New Dream Theater song now online - "Constant Motion"

[SlavaF]

Anybody else heard this? Apparently, this is the first single off the new album "Systematic Chaos," and you can download it at http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/dreamtheater/

Personally, I think this is maybe the worst song they've ever made. Not only does it sound completely uninspired and forced, the vocals in the verses are a total ripoff of Trivium - which is probably the LAST band I ever thought Dream Theater would rip off. Plus the whole thing just reeks of terrible nu-metal.

If the rest of the album sounds anything like this, I think it's safe to say that DT is done for good. I thought their last album "Octavarium" was decent, and their newest live release "Score" is one of my all-time favorite live recordings, so hearing something as lame as this "single" is really disappointing. I think they're aiming for something with a straight-ahead rock vibe, but they just can't do it without sounding completely fake.

On the plus side, John Myung is turned waaaay up... not that he's playing anything interesting.

Just my 2 cents, I know there's a few Dream Theater fans here so I'm interested to hear what you guys have to say on this one.

[Agent Blue]

At least the singer looks like he finally realised what decade it was. I just listened to the song and it is absolutely terrible. The only semi redeeming thing was the bridge, but overall...yuck. I wasn't much of a fan of their last studio work either. To me John Petrucci sounded like he was using a DOD Grunge pedal on that album...

Scenes from a Memory is my **** though, just so you know I'm not a hater

[Ian Perge]

Originally Posted by SlavaF

On the plus side, John Myung is turned waaaay up... not that he's playing anything interesting.

I think that has a great deal to do with the fact that he used a 5-string HH Bongo for the recording of the latest album (as seen on the EPK from Roadrunner's site). Easily his best tone since "Falling Into Infinity", and with EB/MM debuting a six-string Bongo at Summer NAMM AFAIK I sense an endorsement change in the near future. For the infinitely better compared to both versions of his Yamaha signature model.

As for the song, I don't think it's nearly as bad as you do - in fact, I think it's a better heavy song than almost all of the songs off their "metal" album, TOT. I wish there were less Hetfieldisms in LaBrie's vocals but Petrucci managed to slow down and show a little melody and emotion during his solo and Portnoy managed to pull off some new tricks with his drumming, something that's been missing for a long time by both of them. As an old-school fan, this interests me more than anything on their last three studio albums.

[Embryodead]

just looking at the track listing you guys have to realize they need a radio friendly track. I'm betting this is it since they are planning a music video shoot. Just look at the track listing

In The Presence of Enemies Pt.1 (9:00)
Forsaken (5:36)
Constant Motion (6:55)
The Dark Eternal Night (8:51)
Repentance (10:43)
Prophets Of War (6:01)
The Ministry of Lost Souls (14:57)
In The Presence of Enemies Pt.2 (16:38)

by the looks of it, it's PROBABLY the "Radio Friendly" song that RR requires most bands to have.

[SuperSnake2012]

The first thing I thought to myself 3:45 in was "wow" to Myung's tone. I love the sound of that Bongo. I like the song too. I agree with Ian, LaBrie does sound like an 80's Hetfield. If only James could still sing like that though

[bikeplate]

HI

DT done because you dont like the song? It is to laugh. Who cares what you think. They sell out every show they do, have platiunum records, etc, etc. Millions of people love these guys. How many records have you sold?

Rob

[SlavaF]

Originally Posted by bikeplate

HI

DT done because you dont like the song? It is to laugh. Who cares what you think. They sell out every show they do, have platiunum records, etc, etc. Millions of people love these guys. How many records have you sold?

Rob

Who gives a **** how many records they've sold?? Hell, Britney Spears has sold infinitely more albums than DT, so according to your "logic," she's obviously untouchable since it's pretty safe to say that none of us have quite measured up to her success?? Yeah, whatever...

Besides this new song, I like pretty much everything they're ever done, and I'm still gonna buy the new album, and I'd still go see em live in 5 years even if they keep putting out bland songs. At the moment, I'm not too happy in the direction that they're going in, simple as that, and you don't have to agree with me!

Wow, I'm starting to turn into one of those people MP wrote about in "Never Enough"


PS Smash, I've never actually seen 'em live, but that's only because they never come out west! It really bugs me...

[SlavaF]

Originally Posted by Ian Perge

As for the song, I don't think it's nearly as bad as you do - in fact, I think it's a better heavy song than almost all of the songs off their "metal" album, TOT. I wish there were less Hetfieldisms in LaBrie's vocals but Petrucci managed to slow down and show a little melody and emotion during his solo and Portnoy managed to pull off some new tricks with his drumming, something that's been missing for a long time by both of them. As an old-school fan, this interests me more than anything on their last three studio albums.

That's cool, I'm glad to see that at least someone digs the new song. I totally agree about JM's tone, very aggressive and it actually cuts through the wall of guitar and drums for once!

As for the solo, we must be hearing something totally different, because it strikes me as one of his more obnoxious and emotionless ones... the keyboard solo is cool though.

[SixString]

Been listening to the tune for past two days and absolutely love it. I started listening to dt around SFAM andmy fav. album is Octivarium at first i hate it though ha then it REALLY REALLY grew on me. Very much digging this new tune its very much Kill/Ride metallica sound, hey if metallica can't do it anymore why cant someone else take over?

[invisiman]

It bored me to tears. And I love Dream Theater.

