The Daily Doug reacts to A View From The Top Of The World (Dream Theater) | (Episode 249)

[@namleki]

This is Mangini's album start to finish. That's why the song ends the way it does, to focus on the drums. The band really gives Mangini his time to shine on this record, and he is here for it. Such a great album.

[@danno5662]

Yea I think he has hit his stride

[@scottdunn2178]

Reading my mind. I'm a 55yo guitarist myself and my first thought was; THOSE. DRUMS.

[@mleite1]

On the other side, I really think drums is excessively all over the place

[@namleki]

@@mleite1 I think that's the whole point. The drums are the lead instrument on this record. I think it might be a sort of homage to Neil Peart, especially Transcending Time which I've been calling "Red Barchetta pt 2" because it feels and sounds to me like a companion to that song.

[@rustyshackelford4503]

Mangini really nailed it on this album. The tone, the writing, everything. Just perfection. I’ve been kind of underwhelmed with just about everything post-black clouds. This album is up there with some of their middle era greatness (sorry, didn’t care for their earlier 90’s stuff). My gripe with some of their more recent material isn’t from the “I miss portnoy” so many fans keep complaining about. It’s more been in the overall writing. Illumination theory was a great track, as well as moments of The Astonishing, but I’ve been kind of wanting that extra “something” they always had before. This album has it

[@thelizardprince8709]

It’s totally a John Petrucci thing to do to write a 20 minute song comparing his guitar skills to climbing Mount Everest. Fucking love every second of this song.

[@kamikazekrush3758]

He reached Mount Everest with that solo at around 16:50 just perfect!

[@Sauronthedeciever_]

Haha so true! He wrote a song about how hard he practiced to shred!

[@javierramos9795]

Your next DT extended play should be “In The Presence of Enemies I & II”, is about 27 minutes for the both of them.

[@daviribeiro8997]

Or 6DOIT

[@daniel456509]

Best of times?

[@victoralejandrocarcamo2989]

Pls, 6DOIT!!!

[@Metalton95]

YEEES!! While I genuinely enjoy portions of Illumination Theory (everything from the bassline + "Mothers for their CHILDREEEN" till the end) and View (from the clean section untill the end), I sorely miss 16 minute epic with an impact like Presence, Count, Ministry or Octavarium. Just the synth reprisal (pt 2) of Petrucci's melodic guitar theme (pt 1) after the instrumental section in part 2 is a perfect example of this! Perfect climax to an epic!

[@javierfonte316]

Nah, Doug would love DT songs like Barstool Warrior, The Bigger Picture, This Is The Life or Transcending Time.

[@punman5392]

LaBrie’s vocals on this whole album are so solid. He’s really come around with his vocal performances.

[@ernestbuckley8671]

The melodies are lower which suits his vocal range now. It’ll be interesting to see what they do with their older material in a live show. Hopefully they lower all those tunes or else it will be hard to listen to. And I love James but those melodies from 25-30 years are out of his comfort zone now.

[@lantusinfluencer]

​@@ernestbuckley8671 totally agree.... You can find video from last year i think when DT performs Pull me Under..... This song is no longer available for him now..... Sad but this is normal. I love them no matter what

[@IcarusNadir]

@@ernestbuckley8671 unfortunately it's still incredibly painful at times to listen to live

[@Ssjcloud3]

He still usually nails most songs well. He changes the style a little. Yea, myungs vocals are amazing here.

[@planetcaravan2925]

Autotune

[@shanephillips617]

A true sign of great music is when you have to listen to it over and over to even grasp it all, if a song is immediately really catchy that basically means it will be old in a week.

[@marcolujan2457]

Yes, exactly! The best songs ever, for me, are the ones that you don't really dig the first times (or those you even dislike), but something from it stays in your mind, even you don't remember at first what it was.

[@musicmandan4857]

Amazing analysis, Doug! Your interview with Jordan was really amazing! He truly is a wizard, and Geoshred is revolutionary! Even as a guitar player, I find it to be fascinating and hope to pick it up someday myself! Can't wait for you to check out the rest of the album!

[@Fernanufret]

Amazing, Doug! Thank you for doing so much Dream Theater! 💪🏻😎🎸 Cheers!

