DREAM THEATER SURVIVOR 2016: Results -> A Change Of Seasons wins!

Satisfied with the results?

  • Total voters
    10
You're right, there's only one clear choice.

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This Dying Soul
Stream of Consciousness
The Shattered Fortress
The Best of Times
The Count of Tuscany
Lost Not Forgotten
Beneath the Surface
 
Listened to Happy Holidays and watched Live at Luna Park over the last couple days.

Regarding the former, it's a shame JLB isn't louder on Great Debate, considering its one of the only live recordings and certainly his best performance of it. Count of Tuscany - same. Wish there was an actual live version with louder vocals. It sounds better without Portnoy.

Regarding the latter...
- Bridges in the Sky is a perfect opener. Also, I'm pretty sure I smell some JLB overdubs on those big notes.
- JP and JMX could be louder. I hear keyboards more than either. As of 6:00, JP is now loud. JMX is still way too quiet, but his bass on this song is so damn cool. I really miss Portnoy's snare fill during "it's too late for me......now!”
- JLB's pronunciation is so perfect when he speaks. I bet that guy’s got money. Oh what? He's Canadian? That makes sense.
- TDEN is so cool but just doesn't fit LaBrie's voice. TiTL is a decent song, but doesn't really take off live, although JLB sounds great
- That circus section in LNF is so impressive too watch. Still my least favourite thing on the album. But damn impressive.
- Holy shit Mangini on that snare during AFIL. Mangini plays this entire show with such infectious enthusiasm. He’s not Portnoy – he drums differently and lighter (except for the cymbals), but he fits very well. His energy seems like a combination of Portnoy and Rudess.
- The strings on Silent Man are so quiet as to be basically be nonexistent. Maybe it sounds better on the CD?
- Beneath the Surface is amazing. Best performance of the night.
- What's with the random cuts to pictures of people's smartphones during JR's little solo?
- This performance of Surrounded is pretty magical. Might've just raised my rating on this song to a 10/10
- OTBOA is a killer live tune. I'd be happy with it becoming a staple. Man do I wish LaBrie did that ending scream on the album. It also works rather well going into WIMH.
- Petrucci needs to cut that hair. Rudess needs to cut that goat. These guys need to go full 90's Metallica. Except JMX, who will lose his playing ability if he cuts his hair.
- I have some electric candles on my mantle above the TV that are set on timers. They automatically turned on at the exact moment John Petrucci started his solo in The Spirit Carries On. This is important. This means something.
- Breaking All Illusions is an amazing performance as well. Rivals BTS.
- LOL at Jordan's wizard hat.
- JP is obviously lipsyncing harmonies throughout this entire DVD. The harmonies, the falsetto harmonies, the screaming parts…all obviously recordings. PlaybackGate!
- Bonus tracks are great. I really love These Walls. Wait for Sleep is amazing and I wish it were on the proper DVD. Same goes for Far From Heaven. I honestly wish they had put all four of these string quartet songs on the DVD. It would be a little slow, but totally unique.
- The documentary on this one really seems more fun. It makes me like Mangini and Rudess a lot more. I love JR’s ritual of playing some blues before a show – makes sense to get into a headspace that’s totally about feeling the notes instead of playing the notes, you know? Cool stuff.
 
I watched the doc last night. Hilarious watching JP explain that Mangini is a word on Urban Dictionary
 
I'm disappointed This is the Life couldn't stick around.

Voting for:
Honor Thy Father
A Nightmare to Remember
A Rite of Passage
Beneath the Surface

These next couple rounds are going to be quite difficult; there are too many great songs in the game right now!
 
I never understood the popularity of On the Backs of Angels. The song just never does anything for me, and is one of the weaker songs from that album.
 
  • Only DT can film a DVD in South America with a dull crowd. I don't know what it is about this DVD, but a lot of it feels stale. I don't know if it's the lack of prescence from the audience, the steady click track tempos, or both. The circumstances of this DVD were also unfortunate, by the time it finally came out DT12 had been out for awhile and this whole thing was old news. But that's not the band's fault.

  • The setlist is awesome. You get the whole ADTOE album, the cool acoustic mini set, and a few songs that haven't been on a DVD yet. ADTOE in particular is awesome because the production on the original album is so bad, you could make a playlist of live versions with better sound.

  • JP isn't even trying to look like he's really singing. Actually kinda weird there are so many close ups of his lip synching. I really think his voice sounds fine for backing vocals, he should just sing.
  • As far as appearances go, I agree that JP needs a hair cut. JRs beard is cool though and fits him. Without that beard he's just your average bald guy. The beard is the source of his powers. JLB looks great too. I feel mean saying this, but he kinda looked like a slob on all the other DVDs.
  • I get that Manginis drum set is utilitarian but he looks totally isolated from everyone else. I don't think I noticed him a single time at the The Astonishing show.
  • Guy is a great drummer though and this show flatters him much more than the album. His playing on LNF is insane.
  • The ending to TROAE is awesome. Can't wait to hear this lineup bring back Octavarium (it has to be coming some day)
  • This footage is a great example of how JR utilizes the iPad. He's often not even touching the screen, but sending the sounds to his regular keyboard.
  • Did Mangini just throw the drum intro to HTF into his solo?
  • I hate drum solos. Don't care how many time signatures hes playing in.
  • Mangini is inhuman though. The snare in AFIL is insane.
  • AFIL is a great version here. Has the energy that a lot of the earlier songs are lacking.
  • Playing The Silent Man "the way it should be". Portnoy jab #1. :D
  • The unplugged thing is very cool. Would be neat if they did a whole acoustic set at one of their evening with tours.
  • I hear the strings fine, listening to the 5.1 mix.
  • Petruccis vocals were probably tuned during post, but it's nice to hear him actually sing.
  • Did they really need JR to do string section sounds on his keyboard when there was already a live string section. :p
  • I agree with Knick that they should've put all the acoustic tunes on the main disc. Although I also wish they would've put all the "bonus" songs on the main disc.
  • They should've played TGD instead of the two other SDOIT tunes, which have already been on two official DVDs. TGD has been on none.
  • JP and JR are jamming on the "Brother Can You Hear Me" chord progression before TSCO. :o
  • Some cool drumming underneath the guitar solo in BAI.
  • Love JPs "emerald thoughts" guitar.
  • Petrucci actually sings on These Walls.
  • Why no play all feature for bonus tracks? :@
  • Skipping Pull Me Under. :p
 
