DREAM THEATER - 'Parasomnia' | Album Review

[@JaredPlane]

This has been my prediction for The Shadow Man Incident for the last several months... 8 minutes of heavy, 3 minutes of ambience, 8 more minutes of heavy. This has been their formula for their epics since Black Clouds...

[@TheMetalTris]

I guess it's not completely wrong haha - still though depending on my mood I can really love that song but sometimes it gets a bit repetitive, just depends on the day really! What do you think of the record now that it's out there? Thanks for checking out the video!

[@ditherschmidt9152]

The greatest expectation turned into the biggest disappointment, but... some still haven't woken up... They are sleeping on themselves! As for the others... Parasomnia can seriously harm your health!!!

[@TheMetalTris]

Haha I think that's a little bit much isn't it! Is it really that bad for you? Personally I thought that it was a nice combo of the sounds that we heard from Six Degrees, Train of Thought and Metropolis but with a slightly darker tone to it. Curious to see why you're not a fan of it?

[@jean-pierrestraub7530]

I listened to the album once and, though I don't remember much, my feeling is rather positive. Brilliant piano solo from Jordan on the last track but it seemed to me that he was rather discreet on the rest of the album

[@TheMetalTris]

I think so too you know, I think that this is the first record really where we didn't hear a huge amount of him in terms of a solo aspect. Which to be honest, I kind of liked! It was a bit different to the usual onslaught of notes so I thought that was quite cool. He's fantastic at creating that sense of atmosphere as well so that's definitely not lost on me!

[@HotelHobbies]

Looking forward to it more than I was. The tracks released so far don’t really bring anything new yet (at least to me) - although I will freely admit that I haven’t listened to them that many times. Have obviously pre-ordered it as I have been following them for so long. First time I saw them live was at The Marquee on Images and Words tour. Will definitely give it more time and the chance to get under the skin. Roll on Friday! 9/10 is a extremely good score so my expectations are a little higher now. 😅 Thanks for sharing this one. Great analysis.

[@hectorThechilldudeonacouch]

The return of Portnoy 🎉🎉🎉. 3 am play through because you cant get no sleep.

[@dezmilad]

Goes well with the theme of the album lol I have insomnia so when you don't sleep for a week your awake and asleep states start merging. So I can relate to some of the album

[@AntonisGinnerup]

I'd give a stupid amount of money for those 2 vinyls in the background, also great video!

[@miguelmelchior986]

Go to store and buy.., you have brain problem?

[@TheMetalTris]

Oh man, I remember finding both of these in the wild and shockingly, it wasn't that expensive. They are lurking out there so there is hope. Fingers crossed that they might get repressed as well soon - thanks for checking out the video as well my friend!

[@Gabriel-uq6iq]

Chungus' vocals are the true night terror

[@MetalBere]

I love the album ❤

[@TheMetalTris]

Hell yeah! Me too haha

[@josephbenz4913]

Should have been called The Nightman Cometh.

[@serazac25]

Dayman!

[@Beyza_nur_merve19]

After 3 released singles , album is maz 5/10 and other songs wont change my mind

[@TheMetalTris]

Hey there my friend! Thanks for checking out the video, hugely appreciated. What is it that would make you give this a 5? I'm really curious!

[@amerigominco9362]

Hi Tristan! I’m new to your channel but i’ve seen some reviews of yours and i really appreciate the approach you have towards music! If possible i’d really like to see you react to the “Ugly” album from slowthai (2023), it has changed my life in a way and my perspective on love and pain so i suggest you to to give it a try! Thanks always, Keep it up 💪🏻❤️

[@TheMetalTris]

Hey there my friend! Thanks ever so much for reaching out and commenting here and so glad that you're enjoying the content that I'm putting out on the channel. I have to say, I haven't listened to slowthai in a very long time to be honest but after your mention, I'll pop it on my 'to-listen-to' list Especially when it had such an impact on you! What do you think of Dream Theater? Have you listened to this record yet at all?

[@Root-vy5od]

Huge DT Fan here sorry but most of this album sounds like leftover Astonishing tunes made a little heavier , Not that I didn't like the astonishing at all but that's what I'm hearing.

[@jean-pierrestraub7530]

I really don't agree. "The astonishing" was really bright, almost Disney-ish whereas "Parasomnia" is really dark

[@darefear-jy3vh]

super dark album. bend the clock is my favorite ❤

[@TheMetalTris]

Yes! I think that there's some real light on that track which I think it needs after all of the darkness comes through you know? Thanks for checking out the video and I hope you enjoyed it?