[@tatemalmsteen]

So much to absorb with a Dream Theater Epic. It's going to take me several listens to take this album in. Your analysis is always appreciated Doug

[@dr.zarkhov9753]

👍

[@xavierrodestami40]

Me too.. the band's latest album is a little tough to absorb, but they're nailing it musically!!

[@danno5662]

Like several albums of theirs, It takes a few listens.

[@jktstroll__]

Took me 9 months to find this video and couldn't agree more with this comment. I thought i am the only one. Especially this track. Overwhelming, long, and tough to absorb at first. But after few times listening (plus seeing them live once) this track is becoming one of my favs in the album.

[@wizzyyyyyy]

"they didnt go back to where they started". Yup.. they're pretty much everywhere. Dream theater for me would be one of the best bands of all time

[@Mark16PewPew]

Mad props to Andy Sneap on the mix and master.

[@antoniocarlin5026]

Andy from HELL...! and now with Judas Priest!

[@Metalton95]

@@antoniocarlin5026 He'll always be Andy of Nevermore, Exodus & Testament to me :P Those 00's records changed the standard of metal production.

[@rafaelfranken]

Andy sneap work on "Dead heart on a Dead world" , making the quality and cohesion from the álbum going to the top is similar to Bob rock work in Black álbum from Metallica

[@antoniocarlin5026]

@@Metalton95 and play with Sabbat!! on the 80s

[@brucelai7]

Best sounding album so far🔥

[@KiizumGT]

I would love to see a reaction of A Nightmare to Remember 😌

[@MichaelBerra]

Ohhhh please......I flippin love this song 🙏🙏🙏

[@phoenix7289]

By the grace of God above EVERYONE SURVIVED ROAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR No. He doesn't like double bass, he'll hate Nightmare lol

[@marshaltito7369]

@@phoenix7289 Probably, but he'll probably enjoy the melodies.

[@samjerbs]

The mixing on this album sounds insanely good

[@bpkpalembang3824]

this song is the mixture of every DT masterpiece that we love: the 12 step suite, Take The Time (especially the chorus part), A Change of Seasons, Learning To Live, Strange Deja Vu, Voices and so on. incredible.

[@AtomizedSound]

I wouldn’t say that. Some perhaps but not all

[@tompramanaaccount8892]

This album just blew my expectation. Every song has their own characteristic like the classic DT should. I didn't like Alien at first, but it really is grew on me pretty well and I love it, Answering The Call has that classic-prog-rock to it like Rush, Invisible Monster supposed to be the advertisement/radio song for the album with less complicated instrumental and very memorable to ear, Sleeping Giant is one of my favorite, Trancending Time is the fresh air to breath, Awaken The Master also one of my favorite exploring more on the metal side, and Titled song is a masterpiece, the structure of the song reminds me to A Change Of Seasons a little bit. Definitely my favorite album so far post Mangini era along with ADTOE.

[@bernardodc9631]

Same opinion here about the album as a whole. But let's remember Mangini didn't wrote ADTOE, so we can consider that one a transition album. I think they finally got on the same page!

[@tompramanaaccount8892]

@@bernardodc9631 For a transition album they did a really good job for that. All the songs structure was similar to Images And Words but on cracks. Mangini might not wrote the drum lines, but he delivered it perfectly, maybe just the sound is a bit off. In this one however, we can truly see the animal side in him crushing the songs while perfectly in chemistry with the bands. All the little details he put compliments the other band member roles fit beautifully.

[@gtrpimp76]

The very last riff that ends Part 3 “The Driving Force” is highly reminiscent of the end of “Finally Free” where the band repeats an almost ostinato riff pattern that provides the “steady” rhythm while Mangini tinkers with the time with the amazing drum solo at the end, much like Portnoy’s with “Finally Free.”

[@tompramanaaccount8892]

@@gtrpimp76 They use that a lot in the other songs too, probably not as long as Finally Free but the most iconic one is of course Finally Free. Very nice you point that out.

[@bernardodc9631]

@@tompramanaaccount8892 yeah it's a great album also, Petrucci made a lot of effort into that after Portnoy's departure. Mangini phrases are good but kinda mechanic, since not written by a drummer. But I loved it!