I thought that LALP was a great live album! Mangini is actually doing very well the whole show and the rest of the band is absolutely killing it. The setlist is awesome too, it flows so well.
 
Mosh said:
  • Only DT can film a DVD in South America with a dull crowd. I don't know what it is about this DVD, but a lot of it feels stale. I don't know if it's the lack of prescence from the audience, the steady click track tempos, or both. The circumstances of this DVD were also unfortunate, by the time it finally came out DT12 had been out for awhile and this whole thing was old news. But that's not the band's fault.
  • The setlist is awesome. You get the whole ADTOE album, the cool acoustic mini set, and a few songs that haven't been on a DVD yet. ADTOE in particular is awesome because the production on the original album is so bad, you could make a playlist of live versions with better sound.
  • I hate drum solos. Don't care how many time signatures hes playing in.
  • They should've played TGD instead of the two other SDOIT tunes, which have already been on two official DVDs. TGD has been on none.
  • JP and JR are jamming on the "Brother Can You Hear Me" chord progression before TSCO. :eek:
Click to expand...

  • Yeah, the crowd really is dull, except for those ladies bawling their eyes out during The Spirit Carries On. But then again, DT doesn't put out the kind of consistent energy that Maiden does and the gig was at a seated venue.
  • I love the setlist. Hearing the ADTOE songs is simply stunning, especially due to the better drum sound.
  • Drum solos suck. I like Mangini, but ugggghhhh. Unless it's Neil Peart I just don't care.
  • TGD doesn't sound great live, IMO. They should cut the intro with all the samples and it might be better, but JLB always sounds off on it.
  • Really?! I need to listen again. Interesting that the seeds of TA date back to this tour, if true.
Detective Beauregard said:
I never understood the popularity of On the Backs of Angels. The song just never does anything for me, and is one of the weaker songs from that album.
Click to expand...

No, you're wrong. Listen again. And then again.
 
Check 5:40 in this vid:

Not exactly the same but very close.

QUOTE="MrKnickerbocker, post: 610056, member: 24852"]
  • Yeah, the crowd really is dull, except for those ladies bawling their eyes out during The Spirit Carries On. But then again, DT doesn't put out the kind of consistent energy that Maiden does and the gig was at a seated venue.
[/QUOTE]
This is all true, but even by DT standards the energy is lacking. I can't remember if the next DVD was an improvement on this, only watched it once.


Re OTBOA: I think it's popular because it's the most traditionally DT sounding thing they've done since Six Degrees (the album). But it also doesn't feel like a rehash.
 
Stardust said:
On The Backs Of Angels is miles better than Pull Me Under. And I don't even think that's a bold statement.
Click to expand...

I'm not Pull Me Under's biggest fan, but I just don't hear what's so acclaimed about Angels. I'd say both songs are comparable in quality.

One thing about ADTOE, though -- not one song on it is filler. Not even Build Me Up..., which, while probably the weakest offering here, still has redeeming qualities (like that cool neoclassical section).

They really went off the deep end with the wank on this album, though. The chorus of LNF would have been far catchier if they cut out the absurd odd-time signature fills, and most of Outcry's instrumental section comes out of left field (and not in a good way).

I love that wankfest part in LNF, though. I love even more where it's placed in the song -- before the vocals even come in, and right before that badass riff. It's odd, but it works, as if it's the musical form of a battle in the desert with futuristic stuff happening and things flying by.
 
I couldn't disagree more with all of your points, @Detective Beauregard (except about ADTOE having no filler, that's spot on).

Currently relistening to DT12 a lot and I'm honestly shocked: it's a lot more bland than I remember it being. I'm fairly certain that ADTOE and DT12 are going to switch places in my rankings after this listen.
 
Who didn't vote yet?

Btw. when The Astonishing joins the game, I will promote all other stuff (10 or so last songs remaining) so that we can just focus on that album. I think whichever songs those are, they'd probably annihilate The Astonishing anyway, so might as well get them out of the way since The Astonishing has 30 friggin' songs.
 
Yeah, all of them except for the NOMAC's. I'll also probably break the elimination limit if a lot of songs have a lot of votes, which I expect to happen.

Act I:
Dystopian Overture
The Gift Of Music
The Answer
A Better Life
Lord Nafaryus
A Savior In The Square
When Your Time Has Come
Act Of Faythe
Three Days
Brother, Can You Hear Me
A Life Left Behind
Ravenskill
Chosen
A Tempting Offer
The X Aspect
A New Beginning
The Road To Revolution

Act II:
2285 Entr'acte
Moment Of Betrayal
Heaven's Cove
Begin Again
The Path That Divides
The Walking Shadow
My Last Farewell
Losing Faythe
Whispers On The Wind
Hymn Of A Thousand Voices
Our New World
Astonishing
 
Sounds good. I actually think Disc 1 has a lot of good individual songs, Disc 2 is where everything blurs for me. But we'll get to that later. :P
 
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