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New Dream Theater single.

It's more the sound that shocks me. This has some heavy throwbacks to the Awake and Infinity era, structure-wise - and I like it.

Please let that be the case. I LOVED this band back in the day up until Scenes From a Memory. I like a few songs here and there from albums after that, but they all sound so generic and "Hey!!! Look how fast I can play this boring riff..." type of stuff.

I couldn't wait to hear an album that was not produced by Portnoy...so this is it! Finally.
 
Mangini really sounds good here, I'll give him that. Sounds very tight and focused.

Yes, I really liked the drums. I felt they were understated and perfectly tucked into the mix.

It's more the sound that shocks me. This has some heavy throwbacks to the Awake and Infinity era, structure-wise - and I like it.

Agreed. After essentially not being "into" the last few DT albums, this song took me back to the songs and era that I enjoy the most. I very much felt a sound / tone / feeling from "Awake", "Change Of Seasons", and "Scenes...".

James stays to his strong points - not trying to over power and accentuating the melody with a lower harmony, a technique that I like.

Oh, and I could actually hear Myung. I'm excited to hear the rest of the album.
 
I really like the new tune and I'm looking forward to the new album. I think it's going to be great. Plus as was already pointed out it was nice to hear Myung in the mix.

I also checked out Mike's new side project Adrenaline Mob and I don't care for it. Just reminds me of 80's speed metal.
 
From what I've read, Petrucci "wrote" the drum parts for this album and Mangini is playing what he wrote: http://ultimateclassicrock.com/john-petrucci-dream-theater-interview-2011/

I think the drums are in the DT style, but to me, it does sound different.

IMO, the biggest change will be from Portnoy's absence and influence in the overall production and mix. Already, through crappy PC speakers, I heard the drums sitting back, tucked in the mix, with the kicks not over powering the bass.

Of course it will take a more critical listen once it's released to really tell...
 
If there were no keys, or at least 50% less keys, it would be massively epic. It's still great, and I love the sound and the song overall. I like keys to be more of a support rather than standing out. If they were more like Opeth keys, which are much subtler and haunting rather than in your face and all over the track.
 
So I finally got around to listen to it. Meh. It's like everything they've done recently. I'll still get the album in hopes that there are better songs on it, and out of curiosity to hear how it sounds without Portnoy involved.

Nothing can top their 90's efforts and I suppose that's a tall order to take on.
 
IMO the intro screams Petrucci written and Im almost sure well be hearing way more of that on this album. While I much prefer Mangini's drumming I have to say I might miss some of the Portnoy written songs (especially his lyrics)

The mixing is stellar from a rhythm section perspective, finally the drums aren't so obnoxiously loud and you can hear Myung! But now the guitar and keys are a bit too loud :scowl:

Generally a good song though, it does definitely have some early 90s throwbacks, but without Mike Portnoy's terrible electronic snare drum (Images and Words) :D