[@BreakingAllIllusions]

Mike Portnoy quit the band in 2010 and his last recording in the studio with the band was for an Instrumental Single "Raw Dog" from 'God of War: Blood & Metal - E.P.'. I cannot wait to get my hands on the Deluxe Box Set 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@TheMetalTris]

Ah yes, I got tongue tied in this and what I meant was his final studio record that was Black Clouds which I'm pretty sure that it's 2009 - not entirely sure but I might be wrong! I never claim to be a musical genius, just a fella in his spare room chatting haha

[@marstopia8992]

Looking forward to it, but I am a bit hesitant, as the albums after ADTOE were never more than an 6 or 7/10 for me and Night Terror was kinda mediocre for my taste. I had some hopes for the long track, as I am craving for something in the vein of Count of Tuscany, so it is a bit concerning to hear your struggles with it. Anyways, thanks for the great review :)

[@ioannisdenton]

All three new songs are mediocre.ntheir best song of these laat years is Illumination theory imo

[@TheMetalTris]

thanks for checking out the video! It's hugely appreciated and now that the record is out, were your worries justified or did you enjoy it?

[@VisuallyImpairedGamer1987]

I've never been a huge Dream Theater fan, James LaBrie's vocals are hard for me to get into, with exception of the magnificent song, "Pull Me Under." The ideas on Parasomnia sound very interesting, and I'm curious to dive in. Tris, here is a band I'm sure you haven't heard that I can recommend. Check out the album Slaves of the Inhuman Future World by Unreal Overflows. It combines elements of Cynic and Human era Death along with Carcass-esque vocals. Fantastic release!

[@sakisrose4632]

Wenn man das als Gesang bezeichnen das Geschrei.

[@Sylv1ception71]

DT fan since Awake, I can tell you that I didn't like AVFTTOTW, and I can also tell you, after listening Night Terror, A Broken Man and Midnight Messiah, that I really don't know if I will buy the album... where the hell is their inspiration gone ??

[@fluntimes]

Damn, you've power listened to this - when did you get the album? Jealous! Seriously, looking forward to this. The three singles hint at the sound but as isolations, it's not enough to get the full picture.

[@monkeyhousescouse]

1. AI album art = 0/10 2. Production = muddy, instruments blur at times 5/10 3. Portnoy return. Wayyy to much boring double kick. Ugh 4. Melodies / use of harmony and melodic arrangement = 2/10. Where's the singalong and memorable melodies that we got on Surrounded, Take the time, 6.00, Silent Man, Alien and so on? The band have just put 'sections' of one dimensional musical wankery together and there's a lack of SONGS with ear worms here. To be fair this has been their issue for 15 years. Overall = 4/10

[@FearFrontierOFFICIAL]

Ive been repeat listening to the singles, and honestly, I gotta respectfully disagree. Night Terror and Midnight Messiah especially, have a ton of sections and vocal patterns that are in my head all day.

[@monkeyhousescouse]

Yep, Midnight Messiah is as catchy as Pull Me Under or Afterlife.... oh. Hang on.... 😅😅😅

[@Alex-e5t3q]

go listing to Justin Bieber

[@musik7466]

Point 4 is also Metallicas issue for the last umpteen years. What they both need is to hire a producer with mandate to trim the fat and actually PRODUCE.

[@monkeyhousescouse]

@@Alex-e5t3q go take a spelling course

[@petrucci973]

MP left September 2010 mate.

[@p_a873]

He came back last year mate

[@petrucci973]

@ in the video he mentioned MP left in 2009, I corrected that. I was at the London first show, did the meet and greet in Budapest and saw them for the 3rd time on their 40th anniversary tour on the Paris show the one they recorded live. DT nerd here mate 😂

[@TheMetalTris]

Hey there mate! Thanks for checking out the video and so stoked that you’re excited for the new record. When I say 2009 I meant his last album with the band which was Black Clouds. Probably got my words mixed up 🤪 All good though! Glad you’re such a big fan and hope you enjoyed the video despite that?

[@petrucci973]

@ ey mate! In that case you're correct regarding the last album haha!

[@nickstanley396]

Where did you get to listen to it????

[@robmlisanti]

some content creators get them first usually digitally

[@TheMetalTris]

Hey there Nick, thanks for checking out the video and hope that you enjoyed it? Long story short, I get sent promos ahead of release to listen to the record for promotional purposes so have had a good amount of time to get familiar with the album before it's release, I really caned this one as it's been a real favourite of mine for sure! What do you think of the record now that it's out there?

[@StefanoMauri-l4w]

Italian what?

[@TheMetalTris]

Hey there Stefano! I thought that Dead Asleep reminded me of a kind of melody that you might hear in like an Italian setting film, perhaps one of the missions from Hitman or something. It was just something that was calling out to me haha - my own version of The Count of Tuscany maybe? What do you think of the record now that it's out there?

[@StefanoMauri-l4w]

​@@TheMetalTrisah ok. Thank you for the answer. I am italian and i was curious😂

[@DoumdaDoum]

Wth is that Stephen graham? 😮

[@TheMetalTris]

During my part time acting I'm an avid Dream Theater fan! ;)

[@NicolasAhumada88]

I laugh at the people that keep crying about the use of AI.

