Scott Kahn at MusicPlayers.com recently caught up with DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci. An excerpt from the interview is available below:

SK: I understand at the beginning of the process, you guys had some discussions about the future direction of Dream Theater. What were you thinking going into this record?

JP: "The conversations we were having is, we said, listen, when we go in, the focus is we want to make a record that’s big, that’s well crafted. We want to play on the strengths of the band, the originality of the band. What is it that makes Dream Theater unique and special? And to try to go in those directions sort of farther than we ever have. So we had conversations like, you know, if we’re going to have a big, beautiful, soaring moment, then let’s make it the most cinematic moment that we can. Let’s really work on it, not only in the compositional sense, but also in the production, the sound, the way that it’s mixed and everything. You know, if we’re going to do some passages that are technical or complicated, then let’s really dive in, let’s come up with some sick shit, you know? That’s going to really twist the mind and catch people off-guard and take the music in a direction that’s maybe a bit unexpected. And when it came to composing the sections that would be vocal sections, let’s make sure that those vocal sections are as developed and unique as we can, that the chord progressions are moving in a way that is saying something and that the way the vocal melody’s interplaying really makes a lot of sense — the range where James is singing and everything.

So we (kind of) just took every element and looked at those elements under a microscope. So there was, like… you know, writing is part inspiration and part craft, and we spent a lot of time on [the craft]. You know, there’s no problem with the inspiration in this band, because everybody is just filled with so many ideas. But we spent, I think, probably more time on the craft part and I think in the end it made for a real special album."

SK: I read somewhere you described the listening experience for this record as a rollercoaster. You really created the album listening experience on this one.

JP: "That’s great. You know, I appreciate that, because I’ve said this before, I sort of romanticize that people still listen to albums the way that I did when I was growing up and still like to: you put on the album as an experience, it’s kind of like watching a movie. You sit down, you put on headphones, shut off the lights and you get into it. And you have to listen to it several times, and you pick up on details that you might have missed the first time. So when we’re writing the album, when it’s being produced and mixed, I always have that in mind. I’m always thinking of the album as a whole, the listening experience. The way that it starts, the way it builds. Breathing moments, the way it climaxes. And even the ending, even the closing credits, which is sort of the 'Beneath The Surface' section of the album."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Dream Theater recently released the final video in their series documenting the making of their latest album, A Dramatic Turn Of Events, which is in stores now. In this clip, they discuss the recording process and the pleasure of creation. Check it out below: