DREAM THEATER - BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS - Coming June 23rd!

If I have to lock this for Rule 6, I'm going to be highly agitated.

Weymolith


If I have to lock this for Rule 6, I'm going to be highly agitated.

I apologize, I didn't realize my defense of Freemasonry fell under a religious (it is not a religion) or political (it is a bi-partisan and apolitical organization) umbrella.  I just wanted to set the record straight, but I won't be engaging in any more discussion about it, let alone an inflammatory one.

Edit: Oops, I see what I said now... .  Please feel free to delete the offending words (I don't think it's letting me edit it anymore).

when will the video be released? late april?

Any word on DTS 5.1 / DVD-A for this one?

I really enjoy the surround sound mix of Systematic Chaos.. was hoping for it to be a regular thing.

Derek

Nope

Weymolith


Nope

"Nope" there's no word, or "nope" there's no 5.1?

There is no mention of a 5.1 in the original post in this thread by MP.

I wish June could get here quicker...I can't wait for this album!  I beefed on seeing DT tour SC (my brother saw them, though!) so I must go see them this go 'round!

Don't know if it's been talked about but some french websites mention a Deluxe 6 discs BC&SL package !

http://www.alapage.com/-/Fiche/Musiques/1010494/CD/black-clouds-silver-linings-2-cd-bonus-1-cd-rom-2-33-tours-vinyls-packaging-velours-edition-limitee-et-numerotee-dream-theater-hard-rock-metal.htm?donnee_appel=GOOGL

http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/9692282/Black-Clouds-Silver-Linings/Product.html

£12.99 pre order avaliable for the 3 disc version, very very reasonable price imo

^^ Awesome! Cheers Weez!

In Lost season 5 episode 12, John Locke asks Benjamin Linus to talk about the elephant in the room.

PLZ ENOUGH ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM FOR THIS MONTH !

weezul


http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/9692282/Black-Clouds-Silver-Linings/Product.html

£12.99 pre order avaliable for the 3 disc version, very very reasonable price imo

It's £11.99 now

Is it guaranteed release day delivery?

knowing the history of those, they sometimes show up 1-2 days before official release,and Way just loves us when we show him picture of original copy :)

does anyone now of a site in the U.S. where i can purchase the Special Edition from that IS NOT Amazon (where it's listed as like $55....?)

I mean, i know i may have to pay like $25-30, but $55? come one...

any insight would be appreciated. 

I remember back having Pre-Ordered the special edition of Systematic Chaos from the usually reliable AMAZON and then them e-mailing me back shortly after the release that they had sold out and could not fill my order... I never did get an explanation from them as to how the hell they could be sold out of a Pre-Ordered item... Anyone else encounter this same crazy circumstance???
 
Amazon typically is always terrific with my orders but they really failed on that one. I won't order a Pre-Order record from them again as I don't wish to wait three months after the fact to get the new DT record.

I think when I pre-ordered my Chaos in Motion DVD I didn't get it till like the week after release.

I was hoping for a statement from MP or Wey that you can officially pre-order it. But i will look around.

Rich Wilson, author of the official Dream Theater biography, ‘Lifting Shadows’, has penned the Hammer track-by-track of their latest album, ‘Black Clouds And Silver Linings’.

A Nightmare To Remember


Opening with a creepy piano introduction before some dark and imposing chords, some truly blistering kick drums appear before a weighty riff takes control. A few minutes on, and the headlong pace breaks into a lighter guitar motif, before another guitar melody drifts in. LaBrie’s vocals sound controlled and as with the rest of the album, this is Dream Theater sounding just so much bigger than before. This song lasts a mesmerising sixteen minutes, but at no time does it sound contrived or laboured. With that amount of time to play with, the track has a flurry of time signature changes. John Petrucci is inspired and delivers a fret melting solo nine minutes in, directly followed by keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess cranking out some crazy riffs of his own, before the pair trade off licks and unisons. There are a few of the growling vocals that caused a certain amount of controversy on their last album Systematic Chaos, but they are fleeting and quickly disappear as more curveballs are thrown in. Some typically wacky Jordan Rudess melodies take the track in a new direction before a more explosive version of the original riff from all of ten minutes ago returns. For an opening album tracks, it’s an enthralling and exhausting musical journey.

