dream Theater song again? James has been featured quite prominently as a featuring vocalist for bands over the years from Fates Warning to Eden's Curse to even a leading role on an Ayreon album. I always loved hearing James sing with other singers in that latter one especially, where we even got to hear him alongside aforementioned Mikael as well as one of my prog favorites, Devin Townsend!

So all of this to say, if DT16 were to have a song that features a guest vocalist, not for the entire song but maybe just a verse or chorus or a duet portion of the song, who do you think would be the best choice by 2024 standards? I'll tell you, my dream duet would be Daniel Gildenlow of Pain of Salvation, who came to do spoken word with a bunch of greats for "Repentance". We haven't heard him sing since 2020's Panther so I don't know if he's up for it, but if he would be, that would be my pick. I would also take Devin Townsend easily being that he can do both operatic clean vocals and harsher metallic. And of course, since many of us know that Mikael Akerfeldt has returned to cookie monster growls, he would be welcome too.

Who would you take in for a duet with James on the next LP if it was an option? Granted, I don't expect this to happen. It's yet another "Aniland, pt. 2: The Miracle and the Sleeper" hypothetical thread.

[CraftyCaleb2483]

Matthew Bellamy or Neal Morse would be welcome

[DT05]

Didn't we already have Matthew Bellamy on track 6 of album 8? /s

[gzarruk]

They also had Lzzy Hale on the single edit of Our New World, but you probably don't know this since you hate most stuff from the last 5 albums

As for who would I like to see do a guest vocal spot on a new DT album? I think Mikael, but with his clean singing, would be a very good choice.

Also, I imagine Devin, though I'm not a fan at all, could bring an interesting texture to a song.

[gborland]

Don't forget Lzzy Hale in Our New World, although she was a somewhat late addition.

(Oops, beaten to it!)

[crystalstars17]

** studiously ignoring this thread **

[DT05]

They also had Lzzy Hale on the single edit of Our New World, but you probably don't know this since you hate most stuff from the last 5 albums

I knew it, I just didn't care.

[pg1067]

- Geddy Lee
- Amy Lee
- David Lee Roth
- Lee Aaron
- Lee Greenwood
- Lee Ving

Some of these might not be serious.

[TAC]

- Geddy Lee


Some of these might not be serious.

Obviously. 

[wizard]

It might be :

Sharon den Adel
Floor Jansen
Damian Wilson
Neal Morse
Daniel Gildenlow
Ted Leonardt
Russel Allen
Steven Wilson
Mikael Akerfeldt

[CraftyCaleb2483]

** studiously ignoring this thread **

   

[ZirconBlue]

Floor Jansen

[MirrorMask]

Whoever would fit the most the song that requires a guest vocal spot.

[CraftyCaleb2483]

Didn't we already have Matthew Bellamy on track 6 of album 8? /s

I don't think so...

[hefdaddy42]

Lizzy Hale did a good job on hers.

But it feels kind of like a gimmick, nowadays.  I would rather they just do their thing themselves.

[Puppies_On_Acid]

I'll take John Arch or Ray Alder. Devin Townsend would be cool too, since he can do pretty much anything vocally.

[geeeemo]

I really enjoy Mikael Akerfeldt's voice. Either one. Beauty or the beast. Just not too much beast.  

[TheCountOfNYC]

Devin Townsend killed it on The Spirit Carries On during the last tour. I would love to hear him duet with his fellow Canadian in the studio.

[HOF]

Kip Winger.

[Pettor]

Honestly, I'd love to hear something outside the usual metal/rock genre. A calm, atmospheric track featuring LaBrie and Billie Eilish using their softer, 'whispering' voices would be incredible, even if it's a bit of a unrealistic dream! 😁

But if we're keeping it realistic, I think Einar Solberg would be a perfect fit, especially if the song has the dynamic build-up for it. Leprous often creates tracks that start off mellow and gradually explode into powerful vocals, and both LaBrie and Einar would shine in that kind of arrangement.

As for a heavier track, Tommy from BTBAM would be fantastic, particularly in something along the lines of Train of Thought. Picture a song like This Dying Soul or The Glass Prison where Tommy's growling vocals could bring a raw intensity to the heavier sections.