[@Nephilim-81]

Andy Sneap and Jimmy T. Meslin did a great job engineering and producing this album. The fidelity of DT’s albums are getting better.

[@todpet313]

Maaan, that's just incredible DT! This got me excited to hear the whole album! And, Yes! You Should do "In the presence of enemies I & II"! It's one of their best, epic masterpieces!

[@Kipex]

As a fan of their entire discography I too found the ending an interesting departure from their "usual" way of enforcing the climax all the way through. This kind of took a darker tone for a bit before coming to an end. This song is definitely growing on me with each listen which is what I most like about Dream Theater. Always something new to uncover despite listening to the songs a 100 times. Reading the lyrics over the weekend I also saw parallels to their journey as a band, even if it's not intentionally written from that point of view. Great album and quite possibly the best sounding album I have ever heard.

[@pressnothingandwatch]

100% agree. I kept expecting the triumphant climax that I got out of The Count of Tuscany and Illumination Theory, but was given something else. It always takes me a few listens before appreciating their material to the fullest extent. I've listened to the album about 4 times now and the 4th time was the best so far XD

[@AtomizedSound]

I think I prefer an epics climax for a song this long. Doesn’t hurt to change it up but I’m just more partial to an epic finish in some way to their long epics they do

[@Metalton95]

@@AtomizedSound Same, I kinda don't care too much for the first 3 and the last 2 minutes - I miss a big melody reprisal like Presence or Octavarium. But 9:00-18:17 in the song was just GREAT

[@JubaDeMetalAlumínio]

Yeah. No epic guitar solo that makes you want to cry at the end. I always expect it, but I'm happy with what we got.

[@fluntimes]

Going back through all the epics, this one is definitely a departure. I heard some sounds reminiscent of previous album eras but on the whole, there's some real freshness here. Trial of Tears is still my all time favourite long tune however.

[@pipps1158]

Mangini and Myung are rock solid in driving the pace/groove with Petrucci essentially a second bass player for each song... Love it

[@kianpourzand4893]

Been waiting for this video the last few days! And I’m glad that it’s here. The more I listen to that album, the more I fall in love with it

[@ryanganaban8150]

Have you considered doing a react to The Astonishing? In terms of composition (themes, motifs) and story, I think you’ll have a lot of fun listening and unpacking! I think that every note is written and performed very intentionally and effectively to tell the story

[@zioziozie]

I support this

[@andreabotto2229]

I was writing the exact same thing when I saw this comment.I’m quite sure The Astonishing is the DT album for you Mr Doug!!! It’s a long trip, but full of beaties. Fortunately I had the possibility to see them playing it in a theater in Milan! Waiting for your video!

[@marinhrabric6162]

The whole album in one sitting. Should be interesting for mr. Doug. He should like that

[@ozgurmizrak2431]

I absolutely respect the fact that you are taking also the lyrics as a part of the composition, you are genuine in this sense among all reviewers. I learn a lot from you in terms of music, also in style of listening to music. Great review 👏👏👏

[@mirkecWii]

I really want to hear you do breaking all illusions, its my favorite song from the Mangini era

[@wongsakornwattanavekin7328]

I closed my eyes on bed to listen to this, and your Channels setting has the best balance between the playback and your reaction voice. Most of all it’s very musical. Your Chanel is one of the best!

[@gtrpimp76]

Easily their BEST MIXED AND WRITTEN album I’m years.

[@sammoussa8]

I'm the biggest DT fan from a long time, and you make me appreciate their music more and more. This IS how a reaction video should be. This isn't just a reaction video, this is a lesson. Please continue with more DT videos

[@Psyggie]

I've loved every single album Dream Theater has released and this album constantly blows my mind!! This song is absolutely insane and gorgeous!! I'm a kid in a candy store!!!

[@erwinwendler4621]

Even the astonishing? Whoa... you are one of a kind

[@Psyggie]

@@erwinwendler4621 that's top 3 for me. I played in marching band and we played Les Mis and I love emotional musicals, it felt and sounded like Les Mis on steroids and is top 5 of all albums from any band ever to me.

