NEW DREAM THEATER?! "Night Terror" Reaction & Analysis | Bass Teacher REACTS

[@Robertowarren]

I’m so glad to see someone fan boying as much as me over the new song

[@LowEndUniversity]

😉🤝

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I’ve been jamming it all day!

[@Ziri0615]

🤘

[@gofigure84]

Sounds like Mike never left.

[@BobMcMac]

Count me in as well!

[@Crumsie]

As a drummer mainly I also laughed at the 1:56 drum fill, I coulda heard that just alone and knew instantly that Portnoy did it

[@LowEndUniversity]

Exactly!

[@PostmanDan87]

It’s specifically how airy the snare is and how punchy the toms are. They cut through everything when hit repeatedly like on any Portnoy fill

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Oh yea! I love how they opened it up with the signature MP sound, what a great way to welcome him back home for us

[@unclerhombus]

Which is cool, but it’s also the same exact type of fills Portnoy has done dozens and dozens and dozens of times before on many other songs.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

@@unclerhombus most musicians have signature things they do, that’s a good thing

[@samuelviden7412]

The rhythm change coming in from the first chorus is such classic DT. I love it!

[@abonham82]

Can we just appreciate just how insanely good Myung has to be to be playing unison lines beside Petrucci! Or maybe it’s actually the other way round 🤣

[@LowEndUniversity]

Other way around 😉😉😉😉😉

[@guitarvorous]

Its actually how good they have to be to play with Labrie. 😮😮😮

[@TheAsphyx666]

Dude, Myung is by far the leasr celebrated of these guys, and he' KILLING it, always.

[@unclerhombus]

Mangini is *so* good that his playing is robotically precise and perfect. Portnoy’s drumming sounds like a human playing.

[@EricArmstrong-vo6dp]

I always want more bass in the mix with DT.

[@TheAsphyx666]

Me, too.

[@LuisRdzG10]

Hell to the mother f-ing yeah with this classical Dream Theater sound, damn majestic. I'm so hyped with this new album with Portnoy.

[@AMGU2B]

Thank you for pointing out that not putting a rhythm guitar behind the guitar solo is a good idea! Thank you! I like when they let room for Myung’s bass to breathe.

[@erikrevier4053]

Great video, loved the analysis and could feel your excitement coming through the screen! Great song and a proper welcome back to Mr. Portnoy. Can't wait to hear more!

[@jamesmarcin4787]

Alex Lifeson inspired in the second guitar solo. Love it.👍

[@MaayanMorMusic]

The way I hear the part you start on 11:00 is in 4/4 and the riff position is shifted on top of that making different syncopation patterns. You can hear the snare is consistently on 2 and 4 and the cymbals are syncopated as well. Very very cool!

[@peterheath7960]

My favorite band too, super happy for new music, just hoping to see them again in Australia.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I should have known you were gunna do this, i literally asked you to do this earlier on your last IG post lol, there’s nothing like a New DT song or album! Especially with Mike back home after 14 years! I’m next to ya with that biggest DT fan, Myung is my bass god!

[@StalinBballin]

Not a DT fan, but very happy for Mark and this was a fun watch. As a music fan, it's always exciting when a band releases new music, especially when a founding member comes back!

[@agustinrossi8617]

This is the only analysis I wanted to see! The feeling it's the same bro! Greatings from Argentina

[@psionic6126]

That smile dude! I felt it! We've been wating for 15 years for this moment!

[@BobMcMac]

I‘m going to be at the first show with Mike Portnoy in the band again in London next week. This is gonna be so emotional, I absolutely get where you‘re coming from with your love for the band. Exactly my feelings!

[@TheAsphyx666]

Lucky bastard. 😂

[@BobMcMac]

@@TheAsphyx666 Shame on me, buddy!

[@humanbirdsong]

Same, I'll be at the O2 on Sunday, MP's first ever gig back with DT. Wouldn't be surprised if I cry a little.

[@BobMcMac]

@@humanbirdsong I‘m gonna bring a bucket for all my tears, that‘s for sure!

[@jodyovsiew3671]

Great review. I love how you break down the parts and how the movements they choose make you giddy! Awesome!

[@Yellow_Leader]

During the section at 16:30 when he goes back in to talk about Portnoy's drumming, not to take away anything he's saying, because he put into words what I never could about why I love Portnoy, but does anyone else get a strong Porcupine Tree vibe during that section right before the blistering unison between Petrucci and Rudess? The guitar over top, the bass line, and the fills that Portnoy are using all call back to Fear of a Blank Planet era Porcupine Tree.

[@justinsleeper3734]

I think it is something most prog drummers do. Danny Carey definitely does it. I seem to remember an interview with Bill Bruford talking about how he had to drum differently just to be heard around Chris Squire.

[@marvinzimmermann_]

Great analysis! Makes me love the song even more. What a comeback! 🔥

[@tomowens7499]

Really sounds like train of thought, my favorite of theirs... love that album.

[@filheim]

The bass tone this time is KILLER! The drums really breathes along with the rest of the band. MP dynamics, the rising intensity on sections is unmatched. Mangini did tom & bass rolls using only lower toms, MP uses the 10 and 13 inch most of the time, also Mangini is almost strictly linear, while MP uses a lot of flams to give some parts more intensity.

[@AtomizedSound]

Totally to me has Train of Thought influences on it as well in the instrumental passages some as other ones but that’s the first takeaway for me.

[@uncleboobs625]

for sure the start reminds me so much of as i am

[@ifgwelf]

I love that album, some people don't like it.

[@IcarusNadir]

​@@ifgwelfTheir heaviest album and one of their best

[@MaayanMorMusic]

Man I loved your reaction! Great note about there wasn't guitar doubling during the solo! To me it sounded like the vibes on "Train of Thought".

[@r.a.fiallos234]

Awesome breakdown/reaction. I’m with you on the trying to keep a straight face while listening….too much goodness here!

[@johnbernhardt4319]

Portnoy sprinkles the spice of those splash and stack accents perfectly!

[@mrskaria]

I am literally drooling over this song and upcoming album. DT has been my favorite band since I saw them in local bar in Toledo OH when they released Images and Words. I have seen them 9 time (I so wish they were coming to Detroit on this tour). MP has put that familiar feel back into DT, although MM was definitely a force to be reckoned with during his time with DT. February can't get here fast enough.

[@lt_johnmcclane]

I love the little rhythmic displacement thing that they do around 10:35. Very cool

[@NekBodesh]

Was waiting for your reaction to this 😂 What a killer track. Love seeing folks getting so hyped about it.

[@troywest]

That Warwick sounds gorgeous 🖤🧡🖤

[@samsonjpedroza]

YOU SAID IT ... WOW ! INSANE COMPOSITION ... WELCOME BACK PORTNOY ! GREAT REACTION/ANALYSIS. THANKS FOR SHARING.

[@LowEndUniversity]

My pleasure!!

[@Tyepianoguy]

11:14 they are playing in 4/4

[@scottlowell493]

"Those boys can play." - Geddy Lee

[@6Benni9]

It’s not my favourite DT song ever, but it sounds very much like a show opener to me for their tour

[@BarbieCatt]

A little lyrical throwback to On the backs of Angels there in 2nd verse. Awesome

[@IcarusNadir]

Love the dive into the music theory behind it! Brought a great element to the reaction

[@Xcalith]

I love that you had to pullout your 6 string Warwick for this. Been following you since your early days and it's good to see it back.

[@willmoblo75]

That “character” through the later instrumental stuff is straight up Rush

[@sturmb155]

I watched the music video first and thought it was really cool and an awesome song, but now seeing you analyze and react to it, it made me appreciate and like the music even more. Keep doing what youre doing man!

[@MrZip420]

good old Portnoy fills

[@thepaperkind]

That intro sounds just like Suicide Machines song Hey

[@LowEndUniversity]

I was ALMOST going to say this, 100% honest. I thought it was just going to be too much of a random comment though 😅

[@bassplayer2011ify]

10:36 classic Portnoy. I’m gonna play ten to twenty bars of off beats to mess with you.

[@JoneyJefe]

Seriously just realized tomorrow isn’t Saturday!! I was so prepared to sleep in.

[@omargonzalezortiz320]

How could you be a DT fan and not know Mike was coming back??? it was huge news.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Of course I knew that, I think you just misunderstood me. I was saying in general, I never expected it to happen and was reinforcing that point.

