DT's new album "Systematic Chaos" is OK...

**eliot323** · 06-04-2007, 08:52 AM

Just kidding - it's excellent! Got it in the post this morning and 2 plays through and it is a very heavy CD, with some great melodies and as usual, outstanding musicianship. JPs guitars and amps sound excellent. Can't wait to watch the bonus DVD and listen to the 5.1 mix.

See you at Newcastle on Saturday! I'll be the old guy with the heavily patched denim jacket, somewhere behind the mixing desk...

**roburado** · 06-04-2007, 09:38 AM

I was all set to read of the usual kind of disappointment that fans have to voice when every new album comes out. I'm pleasantly surprised that it wasn't the case.

**Bierschinken** · 06-04-2007, 11:34 AM

As I got it on friday, I had to listen to it immediately....but after that I was kind of disappointed.
It seems as if they wanted to go heavy but didn´t get it.

I´ve listened to the album a few times now and I must say that now I like some of the songs - no - I really love some but their are still some which I don´t like e.g. Repentance...I just don´t get that.

Btw: the DVD is great...thumbs up

**eliot323** · 06-04-2007, 12:04 PM

Athough I do like it straight off, I think it will also be a "grower". I tend to like albums that require some perseverance to connect emotionally - and I think this will be one of them.

Lyrically, the album has some dark moments; some kind of monster is lurking throughout the record but whether it is one from within, without or both isn't completely clear.

I also like the sonic, musical, and lyrical references to previous albums/songs scattered throughout the record and the occasional stabs of humour, which are even more stark when they run against the song's theme - check out Jordan's keyboard breakdown somewhere around 4:00 on "The Dark Eternal Light".

Can't wait for Saturday! Anyone else going to be in Newcastle on Saturday?

**KennethB** · 06-04-2007, 12:37 PM

I think the album is really cool! The end.

**Bungo** · 06-04-2007, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by eliot323

Can't wait for Saturday! Anyone else going to be in Newcastle on Saturday?

Not this time. Love DT as I do, committing virtually a whole weekend to a trip that far 'oop north' wasn't really feasible.

I shall be at the (rumoured) Wembley show in the Autumn though for sure (can't clash with Rush then!

)

I generally find I have to get to know new DT albums for a while before really connecting.

Six degrees was a good example which went from 'slightly dissapointed' to 'probably my overall favourite' in the course of six months or so.

Have a great gig. Do post a review for us Southern stuck-in-the-muds please!

**MikeVt** · 06-04-2007, 07:26 PM

Just finishing up my first listen as I type this. I'm really impressed - I think it's great. With all the talk of a completely heavy album, I expected crunch and growl all the way through. Not the case. There is a GREAT mix of tunes on this album, and I think the feel is similar to SDOIT. Definitely a keeper for me...

Oh, and JP's guitars sound AWESOME.

Mike

**roburado** · 06-04-2007, 08:55 PM

Okay, where are all the U.S. people getting this thing before the release date? D/L?

**fogman** · 06-04-2007, 09:42 PM

I can't wait to get a copy!

**roburado** · 06-04-2007, 10:42 PM

Okay, I couldn't wait. I downloaded the thing from iTunes just after midnight.

**dwells** · 06-05-2007, 01:00 AM

well ive been listening to it everyday and it does take a couple of listens to get into it but i think it really cool , the productions not great but its different to the last so thats a good thing.
petrucci s a king

**nexis72** · 06-05-2007, 06:34 AM

I am obsessed with this album. I loved it since the first moment I listened it and every time I listen it I like it more...

**MikeVt** · 06-05-2007, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by roburado

Okay, where are all the U.S. people getting this thing before the release date? D/L?

Rob, just in case you still want to know, I ordered mine from FYE.com a while back when the free offer for a lithograph came out. It just got delivered a day early...

By the way, I got the enhanced version with the 5.1 DVD. I'm not sure I like it. The 2 channel CD is fine, but the DVD 5.1 mix seems to have some volume issues, almost like it was mixed with automatic gain control. The quiet parts seem to be cranked, and it drops off during the heavy sections and doesn't seem to kick you in the chest the way the 2ch version does. I supposed it could be my setup, but I don't seem to have this problem with any of my other 5.1 mixes.

Mike

**roburado** · 06-05-2007, 06:55 AM

Yeah. I've read that there are some issues with the 5.1 mix. Oh well. I don't have a 5.1 system anyway. So, it's not going to "hurt" as much. Got to download the album from iTunes just after midnight.

Generally positive feelings about the album here. I was expecting something melodic from them, especially with JP's comments about how great the F-1 prototype sounded and the direction they went with Octavarium. I'm quite happy with it. A few parts could have been trimmed, I thought, but it was late when I was listening to it last night and I wanted to go to bed.