REVIEW AND PICTURES MY ARTO LEHTINEN AND MARKO SYRJALA

The masters of progressive metal Dream Theater are known for having fallen in love with Finland as evidenced by their visits to the northernmost country on every tour since 1995. In 1995 the band played here for the first time in a small club with Fates Warning supporting. Some time has passed by since those days and many things have changed. The band has released a bunch of albums, the latest one DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS came out in the fall of 2011, and Dream Theater is now playing in arenas. There are also some changes in the line-up as the core and founder Mike Portnoy is no longer in the band. As it is widely known Mr. Portnoy left the band in late 2010 to pursue other interests and he’s now replaced by new drummer Mike Mangnini.

Read the rest of this entry »

DREAM THEATER

DRUMMER MIKE MANGINI

INTERVIEW AND PICTURES BY MARKO SYRJALA

Mike Mangini is an American drummer, and the current drummer for the progressive metal band Dream Theater. Mangini joined band in 2011 after the departure of founding drummer Mike Portnoy. Later on that same year the band released its latest opus DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS. Mangini’s earlier playing credits include Annihilator, Extreme and Steve Vai among others. He’s also well known for his work as a session musician and lecturing for years at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Mangini has also written two books titled Rhythm Knowledge about his unique drumming techniques, a practice method for deconstructing and simplifying complex poly-rhythms and time signatures. Dream Theater opened their 2012 European leg of “Dramatic Tour of Events” from Helsinki in mid January. It was at this tour stop that we had a pleasure to sit down with Mr. Mangini and discuss the current state of Dream Theater and some older stuff as well. Read on!

Read the rest of this entry »

James Labrie Static Impulse

DREAM THEATER vocalist JAMES LABRIE has issued the following update:

“It is very difficult for what I am about to say. The Static Impulse tour has been cancelled due to some unfortunate, unforeseen difficulties with securing work visas for a couple of the guys. It would be virtually impossible for us to have these visas processed on time to begin the tour let alone the rehearsals which were scheduled for the week prior to the first show.

I don’t know what to say other than we are all in shock and can only hope we can make this a reality at some point in the near future. I am really sorry to everyone who has gone out and purchased the meet and greets and show tickets. This totally sucks and I’m sure you’re all quite upset and have every right to be. I can only ask for your understanding and forgiveness and assure you that when we are in a position (hopefully in the near future ) to tour all of this will have been taken care of well in advance or it just won’t happen.”

The aforementioned North American tour had been scheduled to run November 26th to December 20th.

On the heels of the release of his latest opus, ‘Static Impulse’, JAMES LABRIE has finally announced his return to the stage as a solo artist and will embark on a North American tour this winter!  The DREAM THEATER vocalist has released two releases in a side project dubbed MULLMUZZLER and two solo releases including 2005’s ‘Elements of Persuasion’ and the latest masterpiece ‘Static Impulse’ which was released last week via InsideOut Music.

LABRIE comments: “Hello Everyone, Matt, Marco, Peter, Ray and I are extremely psyched to announce a tour in support of the new album ‘Static Impulse’. Everyone that played on the disc will be on stage. This is going to be a very powerful and memorable evening. Just us and the fans doing what we both love doing. You will hear songs from MullMuzzler, EOP and of course the latest, Static Impulse.  Come out and support this US/ Canada tour and let’s have a blast. We will hit you like a sledgehammer, but I promise it won’t hurt… See you out there.  Goooooooooo!!!!!  James.”

Tickets for the trek go on sale today exclusively via EnterTheVault.com where fans can purchase both regular and VIP tickets for the trek. VIP packages include entrance to the venue 1-hour early, a meet-and-greet with JAMES LABRIE and a signed tour poster!

Longtime collaborator MATT GUILLORY added: “James, Marco, Ray, Peter, and myself are all really excited about touring the US and Canada in support of our new album Static Impulse. The response we’ve been getting since the album was released has been so amazing. We can’t wait to play this stuff live. This is going to be a lot of fun. We look forward to seeing everybody on the road!”