[SixString]

Originally Posted by invisiman

It bored me to tears. And I love Dream Theater.

Have you heard The Dark Eternal Night yet? I dunno how but a friend of mine got it and sent to me, theres no way you'll be bored with this tune haha its pure Dream Theater/LTE antics ha.

[jenderfazz]

There's no doubt that the whole song is formulaic and predictable. The Metallica-ish verse, typical (and not outstanding) DT chorus, and bridge that starts out of nowhere to a Petrucci guitar solo. Seriously, there's not really anything good in here.

That said, there WILL be great moments on the cd. You guys should remember that most decent bands have good albums and weak singles, and not the other way around.

[SixString]

I gues some people look at dream theater just for amazing off the wall music, i look at DT just as any other band when they put out a rockin tune like Constant Motion i listen to it as a rockin tune not a tune that is supposed to be off the wall amazing.

[invisiman]

Originally Posted by SixString

Have you heard The Dark Eternal Night yet? I dunno how but a friend of mine got it and sent to me, theres no way you'll be bored with this tune haha its pure Dream Theater/LTE antics ha.

I haven't checked it out yet, I might though if it's better than Constant Motion though.

[Vorago]

It's ok I guess, nothing shocking.

Here it is if you don't wanna download

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oeqGJN2WXQ

I like the album cover, very constructivistic, except for the ants and the DT road sign, who pretty much blow it

[SlavaF]

Originally Posted by SixString

I gues some people look at dream theater just for amazing off the wall music, i look at DT just as any other band when they put out a rockin tune like Constant Motion i listen to it as a rockin tune not a tune that is supposed to be off the wall amazing.

I suppose I'm guilty of this sometimes, but not for the most part - I love some of their more mainstream stuff like "I Walk Beside You" and "Pull Me Under," as much as more "off the wall" stuff like "The Glass Prison".

I think that this song tries to nail that straight ahead, head-banging rock vibe, but again, IMO they just can't do it very well.

PS how the hell did your friend get a hold of the Dark Eternal Night? I heard a clip of it on their EPK, and it sounds really promising.

[SixString]

Originally Posted by SlavaF

I suppose I'm guilty of this sometimes, but not for the most part - I love some of their more mainstream stuff like "I Walk Beside You" and "Pull Me Under," as much as more "off the wall" stuff like "The Glass Prison".

I think that this song tries to nail that straight ahead, head-banging rock vibe, but again, IMO they just can't do it very well.

PS how the hell did your friend get a hold of the Dark Eternal Night? I heard a clip of it on their EPK, and it sounds really promising.

He said "umm...some forum post" and quickly changed the subject i know hes on the mikeportnoy.com forums alot but i cant imagine they'd have that kind of stuff on his forums, i could be wrong.

[MistaMarko]

Originally Posted by SlavaF

Who gives a **** how many records they've sold?? Hell, Britney Spears has sold infinitely more albums than DT, so according to your "logic," she's obviously untouchable since it's pretty safe to say that none of us have quite measured up to her success?? Yeah, whatever...

Your simply proving that idiot people buy idiot music. End of story.


Anyway, about the new song, I absolutely LOVE IT. Everyone I've showed it to does as well. It does indeed sound like a radio friendly song, and from what I hear that's what it is.

You have to remember though, that Dream Theater is a progressive band. By definition progressive means "changing"...and musically it can mean changing from a genre aspect. Look at their records. Very Rush/Iron Maiden-ish on WDADU, Proggish on I&W, Awake was really heavy..FII was not at all heavy and more balladish...SFAM? Concept and lots of ballads. SDOIT? Epics, Glass Prison, some slower songs. TOT? Blastastic Metal. Octavarium? Pretty much a summary of it all.

They CHANGE, their progressive, give them some space, they need no-brainer songs too, and by that I mean not off the wall nuts stuff like Dance Of Eternity.

So yeah, Constant Motion. Good song. Can't wait for the album.

[SlavaF]

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

You have to remember though, that Dream Theater is a progressive band. By definition progressive means "changing"...and musically it can mean changing from a genre aspect. Look at their records. Very Rush/Iron Maiden-ish on WDADU, Proggish on I&W, Awake was really heavy..FII was not at all heavy and more balladish...SFAM? Concept and lots of ballads. SDOIT? Epics, Glass Prison, some slower songs. TOT? Blastastic Metal. Octavarium? Pretty much a summary of it all.

They CHANGE, their progressive, give them some space, they need no-brainer songs too, and by that I mean not off the wall nuts stuff like Dance Of Eternity.

Heh I was saying the exact same thing a few years ago when "As I Am" just came out and was getting trashed constantly by all the fanboys... so "Progressive" means "changing". Gotcha.

All I said was I don't like the new single! I've actually enjoyed most of their "progressing" and "changing" over the years, but IMO this song is just really bland and derivative of some newer metal bands... although I'll admit, after a few more listens, I don't hate it as much as I did at first, though I still don't think it's any good!

[millahh]

I haven't actually had a chance to listen to it yet, but I know by now not to put much stock in the first single off of a DT album. "As I Am" was by far the worst song on ToT, and "Root of All Evil" (that was the pseudo-single off 8vm, right?) was lacking for me as well. Really, it seems that any time they're trying to put a certain face forward, rather than just following their muse (pun intended? ), the music suffers, fo me at least.

I have high hopes for the disc, regardless of what the single may sound like.