[@tabonejohann]

The solo @22.40 reminds me of count of Tuscany

[@slycordinator]

By the way, the drum production wasn't Mangini's fault. From what I recall, Petrucci had become interested in producing drums using samples. Especially the first two records with Mangini had pretty muddled drum sound. There's a video of Mangini playing The Enemy Inside on a channel for Zildjian and the drums sound so much better than on the record. Though, I love this new single. Amazing stuff.

[@kenminerva]

Your video passed my wall a few times. I did not want to click it. I mean who is this guy haha.. but then I saw Mike's instagram stories and he changed my mind 😂😂

[@dejavu2603]

Exactly thinking the same as you regarding the comparison of MM and MP Yeap, just look at the outro of Finally Free. That's all about techical abilities are much more meaningful or powerful let's say when meets the composition and stays inside the box of the story of the music.

[@chrisryan7283]

Biggest DT fan but didn't know new music would include MP!?

[@NBAHOTTAKEZ]

I’ve been waiting for a new DT video!

[@jima6545]

Portnoy's tuning is unique as well as his attack. Very distinct. It should be noted, there are musicians that can play this music but how many BANDS can play this. Mangini as a replacement is a real testimony to HIS skill. Mangini has the ability, Portnoy just has a unique flavor

[@Rok_Piletic]

that guitar solo ... trio Pantera vibe .... RIP Abbott brothers

[@matiashidalgo]

Love how passionate you are with music. Comment about it before on a the cure video. You are really trying to keep it as pro as possible.....and you are doing it!...but not really!..jaja....you are a real fan!!!. Keep being a truly music fan brother. Thats why we love this channel!. 🤟

[@Aka_daka]

Portnoy is recognizable because he plays the same drum fills over & over.

[@nonhuman7562]

the same goes for the other four band members.

[@Calumetto]

WooHoo! I love this. Almost didn't watch because I didn't want to be disappointed. Definitely wasn't. ••• PEACES!!!

[@beaumanikoth9142]

The highlight is Portnoy's drumming. Musically and sonically, DT has been sailing in the 'sea of sameness' since Black Clouds & Silver Linings. A Dramatic Turn of Events sounded promising...but then it's back to the 'sea of sameness.' Glad they're alive and together.

[@nealbraatz3911]

The intro sounds like Pull Me Under meshed with Witch Hunt

[@cbartetc]

This was great thank you

[@grevedanko]

The intro is so Black Sabbath

[@Coconuthut1]

I almost shit myself when I saw the song drop lol

[@zenzenzen4741]

Whip out the six string and get crazy all over again!😮

[@sccrash3938]

got my tickets to see them in Dallas! Can't wait! 🍻

[@LowEndUniversity]

See you there!

[@chairmanofthebored6860]

I'll be at the Dallas show as well!

[@krioni86sa]

me too. See you guys

[@imageofchaos]

Be there as well!

[@chrislctr]

BRO You were on that one QUICK!!

[@LowEndUniversity]

⚡️

[@AMGU2B]

This song let me indifferent, and that is not what I was expecting from their reunion with MP. This sounds like it could have been on A View From the Top of the World album. And it wouldn’t have been average in that album Let us hope the rest of the album is way better and more inspired.

[@guitarvorous]

I foolly agrre

[@crusher0427]

Everything about Top of The World was far better than this crap.

[@shmog0292]

Thank you, the people saying this reminds them of classic DT have me scratching my head. This is just what they’ve been doing over the last couple years but with Portnoy on drums.

[@teuzindrk7]

Yeah… I was expecting something “different” I guess? This song feels like Dream Theater music simulator, it’s a bunch of random DT stuff that has been out for years and they put it together and called it “Night Terror”. Yes, I’m happy Portnoy is back and all that shit. Maybe this is the problem… Maybe my expectations were too high

[@AMGU2B]

@@crusher0427 I have revisited that album. I had not listened to it for over a year. Yep, every song in that album is better than this, maybe except for Invisible Monster, but at least that one is concise and as catchy as this one.

[@aylawell231]

Hello, recently found your primus breakdowns.. (huge primus fan since 1990).. hope you've gotten to see them live! Anyway i realized you haven't had the pleasure of a song off Frizzle Fry yet.. unfortunate friend. Might i suggest Mr. Knowitall? One of my all time Primus favorites. I know this message doesent really belong on this video's comments but i figured it would be my best chance to reach you lol. Great channel brother, I'm enjoying it.

[@LowEndUniversity]

I did “John the Fisherman” from that album a couple weeks ago! Hope you can check it out!