‘Static Impulse’ was produced by LABRIE and GUILLORY with mixing and mastering being handled by the mighty JENS BOGREN (OPETH, KATATONIA). Fans can download a free MP3 of the song “Mislead” as well as purchase the album at the following location: http://www.insideoutmusic.com/specials/jameslabrie/

A special, limited edition version of ‘Static Impulse’ and t-shirt are available via CMDistro.com.

TOUR DATES
Nov 26 – Charlotte, NC – Tremont Music Hall
Nov 27 – Raleigh, NC – Volume 11
Nov 29 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theater
Nov 30 – Philadelphia, PA – The Trocadero
Dec 02 – Montreal, QUE – Club Soda
Dec 03 – Toronto, ONT – Opera House
Dec 04 – Detroit, MI – Blondies
Dec 06 – Cleveland, OH – Peabody’s
Dec 07 – Chicago, IL – Reggie Rock Club
Dec 08 – Minneapolis, MN – Station 4
Dec 10 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
Dec 11 – Portland, OR – Berbati’s Pen
Dec 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Key Club
Dec 15 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater
Dec 16 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theater
Dec 18 – San Antonio, TX – Backstage Live
Dec 19 – Dallas, TX – Trees
Dec 20 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar

Toronto native James LaBrie is regarded as one of the most influential prog metal vocalists of the last 20 years. His significance as the commanding front man of progressive giants Dream Theater, is without question. He joined the trailblazing fivesome in 1992 and has since recorded eleven studio albums with the band.

Besides being in the spotlight for the prog rock force from New York, LaBrie has launched an impressive solo career. Static Impulse is his first solo effort in over five years, and this latest masterpiece is by far his heaviest to date, revealing astonishing new facets of LaBrie’s music and sure to please his legion of die-hard fans while winning over many new devotees in the process.

LaBrie’s musical inspiration comes from many different genres, including such artists as Sebastian Bach, Metallica, Ludwig van Beethoven, Nat King Cole, Queen, Sting, and Muse. One listen to Static Impulse and it becomes quickly apparent that LaBrie’s influences run far and wide and that he’ll be entertaining us all for years to come.

TRACK LISTING:
1. One More Time
2. Jekyll Or Hyde
3. Mislead
4. Euphoric
5. Over The Edge
6. I Need You
7. Who You Think I Am
8. I Tried
9. Just Watch Me
10. This Is War
11. Superstar
12. Coming Home

www.jameslabrie.com
www.myspace.com/officialjameslabrie

Dream Theater’s JAMES LABRIE is easily one of the defining, elite and naturally talented vocalists the world has to offer and after selling over a million albums worldwide he further challenges himself with an aggressive and dynamic new solo effort. Go to http://www.insideoutmusic.com/specials/jameslabrie/ to get a FREE MP3 of the song “Mislead” from JAMES LABRIE’s new album, Static Impulse. All you have to do is spread the word via Facebook or Twitter and the song is yours! The album comes out on September 27th in the UK/EU and September 28th in North America.

LABRIE states: “The track ‘Mislead’ was a sleeping giant for Matt Guillory (keyboards) and I. Most of the parts came quickly, but seemed to be missing the key elements or ingredients that would keep you in its grip the entire ride. We kept playing with the interaction of the instruments and vocal melodies. Matt kept working his magic with the interplay of the keys, bass, guitar and drums. It wasn’t until I was almost ready to lay my vocals that Matt and I felt it had all that it needed, but we wouldn’t see the proof in the pudding until after both mine and Peter’s vocals were laid.

“Peter’s vocals were done before mine which enabled me to feed off his energy and really nail the attitude and personality needed for this song. What began as one of the maybe, maybe not tunes for this disc. It ultimately ended up being one of our favorites. The lyrics I wrote deal with the ever present corruption and oppression in far too many governments. I know lighten up right, I’m light; it’s them who need to chill out. Enjoy.”

