You are right man, James Labrie's voice is an acquired taste, because his voice is so real, beautiful and powerful. He's one of the worlds great vocalists because he can make you feel emotions with just the tone of his voice. James Labrie is an elite vocalist in the likes of Rob Halford, Maynard Keenan, Geoff Tate, Russel Allen, King Diamond amonst many others. It makes some people uncomfortable to be faced with the vulnerability James voice can bring out of you. Dream Theater has been a force throughout my entire life and has been with me during the good and the bad times. Excellent reaction, but all I'm saying is don't discount James LaBries voice just because it makes you feel more than you'd like.
Yep. I think Geddy Lee to Rush is a perfect comparison. Voice is very love or hate.. but I couldn't imagine Rush with another singer. Same with James in DT. Though I personally like James' voice on their studio recordings. His live performances.. not so much.
James had the food poisoning episode in Cuba in December 1994 that really affected his voice. I took the below excerpt from an interview where James opened up about the poisoning: “In 1994, my wife and I, with a few other friends, went down to Cuba and I suffered severe food poisoning. While I was vomiting, I bled onto my vocal cords because it was that bad. If anyone out there knows about food poisoning, it's horrible. You're delirious, and at some point the conversation is, 'I want to die,' because you just feel that bad. "But because of that, I saw two ENTs - ear, nose and throat specialists. This happened around December 30th of 1994, and on January 10th, I was supposed to be singing in Tokyo. "I got in to see the doctors on January 4th or 5th due to a friend of mine who is a doctor, and they told me, 'You need to take six months off. You shouldn't be talking, you definitely should not be thinking about singing.' And Dream Theater at the time had just come off a hit album with 'Images and Words.' We had only done the North American tour leg for the 'Awake' album, and we were then moving on to Asia and Europe. "So, even though we were starting to make good money, it would have been catastrophic if I had said to the band, 'I've got to take six months off.' We didn't have that luxury - it probably would have broke the bank. So, unfortunately, I had to go back singing, probably when I shouldn't have. It took its toll, and it took several years to even feel that I was back to where I was comfortable as a singer. "So, instead of hitting Ds and Es and F-sharps and all that stuff, I was able to hit C, C-sharp, and D. But I had to really watch it. I have hit F notes here and there, but I have to really watch it. But that was probably the darkest moment in my life, for sure." So that is why I hate when reactors play live Dream Theater songs from Images and Words that were performed in 2015 or something. You have to play the studio versions or live performances that were recorded pre-poisoning (December 1994) of songs from Images and Words, etc. Otherwise you will be disappointed, and so will I. 😉
@@stevenewcomer8837 Thanks for that! Never really got the nitty gritty of what actually happened to his voice and how it affected his voice for the future.
Whenever people tell me they don’t like James’ voice, they always say it’s because he sings too high and “operatic”, with too much vibrato. But in a song like this, he stays at a medium range with very little of those things. So I guess it’s more just his overall tone people don’t like. Like Alex, I am just so used to it as I’ve been a fan for 25 years
I first heard Dream Theater around 2000 when I was just getting out of high school and...I couldn't get into them because of James' vocals. Fast forward 10 years later after I heard As I Am for the first time and for some reason, I didn't have that same distaste for his vocals anymore. I find it strange that there are people who have no issue with Geddy Lee, who has an extremely high voice as well, yet hate James Labrie. It baffles my brain lol.
@@LurchyScott Yes exactly! Geddy is the ONLY factor that has kept me from Rush all these years (I do enjoy the instrumentals). And I feel his voice is considerably more “jarring” than James. Geddy has a squeaky (for lack of a better word) tone, almost comical at times to me. And yeah that makes sense about As I Am. Train of Thought and Awake are James with some grit, with the cheese factor dialed down. Definitely easier to digest, a great place to start for those who haven’t yet taken the DT plunge
@@CompleteProducer84 I dont hate Geddy's voice either lol. I grew up with Rush (parents were big fans as were my Uncles) and I never found his vocals to be jarring yet with Labrie I did at first. Now though I appreciate both of them and what's even more strange, I can't listen to any live version of The Temples Of Syrinx by Rush unless it's the version from the 70s where he actually hits those high notes flawlessly lol. It's the same with Labrie although I can tolerate the recent live versions of tracks from Images And Words and Awake a bit more though. I'm a strange human being I know.
They really made a banger of a video for this. The directing and the performance were next level. Really chose their cuts well and played upon the excitement of MP rejoining the band.
yes Mike's octobans sound different than Mike's octobans 🤘 the sound of the drums is something, I've been complaining about all the time during the Mangini era .... but I'm not sure, if it was Mike's choice or if they just mixed it that way 🤔
I think people dun realise that James is telling a story. And his voice is really nuanced to that. Also I think the fact he can keep up with DTs chord progression which is nuts. I am really not sure who can sing over that n still hit those high notes.
VERY true! But here are 2 that its INSANE a melodic vocalist can sing over these complicated structures. Checkout; *Watchtower* - "Control and Resistance" & *Spiral Architect* - "A Skeptics Universe" - Complex/Technical yet melodic albums for the years they were released :).
Hi Alan, you "old" DT fan .. what do you think about Night Terror ? Wanna see more DT ... plus me ? take a short visit to Jim Newstead ... I would love to read a comment of you 😄 Are you going to see them live ? My concert is only 9 days from now - Oct 23rd in Cologne and it's gonna be the first sold out DT since many years - maybe because of just one single person ? 😆🤘
@@rudolfbecker4313Hi there! I didn't expect anything less with Portnoy's return to DT. I've seen Dream Theater about 15 to 20 times in San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. I don't have plans to see them at The Majestic Theater in San Antonio only because I'm not taking any chances with Covid still a thing. But I'm super excited about the new album and I love Dream Theater's brand of prog metal. I just hope they don't recycle a bunch of old riffs. As much as I love the new single, I heard some older songs blended. It was like a mash of As I Am and A Rite of Passage. That said... No one comes close to the mighty DT.🤘🤘
Jordan Rudess is one of the best ever keyboardists. I remember you saying that you liked Vinnie Moore. When Vinnie did his early instrumental guitar albums, Jordan Rudess played keyboards on some of them. Jordan has been playing for a long time.
Jordan's solo album is great ... a little bit DT, lots of Jordan, and a singer .... which is not everybody's taste, but fits perfectly to the music Jordan wrote and the lyrics written by his daughter
Maybe the inspiration for the compositions of the next album can be found on "False Awakening Suite" (2013)... In fact, the title of the next album is "Parasomnia". Parasomnias are a category of sleep disorders that involve abnormal movements, behaviors, emotions, perceptions, and dreams that occur while falling asleep, sleeping, between sleep stages, or during arousal from sleep (Wikipedia) .
I understand the argument about LaBrie, even if I disagree with it. But I will admit, pre-vocal cord injury LaBrie ... fucking magic! He had such range. Don't eat pork in Cuba, kids.
Unfortunately his voice broke down while on tour shortly after the release of A Change of Seasons... so he reached his peak early on and only managed two albums and an EP before the injury took hold. The difference in his voice only became apparent during the Falling Into Infinity sessions.
Like Nick said, I'm also used to Labrie's singing, but I totally get Lex's perspective too. When DT first hit the scene I was a huge fan of the vocals because his diverse range fit the earlier prog metal vibe. As they evolved into more of a down tuned modern metal band, the vocals didn't work as much for me. I still picture someone like Russell Allen meshing with DT's heavier sound, However, I still think James is an awesome singer, and imo, he's the VOICE of DT.
