Dream Theater media blitz
February 8th, 2016 7:00 p.m.
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The Astonishing is an epic work. It is beyond epic. The prog metal masters, who are approaching 30 years of creativity, released their newest and most dramatic work to date. A “rock opera” or “concept album” in the truest sense, it clocks in at over 110 minutes long, with 34 tracks split across two full acts. In support of the magnum opus there has been a media blitz. Here is a compilation of some of the Dream Theater videos, interviews and selections from The Astonishing.
From Wikipedia,
The Astonishing‘s concept centers around a band of rebels using the power of music to defy an oppressive empire. It was inspired by contemporary fantasy and science fiction franchises, as well as (Guitarist and Composer, John) Petrucci’s observations on the ubiquity of technological automation in modern day society. In writing music to match the album’s narrative, the band wrote songs in a wide variety of styles ranging from mellow ballads to their more conventional progressive metal sound.
Still not sure what The Astonishing is about, here’s the trailer.
Founding member of Dream Theater, guitarist and composer John Petrucci recently took to Reddit’s popular “Ask me Anything” subreddit. Fans were able to do just that. Here is what they had to say to their guitar idol.
The first single released for the Astonishing was The Gift of Music. It was pre-released in audio-only format as a teaser in December 2015. The band has gone back and recorded a music video in February 2016. Just like every one of their songs and albums, you will not hear this on the radio or see this on television. This song features elements of classic Dream Theater, like an epic guitar solo and even some of the organ patches that sound similar to Images and Words or Awake, as well as new influences such as Jordan Redress’s compositional touches and a full vocal choir.
While the album is available for purchase from Roadrunner Records, large portions of it are also available on YouTube. Roadrunner UK released a five-part interview series with lead singer James LaBrie, guitarist John Petrucci, and keyboardist Jordan Rudress.
Dream Theater Interview Part 1
Dream Theater Interview Part 2
Dream Theater Interview Part 3
Dream Theater Interview Part 4
Dream Theater Interview Part 5
Eddie Trunk interviewed the main composers of The Astonishing, John Petrucci and Jordan Rudress, for his radio show. [For those of you reading this post after 2016, there was a massive snow storm during the week of January 18th, 2016 on the East Coast of the USA.]
Music Man guitars have put together a master class with John Petrucci and will be giving away a buttload of awesome gear and a one-on-one class with the wizard of guitar himself. Here is the riff by riff lesson for The Astonishing and the gateway to enter the contest.
http://matchthemaster.amplifiertv.com