[@aylawell231]

Sorry, somehow i missed john the fisherman till just now lol, in any case, everyone has you doing only the mainstream/airplay/mtv video songs.. which is fine, great stuff but.. Primus truly shines on the non airplay tracks. I cant wait to see what you check out in the future man, I'm glad your enjoying Primus

[@aylawell231]

​@LowEndUniversity im watjching it now, oops XD

[@aylawell231]

Fun fact: all the claymation style things associated with older primus were made by Les himself.. the covers of frizzle fry, pork soda, rhinoplasty, and probably most famously from a fan's perspective.. the mosquito from miscellaneous debri

[@dimian.86]

I highly recommend you to check the "new" Squarepusher video : it's called "Tetra-Sync" :-) By the way, thx for your work !

[@DeadRingerMachine]

The way I feel about this band is that they jumped the shark a while ago. Now it's complication just for the sake of complicating things, to the point where it becomes a-musical, jarring the listener out of the song. It's exactly like when bad writing jars a reader out of the book. Portnoy is an absolute master, it's basically impossible to hold the slop together in some of these bizarre parts that have nothing to do with the song anymore - or with music, really. But he's ALWAYS right there on time with a killer beat, no matter what kind of f'd up time signature they're moving in and out of. You catch it yourself at several points "they're all over the place" and "I don't know what that was." It's not only unnecessary, it's detrimental. My God, that guitar solo was a screeching mess, and we all know the kind of wondrous stuff Petrucci is capable of. These guys moved away from prog, through experimental and into unlistenable. Which is sad, because if you cut about 4-5 minutes of terrible crap out of this song it would probably be pretty good. As it is, it's like drudgery trying to listen to it. I'm sure there are plenty of people who are going to try to tell me I just can't appreciate it because I don't know anything about music or theory or whatever, even though I play guitar. There are always haedcore fanboys who feel the need to denigrate anyone who doesn't drool over everything their band records. I don't particularly care, people say the same thing when I tell them I don't like most jazz. I prefer my music to make sense. It is what it is.

[@garysanders3193]

February 15th, Grand Prairie Texas, I am there!

[@LowEndUniversity]

See you there!!

[@LoudonGuitar]

Tempted to do a full cover of this. About 6 minutes in at the moment. You interested in doing it with me?

Intranaut - Fast Worms please! Very cool bassline

[@LowEndUniversity]

Might do an analysis on it, I’ve heard it a billion times doing several tours with them years ago. It’s amazing, but has been a few years since I listened!

[@_stardust62]

I'm a drummer and the first thing you notice in this song is Portnoys signature drum sound sounds exactly like all the other albums. I grew up listening to Black Sabbath and Bill Ward one of my favorites, but Bill would sound different on every album every album had its own unique drum set sound... this is something Mike seems stay away from he's in his comfort zone I guess with the drum sound he's always played. I don't know, if Mike would changed it up to have a lower drum sound or something like that, his snare sounds exactly like the snares on all those previous albums which is great he can tune a snare like nobody else but it's always the same sound. Idk 🤷‍♂️...just saying

[@tylerarcher2976]

Build up sounds like a slower version of hey by the suicide machines..

[@williambessa1548]

Dream Theater fantastic 🖤

[@BigDawgBeav]

should watch the video, lots of good shots Myung's fingerings

[@ZeyTheDaemon]

The first two riffs just sound so grungy, I love it. Not a huge DT fan (I know a few songs and that's about it), but god damn those riffs are sludgy af. 2nd one kinda reminds me of a weird mix of AIC and Metallica? I can't really explain it

[@ctbhaley]

Regarding the drum production for MP, I actually think it sounds better than his usual drum sound. Typically I always felt that Portnoy;s toms rang too long and had a (in my minds ear) boing sound where as in this song his toms have a shorter punch sound with every hit. Not nearly as much as MM's did but I think it's a perfect balance of traditional MP sound and MM sound that is still recognizable as being MP.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Sorry for the other comment I can talk all day about DT to me I thought after hearing it, it sounds like everything from systematic to A view from the top of the world, every since the self titled album Myung has had this grift tone that’s so nasty! I love how you can hear the strings buzzing off the frets just nasty!!