[@glacialaudio3269]

@@erwinwendler4621 I'm the same way, no hate for the Astonishing or Mangini. Sadly not too many DT fans can be that way

[@randyhenderson6166]

I listened to the Astonishing twice and haven't listened again since 2016. I just ripped The Gift of Music onto my computer. That's it.

[@fredericgagne4508]

One of the best song with Mangini, sound incredible. Best album for Mangini and probably his best work with Dream!

[@RiquezaEmGotas]

They say that you need to put in 10.000 hours of practice to get really good at something but in this case i would say you need to put in 20.000 hours and sacrifice a lot of other aspects of your life to reach this level of perfection. This can only be achieved when music becomes the main driving force in your life.

[@dtltmtgt]

An amazing, epic DT song IMO!! It definitely ranks high for me.

[@luislaureano228]

Agree!! it ranks high for me and I really like their different approach this time (compared to Octavarium, or Illumination Theory... where the band reaches a crescendo part or climax usually revisiting one of the recurring themes) on the last movement. The intro + first part with that heavy riffing is just INSANELY good!!

[@svenred6eard757]

@@luislaureano228 don't be a fool. You need DARKTHR0NE in your life.

[@AtomizedSound]

Not sure where it ranks on the epic scale yet. Octavarium is number one for me so far, but I will have to listen more throughly

[@jeffwombold9167]

I don't know which is harder to figure out, time signatures of Dream Theater or women....prove me wrong. Incredible, just incredible.

[@tommyheg8258]

This is absolutely one of my favorite DT songs. Amazing musicianship

[@DavidOakesMusic]

*PLEASE* One day do the entire Octavarium album. It's basically a lesson in Music Theory from start to finish.

[@GutterBallet]

This song shows everything that’s great about Dream Theater. Virtuosity and poignant lyrics, I absolutely love the journey they take us on. Fantastic listening to your analysis on this - spot on as always. Maybe another option for a prog Monday would be Stained Glass Sky (album version) by Arch/Matheos. You, of all people would truly appreciate this prog masterpiece. Thanks for all you do and keeping us entertained.

[@svenred6eard757]

I like some of their songs but c'mon, they are masturbators. It's not proper metal imo. Fuck virtuosity: it ain't got no power.

[@Metalton95]

​@@svenred6eard757 But do you listen to Dream Theater for balls-to-the-wall metal? If so, I think you're wasting your own time, considering the (deliberate) diversity in their music, compared to bands going for mosh pit initiation and crushing breakdowns. EDIT: Ok, I've seen your other spam comments - go put a microphone to your kitchen devices and link a distortion pedal to the mixer for your trve kvlt blck mædl sound.

[@daphenomenalz4100]

@@svenred6eard757 if you don't understand metal, get out of here spammer

[@danbrown4life]

This has me so pumped for the Transatlantic Whirlwind reaction

[@Arrow2theACL]

Assuming it will win the Patreon community poll, yeah it should be amazing.

[@svenred6eard757]

Black Metal will get you more pumped.

[@philip863]

@@svenred6eard757 that really just depends on who it is. Wouldn’t say your opinion is right or wrong tho. Me personally, no. But for others, it totally can.

[@AlphSlayer]

Up

[@juanchoteado5046]

wait, is he going to do a full Whirlwind reaction? 😱

[@ViperRob]

Great album. Wasn't even expecting new DT for another year or so, guess they got bored in isolation lol great record and grats on getting that interview w the Wizard!

[@J-Allen19]

Keep in mind John P owns the studio now too. Everything's dialed in. They own their stuff. They can just keep making stuff.

[@Metalton95]

@@J-Allen19 And imagine that Symphony X has been in that situation for DECADES yet produced almost nothing.. :'(

[@malawigw]

@@Metalton95 Romeo has made two solo albums though!

[@AtomizedSound]

They follow a 2 year album cycle usually

[@Metalton95]

@@AtomizedSound Yup, 12 albums since 1997 with only The Astonishing and Distance Over Time being released 3 years after their predecessor. Insane work ethic!!!

[@TheBlackQueen]

I believe that opening meter was 23/8. It can be counted like 3 bars of 6/8 and one 5/8.

[@belliiahmed]

23/16

[@NickHollis21]

the cello section is my favorite part of this piece. absolutely beautiful.

[@AAa-lk5xp]

Thank you Doug for focusing on this new DT album. We are so blessed to be a part of this moment in progressive music history. Jordan, Mangini, the 2 Johns, and James have forged a new path for progressive music with this album. How lucky are we to have access to this kind of music.

[@tmauro386]

Baard Kolstad from Leprous is just a monster 👹 drummer. Waiting for the day Doug discovers them and their incredible sound. LEPROUS!!!

[@gerardzelaya]

+1 for Leprous

[@Arrow2theACL]

Have you watched the Earthside video featuring Baard Kolstad - All We Knew And Ever Loved. Amazing.

[@tmauro386]

@@Arrow2theACL yeah it’s all great His drum play through videos are killer too.

[@pitimutisgmail]

100%! They have so many great songs too. I’ll upvote Leprous any day

[@rolfjamne8922]

I suggest Leprous every time i got the chance but so far without any response.🤘

[@AlanWatts33]

Let me just say that the riffs in transcending time are literally the most uplifting sounds ever

[@isaiascosta2982]

Goosebumps on the cello part!! Perfect react as usual Doug! Greetings from Brazil!

[@briansf7012]

I really like this album. Jordan never ceases to amaze with what he can do with the keyboard. Solid job from Mangini.

[@romanthedog6861]

Thank you so much for your great analysis. It’s so helpful for me to enjoy the song. I really appreciate it. I look forward to watching your reaction video on Jordan’s song tomorrow.

[@Noxxys]

At 13:10, that's not how physical modeling works Doug. No Cellist has ever played or recorded these sounds. The sounds are generated by mathematical formulas which simulate the vibrations of the strings, along with many parameters which define how a cellist plays the real instrument. This is pure sound synthesis with no audio samples at all. Jordan explained it shortly in his interview with you. The Korg Kronos (which Jordan uses) also has some physical modeling engines. It's not a new technology. However, this virtual cello sounds very good.

[@onsesejoo2605]

Korg Kronos has the sample- based synthesis in it as well, being essentially a software synth with processor and linux - based operating system.

[@pamnorris8954]

Wouldn’t it have been nice if they had a real musician playing a cello?

[@punman5392]

This is incorrect. They actually do arrange a bunch of cellists in a room and have them play each note for the samples. Jordan said it himself in reference to the trombone sounds at the start of the piece

[@DreiK96]

Such a very beautiful chaotic epic. Sounds like a long The Alien to me. It's unlike their other epics.

[@jb_50w78]

I think this was really a great album and I enjoyed it a lot. And every time I listen I hear more new things and get into it more. The title track is incredible. I actually appreciate how they ended it with that transition after the end of the lyrics. It’s sort of like the journey doesn’t end. And it’s something different to what they normally do, that’s probably why they did it.

[@garybeaudette4208]

This is amazing, it is hard to believe they are getting better. History will show them as master of composition, thanks Doug for this video.

[@daphenomenalz4100]

They are getting better(even more harder to play 😫) and getting back to their roots. Man i miss those old times of DT like octavarium and stuff before that. I think they are turning in the right direction :D

[@Steven-ud8kz]

I like that Doug is a professional and master musician and he makes the same face expressions that I do when I hear Dream Theater.

[@richardwoodhouse8404]

Richard Woodhouse Ive been a DT fan since images [ they are my favourite group] ive always struggled to pick a favourite album . till now, after 5 plays this album is my favourite album in all the 15 studios albums, simply superb from the 1st minute to the last, it just amazes me how they can produce this quality when nearly every band ive ever liked and failed miserably after a few albums, so proud of MY band.

[@reecejohnson7581]

I can’t describe how joyful I am watching you enjoying one of my favourite albums of all time and adding so much more to it for me. You sir are gold.

[@T1hitsTheHighestNote]

The lyrics are not about the band, but the type of people who do extreme sports, adventurers, explorers. Who push their bodies to the limits, faces danger, etc. The lyrics are quite literal.

