It’s been a little over two years since Dream Theater released their abysmal concept album ‘The Astonishing’. And in the wake of that record they’ve been quite busy. First was the tour to support the album. And it had it’s fan base. But the tour was the bands smallest in years due to backlash from ‘The Astonishing’. The band quickly bounced back though with the ‘Images and Words’ 25th Anniversary tour. Which I didn’t attend but heard it was just amazing. One of the best tours in years.
Now, Dream Theater are going to continue their hot streak in June when they re-enter the studio. With a new release out by ‘roughly February, 2019.’ And it’s about damn time. It’s been seven years since we’ve had an amazing Dream Theater album. The last one being ‘A Dramatic Turn of Events’. Not that the self titled is a bad album. But it’s certainly not one of the greats, give or take a few moments. And of course, I’m very open about how I feel about ‘The Astonishing’. Let’s just say every band gets one, even Dream Theater. But the band has a set goal for the next record. And it sounds like the right move for the right time. If the band does this next album right, they can win back the fans who were really upset with ‘The Astonishing’.
The band has stated that the new album will go in a very heavy direction. And that there will be no concept or thematic element to the album. ‘I think it will be maybe, a little bit on the heavier side. Certainly nothing like a concept album, since we already did ‘The Astonishing”. That sounds like a great start to me. This is also the first album on a new label for Dream Theater. The band singed to InsideOut Records. Which I think is an alright move. But I don’t think they’re going to do the band any favors like Roadrunner did. I mean, that label publicized them to near arena status. I don’t see InsideOut doing that. But I hope I’m wrong. Either way, this new album needs to come out of the gate screaming. Similar to ‘Train of Thought’.
And frankly, I would love it if Dream Theater did that. Just essentially make ‘Train of Thought’ part two. Now, I know that won’t really happen. The band usually makes an effort to not completely repeat themselves. If I had to guess the next record will sound similar to ‘Awake’. Similar being the key word to that sentence. And seeing as how the band stated that the next record will be ‘heavy and they will be returning to their roots.’ And I for one cannot wait. I want a great Dream Theater album and I think it’s been too long.
Hopefully they do something similar to this. Keeping it heavy, yet very crisp in the production. And as always great melodies. I think ‘Caught In A Web’ is a perfect direction for the next album. As are songs such as ‘The Mirror’ and ‘Lie’. If we can get an album full of those, we’ll be in for a treat. And probably the best metal album of 2019.
