Dream Theater Enter Studio to Record 12th album

It is official. DREAM THEATER are set to release their new album SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2013!

Now, my question is what can we expect? Dream Theater have made it abundantly clear that, as a band, they are shifting into new direction with drummer Mike Mangini, so much so the new album will be self titled DREAM THEATER to represent all things that are truly dream theater. The band now feels the time is right to have a self titled album due to the nature of what the new album will represent. Clearly this is a special time in DT history, so of course my question to all you fellow proggers and fans, what can we expect and possibly hope for?

Here is the official link. Sorry that you most likely will have to copy/paste it, since I do not have a PC at this time.    

http://www.progrockmag.com/news/dream-theater-announce-new-album-details/

Here's what we know so far:

- The album will be self-titled
- Mike Mangini was heavily involved in the writing process
- The album has at least one instrumental
- There is a "Opening" track
- The album will have an epic (or a very epic sounding song)
- There is a symphony orchestra on the album, possibly on every track
- The guitars must sound like chocolate cake

I have mixed feelings about this news. while I like DT they have been treading water for a few albums. I think they need a new, outside producer to cut down on their needless noodling and work on songcraft. Since John Petrucci is producing again, I think we can expect more of the same DT. It's unfortunate as I think they have the talent to make a brilliant prog album, not just prog metal.

I'd love a DT album that was drastically different from previous albums.

Its all on-line posting fluff by Petrucci.......the proof is in the pudding (not cake, though I luv cake..), when the album comes out of the oven....The judging will then begin.

Catcher10 wrote: Its all on-line posting fluff by Petrucci.......the proof is in the pudding (not cake, though I luv cake..), when the album comes out of the oven....The judging will then begin. I like that they chose a self-titled album But it needs to be brilliant!

You gonna buy it on vinyl? I bet ya are. It is a bigger cake then a cd. :)

progbethyname wrote: Ambient Hurricanes wrote: ^I think it would be cool to hear some jazzy stuff on the album; not "let me dazzle you with my soloing wizardry" jazz but stuff that incorporates some of the harmonic intricacy and groove you find in jazz and transplants it into a progressive metal context.  With an orchestra. Yeah. Bring back the saxophone like in ANOTHER DAY, but more edgy. :)

darkshade wrote: Here's what we know so far: - The album will be self-titled - Mike Mangini was heavily involved in the writing process - The album has at least one instrumental - There is a "Opening" track - The album will have an epic (or a very epic sounding song) - There is a symphony orchestra on the album, possibly on every track - The guitars must sound like chocolate cake

Your hands are really itching to get hold of a copy of that album, ain't that true? Just let the band do their thing and come out with a present that you may or may not like. You'll ruin the fun of it.

darkshade wrote: - Mike Mangini was heavily involved in the writing process - The album has at least one instrumental

Now that is good news. Thanks for ruining it for me, chocolate cake.

darkshade wrote: I'd love a DT album that was drastically different from previous albums.

Same here.

Looking forward to this; I really loved ADTOE, so I have high hopes for this one.

Also, I like the sound of chocolate-cake guitars.

Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote: Snow Dog wrote: progbethyname wrote: Ambient Hurricanes wrote: ^I think it would be cool to hear some jazzy stuff on the album; not "let me dazzle you with my soloing wizardry" jazz but stuff that incorporates some of the harmonic intricacy and groove you find in jazz and transplants it into a progressive metal context.  With an orchestra. Yeah. Bring back the saxophone like in ANOTHER DAY, but more edgy. :) Oh no for f**k's sake Noooooooooooo! Oh, I totally second that cry of despair! If they approach any sax playing like so many prog bands did in the 70's, where it was wild, exciting and dirty, played like the instrument should be, we might be fine. I don't think I could stand any more drippy, schmaltzy soft-jazz sax like on that track. It's that sort of stuff why so many people instantly write the instrument off completely.

Agreed.  By "Jazzy" I didn't mean "with sax!"  Although it would be pretty awesome if they could get what's-his-face from VdGG to make an appearance on the album.

I actually like Another Day, though.