DREAM THEATER - BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS - Coming June

[Pajter]

JP's solo in The Shattered Fortress is fucking KILLER! One of the best I've heard of him.

Up there with UAGM and Voices.

[SussexProgMan]

Given with much eye rolling, Black Clouds was finally placed in my grubby paw for Fathers' Day. On two listenings so far, am very impressed but not sure if it's up there with Systematic Chaos - yet!

[gr8gonzo]

Sometimes I find I enjoy a DT album more after the next DT album is released.  I expect to be getting into Systematic Chaos more in the coming weeks.

[Valhall]

Agreed on the 93 version of ACOS. Not as polished and thoughtful, maybe, as the EP version (or the LSFNY version for that matter), but there's this energy the guys had back then...

JP's solo is one of his greatest, and it sadly evolved into something completely different in the latter versions. This purely live take on the epic was thankfully captured :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAKlvNKlR3A

Image is all blurry and shit, but sound's been dubbed with a CD track so it's perfecly listenable. Beware of some excruciating hair and fashion madness though (remember the Take The Time video ? Well, it's worse). James tends to scream a bit too much for my taste, as he used to do at the time, especially on such a seldom-performed piece, but that's no big deal. The instrumental part (starting with JP around 13:45 I think) is freaking jaw-dropping and the whole ending is again very different from the EP version. The "Don't go !" part is fantastic, considering what the song is about, and I always miss it when listening to the EP.

Two even earlier versions exist, the first is an instrumental demo from the Majesty era which already featured some of the main parts, and the second (and great one) was recroded during the singer auditions from 91, and if I remember correctly, some random guy named John Cintron is singing. And he does a pretty good job too, though I'm glad he wasn't asked to join  :lol: This version features some interesting lyrics that disappeared along the way and a cool voice sample at the end.

For those who'd like some CD recording, check the Dreambill official bootleg.

http://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCa ... product=29

Great show by the way, not only for ACOS.

[MikeEvs]

Agreed on the 93 version of ACOS. Not as polished and thoughtful, maybe, as the EP version (or the LSFNY version for that matter), but there's this energy the guys had back then...

JP's solo is one of his greatest, and it sadly evolved into something completely different in the latter versions. This purely live take on the epic was thankfully captured :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAKlvNKlR3A

Image is all blurry and shit, but sound's been dubbed with a CD track so it's perfecly listenable. Beware of some excruciating hair and fashion madness though (remember the Take The Time video ? Well, it's worse). James tends to scream a bit too much for my taste, as he used to do at the time, especially on such a seldom-performed piece, but that's no big deal. The instrumental part (starting with JP around 13:45 I think) is freaking jaw-dropping and the whole ending is again very different from the EP version. The "Don't go !" part is fantastic, considering what the song is about, and I always miss it when listening to the EP.

Two even earlier versions exist, the first is an instrumental demo from the Majesty era which already featured some of the main parts, and the second (and great one) was recroded during the singer auditions from 91, and if I remember correctly, some random guy named John Cintron is singing. And he does a pretty good job too, though I'm glad he wasn't asked to join  :lol: This version features some interesting lyrics that disappeared along the way and a cool voice sample at the end.

For those who'd like some CD recording, check the Dreambill official bootleg.

http://www.ytsejamrecords.com/ProductCa ... product=29

Great show by the way, not only for ACOS.

Agreed with all you've said there I have the dreambill bootleg already, just one correction it's Chris Cintron not John.

[Valhall]

Ah, yes, thank you for that ! Got mixed up with John Hendricks which is another random dude singing on the I&W Demos.

[weezul]

my box set arrived today, very cool, and i just finished up this beauty, a full bass transcription of A Rite of Passge

PDF LINK - http://www.liamgaughan.com/arop.pdf

[johninblack]

PDF LINK - http://www.liamgaughan.com/arop.pdf

What a very clever Frostie* you are, fine work indeed.

[weezul]

just keepin my skills sharp, and if its of any use to anyone, that's a bonus

[johninblack]

just keepin my skills sharp, and if its of any use to anyone, that's a bonus

Ah! Use it or loose it! I used to play cello which required reading bass, alto and (very occasionally) treble clefs. I can still work out the notes but it's one at a time very, very slowly.

[Bert]

I have to say that I'm really disappointed with this album. Pretty formulaic and in no way "progressive". As a band, they haven't really "progressed" since 6DOIT in my view, with the possible exception of some of the tracks on Octavarium.

Just sounds like sub Iron Maiden and Metallica only with some weird time sigs thrown in. Nothing to match the truly progressive Lines in the Sand or The Dance of Eternity for example.

I just think they've lost their way - too many detuned riffs, pointless shredding (compare Petrucci's solo on the aforementioned Lines in the Sand and tell me anything he's does on this album gets anywhere near it) and "cookie monster" vocals.

I reckon they're regressive, not progressive.

Grumpy old Bert. I'll get me coat  

[gr8gonzo]

On first listen, I'm reminded why bands should never be allowed to act as producer on their own material.  It's the attack of the wet kick drum with some music in the background.  I've never liked MP's "vocals" and dislike LaBrie's affinity for the megaphone effect.  They just can't pull off metal convincingly and should really steer clear of it.

I've gotten used to RoP enough to enjoy it.  Listening to The Count of Tuscany right now and it's got its bright spots.  The Shattered Fortress is a definite standout and hopefully the end of MP's 12 part quintillogy.  I most likely will be burning a disc of it in its entirety (The Glass Prison / This Dying Soul / The Root of All Evil / Repentance / The Shattered Fortress) and see how it feels as a complete piece.

[D S]

The Shattered Fortress is a definite standout and hopefully the end of MP's 12 part quintillogy.  I most likely will be burning a disc of it in its entirety (The Glass Prison / This Dying Soul / The Root of All Evil / Repentance / The Shattered Fortress) and see how it feels as a complete piece.

Thanks Gonzo!  I was thinking of doing the same thing but couldn't remember all the tracks!

I'm struggling a little with this one too.  The perpetual battering of double bass drums gets a bit wearing on the first few tracks and the growly vox are best left to Opeth.  I like RoP, Best of Days is heartfelt and probably my favourite so far and The Count is actually pretty good but haven't really clicked with the rest yet.

The covers CD however is really good!  Stargazer could have been written by DT but it is the 3rd Queen track, Lily of the Valley, which floored me.  They totally nail the Queen sound in terms of piano, vocals and especially guitar.  Played it to Mrs DS and she thought it was Queen!

[johninblack]

Grumpy old Bert. I'll get me coat  

I don't see how anyone could have a problem with your opinion, you have stated how you feel about it without being rude or nasty about it. Not a problem in my book


For the record I think it is good but nowhere near as good as their previous work but I expect that as with most DT albums it will continue to grow on me.

[Nellie]

I like your new avatar JiB :lol: