I'm trying real hard not to be biased, i'm not a Mike Mangini hater, but this feels so good compared to what we've been getting from DT. Like they won a fucking grammy their last album and this feels like multiple steps up to me. Portnoy's drumming makes Dream Theater, Dream Theater. I wasn't one of those guys before hearing this song but after this song I think the core three of Myung, Portnoy and Petrucci are what make Dream Theater. I also noticed the Background Vocals and also am really glad to hear those back, they just sound so good having a different voice sing with Labrie really elevates Labrie in my opinion. And I don't think it's JUST Portnoy's vocals doing that, Labrie I thought sounded great on this song, and I think Portnoy in the past has helped with the phrasing and placement so that could be it? It just feels like every member - not just Portnoy made this song great.
There's just an energy that Portnoy brings to DT that's undeniable. Not just because he's a founding member and a huge part of their sound - though that's certainly a big part of it. But it's his energy, his feel and groove. What he's called "balls and chunk" and "the human element". Mangini is a superb technical player. Practically inhuman. But he tends to call a bit too much attention to it, if that makes sense. In terms of feel, Portnoy has it in spades. He can take technical parts and make them flow. It's organic. Also cool to hear him singing backup again. His voice is an underrated.. maybe understated, part of DTs sound, I think. I said for years that Portnoy's influence on DT's sound was never more evident than by his absence in it. Meanwhile, it was all over the place in his other projects (particularly Sons of Apollo, given their more proggy style making them the most like DT). This song alone, I think, really underscores and validates that impression. This is definitely more on the straight-forward side of their music. Which makes sense, being a single release. Can't wait to hear where they take us on the rest of the album.
Wholeheartedly agreed, man. VERY well said. Thank you for your comment. Please Like, Subscribe, and Hit the Notification’s Bell if you haven’t already!!
Nightmare to remember II.
I'm trying real hard not to be biased, i'm not a Mike Mangini hater, but this feels so good compared to what we've been getting from DT. Like they won a fucking grammy their last album and this feels like multiple steps up to me.
Portnoy's drumming makes Dream Theater, Dream Theater. I wasn't one of those guys before hearing this song but after this song I think the core three of Myung, Portnoy and Petrucci are what make Dream Theater.
I also noticed the Background Vocals and also am really glad to hear those back, they just sound so good having a different voice sing with Labrie really elevates Labrie in my opinion. And I don't think it's JUST Portnoy's vocals doing that, Labrie I thought sounded great on this song, and I think Portnoy in the past has helped with the phrasing and placement so that could be it? It just feels like every member - not just Portnoy made this song great.
Well said, and i absolutely agree!! Thank you for your comment. Please Like, Subscribe, and Hit the Notification’s Bell if you haven’t already!!!
There's just an energy that Portnoy brings to DT that's undeniable. Not just because he's a founding member and a huge part of their sound - though that's certainly a big part of it.
But it's his energy, his feel and groove. What he's called "balls and chunk" and "the human element".
Mangini is a superb technical player. Practically inhuman. But he tends to call a bit too much attention to it, if that makes sense.
In terms of feel, Portnoy has it in spades. He can take technical parts and make them flow. It's organic.
Also cool to hear him singing backup again. His voice is an underrated.. maybe understated, part of DTs sound, I think.
I said for years that Portnoy's influence on DT's sound was never more evident than by his absence in it. Meanwhile, it was all over the place in his other projects (particularly Sons of Apollo, given their more proggy style making them the most like DT). This song alone, I think, really underscores and validates that impression.
This is definitely more on the straight-forward side of their music. Which makes sense, being a single release. Can't wait to hear where they take us on the rest of the album.
Wholeheartedly agreed, man. VERY well said. Thank you for your comment. Please Like, Subscribe, and Hit the Notification’s Bell if you haven’t already!!