A Rite Of Passage


How can you follow a song that’s sixteen minutes long? How about one that extends to eight and a half?  There’s an eastern influence in the calm guitar opening which lasts for a matter of seconds before catchy riffs take over. Again there are a few growling vocals in there that might raise a few eyebrows. The chorus is a true arms-aloft anthem, which is no doubt why an edited five-minute version has been chosen as the album’s lead single. The production is also noticeably slick and James LaBrie hasn’t sounded this solid in years. Two thirds of the way in, a new ferocious riff grabs you by the shirt and throws you in another unanticipated direction. Petrucci delivers another killer solo in a flurry of tempo changes. He then passes the baton to Jordan Rudess who produces some hyperactive fingerwork of his own. This song encompasses everything that Dream Theater detractors loathe but everything that their fans will adore.

Wither


Wither is a break from all the intensity, with a five-minute ballad that’s harmonious and intensely hummable.  Much like Vacant on the band’s Train Of Thought album it’s a welcome intermission. There’s even a string section accompanying the immediately infectious chorus and it’s likely to appeal to old-school DT fans. This leads into a lilting piano section before Petrucci provides an almost Brian May like triumphant, song-ending solo.

The Shattered Fortress


This is the final piece of the so-called AA saga, which has seen a musical and lyrical of linking of tracks spread over the last few albums. It will eventually be fixed to the end of Repentance to form a gargantuan concept album to be performed live. The track opens with its own distinctive riff before nodding at the musical motifs from the previous songs in the piece.  There are some truly juddering riffs as well as a fleeting return of those growling vocals that might have some fans (who want Dream Theater to sound like Dream Theater and not Opeth) questioning the band’s motives. There’s a muscular reprise of the opening riff from The Root Of All Evil before another change of pace to an almost symphonic, film-score section. There are more melody changes and frenetic keyboard workouts before the track breaks down into a wonderfully clean guitar sound. It’s another exhilarating and unremitting twelve-minute ride.

The Best Of Times


This opens with a beautifully mellow piano motif, before being joined by a string section. The track then rapidly increases in tempo with a driving riff reminiscent of Rush’s Spirit Of Radio. The song is crammed with uplifting melodies, soaring guitars and keyboards and is arguably the most old-school Dream Theater track on the album. It’s also the album’s finest track that will have you straining to press the repeat button.
Lyrically, it’s a touching and heartfelt tribute to Mike Portnoy’s father, Howard, who died at the end of last year. There’s a rousing finale with an extended Petrucci flurry of notes before returning to the tracks signature melody. Utterly bewitching.

The Count Of Tuscany


This is the monster – an epic track that extends over nineteen minutes. The opening section sounds like Yes with bite, before heavier riffs take over the song’s direction.
It’s typically Dream Theater, with a vast array of time signature changes and intermingling melodies –  and that’s just in the first three minutes. There are some bombastic heavy riffs that all blend seamlessly with countless melodies. In fact in that regard, it’s reminiscent of the similarly expansive A Change Of Seasons and is destined to become a Dream Theater classic. The latter few minutes are dominated by an almost Pink Floyd guitar elegance, with an acoustic guitar then building to a formidable – if mellow – finale to a compelling album.
There will be plenty of areas of discussion about the merits of the album by the Dream Theater die-hards. But taken as a whole, this is Dream Theater’s finest and most balanced album in a decade. If Systematic Chaos helped them to partially lose the cult band tag, then Black Clouds & Silver Linings with surely take them to the next level.

Wow!

....



