Dream Theater, the interview: “We resist the test of time”

James Labrie, John Petrucci, John Myung, Jordan Rudess again with Mike Portnoy: after more than a decade i Dream Theater They find their historic drummer in formation. In addition to celebrating the fortieth career anniversary, the band therefore scores another important chapter of his musical adventure, which takes the form of New album “Parasomnia” (here our review). The disc is the first with Portnoy by “Black Clouds & Silver Linings” of 2009 and, according to Labrie, is “A Dream Theater classic“. According to the group’s voice, “Parasomnia” arrives in “an epic moment”. During the interview for Rockol, James Labrie in fact underlines: “We have passed the test of time. And we continue to overcome it. ” Then confirms: “The future is openand we will continue to do what we love until we feel we still have something to say. And, for now, I do not foresee that the end will come soon. “

Rockol: What are the emotions of the Dream Theater towards “Parasomnia” ”
James Labrie: We are extremely enthusiastic about the album. It is an album by Reunion, after all. The original formation has returned together and I think music clearly speaks of the enthusiasm of finding ourselves and doing what we love to do: create music, create something for which we can depart 100% and feel proud. I think we hit the mark exactly as we wanted, creating something that was our goal, and I believe that fans will fully agree on the fact that what we made here is a classic Dream Theater album.

Rockol: The exit of the album follows some important events: the return of Mike Portnoy to the Dream Theater and, of course, the tour for the band’s 40th anniversary. We know that you started working on “Parasomnia” with Mike last year and you personally took care of the production: when did the idea of ​​this album emerged for the first time? And how did it develop over time?
James: The theme Pinciapel, at the level of the texts, was obviously born entitled “Parasomnia”, which is a disorder of which a considerable number of people in the world suffers, due to traumatic experiences, unfortunate or compromising psychological situations.

So, at the level of the texts, we knew we wanted to write about this topic, and this influenced the type of album we then created and the music we wrote. A theme so dark, disturbing and tormented as parasomnia, has fueled the creative process, determined the direction and the musical path to be undertaken. Music reflects all this: it is aggressive, dark, heavy, it has a decisive character and, at times, it is disturbingly beautiful. Knowing what we wanted to talk about in the texts certainly opened the doors and kicked off to the creative process, guiding music in the right direction.

Rockol: Thinking about the concept and meaning of “parasomnia”, already the single “night terror” captures it vividly. What do you hope that fans will take from this album?
James: I think music speaks for itself and encloses everything they represent and embody the Dream Theater. Musically, there is a wide range of emotions, both in the heaviest and most beautiful and even disturbing moments. At the level of the texts, we are telling a story that many people could feel close to them, because maybe they suffer directly from parasomnia or know someone dear to them that is afflicted. I believe that when you listen to this album from start to finish, you receive a shock that makes you think: “Here’s what I expect from an album of the Dream Theater!”. All the musical elements that define our identity as a band and as artists are present. Furthermore, the fact that the texts deal with such a profound and significant theme further strengthens the idea that a pop artist is not simply listening to, but something much more intense. It is an extraordinary journey.

Rockol: Is it correct to define as “parasomnia” a concept album or is it rather an exploration of many situations?
James: No, it’s not a concept album.

The texts, it is true, are all linked to the theme of parasomnia and the psychological aspects related to it, but each song faces a specific situation. On a musical level, there are some recurring themes and motifs throughout the album, which create a certain sense of cohesion and give an almost cinematic structure, as happens in films. However, it wasn’t thought as a concept album. It can be interpreted that way in some respects, but if you ask me if it was intentionally conceived as such, the answer is no. The reason why many people ask themselves this question is that the texts deal with a common topic, that of nightmares and disturbing night experiences. But technically, it’s not a concept album.

Rockol: Recently the legend of “Nosferatu” has returned to the topicality thanks to Robert Eggers’ remake. Thinking about Themes and sounds of “Parasomnia“, The album is to imagine as the perfect soundtrack for a psychological and Gothic horror film. The cover seems to even evoke the imagination of the vampire legend and that type of film. You have never imagined that the disc accompany a cinematographic experience , somehow?
James: It is fantastic that someone may note certain similarities. In fact, when you make an album like this, there are many cinematographic aspects inside. Listening to the texts and music, vivid images emerge, and the effect is very cinematic. I understand the parallel that can be made. Dream Theater, in general, tend to make albums that have an atmosphere almost from films or documentary. For us it is not just about writing a song of two or three minutes with a couple of captivating refrains. We want our music to be an experience, something that resounds deeply in the listener, just as it happens with a film or a documentary that affects you deeply. So, it is very interesting to perceive this connection.

Rockol: Mike Portnoy’s return was a crucial moment for the band: how was it to go back to work with him? Did this directly influence the creative process of “Parasomnia”?
James: Absolutely.

Mike has his own style. It has always been very involved in writing and creating what then becomes the album. If you listen to “Night Terror”, which is the first song we wrote, its trademark is evident in everything: the way the battery plays, the first big Fill it performs at the beginning, when the band enters the Complete. He immediately feels his imprint. It is a family feeling, something we know well after making many albums with him since the beginning.
Each of us in the studio has one’s musical identity, one’s distinctive touch. It is the combination of these elements that make Dream Theater what they are. The chemistry among us is what in the end gives life to an album. Having Mike again in the band was evident from the first day: we said “Here, yes, this is him”. It was all natural, familiar, but at the same time exciting, because it brought us back to those sensations that we remember from the past, to the records that have marked our career, as “Images and words ““Octavarium ““Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from Memory ““Six degrees of inner turbulence ““Train of Thought “… and I could continue. These are those five musicians put together to create that magic. And when this combination is recomposed, the result can only be what the public expects.

Rockol: Now let’s think about the tour: you will play in Italy next summer. How are you working to bring “Parasomnia” to the stage and how does it go with Mike Portnoy who always takes care of the ladders?
James: As the tour will go on, the ladder will change and we will introduce new songs from the album. We are still deciding how many songs of “Parasomnia” include in the lineup, because our catalog is very vast and we could be on stage for 10 hours. Mike Portnoy deals with the setlist and does it exceptionally, thinking like a fan: “If I went to see the Dream Theater, what would I like to hear?”. For this every choice is very well thought out. As fans will get used to the new album, it will be easier to introduce more songs than “Parasomnia” songs in the set. When we return to Italy in the summer, you will surely hear several songs from the new album, as well as songs other than our repertoire. It will be an exciting journey.

Rockol: At this point in your career, where do you feel the Dream Theater are found? How would you describe this moment in the history of the band?
James: This is an epic moment, greater than life itself. We celebrate the 40th career anniversary on tour, but the most important thing is that we have passed the test of time. And we continue to overcome it. We have released many albums and we can proudly say that every single disc represents exactly who we were at that moment. The future is open, and we will continue to do what we love as long as we feel we still have something to say. And, for now, I do not foresee that the end will come soon.