[@LeoLimonghi]

to me It sounds like the 2nd verse its a 6/8 where bass, guitar and keys are just skipping the downbeats to create the rhythmic tension… it sounds great :)

[@prassykes]

Im searching Bass Reaction only to find 7:21 stuff

[@Chamorro-f1p]

No hay queen sin fredy , ni fredy sin queen , esto es lo mismo

[@GiorgioG085]

Train of thiught in 10 minutes.

[@CamaradaMarcos]

Portnoy's drum kit just sounds better (imo), every piece got a little bit of bass on it, while mangini's kit sounds sharper

[@RJMelling]

Firstly, I have to say that I've tried to get into Dream Theatre and I love the music but the vocals just sound so damn cheesy and it kinda spoils it for me... BUT!!! this sounds FUCKING AWESOME and has he toned the cheese down on the voice? It's actually quite bearable and I'm going to start playing all this new stuff. Thanks!

[@entertainmentyoutube3606]

The best dream theater was when they did pull me under, they created great songs like metropolis, with this piano player they cant compose like that

[@allengarrow6295]

The chemistry is amazing. Drums are the glue that hold it all together. Portnoy is such a musical genius who adds so much more to the open spaces in the rhythm sections, no one does it like Mike.

[@toontubesneyers]

You should check Fishbone's masterpieve Party At Ground Zero.... thank me later ;-)

[@LowEndUniversity]

I do have Fishbone coming up!

[@iron_rush_theater1246]

Ten minutes isn't THAT long for a DT song! Last tour, the last three songs composed the last hour of music!

[@JiTiAr35]

Lemmy Kilmister next ?

[@sephiroth7818]

@0:25 how many 6ers do ya have? 🤘🤘

[@LowEndUniversity]

Only 2 now, I sold several over the years (that I dearly miss!)

[@WePlayTheBeatles]

Do you think it’s ok to interrupting the guitar solo two times in a row?

[@davidbradshaw2293]

Wish you would have done the video

[@unclerhombus]

This guy uses very large words I don’t know while explaining the song and it makes me feel dumb 😂

[@BastardOfTheNorth]

Bass cover?

[@robertw236]

Sounds like typical DT. Glad Portnoy is back. Their music is too mellow for me a little boring but, it's always technically interesting. You have to listen to all their tracks to find one that is really different or more power/metal oriented. But, I do like them.

[@AMGU2B]

I like your enthusiasm and commentary. Honestly, Labrie sounds practically the same as in their last album. No meaningful improvements there. Even the vocal linee are similar.

[@Imperialmusicfan]

As are the lyrics, though no one's paying attention to them when it comes to DT lol. I don't know how many times I've heard lines like "Eyes open wide but I can't see".

[@leeDs718]

It's driving me a little crazy that you're throwing the word 'atonal' around... why? Theres a key center in every section... what do you mean?

[@AMGU2B]

That Rudess sound you say resembles his old works, to me, sounds exactly like On the Backs of Angels. I al happy people are enthusiastic about a new DT record, but overall, I feel most of the praise comes mostly from the MP comeback effect. None of this is inspiring in any shape or form. It does have Train of Thought vibes, but not quite as energetic or impressive

[@Frigate356]

I'm pretty happy just having my own reaction and experience with the tune. Our world has become all about what other people's reactions are and looking for affirmation. FUBAR

[@CodamATW]

It’s fun to hear you talk about the parts of MP’s drumming you appreciate and missed. For me, while compositionally I feel MP was sorely missed, I was surprised at just how disappointed I am by the drumming here. All the fills, little ear-candy molents you talk about, and even the displacements just sound exactly as MP decades ago. Feels like there’s no progress. With MM, I felt he varied the fills, ghost notes, added little hi-hat flourishes, etc. to a much greater extent, and especially was always playing different polyrhythms on his legs and each arm. There was always so much new stuff to find. Either way, hope the rest of the album is more innovative, as this just sounds like a BC&SL track with AVftTotW production and influences.

[@krioni86sa]

No progress? Why is therenia a need to progress or evolve? Steve Gadd sounds the same 50yrs ago until now. Progressing a signature sound or style is not necessary

[@metalpuppet5798]

as the person before me said you absolutely do not have to change your style to be able to progress

[@josephtattum6365]

I hate to say it but I thought the song was just kind of Dream Theater by numbers. Nothing new. Just the same old style. Same drum fills as always. Same vocal melody. MP coking back was supposed to add an element of intrigue but it didn’t. Where are the grand, interesting ideas of old?