So this is just my personal opinion, but it took me a little bit to get used to James LaBrie. Also, I didn’t quite know what to really think of him at first. But the song I was shown was very simply structured and I like the idea of showing someone a simple structured song to get them on the train, but for me who had already listened to rush and yes and other bands like that when I was in sixth grade by the time, I heard dream theater I was like this is just OK but then I started hearing more of their complicated stuff and that was what got my attention. It wasn’t the simple stuff. It was the complicated stuff. And my brother was pretty happy after that because he knew that he found something that I like and I think it was then that he learned that I’m more on the technical side of progressive metal in general. But I definitely feel like Portnoy just has that passion when he plays the drums I don’t know if it’s maybe the slightly more dirtiness of it or if it’s just the way that he bounces the sticks when he goes across those times or if it’s just the way he rolls it when he goes across the snare for those fills I don’t really know how to describe it, but it just feels more human and that was the thing that I felt like Mike Mangini lacked was the human quality to his playing. It was very clean in stylistic, but it was also robotic. I felt like. M my dad loves Mike Magini with the band, but I told him it just feels like he’s a hired gun which she was and he was just sort of going through the motions. I can tell he wasn’t really enjoying himself when he played. Whereas with Portnoy, you can feel his passion and energy and dedication that he has done to master his craft. I have the privilege of going to go see Dream Theater live when I was in high school with my brother and our mutual friend Justin and my dad and that night, even though the sound was terrible it was an experience.
Dream Theater minus James LaBrie = Liquid Tension Experiment. For many James's voice is an acquired taste, some never like it. I love it. He's a HUGE part who Dream Theater is. With that said WELCOME back Mike Portnoy!!! I'm looking forward to this tour where I plan on seeing them twice. First Feb 15 in Dallas and again with my son March 22 @ Radio City Music Hall in NY.
Saw this last night but worth the watch to see you react to it, the video is really great! So happy to see them coming out strong with Portnoy back, such great sound from all of them and James sounds great too! I hope to hear more from them after this release. Just wanted to add that James LaBrie is 61 years old and his voice has held up well and I feel the same way as Nick about him singing live, it's better recorded for my ears. Each musician is top notch!
@@rudolfbecker4313 yeah, James was born in a town not far from where I live, I met him a few years ago, spent about an hour with him and my nephew at my nephew's lakefront cottage. That was a great experience!😊
@@moonwoman When I first saw James, I thought, such a good looking man is peaceful, but then I read him talking about his teen and twen years, that he was an angry young man, easily to involve into fights - hard to believe. But then I also saw some interviews in the last years and I especially loved the one he made together with his son after they had played together on James solo album . I also like, that he can be funny and sometimes even silly - I remember him once on a couch with John Petrucci and because of some wrong speaking they started laughing, couldn't stop and almost fell off the couch 🤣🤣🤣
October Surprise 🦇🦇🦇 I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of the vocalist either. But very great music the times signature changes the musicianship all great. And it’s always great to hear new music. The music from the past was wonderful , but we have to live in the future and I just don’t want to only listen to the past
Mike Portnoy has spent a lot of time with the group Transatlantic. Worthy of checking out. Neal Morse on key and guitar, Roine Stolt lead guitar and Pete Trewavas on bass. Highly technical deep progressive rock. Their videos show the talent.
Knew you guys would listen to this! It's genuinely so cool to hear new stuff like this, even if it isn't my absolute favorite era of their writing like I&W and Awake are to me. This gives shades of Black Clouds and Silver Linings to me though, and if that's the case I have HIGH hopes for the new album considering The Count of Tuscany is one of my favorite tracks of all time.
Hardcore DT fan here since 92 and heard everything they ever did that is accessible. Nothing to not like here, but am not blown away with this track. Hope all the other tracks just get better. When The Alien dropped i was wowed, and the rest of that album. HUGE DT / MP fan, love Mangini too
Since Mike Portnoy will be spending most of his time with Dream Theater, Neal Morse is putting out an album with local Nashville musicians called Neal Morse and the Resonance. The first couple songs are worth checking out. Pretty sure Mike P. would approve. Thank for the reaction, Nick N Lex!
The box set edition does l contain an instrumental version of the album. Between the regular and Lost Not Forgotten Archives the only Dream Theater that I don't have an instrumental version of is the self titled album. Sons Of Apollo, Whom Gods Destroy and Nospun all have instrumental versions of their albums. The new album Parasomnia will have an instrumental version available when the album gets released February 7 2025
Yeah but what sux is the Limited Edition Box Set (like Opeth's up coming album) SOLD OUT in less than 24hrs :(. The "Re-sellers" bought them I'm sure, so they can re-sell at double the price on the release date.
Everyone should listen to SFAM again. No one could have done justice to the songs other than Labrie. He is telling a story with all the nuances and emotions, not just trying to be a plain old metal singer.
I think that James´s voice is a nice contrast with the sound of the band and a hallmark of authenticity. I suggest that you react to 6:00 from their third album called Awake. Btw, buen video.
The official video is like a "Welcome Home" for Mike Portnoy. If you followed the lead-up teasers to the video release on Twitter, they showed each of the other 4 members opening their eyes. Mike Portnoy's turn is kept for the full video. Maybe I'm over-thinking it, but the other 4 members have a sort of shocked look on their faces in their teasers. Portnoy has a bit of a smirk in his, as if he's saying "I'm back!". He's the first in line at the end of the official video. Again, maybe I'm over-thinking it, but the video feels like a celebration. For almost the entire Mangini era, the virtuosity was still there. But it was missing "something". A certain energy and personality in the music. As time went on, I became more certain it was Portnoy's influence, energy and personality that was missing. This first song from Portnoy's return confirms my feelings. Their sound is back to the DT I remembered. My two cents.
Thank you for giving me a shout out 💕 looking at many comments it makes me feel like, DT fans not only like long songs, but also like to write long comments ... not only Tony and I 😆 I think, I've never seen that many to one single song. I've listened several times to the song now, I had hoped to like it very much, but I have to say it only gets a regular like. Being fan since the very first album, knowing all Dream Theater songs, it's really hard to discover something new ... some parts, some sounds are new, but most of the song consists of parts, you've already heard in other songs, a bit different, but only a bit. At this point I always ask myself, how many albums can a band create and still be full of new ideas ... in the case of DT I would say maybe 10, and even the return of Mike didn't change very much except for the drum sound ... and as I said, a bit different sounds of John P and Jordan in certain parts of the song. There are 2 discussions which will probably never end : Mike P. and Mike M. - Mike M. is probably close to perfection, he almost drums like a roboter or computer, but on stage unfortunately almost without any emotions. Also in the beginning not really involved in the composing process. Mike P. surely is not perfect, maybe when he works in studio, but live on stage he is, what we call in german a "Rampensau", he wants the attention and does everything for it, he's a showmaker, he's a funmaker and I'm sure, his drumming is not exactly the same every night - you only have to watch the ending of Finally Free of the Live Scenes in New York. I bet it was different every night of the tour 🤘other than that he's the soul, the boss, the driving force of DT. The other subject is James singing. I completely agree with Nick, he's (almost) always been there, he did a great job on many albums and concerts and even after his food poisoning he came back, not as strong as before, but still very good. In my opinion he always gave his best, especially as long as Mike and John told him exactly what and how to sing the songs - you can see in the making of DVD of Systemic Chaos, when they let him sing certain lines 5, 6,7 times until it sounded the way they wanted it. Nowadays I accept him for being part of the band, he does an ok job in the studio, but live it's sometimes ... hurting my ears ... they shouldn't play certain songs no more or rearrange it a bit so James doesn't sound like ....an animal which just gets killed 🤣🤣 I understand, that many people rather have a singer with a stronger voice, as Russell Allen, but it wouldn't be Dream Theater anymore, probably Dream Symphony. So let's all look forward to the new album and I'm sure I'll be one of the first ones to see them live : Oct 23rd in Cologne 🤘🤘
Hi, ich denke mal, dass Musiker einen gewissen Werkzeugkasten besitzen aus dem sie sich bedienen können. Bei manchen ist dieser Kasten größer, bei manchen kleiner. Aber auch wenn der Kasten groß ist, ist es am Ende doch unvermeidbar, dass sich daraus etwas ergibt was man irgendwie schonmal gehört hat. Vielleicht ist das „Problem“ auch, weil alle Bandmitglieder einen ähnlichen Kasten haben. Vielleicht sollten sie mal einen Musiker einladen der eine. profunden Jazz Hintergrund hat, und dann einfach mal jammen, vielleicht kommen dann andere harmonische Formen zu Stande, die den Zuhörer überraschen.
@@monitor4208 eine interessante Idee ... aber schwer vorzustellen, dass sie sich darauf einlassen ... ausserdem zeigt sich, dass viele z.B. auch Reactors vom neuen Song begeistert sind und nur diejenigen, die das komplette DT Werk kennen, übereinstimmend dieselben Kritikpunkte anbringen. Ich bin trotzdem mal aufs Album gespannt, die Messlatte liegt aber nicht sehr hoch . Erstmal am Mittwoch schauen, was auf der Bühne abgeht. 🤘
Not the first person I’ve heard complain about James’s voice, although I couldn’t imagine any one else singing these songs. (Didn’t care for Charlie’s vocals on WDADU.) As far as this track, I’m in agreement with other opinions I’ve read here. This might be one of the greatest DT tracks, just for that middle section and solo section on their own. Vintage DT with a taste of dare I say, Opeth? I feel like the chord progressions and organ work remind me of them. Killer song has my appetite whetted for the full album.
It's a great return for mike portnoy,hope it doesn't shut down the Neal morse band thou. Have you heard the new opeth songs, paragraph 1 & paragraph 3,well worth a listen.
Yes! I wish he'd try those out. 3 both would enjoy because no guttural voices, but I LOVE 1 because of all the time changes and what Mikael does with his clean voice with the rougher vocals.
Thank you both of you that was well there are no words I e seen the video it is wonderful but I understand why you did this y’all are awesome I’m proud of yall for still loving each other most marriages don’t last anymore will yall react to Dan Vasc he is a metal singer who came out with a epic version of My heart will go on from the Titanic it has millions of views he’s the best he makes songs worth listening to if you don’t react to it listen to it on y’all’s own it’s a must he is all over utube he has over a million subscribers he has 245 covers check him out love yall Pearland Tx I’ve been watching yall sence the beginning
People told me just listen to this song repeatedly so it will grow on you, they're right, the more i listen to this song the more feeling of missing mangini grow on me, like, this is what we've got for the hype of portnoy coming back? It's like watching Valentino Rossi riding a motogp bike of satellite team in his old age time..
I am convinced at this point that James' voice is like cilantro. Some people have a genetic alteration that makes cilantro taste like soap. Some people have something that just prevents them from getting the taste of James' voice.
I'm struggling to really 'get' Dream Theater, but will listen to more songs for the whole picture. I'm glad you have new music from a favourite band, Nick. Nothing beats that thrill.
Great to see/hear a venerable band so long in the tooth still able to rock out with tasteful aggression combined with virtuosity...I'm with Alexia on the overwhelming preference for the music and distaste for the vocals...And, at least in this case, the lyrics don't meet the level of the music...It's like Def Leppard lyrics on Porcupine Tree music...And you know you've been immersed in NicknLex Land a ling tine when you notice Alexia stepped up here makeup game in this episode, like she had a big presentation/meeting at work today---good look, and I hope whatever the occasion it went well!
Don't worry (Lex? I don't know your names). I've been following the band since the 90s and I've always had that problem with James. I'm used to his voice, in fact in Scenes from a Memory, in the clean and more "pop" parts his voice is amazing, but I've never liked his heavy metal vibe. He's the voice and I would never put another one, but like you, I'm more into instrumental Dream Theater.
Portnoy obviously wouldn't say this out loud nowadays, but he straight up describes LT to a interviewer as "it's DT without the annoying lyrics" while he wasn't in the band lol.
So glad you decided to do this ! Love the song, Honestly , I do not like James voice much at all! Only record I enjoy him on was Metropolis part 2. Love everything about that one! Overall very excited for this release!! Thank you Nick and Alexia! Love to you both!
I understand the criticism of Labrie , but a lot of it is unfair. How the hell are you supposed sing over 17/8 time signatures? He killed it on this song.
My friend also can’t stand his voice, I thought he was too whiny and wasn’t a huge fan until metropolis 2, something clicked with me and now I like his voice, it doesn’t bother me. Still if Russel Allen was the singer it would probably have been better but I totally understand why James could be irritating to the casual listener
I'll tell you in italian: James Labrie sì è rovinato la voce ed estensione vocale .In the recordin studio it Succeeds a little still. But in live...the band they are always formidable musicians.
My biggest barrier to entry with DT is the singer, just can't get with the vocals. The band sounds great and Portnoy definitely elevates them tremendously but I'd rather hear them as an instrumental unit, like Liquid Tension (which is pretty much them anyway!). I just hope Portnoy gets back to The Winery Dogs at some point! Also, thank you for the honesty. Too many channels like yours just post positive vibes when we all know there are some songs, artists, or situations that flat out suck and we should address them as we do with close friends, rock on!
I new she was going to talk shit about James... She ruins any reactions they do for DT. Every member in DT loves James and his voice has and always will be perfect for this band. You can leave your opinion to yourself to the guy in this reaction . We did this before you lost. You know James is the only voice that works for this band. Just tell her the truth that you really like his voice and her opinion don't mean much to us true DT fans.
I wasn’t even going to mention it, and then Nick asked me about it at 12:00. Sorry to say that anytime we do a DT reaction I see so many people agree with me, just like I see people say “I used to hate it but now I love it”. I guess we keep trying to see if that happens to me someday. Just last night on our way to a party Nick played me Red Barchetta sang by James in the car. We’re trying!! Anyway, maybe it’s best you stay away from our DT reactions if they’re ruined by my opinion, but may also be a good thing if you learn to accept not everyone will have the same opinion as you. 🤷🏻♀️
You have a platform to actually put down musicians or whom ever you please . Maybe you should just quit reacting to dream theater if you can't handle the push back. Even Nick looks extremely uncomfortable when it comes time to talk about James. Do you put other people down, I wouldn't know because I would never support your channel.Your a clown😅
Your a clown😂 maybe you should quit reacting to dream theater!!! I don't don't support the crap you put out . Even Nick looks totally scared of you when you start insulting the face of DT. Do you put other musicians down on your platform. True DT fans love James they know his journey. Others that put him down are not only not true fans but they don't scream it from the roof tops. Like I said I would never support someone like you and you can say whatever you want but you should expect the push back. My condolences to Nick😢
@@NicknLex lex your a clown 😅 maybe you should expect the push back. Even Nick cringes when you talk about James. It's funny how you think would ever support you and your platform to put down musicians. My condolences nick😢.
Why not? DT was inspired by Metallica and recorded the entirety of Master of Puppets if you haven't forgotten. Justice for all must have been a huge inspiration. I don't know which band you don't like to be compared with either.
I absolutely hate when people pause reaction videos. I stop watching immediately. This guy doesn't know how to react to videos normally without making faces, which makes him lose focus on his own hearing and takes the attention away from his partner. That's not the kind of reaction video I look for to watch. Anyway, Dream Theater is the best band of all time. No doubt about it.
I'm not going to agree with anything on this one! I understand your fanaticism for Portnoy and I accept it, but we have to be realistic, how many times is he going to repeat the same blows as in the last 20 years? When are you going to do any polyrhythms or patterns? always the same, but removing Portnoy, the song seemed like a regression to the direction they were going because it's like continuing to listen to the same thing I heard in 2007 and 2009, a shame that great musicians resort to copy paste from those years, super repetitive and predictable. Just think about the last 3 previews of the band's last 3 albums and compare them with this, there's no need to think about The Alien, right? They also won a Grammy for that. I also accept your taste because tastes in general are subjective, but in my 48 years of listening to Progressive Rock/Metal and Metal Prog, this bored me, unfortunately. I am also grateful that I always watch your great channel and I hope that one day you react to bands like Everon, Magellan, Barock Project (Active today). a hug from Argentina
@@timhix588 Who are you to determine your absolutism? The one who has hearing problems is you, who does not recognize patterns and polyrhythms. Just because fanaticism makes you blind does not mean that your truth is correct, and I recommend that you do not judge me because you don't even know who I am
I don't have THAT strong of an opinion, but its like Iron Maiden, Harris KNOWS how he wants the band to sound, and a bit of deviation but they have that certain sound in a sea of Heavy Metal bands. Its their "Brand". DT has experimented here and there, and I tend to like their shorter tracks as it shows another side to them. I will always LOVE DT (since their debut that I have on Lp), but my fave Prog Metal band will be the Fathers of the genre; Fates Warning, as every-other album sounds different and they were not afraid to experiment. That's why Portnoy has mentioned them a lot when talking about the genre. But they never got the credit they deserve (or "Arch/Matheos"). But I get tired of DT being "the Whipping Post" for Prog Metal . . . I enjoy what they do, and where they came from.
*Well, the "Rock Juice" is back!* Okay, so this being the 2nd time to hear the track, I like it even more. LOVE the transitions and as another commenter said; "The Octobans", as its one of Mike Portnoy's signature sounds. I'm still coming to terms how DT is still the "Whipping Post" when it comes to Prog Metal. Every person wants it a certain way, and really its (Us) being a bunch of music geeks fighting over what is right/wrong in the genre, as a piece of lint in an OCEAN of mediocrity and terrible Pop music that thrives and offers nothing but a beat for the simple-minded and low attention spans (see Rick Beato's Top 20 Pop songs videos). My fave Prog Metal band will always be Fates Warning, and as Portnoy had pointed out, they were doing it long before them, but also they weren't afraid to experiment. But they and Queensryche passed-on the baton for SOOO many bands to come and enjoy, including the big one being Dream Theater (and others that have been mentioned in positive and negative comments below). I'm looking forward to the deeper cuts, as always from every band I'm into. So this was just the warm-up of things to come in February. My friend will be buying tickets any day now (just saw Maiden in Chula Vista days ago, and will see them next year as well for their "50th Anniversary" Tour. Sadly missed Opeth but hope they will come back next year), and I pre-ordered "Parasomnia", so Feb 2025 is a long way away! *So here it goes about LaBrie . . .* Yeah, I don't agree with Lexi on this issue, as I too have been into the band since "When Day and Dream Unite" (1989) with the late-Charlie Dominici (who died at 72 almost a year ago) and I loved his vocals, so by the time Images and Words came, I was shocked it wasn't him and it took getting used to the "New Guy" LaBrie. But the "Awake" album sealed the deal, and like Nick, I too believe he is the Voice of the band. I (haha) don't think LaBrie's voice is very "Emo" (as I really don't like that type of music, or "Emo Screamo") and is just an acquired taste. Though it seems the various Vocal Coaches/Singers that have reacted to DT/LaBrie are pretty impressed, and even Elizabeth Zarhoff "The Charismatic Voice" has interviewed him. I think they see it from a vocalist standpoint and a fresh perspective to this type of music, but not jaded like many who hear this music on a weekly basis. I also see the comment a lot; "Why don't they get Russel Allen" or add "_______________" (someone mentioned Pagan's Mind vocalist "Nils K. Rue"), but then DT would sound like Symphony X (etc.). *Lexi* - Be sure to see the reply under "ΝασιαΣωτηριαδου" comment about what happened to LaBrie's voice and the excerpt of what he said in an interview (also checkout his interview on "The Charismatic Voice"). Yet Again . . . #nicknlexrequest I would make a request for Lexi to hear more from the *Awake* album, as LaBrie sings in a rougher timbre to go with the HEAVY tracks (and you have heard the more ethereal tracks that fit with his more melodic softer tone, which you reacted to in one of my Marathons, and liked :). But you MUST play "Erotomania" with the rest of the Epic "A Mind Beside Itself" Suite: "Erotomania", "Voices", and "The Silent Man". But there are a few heavier, more aggressive pieces where LaBrie's heavier vocals shine! Also DT's "Score" DVD and the live version of "Octavarium" that you will LOVE, Lex! You should also take a listen to his _guest vocals_ with the LA Prog Metal band "Redemption" (along with Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder, who had been with the band for 5 albums, while recording with FW) on the very aggressive track "Another Day Dies" (from "Snowfall on Judgement Day" which you have on your shelf :). As I said before, the last show I saw with DT (the "Dreamsonic" Tour with Animals as Leaders & Devin Townsend) was the worst vocals from LaBrie I had heard, sadly. It must have been a bad night for him as it would break-up, and he couldn't do the "Awake" vocals on the song "Lie" (I believe it was) so he had to do it in another key that didn't fit the song :(. I don't know what he is physically able to do to make his voice better and stronger. But I know it must be tough on him and he _knows_ about all these comments on his voice. I hope he's able to try something new and come back to full form. . . . . Anyways, there is my typical $10 worth of verbos opinions :p. - Take care guys, and thanks for your honesty nevertheless Lexi :D. And Welcome Back Mike Portnoy!
ROCK JUICE!!! (???) ruclips.net/video/ftkLbfXf55I/видео.htmlsi=MrPJsD7lYsMlHFSe 🤣 BTW - the actual cover for the upcoming album, kind of looks like a darker take of the "Images and Words" album cover with an older version of the little girl (all grown up).
![Quando Rondo - Grow Up [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8zFnCg3BO4Q/mqdefault.jpg)
You are right man, James Labrie's voice is an acquired taste, because his voice is so real, beautiful and powerful. He's one of the worlds great vocalists because he can make you feel emotions with just the tone of his voice. James Labrie is an elite vocalist in the likes of Rob Halford, Maynard Keenan, Geoff Tate, Russel Allen, King Diamond amonst many others. It makes some people uncomfortable to be faced with the vulnerability James voice can bring out of you. Dream Theater has been a force throughout my entire life and has been with me during the good and the bad times. Excellent reaction, but all I'm saying is don't discount James LaBries voice just because it makes you feel more than you'd like.
I believe James' voice is ideal for the band. I could not imagine a different voice in this chorus.
Yep. I think Geddy Lee to Rush is a perfect comparison. Voice is very love or hate.. but I couldn't imagine Rush with another singer. Same with James in DT. Though I personally like James' voice on their studio recordings. His live performances.. not so much.
@@twocatsyelling723 Exactly. Right to the point. Great comparison. Let's not forget that Rush is the main source of inspiration for Dream Theater.
Mike being back in the band will help James on some of those harmonies.
James had the food poisoning episode in Cuba in December 1994 that really affected his voice.
I took the below excerpt from an interview where James opened up about the poisoning:
“In 1994, my wife and I, with a few other friends, went down to Cuba and I suffered severe food poisoning. While I was vomiting, I bled onto my vocal cords because it was that bad. If anyone out there knows about food poisoning, it's horrible. You're delirious, and at some point the conversation is, 'I want to die,' because you just feel that bad.
"But because of that, I saw two ENTs - ear, nose and throat specialists. This happened around December 30th of 1994, and on January 10th, I was supposed to be singing in Tokyo.
"I got in to see the doctors on January 4th or 5th due to a friend of mine who is a doctor, and they told me, 'You need to take six months off. You shouldn't be talking, you definitely should not be thinking about singing.' And Dream Theater at the time had just come off a hit album with 'Images and Words.' We had only done the North American tour leg for the 'Awake' album, and we were then moving on to Asia and Europe.
"So, even though we were starting to make good money, it would have been catastrophic if I had said to the band, 'I've got to take six months off.' We didn't have that luxury - it probably would have broke the bank. So, unfortunately, I had to go back singing, probably when I shouldn't have. It took its toll, and it took several years to even feel that I was back to where I was comfortable as a singer.
"So, instead of hitting Ds and Es and F-sharps and all that stuff, I was able to hit C, C-sharp, and D. But I had to really watch it. I have hit F notes here and there, but I have to really watch it. But that was probably the darkest moment in my life, for sure."
So that is why I hate when reactors play live Dream Theater songs from Images and Words that were performed in 2015 or something. You have to play the studio versions or live performances that were recorded pre-poisoning (December 1994) of songs from Images and Words, etc. Otherwise you will be disappointed, and so will I. 😉
@@stevenewcomer8837 Thanks for that! Never really got the nitty gritty of what actually happened to his voice and how it affected his voice for the future.
The old Dream Theater spirit is back 😊
There is no sin in listening to Dream Theater without lyrics, yes instrumental, I do it all the time. I know how you feel girl.
Whenever people tell me they don’t like James’ voice, they always say it’s because he sings too high and “operatic”, with too much vibrato. But in a song like this, he stays at a medium range with very little of those things. So I guess it’s more just his overall tone people don’t like. Like Alex, I am just so used to it as I’ve been a fan for 25 years
I first heard Dream Theater around 2000 when I was just getting out of high school and...I couldn't get into them because of James' vocals. Fast forward 10 years later after I heard As I Am for the first time and for some reason, I didn't have that same distaste for his vocals anymore. I find it strange that there are people who have no issue with Geddy Lee, who has an extremely high voice as well, yet hate James Labrie. It baffles my brain lol.
@@LurchyScott Yes exactly! Geddy is the ONLY factor that has kept me from Rush all these years (I do enjoy the instrumentals). And I feel his voice is considerably more “jarring” than James. Geddy has a squeaky (for lack of a better word) tone, almost comical at times to me. And yeah that makes sense about As I Am. Train of Thought and Awake are James with some grit, with the cheese factor dialed down. Definitely easier to digest, a great place to start for those who haven’t yet taken the DT plunge
@@CompleteProducer84 I dont hate Geddy's voice either lol. I grew up with Rush (parents were big fans as were my Uncles) and I never found his vocals to be jarring yet with Labrie I did at first. Now though I appreciate both of them and what's even more strange, I can't listen to any live version of The Temples Of Syrinx by Rush unless it's the version from the 70s where he actually hits those high notes flawlessly lol. It's the same with Labrie although I can tolerate the recent live versions of tracks from Images And Words and Awake a bit more though.
I'm a strange human being I know.
That bass tone doesn’t get talked about enough on a lot of reactions. Great video as always!
been a dream theater fan since 92 high school saw them live in 09 with mike p
Tremendous song, if the entire album has this quality it will be among the 3 best albums in the history of Dream Theater
I love James's voice but I totally get her perspective. It's a fair opinion. Wonderful reaction. It's going to be a loooooong wait till February.
They really made a banger of a video for this. The directing and the performance were next level. Really chose their cuts well and played upon the excitement of MP rejoining the band.
Yes, their best video!
The only thing that can be said is that the legendary sound of DT's drums is back. Welcome back Mike P. The song is simply brutal!
I forgot to mention that this song is awesome!!!!
When I heard the Octobans, I was like, "Oh God, Mike's back."
EXACTLY :D!!!
yes Mike's octobans sound different than Mike's octobans 🤘 the sound of the drums is something, I've been complaining about all the time during the
Mangini era .... but I'm not sure, if it was Mike's choice or if they just mixed it that way 🤔
James Labrie is like Geddy Lee, or you like or you hate.I like both.
Same.
I feel like Geddy voice should be divided in 2 phases. He was MUCH more melodic and accessible once the 80's and beyond hit.
This exactly
Geddy could actually perform live.
@@evracerThis, and he never sounded bad. Yeah, it was never the same in the later years of Rush, but that’s what happens with age.
I think people dun realise that James is telling a story. And his voice is really nuanced to that. Also I think the fact he can keep up with DTs chord progression which is nuts. I am really not sure who can sing over that n still hit those high notes.
VERY true!
But here are 2 that its INSANE a melodic vocalist can sing over these complicated structures. Checkout; *Watchtower* - "Control and Resistance" & *Spiral Architect* - "A Skeptics Universe" - Complex/Technical yet melodic albums for the years they were released :).
Truth!
The name of the album is parasomnia
Thanks for coming back to Dream Theater again!! 😊
Hi Alan, you "old" DT fan .. what do you think about Night Terror ? Wanna see more DT ... plus me ? take a short visit to Jim Newstead ... I would love to read a comment of you 😄 Are you going to see them live ? My concert is only 9 days from now - Oct 23rd in Cologne and it's gonna be the first sold out DT since many years - maybe because of just one single person ? 😆🤘
@@rudolfbecker4313Hi there! I didn't expect anything less with Portnoy's return to DT. I've seen Dream Theater about 15 to 20 times in San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. I don't have plans to see them at The Majestic Theater in San Antonio only because I'm not taking any chances with Covid still a thing. But I'm super excited about the new album and I love Dream Theater's brand of prog metal. I just hope they don't recycle a bunch of old riffs. As much as I love the new single, I heard some older songs blended. It was like a mash of As I Am and A Rite of Passage. That said... No one comes close to the mighty DT.🤘🤘
Love it! Excited to hear those type of guitar solos, and the drumming 😮
Jordan Rudess is one of the best ever keyboardists. I remember you saying that you liked Vinnie Moore. When Vinnie did his early instrumental guitar albums, Jordan Rudess played keyboards on some of them. Jordan has been playing for a long time.
Jordan's solo album is great ... a little bit DT, lots of Jordan, and a singer .... which is not everybody's taste, but fits perfectly to the music Jordan wrote and the lyrics written by his daughter
Dream Theater is growing on me, I like it
Maybe the inspiration for the compositions of the next album can be found on "False Awakening Suite" (2013)... In fact, the title of the next album is "Parasomnia". Parasomnias are a category of sleep disorders that involve abnormal movements, behaviors, emotions, perceptions, and dreams that occur while falling asleep, sleeping, between sleep stages, or during arousal from sleep (Wikipedia) .
I understand the argument about LaBrie, even if I disagree with it. But I will admit, pre-vocal cord injury LaBrie ... fucking magic! He had such range. Don't eat pork in Cuba, kids.
Unfortunately his voice broke down while on tour shortly after the release of A Change of Seasons... so he reached his peak early on and only managed two albums and an EP before the injury took hold. The difference in his voice only became apparent during the Falling Into Infinity sessions.
It was pork.
Pork, and it happened in Cuba, not Mexico.
@@LukaFontain Ahh, my bad. I dunno why I was thinking shellfish... thanks for keeping me in line lol
@@lino2048 Well my brain was all over the place. Thank you for the correction.
Like Nick said, I'm also used to Labrie's singing, but I totally get Lex's perspective too. When DT first hit the scene I was a huge fan of
the vocals because his diverse range fit the earlier prog metal vibe. As they evolved into more of a down tuned modern metal band, the vocals didn't work as much for me. I still picture someone like Russell Allen meshing with DT's heavier sound, However, I still think James is an awesome singer, and imo, he's the VOICE of DT.
Wow!! Thanks for giving me a shout out. I do watch you other reactions besides Dream Theater by the way. 😁
So this is just my personal opinion, but it took me a little bit to get used to James LaBrie. Also, I didn’t quite know what to really think of him at first. But the song I was shown was very simply structured and I like the idea of showing someone a simple structured song to get them on the train, but for me who had already listened to rush and yes and other bands like that when I was in sixth grade by the time, I heard dream theater I was like this is just OK but then I started hearing more of their complicated stuff and that was what got my attention. It wasn’t the simple stuff. It was the complicated stuff. And my brother was pretty happy after that because he knew that he found something that I like and I think it was then that he learned that I’m more on the technical side of progressive metal in general. But I definitely feel like Portnoy just has that passion when he plays the drums I don’t know if it’s maybe the slightly more dirtiness of it or if it’s just the way that he bounces the sticks when he goes across those times or if it’s just the way he rolls it when he goes across the snare for those fills I don’t really know how to describe it, but it just feels more human and that was the thing that I felt like Mike Mangini lacked was the human quality to his playing. It was very clean in stylistic, but it was also robotic. I felt like. M my dad loves Mike Magini with the band, but I told him it just feels like he’s a hired gun which she was and he was just sort of going through the motions. I can tell he wasn’t really enjoying himself when he played. Whereas with Portnoy, you can feel his passion and energy and dedication that he has done to master his craft. I have the privilege of going to go see Dream Theater live when I was in high school with my brother and our mutual friend Justin and my dad and that night, even though the sound was terrible it was an experience.
No other voice will work on this band except James!!! 🙏
Well Lex you'll be excited to know that there will be an instrumental version of this album available when it is released.
Yeahhhhhhh, one of the most expected reactions to Videos 🔥🔥🎶🎶🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
This song will grow on you with repeted listens....Mike brings the fire back to the belly of the band. 🔥
Dream Theater minus James LaBrie = Liquid Tension Experiment. For many James's voice is an acquired taste, some never like it. I love it. He's a HUGE part who Dream Theater is. With that said WELCOME back Mike Portnoy!!! I'm looking forward to this tour where I plan on seeing them twice. First Feb 15 in Dallas and again with my son March 22 @ Radio City Music Hall in NY.
I wanted your reaction the most, and I was pleased.
Thank you for watching!! 🥰🥰
Saw this last night but worth the watch to see you react to it, the video is really great! So happy to see them coming out strong with Portnoy back, such great sound from all of them and James sounds great too! I hope to hear more from them after this release. Just wanted to add that James LaBrie is 61 years old and his voice has held up well and I feel the same way as Nick about him singing live, it's better recorded for my ears. Each musician is top notch!
I'm also happy about Mike's return and agree on the difference between James in Studio and James live. By the way James is born May5th 65😊
@@rudolfbecker4313 yeah, James was born in a town not far from where I live, I met him a few years ago, spent about an hour with him and my nephew at my nephew's lakefront cottage. That was a great experience!😊
@@moonwoman When I first saw James, I thought, such a good looking man is peaceful, but then I read him talking about his teen and twen years, that he was an angry young man, easily to involve into fights - hard to believe. But then I also saw some interviews in the last years and I especially loved the one he made together with his son after they had played together on James solo album . I also like, that he can be funny and sometimes even silly - I remember him once on a couch with John Petrucci and because of some wrong speaking they started laughing, couldn't stop and almost fell off the couch 🤣🤣🤣
I can't wait to hear Parasomnia on February 7th the full album night Terror is my newest favorite song from Dream Theaters Parasomnia Album so far
October Surprise 🦇🦇🦇
I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of the vocalist either. But very great music the times signature changes the musicianship all great. And it’s always great to hear new music. The music from the past was wonderful , but we have to live in the future and I just don’t want to only listen to the past
Mike Portnoy has spent a lot of time with the group Transatlantic. Worthy of checking out. Neal Morse on key and guitar, Roine Stolt lead guitar and Pete Trewavas on bass. Highly technical deep progressive rock. Their videos show the talent.
They've done 2 reactions (maybe 3).
Knew you guys would listen to this! It's genuinely so cool to hear new stuff like this, even if it isn't my absolute favorite era of their writing like I&W and Awake are to me. This gives shades of Black Clouds and Silver Linings to me though, and if that's the case I have HIGH hopes for the new album considering The Count of Tuscany is one of my favorite tracks of all time.
🤣🤣
Man I thought yall had disappeared. I’m so happy to see yall back. I haven’t had any notifications that yall had new reaction videos out.
Make sure you’re still subscribed with the bell, RUclips sometimes removes people from what we’ve heard!!
Hardcore DT fan here since 92 and heard everything they ever did that is accessible.
Nothing to not like here, but am not blown away with this track. Hope all the other tracks just get better.
When The Alien dropped i was wowed, and the rest of that album. HUGE DT / MP fan, love Mangini too
Since Mike Portnoy will be spending most of his time with Dream Theater, Neal Morse is putting out an album with local Nashville musicians called Neal Morse and the Resonance. The first couple songs are worth checking out. Pretty sure Mike P. would approve. Thank for the reaction, Nick N Lex!
Hear it . Not Bad. But i hope, in a few years the old Band come together again
“Eyes wide open but I can’t see”, throw back to Scenes from a Memory. Is the girl on the cover the ghost of Victoria?
The box set edition does l contain an instrumental version of the album. Between the regular and Lost Not Forgotten Archives the only Dream Theater that I don't have an instrumental version of is the self titled album. Sons Of Apollo, Whom Gods Destroy and Nospun all have instrumental versions of their albums. The new album Parasomnia will have an instrumental version available when the album gets released February 7 2025
Yeah but what sux is the Limited Edition Box Set (like Opeth's up coming album) SOLD OUT in less than 24hrs :(.
The "Re-sellers" bought them I'm sure, so they can re-sell at double the price on the release date.
Everyone should listen to SFAM again. No one could have done justice to the songs other than Labrie. He is telling a story with all the nuances and emotions, not just trying to be a plain old metal singer.
I feel like you guys when you were bobbing your heads. This lineup of the band just grooves so hard! Nice reaction 🔥🤟
I think that James´s voice is a nice contrast with the sound of the band and a hallmark of authenticity. I suggest that you react to 6:00 from their third album called Awake. Btw, buen video.
The official video is like a "Welcome Home" for Mike Portnoy.
If you followed the lead-up teasers to the video release on Twitter, they showed each of the other 4 members opening their eyes. Mike Portnoy's turn is kept for the full video.
Maybe I'm over-thinking it, but the other 4 members have a sort of shocked look on their faces in their teasers. Portnoy has a bit of a smirk in his, as if he's saying "I'm back!".
He's the first in line at the end of the official video.
Again, maybe I'm over-thinking it, but the video feels like a celebration.
For almost the entire Mangini era, the virtuosity was still there. But it was missing "something". A certain energy and personality in the music. As time went on, I became more certain it was Portnoy's influence, energy and personality that was missing. This first song from Portnoy's return confirms my feelings. Their sound is back to the DT I remembered.
My two cents.
Thank you for giving me a shout out 💕 looking at many comments it makes me feel like, DT fans not only like long songs, but also like to write long comments ... not only Tony and I 😆
I think, I've never seen that many to one single song.
I've listened several times to the song now, I had hoped to like it very much, but I have to say it only gets a regular like. Being fan since the very first album, knowing all Dream Theater songs, it's really hard to discover something new ... some parts, some sounds are new, but most of the song consists of parts, you've already heard in other songs, a bit different, but only a bit.
At this point I always ask myself, how many albums can a band create and still be full of new ideas ... in the case of DT I would say maybe 10, and even the return of Mike didn't change very much except for the drum sound ... and as I said, a bit different sounds of John P and Jordan in certain parts of the song.
There are 2 discussions which will probably never end : Mike P. and Mike M. - Mike M. is probably close to perfection, he almost drums like a roboter or computer, but on stage unfortunately almost without any emotions. Also in the beginning not really involved in the composing process. Mike P. surely is not perfect, maybe when he works in studio, but live on stage he is, what we
call in german a "Rampensau", he wants the attention and does everything for it, he's a showmaker, he's a funmaker and I'm sure, his drumming is not exactly the same every night - you only have to watch the ending of Finally Free of the Live Scenes in New York. I bet it was different every night of the tour 🤘other than that he's the soul, the boss, the driving force of DT.
The other subject is James singing. I completely agree with Nick, he's (almost) always been there, he did a great job on many albums and concerts and even after his food poisoning he came back, not as strong as before, but still very good. In my opinion he always gave his best, especially as long as Mike and John told him exactly what and how to sing the songs - you can see in the making of DVD of Systemic Chaos, when they let him sing certain lines 5, 6,7 times until it sounded the way they wanted it. Nowadays I accept him for being part of the band, he does an ok job in the studio, but live it's sometimes ... hurting my ears ... they shouldn't play certain songs no more or rearrange it a bit so James doesn't sound like ....an animal which just gets killed 🤣🤣
I understand, that many people rather have a singer with a stronger voice, as Russell Allen, but it wouldn't be Dream Theater anymore, probably Dream Symphony.
So let's all look forward to the new album and I'm sure I'll be one of the first ones to see them live : Oct 23rd in Cologne 🤘🤘
Hi, ich denke mal, dass Musiker einen gewissen Werkzeugkasten besitzen aus dem sie sich bedienen können. Bei manchen ist dieser Kasten größer, bei manchen kleiner. Aber auch wenn der Kasten groß ist, ist es am Ende doch unvermeidbar, dass sich daraus etwas ergibt was man irgendwie schonmal gehört hat.
Vielleicht ist das „Problem“ auch, weil alle Bandmitglieder einen ähnlichen Kasten haben.
Vielleicht sollten sie mal einen Musiker einladen der eine. profunden Jazz Hintergrund hat, und dann einfach mal jammen, vielleicht kommen dann andere harmonische Formen zu Stande, die den Zuhörer überraschen.
@@monitor4208 eine interessante Idee ... aber schwer vorzustellen, dass sie sich darauf einlassen ... ausserdem zeigt sich, dass viele z.B. auch Reactors vom neuen Song begeistert sind und nur diejenigen, die das komplette DT Werk kennen, übereinstimmend dieselben Kritikpunkte anbringen.
Ich bin trotzdem mal aufs Album gespannt, die Messlatte liegt aber nicht sehr hoch . Erstmal am Mittwoch schauen, was auf der Bühne abgeht. 🤘
Not the first person I’ve heard complain about James’s voice, although I couldn’t imagine any one else singing these songs. (Didn’t care for Charlie’s vocals on WDADU.) As far as this track, I’m in agreement with other opinions I’ve read here. This might be one of the greatest DT tracks, just for that middle section and solo section on their own. Vintage DT with a taste of dare I say, Opeth? I feel like the chord progressions and organ work remind me of them. Killer song has my appetite whetted for the full album.
I vote Nick do DT reactions alone from now on unless instrumental.
Agree
It's a great return for mike portnoy,hope it doesn't shut down the Neal morse band thou.
Have you heard the new opeth songs, paragraph 1 & paragraph 3,well worth a listen.
Yes! I wish he'd try those out. 3 both would enjoy because no guttural voices, but I LOVE 1 because of all the time changes and what Mikael does with his clean voice with the rougher vocals.
@@mvunit3Hi Tony, did you see the Drummer's playthrough Video? I'm sorry to say, but I don't miss Martin and Axe😮
@@rudolfbecker4313 Yes, but . . . I still miss Martin Lopez, but WE have "Soen" :).
Right on. Thanks for sharing.
Portnoy is BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!
on tour
Thank you both of you that was well there are no words I e seen the video it is wonderful but I understand why you did this y’all are awesome I’m proud of yall for still loving each other most marriages don’t last anymore will yall react to Dan Vasc he is a metal singer who came out with a epic version of My heart will go on from the Titanic it has millions of views he’s the best he makes songs worth listening to if you don’t react to it listen to it on y’all’s own it’s a must he is all over utube he has over a million subscribers he has 245 covers check him out love yall Pearland Tx I’ve been watching yall sence the beginning
nice hairdo Alexia! and different eye color too! night terrors not my favorite but it shows that DT has not dropped in intensity and drum beats
Metallica in their wildest dreams wish they could play like this... And I'm a Metallica fan since 1984😁
This song to easy for mangini..
I want see portnoy playing 'lost not forgotten and outcry' 😂
dua dua nya punya karakter nya masing2 bang .. jangan di adu dong .. hahaa..
@@m_rezzawahyudi125 yg punya channel mancing"...hahaaha
@@putradharma_ iya itu ya bang.. hahaaaaa...
People told me just listen to this song repeatedly so it will grow on you, they're right, the more i listen to this song the more feeling of missing mangini grow on me, like, this is what we've got for the hype of portnoy coming back? It's like watching Valentino Rossi riding a motogp bike of satellite team in his old age time..
Its only 1 song? And its a single . . . not a deeper cut. You have a whole album come Feb. that is a complete mystery to all of us.
I am convinced at this point that James' voice is like cilantro. Some people have a genetic alteration that makes cilantro taste like soap. Some people have something that just prevents them from getting the taste of James' voice.
I'm struggling to really 'get' Dream Theater, but will listen to more songs for the whole picture. I'm glad you have new music from a favourite band, Nick. Nothing beats that thrill.
I hope you've checked out the DT songs in the various "Melodious Progulus" playlists!
OG DT is f back
Great to see/hear a venerable band so long in the tooth still able to rock out with tasteful aggression combined with virtuosity...I'm with Alexia on the overwhelming preference for the music and distaste for the vocals...And, at least in this case, the lyrics don't meet the level of the music...It's like Def Leppard lyrics on Porcupine Tree music...And you know you've been immersed in NicknLex Land a ling tine when you notice Alexia stepped up here makeup game in this episode, like she had a big presentation/meeting at work today---good look, and I hope whatever the occasion it went well!
Hahaha yep we were about to go out with friends to celebrate our birthdays since we were out of town for both of ours!! 😘
great reaction! DT is awesome, dont forget the react Southern Empire Nick, please!
Don't worry (Lex? I don't know your names). I've been following the band since the 90s and I've always had that problem with James. I'm used to his voice, in fact in Scenes from a Memory, in the clean and more "pop" parts his voice is amazing, but I've never liked his heavy metal vibe. He's the voice and I would never put another one, but like you, I'm more into instrumental Dream Theater.
Portnoy obviously wouldn't say this out loud nowadays, but he straight up describes LT to a interviewer as "it's DT without the annoying lyrics" while he wasn't in the band lol.
🤣 😬 🤭
Yeah!!!! Wuts up guys ❤🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽Prog On 🖖🏽🖖🏽🖖🏽🖖🏽
What a great track and I love the vocals 🤙🏻
So glad you decided to do this ! Love the song, Honestly , I do not like James voice much at all! Only record I enjoy him on was Metropolis part 2. Love everything about that one! Overall very excited for this release!! Thank you Nick and Alexia! Love to you both!
🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Love your Jean Luc Ponty album on your back, I love that album.
She is never going to accept James’ voice. Her loss I guess, I think he sounds great in this track.
I will see them on the 13.11 near Zürich
Thanks a million
Papa Portnoy hehe
Please reacts to BlackCountryCommunion 2011 live in Germany.Glenn Huges& Joe Bonamassa are Ready for You.🎉
Awesome! Lex you look beautiful!
Lex looks sexy. lol
Hehe, well . . . this gives me a DEEPER appreciation for her actual pretty Brown Eyes :). I'm sure Nick will agree :D.
To all the LaBrie fanboys out there: his time is over. I would have fired him a long time ago. There are much better singers around for this job..
I understand the criticism of Labrie , but a lot of it is unfair. How the hell are you supposed sing over 17/8 time signatures? He killed it on this song.
My friend also can’t stand his voice, I thought he was too whiny and wasn’t a huge fan until metropolis 2, something clicked with me and now I like his voice, it doesn’t bother me. Still if Russel Allen was the singer it would probably have been better but I totally understand why James could be irritating to the casual listener
seems like more of JLB's reaction
Is that an Ibanez Frank Gambale signature in the back??
JLB put DT on the map. No James, no DT.
I agree about James' voice not fitting, but then on albums like Images and Words, Awake...the music and the voice are perfect together
I'll tell you in italian: James Labrie sì è rovinato la voce ed estensione vocale .In the recordin studio it Succeeds a little still. But in live...the band they are always formidable musicians.
Nice.
U messed up not watching the video.
Rush v2.0
james damaged his voice in 94 very bad food poisoning
My biggest barrier to entry with DT is the singer, just can't get with the vocals. The band sounds great and Portnoy definitely elevates them tremendously but I'd rather hear them as an instrumental unit, like Liquid Tension (which is pretty much them anyway!). I just hope Portnoy gets back to The Winery Dogs at some point! Also, thank you for the honesty. Too many channels like yours just post positive vibes when we all know there are some songs, artists, or situations that flat out suck and we should address them as we do with close friends, rock on!
Russell Allen would be the perfecto Fit for Dream nowdays.
. . . but then they'd sound like Symphony X, I don't need another SX, they are unique like DT (or Fates Warning :).
@@mvunit3 absolutely right, Tony. we don't need Dream Symphony or Fates Theater 🤣🤣
I new she was going to talk shit about James... She ruins any reactions they do for DT. Every member in DT loves James and his voice has and always will be perfect for this band. You can leave your opinion to yourself to the guy in this reaction . We did this before you lost. You know James is the only voice that works for this band. Just tell her the truth that you really like his voice and her opinion don't mean much to us true DT fans.
