As we reported yesterday Dream Theater are embarking on a huge European tour with a twist. Performing their brand new album in it’s entirety at the select dates and now we have an album title.

Stating that their brand new album will be called The Astonishing the band have created somewhat of a first. Performing an album in it’s entirety is a bold move for an album that has just been released let alone an album that will have never been heard before. Yet in a way it brings it back to the old ways, when people actually HAD to wait until they heard a song on the radio, or when it was performed live for the first time. Instead of ripping off the latest demo due to a leak online.

It’s also worth noting that the band have uploaded two individual “sides” to choose from. The Great Northern Empire or The Ravenskill Metal Militia. No doubt this seems to be echoing a concept that the band might be playing around with, perhaps it might the subtle release of a second double album. You could also note check the detail in the Hugh Syme artwork of a watchtower perhaps? Either way it looks like some form of device, perhaps used in a war which would mean two sides? Who knows!

It’s true to say that the band never cease to amaze, essentially perfecting the concept album of Metropolis or the double album with Six Degrees and now in 2016 the band bring back the sense of mystery of the announcement of a new album.

Bring it on Dream Theater.