.....



me wants it! 

cyberdrummer



The Count Of Tuscany


It’s typically Dream Theater, with a vast array of time signature changes and intermingling melodies –  and that’s just in the first three minutes. There are some bombastic heavy riffs that all blend seamlessly with countless melodies. In fact in that regard, it’s reminiscent of the similarly expansive A Change Of Seasons and is destined to become a Dream Theater classic. 

 
I can´t wait for this!
 

cyberdrummer

There will be plenty of areas of discussion about the merits of the album by the Dream Theater die-hards. But taken as a whole, this is Dream Theater’s finest and most balanced album in a decade. If Systematic Chaos helped them to partially lose the cult band tag, then Black Clouds & Silver Linings with surely take them to the next level.

 
Interesting! Now I am more excited than before

WOW!

I remember reading another review here in the forum and the guy said that there wouldn't be any growled vocals... who speaks the truth?

I just realized that still 2 MONTHS for the 23rd of June !! :(

goncalo_viola


I remember reading another review here in the forum and the guy said that there wouldn't be any growled vocals... who speaks the truth?

 
Ahhh. I said that they'd "cut back" on the growlers. Not completely removed 'em

I am so pumped right now! I am enjoying the anticipation for this album

Rich Wilson

goncalo_viola


I remember reading another review here in the forum and the guy said that there wouldn't be any growled vocals... who speaks the truth?

 
Ahhh. I said that they'd "cut back" on the growlers. Not completely removed 'em

Oh ok! Sorry!

cellardoor

Rustinpeace21


yea i checked it out, it seems like some cult type thing, how is it so controversial

Freemasonry is not a cult AT ALL.  It is essentially the world's oldest fraternity.  They have a lot of rituals that have been around for hundreds of years, but they are entirely symbolic.  These used to be considered secret; however, in the age of information, 100% of their practices have been disseminated and modern freemasons are fine with that.  The secrecy of the rituals and symbolism is not tantamount to the overall meaning of freemasonry.

For your information, the fraternity is based on living your life "on the square", or in a charitable and honorable fashion.  Freemasons are also behind the Shriner hospitals, which provide FREE hospital service for children.  You might also be interested to know that the majority of the founding fathers of the United States of America were Freemasons, and imbued some of the tenets of Freemasonry in the language of this country's founding documents.  This is where a lot of the "conspiracy theories" come from, as uninformed people assume that Freemasons are essentially the puppet-masters at high levels of government, because masonry has typically, though not exclusively, attracted people who were in a position of power.  A lot of masons are simply history buffs and knowledge seekers.  By now you may have guessed that I am a Freemason, myself.

Do a tiny bit more research before you start throwing around words like "cult".  You may be confusing Freemasonry with Scientology... now THAT is a cult.

Who do you think you are fooling? 
Jeez! People aren't stupid.
Masons=good people. LOL
 

My dad was a freemason, preety cool thing to sing about. From what I remember him telling me, they had a meeting like once a month, then got REALLY drunk and had an awesome meal :P

I know it probably wont bother me because it will grow on me, but Im wondering how crazy these "growls" are

This just sound terrific, a mix of the things that make DT the Best!
I´m getting more and more excetid for this release!

SyStemaTiK88


I know it probably wont bother me because it will grow on me, but Im wondering how crazy these "growls" are

Not very . . .

Rich, have you hear AROP vs AROP-radioedit? And if so, Is their a major differance?

This raised my excitement level quite a bit.

The Track by Track Review from Rich Wilson is awesome!!! I am so stoked for this album.

Wait, so is it a real string section or a Rudess string section???

*hopes for real*

*won't be disappointed either way though*

*so excited, poops pants*

*stinky butt*

There will be plenty of areas of discussion about the merits of the album by the Dream Theater die-hards. But taken as a whole, this is Dream Theater’s finest and most balanced album in a decade. If Systematic Chaos helped them to partially lose the cult band tag, then Black Clouds & Silver Linings with surely take them to the next level.

Isn't that too much saying?? That includes SDOIT!! :O