Episode 217 - The Alien (Dream Theater)

I saw Dream Theater live in 2007 on the Chaos in Motion tour with Symphony X as the warm up band. They really are technically mindblowing and on the ball when performing. Jordan Rudess did a keytar (!) solo in the middle that blew everyone away. Such a talented keyboard player.

Lars Erik Brobakken

Man, this track is such a grower. You really need some time to digest it. I didn't know they were recording in their own studio, which is really cool. Mike finally has found his groove & space in the mix! (I suspect the Liquid Tension Experiment 3 album had some bearing here) Sometimes I wake up with John & Jordan's duo stuck in my head. Gahh, I'm rambling. As always, love your reaction and analysis Doug. And enjoy the gig when it comes! (Bring earplugs just incase)

Andrew Lamont

Many thanks Doug, a gauntlet to be sure. This really is DT with Mangini at the top of their game in my opinion. I think you picked a great time to see them in the flesh, they really have grown into their own since Portnoy's departure. Technically, I think this IS the new Dream Theater as we will remember them, looking down from the top of the world!

Anthony Taylor

I have a feeling that this opening song is just one piece of a bigger story and that it all will make more sense when the rest comes out.i loved that powerful chorus❤️

Roy Torset

Cool...I was happy just to get what I did!

R. Douglas Helvering

If The Alien is any indication as to how good the new album will be, I think we're in for a treat. Can't wait to see them live in December.

kmach1ne

Doug.. if you want to watch Mike Mangini do the drums on this song.. It's impressive : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFx19PMxGTc&ab_channel=MikeMangini%C2%AE-OfficialYouTubeChannel

Arpeggio Blues

Totally Awesome, you'll be seeing them... can't wait to hear your reaction.. I just landed Tickets to see Dream Theater in Seattle @ the Paramount on Nov 4th. It'll be my 7th time seeing them.. won't get to meet this time. but can't wait. Doug.. check out a song they did on the previous album. "Pale Blue Dot" it's kind of a precursor to "The Alien" it's all about space, and the future of mankind..

Arpeggio Blues

Thanks Doug for excellent reaction as usual. Can recommend Shawn Crowder's analysis as well, the 5+5+7 shows up more than you might catch at first listen! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC3tiQqyICQ

As usual, I'm listening to something a couple dozen times to get ready for when Doug does the reaction and he just picks up 9 times as many things as I do. I learn to enjoy music so much more with this channel

Kudos Doug. This song is a beast. DT being on the move is like saying water is wet.

Arrow2theACL

Hi Doug, thanks for the post.. great song and enjoyable breakdown as always. Loved DT since first heard, about 20 years ago, good to hear they are still 'on it'. I wonder how much Apocalyptica or Ghost you know, bit different to this but have had some bangers out in last few years.

Thanks for this reaction, Doug! DT has been my favorite band for almost 30 years. Honestly, I miss the Portnoy era and my heart didn't beat faster when I first heard this new song. But they are still damn good, they are still Dream Theater. :)

Zsuzsanna Vázsonyi

#everytime

R. Douglas Helvering

Although they are still at the top of progmetal today, DT's music is missing something imho... Don't know what it is. The drums sound a bit mechanical to me, maybe that's it.

Toby

In my opinion this is the most organic they have sounded since Portnoy's departure. Great job by Mike Mangini who seems to step out of the shadow of his predecessor at last. Very much looking forward to the new album. I'm pretty sure you will enjoy seeing them live. Theirs was the last proper concert I have attended before the pandemic and it was amazing. They played "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory" in its entirety on the day after Neil Peart had passed away. They paid tribute to him twice in a very subtle but heartfelt way.

Marcus Sigismund

I still think you should check out Apples in Paradise by Steve Vai. The live from Minneapolis version. It's a violin duet/solo.

What a awesome tune!! I loved Dream Theater from the first time I heard them back in da 90s. Thanks Doug!!

Ah yes, the old “I’ve figured out what they’re doing, aaaaand they’ve changed it now”

I agree, Pale blue dot would be a great song for Doug to listen to

If you think the drumming was insane for this song, check out Mike Mangini’s tour prep video. I had to take a nap after watching it: https://youtu.be/EFx19PMxGTc

Lee Mays

Great reaction. Yes, definitely needs a few more listens to unpack. You should check out Pale Blue Dot by them. This song kind of picks up from where that left off, and very much within the same theme. And it has more of the space/melodic stuff you felt this song is missing.

Khaled Akbik

You should give it a try...even if you never post it.

R. Douglas Helvering

So glad Mike Mangini has figured out how to play his drums in a way that reflects him instead of the band projecting it's former self onto him. I was wondering if the last album was a fluke or not. He is not Mike Portnoy and that is ok.

Frank Katzenberger

Oh my goodness, I’m so torn! I really want to watch this (and I haven’t heard The Alien yet) but I’ve been thinking about doing my first ever reaction video to this song. I’ve been a HUGE Dream Theater fan since 2007 and I thoroughly enjoyed your reactions to both Scenes From A Memory and Octavarium.

Ben Forrester

Thank you for listening to DT's new stuff! I subscribe to your patreon just for your DT reactions. :) I hope you enjoy the concert! I am going to the one in Denver on Nov 6th