Head Over To Metal Hammer

for that review . . .

http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/dream-theater-album-review-black-clouds-and-silver-linings-track-by-track/

Win Win Win

I knew there was something I'd forgotten to mention. In the current edition of Classic Rock Presents Prog, there's a competition to win a signed copy (me not the band before you get excited) of the limited edition version of Lifting Shadows.

The publishers have put all the details on their website, which you can find here http://essentialworks.co.uk/blog/

Good luck and all that . . .

Nothing To See Here

Well that review won't be appearing here after all. Yesterday I mentioned Metal Hammer are to do their own "First Listen" review and they've kindly asked me to "bosh it out" for them. So look out for it over at their site http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/ in the next day or two. I suppose I'd get my butt in gear and start writing it then . . .

About That Review

I know that Metal Hammer are going to be putting up a review of the 'Black Clouds . . .' on their website. So I am basically waiting until they do before I start writing mine - don't want to annoy anyone by jumping the proverbial gun and all that. But it is very, very good . . .

Saw Asia last night at the rather odd surroundings of the Buxton Opera House. Backstage, the changing rooms looked like a Victorian toilet and the catering looked pretty basic ( a plate of lettuce). Can't imagine what the likes of Carl Palmer thought about it - all a bit far removed from having your own personal truck and tourbus as he did in the heyday of E.L.P.

I was hoping to be heading off to see the mighty AC/DC tonight, but couldn't get tickets for love nor money. Bastard.

Shot of Asia above taken by my good self last night.

Review Of Black Clouds & Silver Linings

To follow in the next few days . . .

Well . . .

as it seems that a few people are actually visiting the blog these days, I thought I'd give you all a bit of an update on the book.

The original plan was to release the book earlier this year, but for various reasons that didn't come off. The main problem was that I was unhappy with just releasing a book for the sake of it that didn't contain any more information than the previous edition. So now we are hoping to get the standard hardback out later in the year - maybe September. This gives me the time to update the DT story to include all details on the new album. Additionally, as I might have mentioned, I am adding a chapter or ten in covering the bands various side projects. As such, I've been interviewing the members of Transatlantic and Liquid Tension over the last few months. So all this takes time to transcribe and get all the needed detail in there. But I know I keep saying this, but do check back from time to time as I might get around to updating this blog a touch more regularly than once every four months. Honest.

I've been doing quite a bit of work for the new Classic Rock Presents Prog which has kept me busy and been a blast. For any fans of prog, it's an awesome read and well worth checking out. There's also a nice feature in the current issue on the writing of the DT book.

Metal Hammer were also kind enough to put a reference to the DT limited edition in their objects of desire section - a scan is above! Click on the image to read. Ring Of Sauron indeed . . .

Oh, and if any of you were still thinking about getting a copy of the limited edition of "Lifting Shadows" then there are literally a handful left and once they're gone that's it. The exchange rate should also help out all Americans too. I know the publishers will be taking them off sale shortly in the run up to the new edition. You've been warned!

Black Clouds & Silver Linings Review - No Spoilers

Well, I've been listening to the new DT album for about the last two weeks now. I really don't want to ruin everyone's first listen to Black Clouds And Silver Linings, so I won't go into too much detail. Save to say that 'The Best Of Times' and 'The Count Of Tuscany' (20 minutes? Oh yes!!) are both amongst the best tracks the band have ever released. It's epic. It's contemporary with plenty of prog. There's a huge portion of metal in there too. Other plus points (for me anyway) are the lack of fantasy lyrics about vampires and "dark master" which did little for me on their last album, and they've cut back on those growling vocals. In terms of balance, it's probably their most solid album since 'Scenes From A Memory'.
The only downside is that the CD is one of those watermarked efforts, and it won't play on the PC or half the CD players in the house. The only ones that work are in the bathroom and car. So cue lots of pointless car journeys and I've not been this clean since I was a baby . . .