I wasn’t even going to mention it, and then Nick asked me about it at 12:00. Sorry to say that anytime we do a DT reaction I see so many people agree with me, just like I see people say “I used to hate it but now I love it”. I guess we keep trying to see if that happens to me someday. Just last night on our way to a party Nick played me Red Barchetta sang by James in the car. We’re trying!! Anyway, maybe it’s best you stay away from our DT reactions if they’re ruined by my opinion, but may also be a good thing if you learn to accept not everyone will have the same opinion as you. 🤷🏻♀️
You have a platform to actually put down musicians or whom ever you please . Maybe you should just quit reacting to dream theater if you can't handle the push back. Even Nick looks extremely uncomfortable when it comes time to talk about James. Do you put other people down, I wouldn't know because I would never support your channel.Your a clown😅
Your a clown😂 maybe you should quit reacting to dream theater!!! I don't don't support the crap you put out . Even Nick looks totally scared of you when you start insulting the face of DT. Do you put other musicians down on your platform. True DT fans love James they know his journey. Others that put him down are not only not true fans but they don't scream it from the roof tops. Like I said I would never support someone like you and you can say whatever you want but you should expect the push back. My condolences to Nick😢
@@NicknLex lex your a clown 😅 maybe you should expect the push back. Even Nick cringes when you talk about James. It's funny how you think would ever support you and your platform to put down musicians. My condolences nick😢.
Thanks for your support by watching the videos and by engaging with the channel content by writing all these comments 🤡
This is most definitely not an epic.
Please don't ever compare Dream Theater to Metallica.
Why not? DT was inspired by Metallica and recorded the entirety of Master of Puppets if you haven't forgotten. Justice for all must have been a huge inspiration. I don't know which band you don't like to be compared with either.
I absolutely hate when people pause reaction videos. I stop watching immediately. This guy doesn't know how to react to videos normally without making faces, which makes him lose focus on his own hearing and takes the attention away from his partner. That's not the kind of reaction video I look for to watch. Anyway, Dream Theater is the best band of all time. No doubt about it.
Agreed
I'm not going to agree with anything on this one! I understand your fanaticism for Portnoy and I accept it, but we have to be realistic, how many times is he going to repeat the same blows as in the last 20 years? When are you going to do any polyrhythms or patterns? always the same, but removing Portnoy, the song seemed like a regression to the direction they were going because it's like continuing to listen to the same thing I heard in 2007 and 2009, a shame that great musicians resort to copy paste from those years, super repetitive and predictable. Just think about the last 3 previews of the band's last 3 albums and compare them with this, there's no need to think about The Alien, right? They also won a Grammy for that. I also accept your taste because tastes in general are subjective, but in my 48 years of listening to Progressive Rock/Metal and Metal Prog, this bored me, unfortunately. I am also grateful that I always watch your great channel and I hope that one day you react to bands like Everon, Magellan, Barock Project (Active today). a hug from Argentina
Wow you have absolutely ZERO knowledge about music sir 😂
@@timhix588 Who are you to determine your absolutism? The one who has hearing problems is you, who does not recognize patterns and polyrhythms. Just because fanaticism makes you blind does not mean that your truth is correct, and I recommend that you do not judge me because you don't even know who I am
I don't have THAT strong of an opinion, but its like Iron Maiden, Harris KNOWS how he wants the band to sound, and a bit of deviation but they have that certain sound in a sea of Heavy Metal bands. Its their "Brand". DT has experimented here and there, and I tend to like their shorter tracks as it shows another side to them. I will always LOVE DT (since their debut that I have on Lp), but my fave Prog Metal band will be the Fathers of the genre; Fates Warning, as every-other album sounds different and they were not afraid to experiment. That's why Portnoy has mentioned them a lot when talking about the genre. But they never got the credit they deserve (or "Arch/Matheos").
But I get tired of DT being "the Whipping Post" for Prog Metal . . . I enjoy what they do, and where they came from.
Labrie is anoying me, he’s using the singing line so often, only the words are different. Musically it’s super. Glad MP is back.
Thumbs down because of the James comments on every Dream Theater reaction...
*Well, the "Rock Juice" is back!*
Okay, so this being the 2nd time to hear the track, I like it even more. LOVE the transitions and as another commenter said; "The Octobans", as its one of Mike Portnoy's signature sounds. I'm still coming to terms how DT is still the "Whipping Post" when it comes to Prog Metal. Every person wants it a certain way, and really its (Us) being a bunch of music geeks fighting over what is right/wrong in the genre, as a piece of lint in an OCEAN of mediocrity and terrible Pop music that thrives and offers nothing but a beat for the simple-minded and low attention spans (see Rick Beato's Top 20 Pop songs videos).
My fave Prog Metal band will always be Fates Warning, and as Portnoy had pointed out, they were doing it long before them, but also they weren't afraid to experiment. But they and Queensryche passed-on the baton for SOOO many bands to come and enjoy, including the big one being Dream Theater (and others that have been mentioned in positive and negative comments below).
I'm looking forward to the deeper cuts, as always from every band I'm into. So this was just the warm-up of things to come in February. My friend will be buying tickets any day now (just saw Maiden in Chula Vista days ago, and will see them next year as well for their "50th Anniversary" Tour. Sadly missed Opeth but hope they will come back next year), and I pre-ordered "Parasomnia", so Feb 2025 is a long way away!
*So here it goes about LaBrie . . .*
Yeah, I don't agree with Lexi on this issue, as I too have been into the band since "When Day and Dream Unite" (1989) with the late-Charlie Dominici (who died at 72 almost a year ago) and I loved his vocals, so by the time Images and Words came, I was shocked it wasn't him and it took getting used to the "New Guy" LaBrie. But the "Awake" album sealed the deal, and like Nick, I too believe he is the Voice of the band.
I (haha) don't think LaBrie's voice is very "Emo" (as I really don't like that type of music, or "Emo Screamo") and is just an acquired taste. Though it seems the various Vocal Coaches/Singers that have reacted to DT/LaBrie are pretty impressed, and even Elizabeth Zarhoff "The Charismatic Voice" has interviewed him. I think they see it from a vocalist standpoint and a fresh perspective to this type of music, but not jaded like many who hear this music on a weekly basis.
I also see the comment a lot; "Why don't they get Russel Allen" or add "_______________" (someone mentioned Pagan's Mind vocalist "Nils K. Rue"), but then DT would sound like Symphony X (etc.).
*Lexi* - Be sure to see the reply under "ΝασιαΣωτηριαδου" comment about what happened to LaBrie's voice and the excerpt of what he said in an interview (also checkout his interview on "The Charismatic Voice").
Yet Again . . .
#nicknlexrequest
I would make a request for Lexi to hear more from the *Awake* album, as LaBrie sings in a rougher timbre to go with the HEAVY tracks (and you have heard the more ethereal tracks that fit with his more melodic softer tone, which you reacted to in one of my Marathons, and liked :). But you MUST play "Erotomania" with the rest of the Epic "A Mind Beside Itself" Suite: "Erotomania", "Voices", and "The Silent Man". But there are a few heavier, more aggressive pieces where LaBrie's heavier vocals shine! Also DT's "Score" DVD and the live version of "Octavarium" that you will LOVE, Lex!
You should also take a listen to his _guest vocals_ with the LA Prog Metal band "Redemption" (along with Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder, who had been with the band for 5 albums, while recording with FW) on the very aggressive track "Another Day Dies" (from "Snowfall on Judgement Day" which you have on your shelf :).
As I said before, the last show I saw with DT (the "Dreamsonic" Tour with Animals as Leaders & Devin Townsend) was the worst vocals from LaBrie I had heard, sadly. It must have been a bad night for him as it would break-up, and he couldn't do the "Awake" vocals on the song "Lie" (I believe it was) so he had to do it in another key that didn't fit the song :(.
I don't know what he is physically able to do to make his voice better and stronger. But I know it must be tough on him and he _knows_ about all these comments on his voice. I hope he's able to try something new and come back to full form.
. . . . Anyways, there is my typical $10 worth of verbos opinions :p.
- Take care guys, and thanks for your honesty nevertheless Lexi :D. And Welcome Back Mike Portnoy!
ROCK JUICE!!! (???)
ruclips.net/video/ftkLbfXf55I/видео.htmlsi=MrPJsD7lYsMlHFSe
🤣
BTW - the actual cover for the upcoming album, kind of looks like a darker take of the "Images and Words" album cover with an older version of the little girl (all grown up).