[@Mazen39]

I love how deep you went into the lyrics even tho it's just about the people that do really dangerous stuff like climbing mount everest for example. Being on top of the world basically and feeling that they are most alive when they're at the brink of death. You can watch that in the documentary they released on the virtual release party

[@samueliaho8193]

I think Invisible Monster deserves its attention. It has some really interesting (and very enjoyable) sounding chords and movements and is very all around well sounding piece. Maybe worth a reaction?

[@harveyb1963]

That transition after the last set of lyrics is very interesting and if you don't know the context probably quite unsatisfying. But I think it's meant to be like you think you're ontop of the world, you've climbed that mountain to achieve the best of whatever department or field you're in but nope there's another obstacle and you need to get going again, so get to it!

[@octave3858]

Maybe it has something to do with that saying "getting there is a quarter of the journey, maintaining it is the rest of it". Personally, I think it's a really nice touch, Dream Theater are still far from done.

[@JosseKok]

Woah dude, you are actually some sort of guide throughout tracks like this, it makes me appreciate the talent even more. The name of this band fits like a glove. You mentioned Alice In Wonderland, well there's your Dream. You mentioned the greatness of their performance, well there's your Theater.

[@zerrycisco5589]

This track is pure "DT" genre it self as modern, energetic, progressive, fresh, clean, heavy

[@Noxxys]

19:15 typical Rudess lead synth sound. You can recognize that it's not a guitar based on the attack of the sound.

[@petrucciboi]

YESSSSSSSSSSSS! I just did a video on this album! Dream Theater is the BEST! And this is the best reaction out there!

[@estefaniasucre6966]

Thanks for this!! This is a great song, and definitely the best of the album!

[@asafrabino1174]

"Off course " at 9:54 in the video sums it up. this band is just the best. they just are

[@darrenc8697]

I really hope you can react some Shadow Gallery, an American prog band with some ties to DT. Not extremely popular though but I find their music to be a perfect mix of prog and catchiness and accessible. A song like "Crystalline Dream" is a great starter. Their concept album "Tyranny" is amazing start to finish too.

[@theaterofsouls]

yes please....

[@Sir_johnwards]

oh wow I completely forgot about Shadow Gallery! Thanks!

[@abacodimontagna2405]

absolutely! shadow gallery has a lot of choirs too. Dug should be a composer of choirs or similar stuff so he could appreciate a lot this kind of music. for the same reason, once i proposed to dug to listen to the OST of Dark souls 3 that's full of epicness, choirs and classical music. Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares is another example of amazing choir but very special, due to their folk-based music but it would be very interesting to know the opinion and the analysis of Dug, who can actually teach us something.

[@tobykok8788]

Ah, great suggestion! 'New world order' is my favorite song from the Tyranny album. On the album Room V there's a guitar solo by Arjen Anthony Lucassen (aka Ayreon) which is great too!

[@josefranciscocarvajalbrown9157]

I actually would love if he react to something from them. Legacy, Room V, Carved in Stone and Tyranny are killer albums

[@rowanalexandriabennett]

I had the good fortune of getting to see Jordan Rudess live and a good portion of his performance was dedicated to GeoShred on his tablet. Honestly, what that man is able to weave with just an iPad is incredible. If you ever get a chance to interview him again, Doug, be sure to ask him all about it!

[@StealthGTI]

It's been a lot of fun watching a composer's view of several of your videos! I was pleasantly surprised to see you react to such a new piece by one of my favorite bands. It was also fun to see their musicianship baffle someone with your professional knowledge. I think this entire album is among their best work! Thanks for your review!

[@StealthGTI]

I also appreciate your lyric analysis. I haven't read the lyrics; I've been listening as I work outside. As I hear bits and pieces, I imagine the courage and challenges of space travel and the potential of exploring new worlds. I suspect DT would enjoy knowing that their music provokes the imagination, even if my conclusion is not what they wrote about. :-)

[@rioricardo]

next DT, "six degrees of inner turbulence"

[@jeffwombold9167]

If people only really knew how difficult each part is, and it's done together with others. And to do it live. Wow.

[@deadsightsx]

I was so happy with this album! Thank you for this reaction and analysis!

[@mrbullseye]

I am giving this to you Doug. This is my first listen as well.

[@peacekeeper3026]

Great job mate! Fantastic reaction to the fantastic masterpiece!

