No, the opposite. I go back and listen to Awake and Images and Words and enjoyed that material much better. Their newer material demonstrates their ability to jam on odd time signatures like nobody's business, but it feels very forced to me, alsmost as if the extended instrumental sections are there simply to prove what they can do, rather than build on the theme of the song. Does that explain it a bit better?

Makes sense. Since Mike and John do the producing there is no one to reign them in on the self indulgent solos and instrumentals for the sake of showing off vs. fitting the song. I can sort of agree. I could definitely use another Awake or I&W (even SFAM)album where not every track is 9 minutes long. Give me something that hits hard and is nice and tight and to the point. Save all the excess indulgences for the stage.

I still love it though.

Like I said, I can still pump my fist to alot of the new material, but alot of it is like :"cool riff there", "Megadeth moment here," as opposed to "Wow, great song from start to finish." Totally agree about the producer issue as well. They've proven they can make a great-sounding record, but I'd like to see what they could do with a producer to offer some outside opinions to trim down some of the excess and focus their energy a bit more.

Mine finally arrived yesterday, and it's surprisingly good. Some of the lyrics are pretty bad, and it's a little self-indulgent, but it's better than much of the recent stuff, and I found myself rocking to it while working today.

das

I like this new record alot, but I also have to agree on A) Portnoy's vocals are tragic, and B) Rudess has some pretty lacking sounds. I HATE when he breaks into that Charlie Chaplin ragtime piano crap. Don't get me wrong, Rudess is a fantastic player, but he doesn't have an "edge" to him.

My fear is that the duo of Portnoy and Petrucci calling the shots will eventually lead to members leaving. Just from watching the making of documentary it looks like Labrie can get a little testy during the sessions, and Myung had no interviews at all - when was the last time he even contributed lyrics?

Say what you will about Kevin Moore, but he added a dimension to the band that has been gone since 1995. To this day he uses some very nice and "organic" sounding patches, be it on OSI, later Fates Warning stuff, Chroma Key, etc. Plus I've always loved his songwriting, which were complimented greatly by DT's musicianship.

Has anyone who ordered through FYE gotten their autographed Litho yet?

.
I'm loving this album but I agree on most of your counts. I forget which song it is on SC, but they are in a groove and then we get that ragtime shit... again. Ugh. It worked on SFAM only because the story took place in the 20's. Get a new schtick.

I think Myung had a song on 6DoIT.

Also love KevMo. Wasn't a fan of his stuff on ChromaKey but his work on DT is unforgettable and OSI is easily my favorite side project of the group. Hell, I even liked what Sherinian did on Awake, ACOS and FII. Ruddess has his moments, SFAM and 6DoIT, but it's hard to listen to seriously when some out of place solo appears out of nowhere.

Finally got my autographed "item" in the mail. I got the autographed CD sleeve.

I was on the computer when the FYE email hit my inbox and I ordered as soon as it did and still didn't make the first 500. That's pretty weak.

DREAM THEATER'S "PROGRESSIVE NATION" featuring OPETH, 3 and BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME to embark on inaugural tour of North America throughout April & May 2008.


New York progressive metal pioneers DREAM THEATER are set to unveil their maiden voyage of "PROGRESSIVE NATION". A package tour they will headline that will also feature the talents of OPETH, 3 and BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME.

The tour is the brainchild of DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy who explains: "I've been wanting to assemble a package tour like this for many years now. With all of the festivals and package tours that go through America, I've been talking with our manager and agent for over 10 years now about doing something that focuses on the more progressive, musician-oriented side of hard rock and metal. I decided it was time to stop talking the talk, lace up and finally walk the walk"

While DREAM THEATER co-headlined 2005's GIGANTOUR along side MEGADETH, as well as embarking on previous co-headlining runs with both QUEENSRYCHE and JOE SATRIANI, they have primarily built their 22 year career on the road playing solely to their own audience. Portnoy comments: "I've always prided myself on personally hand picking new and exciting opening acts for DREAM THEATER in the past. Bands such as PORCUPINE TREE, SYMPHONY X, SPOCK'S BEARD, FATES WARNING, PAIN OF SALVATION and KING'S X. In all of these cases, it was important for me to pick bands that I admire and respect but also ones that I know our fans will enjoy. And I think playing with DT has helped expand all of those band's fanbases as a direct result. I am hoping PROGRESSIVE NATION will continue to do the same thing in offering an audience for more daring and experimental acts that otherwise may not get the mainstream exposure they so rightly deserve."

Joining the bill for this inaugural run is Sweden's legendary OPETH who have been enjoying an ever-growing and expanding audience of their own for many years now. DT's Roadrunner Records label-mates will be ready to unleash their new album come next spring and PROGRESSIVE NATION should be a great launching pad for their next World Tour cycle. Guitarist/Vocalist Mikael Akerfeldt adds: "We're very excited about this upcoming tour with DREAM THEATER. It will be the first tour that we're doing in support of our upcoming record, and also somewhat of a dream come true personally as I've been a fan of theirs for a long time. It's quite intimidating to be on the bill with such amazing musicians but obviously we'll try and give them a run for their money and pull out a few nice licks of our own. I guess we'll need to practice a little bit for this....how boring! Yet, I can't wait for this tour to start and I'm sure we'll have a blast with the DT guys as well as together with the other bands on the bill!"