Guillory further comments: “In the writing process, ‘Mislead’ ended up being more of a challenge than the other songs. It’s got all the right ingredients though; dense syncopated riffing, atmospheric keyboards, melodic hooks, and over-the-top vocals. In the end, we’re really pleased with the way it turned out. I absolutely love the contrast between James’ crystal-clear lead vocal delivery and Peter’s melo-death screams.”

The much anticipated new full-length offering, Static Impulse, also marks LABRIE’s first solo effort in over five years and is sure to please his legion of diehard fans, as well as win over many new devotees in the process. A special pre-order package is now available exclusively through CMDistro.com where fans can pre-order the album along with an exclusive t-shirt. Click on the link below to purchase now.
http://www.cmdistro.com/Item/James_LaBrie_-_-Static_Impulse-_CD_+_Shirt_-PRE-ORDER-/PKG000453

Static Impulse also features the immensely talented longtime songwriting partner and keyboardist Matt Guillory. Another notable performance is Peter Wildoer from metal titans DARKANE on drums and screaming vocals. The group is rounded out by Marco Sfogli on guitars and Ray Riendeau on bass. Static Impulse is set for a September 28^th release on InsideOut Music and was mixed and mastered by the renowned Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia).
For additional information feel free to visit
www.jameslabrie.com

www.insideout.de

Dream Theater’s JAMES LABRIE Unveils His New Static Impulse Solo Release; Announces Players and Release Info

Dream Theater’s JAMES LABRIE is easily one of the defining, elite and naturally talented vocalists the world has to offer and after selling over a million albums worldwide he further challenges himself with an aggressive and dynamic new solo effort. The much anticipated new full-length offering, Static Impulse, also marks LABRIE’s first solo effort in over five years and is sure to please his legion of diehard fans, as well as win over many new devotees in the process. Be sure to stay tuned to www.jameslabrie.com for new information.

Static Impulse also features the immensely talented longtime songwriting partner and keyboardist Matt Guillory. Another notable performance is Peter Wildoer from metal titans DARKANE on drums and screaming vocals. The group is rounded out by Marco Sfogli on guitars and Ray Riendeau on bass. Static Impulse is set for a September 28^th release on InsideOut Music and was mixed and mastered by the renowned Jens Borgen (Opeth, Katatonia).

LABRIE states: “Hi everyone. The release of Static Impulse is one that the whole band is psyched about. This is modern Metal and as heavy and relevant as any other band out there going in a similar musical direction. There are riffs that will blow your head off and melodies both musically and vocally that are hypnotic. Get in the driver’s seat and let the ears bleed. Enjoy and see you out there with a tour to follow up and support this release.”

Guillory further comments: “One year and two months in the making and we’re finally done. I’m really pleased with the way this record came out. James sounds fantastic, as well as the rest of the guys. Without a doubt, it’s our heaviest record thus far yet at the same time, it’s also our most melodic. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”

In addition to Dream Theater’s numerous studio and live releases, LABRIE has also appeared on releases by Fates Warning, Redemption, Trent Gardner’s Explorer’s Club, Leonardo The Absolute Man, Frameshift, Ayreon’s The Human Equation, as well as tribute albums to Rush, Emerson Lake & Palmer and Queen.

For additional information feel free to visit
www.jameslabrie.com

www.insideout.de

DREAM THEATER

23.09 2009

Live at Ice Hall, HELSINKI

FINLAND

American progressive metal masters Dream Theater arrived once again Finland to please its constantly crowing fan base. Although band has recently released new album BLACK CLOUDS AND SILVER LININGS this current tour was advertised under banner  Progressive Nation 2009.

REVIEW AND PICTURES BY MARKO SYRJÄLÄ

Read the rest of this entry »

Read the rest of this entry »