[@bojangles6444]

At 19:20 etc that’s guitar and keyboard trading off back and forth. Pretty cool. When Sherinian joined the band he played a keyboard guitar solo on the first single- had everyone tricked into thinking it was a guitar solo bc there wasn’t one. That guy used some type of device or method to make a keyboard sound a lot like a guitar bending the notes to sound like a whammy bar etc.

[@architectoffortune3260]

*Mark 9:23* “If I can?” Jesus asked. _“Anything_ is possible if you believe.” Wouldn‘t surprise me if something like this has inspired that last line since Petrucci has been quite open about his Catholic upbringing. Personally I think determination is an absolute key aspect to success, but that nonetheless this determination requires and comes from belief in whatever you are doing and trying to achieve.

[@jonsaboe2019]

Always intrigued by some of the Christian worldview aspects of much of Dream Theater. Interesting to listen to "Behind the veil" from that perspective. (Hopeless and reprobate -- but look behind the veil.)

[@codibick]

I may be redundant here, but if you don't have faith in what you do, then you're ultimately doomed to fail.

[@Hy-jg8ow]

I loved it, thanks for the reaction! Their best album in a long time.

[@ShakinAitken]

Awesome review. Always enjoy Doug's perspective. I suggest Instrumedley from Live at Budokan. Once more proof of their amazing talents.

[@DanielBobke]

I love that they close out the album with a 20 minute title track! The album is fantastic and I can't wait to see them in February in Los Angeles.

[@littmus32ify]

Watching a listening to your reaction was my second listen to the song. This piece is literally Jesus coming through my headphones. This song is terrific, and I love how they throw us around- never resolving until the last B chord.

[@garchompy_1561]

I found this quite reminded me of a change of seasons, which is nice, because I like a change of seasons. (very destinct from it obviously, but the overall feeling is there for me)

[@CLord]

Hi! What on this track did reminded you to ACOS?

[@peterstrategiesYT]

100%

[@daphenomenalz4100]

I love garchomp

[@justinkirk9007]

Hey doug i was there on march 8th at the philly met with my brother it was my 5th show and it was my brother frist show it was wonderful show

[@AndyGrouch]

I like that it does not have that typical predictable crescendo but it ends in chaos. Something new.

[@alihijazi4451]

Excellent breakdown of this monster song, as always! Thanks for the fantastic content, Doug. Keep it up!

[@petriseppala8669]

That albumcover picture by the way is from Norway, place called Kjeragbolten.

[@gusscheidt3413]

"What you're hearing, I think, is a really really great guitar player playing a guitar, and a really really great keyboard player playing an iPad."

[@ConceptJunkie]

Keep up the good work. Thanks to you and people like Rick Beato, any time I hear new music these days I find myself trying to identify the chord progressions. Of course, I have a hard time with anything more than I, IV, vi, and V, and maybe an occasional III, but I'm learning.

[@jeremythornton433]

Just got my DT cd in the mail the other day! LOVE IT!

[@cheekyfragrance]

This is the first DT album that ive been wowed by Mike Mangini's drums.

[@josefranciscocarvajalbrown9157]

The intro sounds like a mix between Yes's "Mindrive" (I'm waiting for that reaction, its just a great and excellent song) and Holst's "Mars". I needed to listen at least 3 times to get the mood and understand the whole thing. Thank you Doug for your reaction, you're the best!

[@matthewchurch5028]

John is having fun with his new 8 string on this album!

[@toddmckee279]

This one had to grow on me, but it has become a favorite for sure. The time signature at the beginning, and I guess which flows through alot of the song is just crazy. 17/8 or something. I oddly enough enjoy trying to sync my brain up to it every time I listen to it now. Just a great album, especially AVFTTOTW , the Alien, and Answering the Call.

[@olivierpeartnoy]

I feel like you would love the song "Transcending Time"

[@Retsea]

This whole album is just amazing, it is definitely the best they’ve put out the last ten years. Ranks near Octavarium for me!

[@jb_50w78]

This album actually reminded me of Octavarium, so I listened to them back to back. It’s really interesting to do that because you can hear how much they changed and evolved. They sound pretty different. Their playing is actually a lot more technical and complex on this album than on Octavarium.