Also on the bill with their unique blend of pop, funk and hard rock is upstate New York's 3 who issued the following statement: "3 is very pleased to announce its participation in the PROGRESSIVE NATION tour. For well over a decade DREAM THEATER has been the vanguard of progressive rock and we are completely psyched to flex with these heavyweights, playing much of our new record "The End is Begun". This package will rock and awe fans everywhere as one of the most important tours of the year. It's a progressive way of music, a progressive way of life....welcome to the PROGRESSIVE NATION tour."

North Carolina's BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME are enjoying rave reviews and critical acclaim for their latest CD "Colors" and are looking forward to sharing the stage each night with both DREAM THEATER and OPETH. Vocalist/Keyboardist Tommy Rogers comments: "We are very excited to be touring with two bands that have been such an integral part of our musical upbringing. It is a wonderful opportunity to have our music heard by new ears."

DREAM THEATER are currently in the middle of their "Chaos In Motion" World Tour which has already traveled extensively throughout Europe and North America in support of their latest Roadrunner Records CD "Systematic Chaos". The World Tour will continue throughout 2008 hitting Asia, Australia and South America before concluding with PROGRESSIVE NATION returning to North America in April/May 2008.

Portnoy hopes that this first venture of PROGRESSIVE NATION will prove to be a success that can enable himself and DREAM THEATER to continue the package into future years and begin a tradition that musicians and fans alike can count on for quality musicianship and artistic integrity on future tours.

For more information as well as tour dates to be announced soon, visit:

www.dreamtheater.net
www.myspace.com/dreamtheater
www.roadrunnerrecords.com

I sure hope as hell this comes near me. ( i would travel though). I can now die happy to say that i got to see both dream theater and opeth, and hell on the same tour. (article doesn't mention if this is a large club tour or a arena tour.

Aside from Opeth, they could have picked some better bands. I've never even heard of 3?! What kind of band name is that? They should have kept Redemption on the tour.

Please come to the midwest, PLEASE!

3 is a pretty cool band. I got their Wake Pig album off of a Lala recommendation and have listened to it quite a bit. None of these bands really have a similar style though.

Michael

Opeth gets my money everytime they're in town. Amazing musicians. Michael's onstage banter is pterry funny, too. Kinda the last thing you'd expect from such a heavy sounding band. He once introduced "Deliverance" at a live show by describing a dream he had about Burt Reynolds.

only thing i could think of similarities (haven't really heard of 3) is that each band likes to do songs over 10 minutes.
Speaking of Opeth, besides Ghost Reviveries, which album is consitered their best (no i don't really have interest in the all accoustic album_)

I don't know why they need an opening act at all. When I saw them last, it was "An Evening with Dream Theater". Two sets, no crap. I'm mildly curious to see Opeth (although I've never heard anything from them I would call 'good') but would hate to watch a bunch of second string bands screw around for half the night.

Tough choice. Hardcore fans can dispute this issue all day long. I started with Blackwater Park, since it was their first effort produced by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree. While his involvement is definitely felt, Opeth's trademark musicianship really shines through. I find myself going back to this one quite often. The 'acoustic album' you referred to above titled "Damnation" isn't really that at all, just a well-produced set of songs with 'clean' vocals throughout (no cookie monster growls). This is probably my second favorite and to me it really shows what great all-around writers they are. I've played this in the background when I have family over eating dinner and my brother-in-law commented how cool it was...then I told him it was a death metal band from Sweden.

Damnation is the ONLY one I enjoy because it isn't Cookie Monster. Åkerfeldt has a killer voice that really shines through on this album.

I'll definitely have to get tix to this show if they come through the Twin Cities. Two of my favorite bands on the same bill?

As to Opeth: I think their best effort, hands down, is Blackwater Park. My second favorite (and the one that got me hooked on them, is Morningrise).

something interesting i found on blabbermouth
This is actually a band that i somehow can't see working with a different singer. I know the band has gotten heavier and more aggressive over the past couple of years, but with a new singer, you think Portnoy would have gotten maybe a screamer or someone similar to say, the singer from Into Eternity.
Here's a video of into eternity
<embed width="425" height="355"src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g5GSFcYqBoc&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" </embed>

I'm getting the book so hopefully there will be more interesting info in there.

Regarding Into Eternity, for some reason those guys do absolutely nothing for me. I've heard their last 3 albums, and not one note stuck with me.

Dream Theater? Opeth? How far do I need to travel. Good lord will that be a great show!

Jesus christ, if DT ever replaced Labrie with an asshole like that, I would burn every single DT CD I own.

Although I strongly suspect that their move to Roadrunner records means that something like this will likely happen.

I can't say much about 3, but Opeth and Between the Buried and Me do more than "screw around." Both are pretty awesome, and BTBAMs most recent album is one of my personal favorites of the year.

God I hope not. That is fucked up. I would have never imagined in a million years, DT replacing James. He's as much of DT as Portnoy & Petrucci.

Damn, I can't wait to get that book now.

That's an interesting position. I am familiar with DT, and I wish I liked them more than I do/as much as I used to, but I would have to say DT is Portnoy and, to a much lesser extent, Petrucci.

As for almost letting LaBrie go, many would have rejoiced if it came to pass, but the real problem is made apparent on the SC DVD: LaBrie sounds like he does because Portnoy wants histrionics on the record.

As an aside, I've come to believe that the other 3 (3 since LaBrie seems to have always been a independent contractor) members of DT have let Portnoy assume more and more control over the years, and this has resulted in a decline in quality. It seems to me Portnoy takes an obsessive but perfunctory or myopically subjective approach to record making.

The first time I heard Portnoy's vocals on a record I knew he had to be in the driver's seat. His drumming is fantastic, but his singing is...just....BAD.