Ann Wilson would also be a brilliant choice. Her voice has aged with such beauty and grace it would add a unique, powerful and soulful dimension to a song.

[Mark Levinson Jr.]

Roy Khan (ex Kamelot) - He could crush it on a ballad.

or

Zak Stevens (ex Savatage) - He brings the emotion!

[Stadler]

We also have, most famously, Doug Pinnick of King's X who comes out on the chorus of "Lines in the Sand", perhaps the most renowned example of a guest vocalist in that he comes from the same world of rock and metal that they do. This song being such a fan favorite, it is clear that Doug's inclusion in the song is seen as a positive more than anything (even if it took I myself some time to warm up to that chorus when I was younger!)

Yeah, but don't assume; I forget where LITS came in on the countdown (PG can tell us) but for me it's NOT a fan favorite.  Pinnick ruins that song for me.

Thanks, but I'm good with James (and Mike and John) handling the vocals.   Let's leave it at that.

[DT05]

(duplicate double-click)

[DT05]

It took me 17 years to like LITS and it was Doug specifically that was a huge part of my disenjoyment. Something clicked later in life though, and most people who like that song indeed enjoy Doug Pinnick and King's X sounding music

Devin Townsend killed it on The Spirit Carries On during the last tour. I would love to hear him duet with his fellow Canadian in the studio.

wow I had no idea about this!

[Schurftkut]

It took me 17 years to like LITS and it was Doug specifically that was a huge part of my disenjoyment. Something clicked later in life though, and most people who like that song indeed enjoy Doug Pinnick and King's X sounding musicwow I had no idea about this!

this was the first performance where he joined on this song. Watch one from the last shows of that tour and he doesn't need the lyrics and nails every note bigtime. Plus he screams his head of for the last "on"

[Ben_Jamin]

this was the first performance where he joined on this song. Watch one from the last shows of that tour and he doesn't need the lyrics and nails every note bigtime. Plus he screams his head of for the last "on"

I was at the last show. He did amazing, and Tosin also did an excellent job at it as well.

[AncientMarinater]

Ray Alder

[crystalstars17]

**peeks back in..**

Ok, I'm very happy to see that this thread hasn't devolved into a this-one-or-that-one-should-replace-James train wreck. So I'll play.

Like Stadler said, I don't think anyone outside of DT should be singing with DT. But I would love to hear a collaboration outside of the band - why not?

And while we're dreaming, the one I would love to hear goes outside of the genre entirely. I would love to hear James sing the title song from The Phantom of the Opera with Sarah Brightman. This voice nerd would be in heaven. And while we're at it, I'd give half my life's savings to hear him sing the entire role.

[gborland]

I would love DT to have a permanent second singer. Not to replace JLB or help him with the high notes, but to complement him and give him a bit of respite. Kinda like when Anathema had Lee Douglas guest on a couple of songs, then they realised it worked really well, and they kept inviting her back and started to write some of the songs around her vocals which complemented the Cavanagh brothers nicely. She later become a full band member.

[crystalstars17]

I would love DT to have a permanent second singer.

I would be ok with this, kinda like a Kiske/Deris situation, but ONLY if it's Peter Orullian! 😁

[CraftyCaleb2483]

but ONLY if it's Peter Orullian! 😁

Not one, but two James Labrie's!

[emtee]

In the spirit of making amends, which the DT boys have done, I'd say Geoff Tate sharing a chorus with JLB would be kinda cool.

[Trav]

A ballad duet with Floor Jansen.  Actually my first choice would be Anne Wilson, but she's probably a little too classic rock for them.

[crystalstars17]

Not one, but two James Labrie's!

🤭✨

[Zantera]

I feel like bringing in the likes of Mikael Åkerfeldt, Devin Townsend or Daniel Gildenlöw would maybe have a negative effect since they work in the same field and there's the risk of overshadowing James completely. I think it would be more interesting if they got someone outside of the prog community. I don't really have a good candidate but I think that would be more interesting, maybe a female singer or something to add something different to it.