[@Ahov]

I have to disagree with you there. For me, The Astonishing is their greatest album

[@marinhrabric6162]

Black Clouds, Dramatic, Dream Theater are better imo. But A View is s great album as well

[@joseroda5863]

Thanks Doug for your fascinating analysis. You always make me see music from a different perspective. It's like having a chance to listen to a piece for the first time, twice.

[@bigvicious7317]

Such a fantastic analysis! Can't wait for more!

[@cowsaysmoo51]

I really love the progression in the "chorus" of the song. It's pretty standard E minor stuff for the most part, starting out with Em G Am B, then back to E. Then that C chord serves as a ii/bV. C -> F -> Bb is basically just a II-V-I in Bb, which is where that Bb comes from. Then they just move up a half-step to a B and suddenly we're back in E. THEN, in the second chorus, instead of resolving the B back down to E, they keep the chromaticism and move up one more half-step to C. You're expecting to hear E, but they land on that C with that heavy riff and it melts my face every time I hear it.

[@stepitupandgo67]

It's entertaining to see your mind being blown!!! I think this is my favorite DT album...James vocals are my favorite...I get the feeling the songs were more written with the sweet part of his range in mind...he just sounds so relaxed and confident on this one...and I loved Portnoy, but Mike Mangini is incredible...I've been a fan of his long before he was in DT...the whole band is just insane....

[@kevinmaccormack941]

Thanks Doug! Another Epic you need to react to is Extreme - Everything Under the Sun. It is so varied and I think you would really enjoy it.

[@CCNC-bz9gu]

Great call! If you know, you know.

[@Milo9]

Nice one Doug. I've actually really enjoyed this album, seems a better effort than their last few imo

[@mrbungle3310]

Idk the structures feel overused as a harcore DT fan im saying this,but Awaken the master is a good one

[@svenred6eard757]

@@mrbungle3310 get real. These guys went to berklee college. It ain't proper metal. Darkthrone please.

[@segfault_000]

@@svenred6eard757 Dude, you are annoying af. Nobody cares what you have to say, no matter how many times you spam it in the comments.

[@AtomizedSound]

I’ve liked it over DOT for sure. They are gonna reuse their structures because that’s what made them big. They have a formula they usually stick to and work within their framework to create these pieces you hear.

[@jb_50w78]

Love the new album, it sounds great and every time I listen I hear new things. I hear an evolution and maturation in Petrucci’s solos which seemed to have carried over from his recent solo album and LTE3. Also the transition at the end of the lyrics in the title track is something interesting and new. It’s always funny to hear the criticism from certain fans complaining about the new album, as prog metal fans and DT fans always do. These guys invented this entire style of prog metal and have been consistently putting out new albums for 30 years which is a feat in itself, but because they still sound like DT it is a problem for some reason. Prog rock and prog metal fans can sometimes be some of the most ridiculous and pretentious fans ever. You know, I wonder if people went to Bach and said “it sounds ok, but why you keep using counterpoint? This is nothing new. We’ve heard that before, why don’t you do something new?”

[@espojespo5]

I love Doug's reactions everytime a section he wasnt expecting comes up lol. In my opinion the playing is great and the melodies are ok in this. It does not hit me nearly as hard as illumination theory or their other epics.

[@jasonallen5318]

I agree, as one of their many 20+ minute long songs, this one is low on the totem pole for me. Not that o dont like it per say, its just lacking in direction and feeling, a little too djent proggy to be 20 minute masterpiece. Having said that, i am pleasantly surprised with this whole album, i already like it more than distance over time, but its too early to try to rank it.

[@josiahgibson6373]

Now I'm glad I haven't heard it yet, so it can see how your reaction compares to my own. Thanks for getting on top of it so quickly Doug.

[@misssm1l3r]

I was hoping this was the track you chose to share with us after listening to the album myself. I'd be very interested to hear some thoughts on some of the other new tracks like Answering the Call or Awaken the Master!

[@kirkmcgee1]

The Royal Albert Hall - Ian Gillan (the best performance) in Concerto for Group and Orchestra 69

[@jamesnichols5998]

Appreciate you shouting out Myung's playing, he goes overlooked way too often