[@thelobster7277]

I’m with you.. who cares

[@RichCorle-u6o]

@@thelobster7277Fools. Both of you.

[@fVNzO]

I’ve always thought hugh symes artwork sucked. DT has some cool but a lot of confusing and weird covers. I don't really care either but I don't think parasomnias cover is very great.

[@FumbleMcStumble]

This band stopped being truly progressive after Six Degrees, somewhere thereabouts. Ever since then they’ve just been a recycling band. Remember back in the golden era in the 90s, when each album was drastically different from the previous and the next? Where you didn’t know what to expect? I miss those days. They’ve been scraping the bottom of the creativity barrel for well over a decade now. Their compositions have become generic, predictable, formulaic, been there done that, by the numbers, etc. They don’t cover any new ground. They’ve become incredibly boring, and bringing back the original drummer hasn’t done anything to help with that. They’re not so much a band anymore; more of a “brand”. And they’re not progressive, because they haven’t been progressing stylistically from album to album. Basically just another nostalgia band at this point. It feels like every album in the writing sessions they go down a checklist: odd time signatures, check. Long overblown instrumental sections that overstay their welcome, check. Trading solos, check. Obligatory unison, check. Impossibly high vocals that LaBrie won’t be able to hit live, check.

[@markgreene1162]

Some parts of the songs I'm hearing some Megadeth? Maybe it's just me. 🤔

[@musik7466]

Definately!

[@WWROABM]

Who cares if Hugh Syme used AI to create the artwork? He probably did use AI to help. Big deal. That is what AI is for. Let it be. Also, who cares if DT used AI to help write the record. They can clearly play the music live and they clearly made the production themselves. AI is here people, live with it. At least they are producing new music and taking the show on the road. Don’t be stuck in the muck. Get on the AI train. The possibilities for creativity are endless!!

[@dissonantharmonic]

There is no creativity in ai, and anyone who thinks so isnt a real artist. Art is the expression of human emotion, "ai" does not know emotion

[@JohnSmith-oc9iw]

Mike Portnoy drumming is boring and predictable the same and same.I am not exited at all about this album is just mediocre .

[@TheMetalTris]

I don't think that it is boring really, it's slightly more simplified but there's a lot of good songwriting on this record which is what they focused on this time around which I think is great! They've done the, insane level of technicality for years and years now. So for me, I think it's cool changing things up a bit to be more groove oriented, you know?

[@jean-pierrestraub7530]

You should apply

[@andrewphillips9142]

The last memorable album DT made was 'Awake.'

[@TheMetalTris]

Hey there Andrew, curious to see what you think of the record now that it's out? If you've had time to listen to this yet. Personally I really love the album and it will definitely be in my albums of the year. A really strong effort from the band!

[@JohnCarolan-hq4nd]

I think the darkness in what you say and I hear the echos of the subtractors who lurk in the shadows.........

[@TheMetalTris]

Hahahaha always be wary of the subtractors eh ;)

[@TorqueBow]

The use of AI for the album art is a complete 0/10 for me.

[@androsida8704]

well I don't know how you can be certain it's AI. You can strongly suspect it sure

[@TorqueBow]

@ the little girls foot on the album cover has about 8 toes.

[@nicklee6422]

They just did an interview with the prog report where they talked about the art book included with a deluxe version of the record and named the artist who worked on it...

[@TorqueBow]

@ Yeah, and the artist used AI.

[@nicklee6422]

@@TorqueBow glad you're such an expert 👍

[@Zakariah1971]

AI could write far more interesting and original songs with Mike Lee from Barren Cross on vocals…. Zzzzzzzzzz

[@TheMetalTris]

I have to politely disagree but still appreciate you checking out the video all the same!

[@Zakariah1971]

Clearly u r a sycophant and your review is meaningless CUCKOLDRY…. Pass.

[@nickpruett8022]

9/10 total bs take, but it is your “professional” opinion I am sure. It is not a big moment that portnoy came back for ticket sales from the die hards to make sure there is a retirement package for the team. Bad album, worse people and the fan base is about as meh as you can get. So this is probably the perfect album for the those fans and the band member’s egos.

[@TheMetalTris]

Hey there Nick, first off, why so much negativity man! If you're not a fan of the record, band or fan base then just take a breather from it. At the end of the day, I never claim to be a professional at all, I'm just a dude making videos in his spare room haha - for me, I really love it. Portnoy coming back as a long time fan was a big moment for me but it's not that it's a return to form because DT have been on form for a good while now. I am curious though, what is it that you're a fan of in the DT world? The older albums? Thanks for checking out the video though!

[@nickpruett8022]

@ I respect your opinion and advice. My opinion on this is sharp and cuts deep. They deserve it, it is ok. No disrespect to your video. The overwhelming response to the video and the band is positive. This point of view is still valid and can be expressed.