Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie recently spoke with Greg Prato at Songfacts about the band's new album, Distance Over Time. An excerpt from the interview is available below.

Songfacts: How is the new album, Distance Over Time, similar or different to previous Dream Theater albums? 

James LaBrie: "Well, it might be similar to some of the earlier albums in the sense that in a lot of ways, we pulled from our roots. We wanted to connect with how Dream Theater came onto the radar - we were noticed as a very progressive metal band. When Dream Theater came on the scene, 'progressive metal' wasn't even a term. But because we incorporated the metal influence and the progressive, more technical aspects of music, that became a new thing, a new direction musically. It inspired a lot of other bands and still does today.

So, when going into Distance Over Time, it was a conscious effort that we wanted to very much incorporate both those elements into this album. We wanted it to predominantly be a more aggressive album for sure, and we wanted it to be more heavy and more metal-based, but at the same time establishing a balance between the two. Not losing our identity or signatures as far as the progressive side of Dream Theater goes. 

The whole time while writing this album, it was, "Yes, it's going to be a heavy album, but at the same time, let's also make sure we incorporate everything that has stated what we are as a band.'"

Songfacts: Looking back, which Dream Theater album are you most proud of? 

LaBrie: "This one (Distance Over Time) is a big runner-up, but Images And Words is always going to be my choice, because that established what Dream Theater really is. I think it's a phenomenal album from beginning to end. When I look back at that time, when that album came out, we stuck out like a sore thumb, but thanks to Derek Oliver (A&R man), Atlantic got behind this. Grunge was the big thing, and then we come out with an album like Images And Words... people must have been looking at us like we had two heads. And then, for that to be successful, that really paved the way for the rest of our tour, and has created the longevity of who and what we are.

But I'm also extremely fond of The Astonishing, which I know is a very controversial album. And the reason I say that is for me personally as a vocalist, it really allowed me to show every single facet of who and what I am as a singer. So, that album, even though it polarized our fans - there's no doubt about that - to me, as an artist, it really was absolutely fulfilling and gratifying."

Read the complete interview here.

Dream Theater recently announced the forthcoming worldwide release of their 14th studio album, Distance Over Time, on February 22nd.

Dream Theater is also planning to hit the road in support of the new album. North American date for The Distance Over Time Tour - billed as a 20th-anniversary celebration of the band’s fifth album, Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory - were recently announced with the trek set to kick off on March 20th in California. Information on tickets for all upcoming shows as well as VIP packages can be found at dreamtheater.net. More tour dates for the worldwide tour will be announced in the near future.

Rolling Stone asked guitarist John Petrucci if the band will be playing the entire Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory album at each show, to which he responded: "We are. The tour is going to be 'An Evening With,' and part of the evening will be playing some of the new record and some older songs in our catalog, and then also playing Scenes From A Memory in its entirety. So it going to be a lot of fun. And that was a really important record for us, speaking of storytelling and all that. Because it was our first concept record."

Read more at Rolling Stone.

Distance Over Time showcases a newfound creativity for Dream Theater while maintaining the elements that have garnered them devoted fans around the globe. The album also marks the first for the band’s new label InsideOutMusic / Sony Music. The artwork was created by long-time cover collaborator Hugh Syme (Rush, Iron Maiden, Stone Sour). Distance Over Time was produced by John Petrucci, mixed by Ben Grosse, and mastered by Tom Baker.

“When I listen back to the album, I can distinctly recall every moment of the writing process; where I was standing in the room, what inspired us in that instant and the meaning behind each song. As a producer, my goal was to try and create the best-sounding Dream Theater record we’ve ever made so that listeners can just be enveloped in the music. I really wanted this recording to truly reflect the spirit, joy, and passion that went into making the album and for people to walk away feeling some of the organic nature, personality, and raw energy that the band captured while together in the studio. For me, I think it accomplishes that and I hope that other people will feel the same way,” explains John Petrucci.

In June 2018, Dream Theater secluded themselves in a private location in upstate New York to begin writing for the new record. While spending the summer living together in the property's adjacent residence, the band spent their days and nights crafting the music that would make up the new album in the ‘Yonderbarn’; a beautiful and spacious barn that had been meticulously transformed into a state-of-the art film and recording studio. Following an intense & extremely productive period of group writing sessions and wanting to retain the magic that was captured in this scenic and inspiring location, they decided to record the album in the very room they had all convened to write together in. Living together during the writing and recording for Distance Over Time marked another first for the band’s 33-year career. The result is a heavier collection of songs that showcases the early roots of the band while exploring new territory as musicians and as friends.

“It was like going back to summer camp,” adds James LaBrie. “Being around each other the whole time made it that much more of a profound experience. I think the songs reflect the energy. It was a lot of fun to have a situation so powerful at this point in our career.”

It has been three years since Dream Theater released new music. To announce the details of the brand new album, Dream Theater enlisted the help of one lucky contest winner to break the news of the record to the loyal fans of the band. An alternate reality game was launched that encompassed a “treasure hunt” whereby fans were able to search for clues hidden in various photos, videos, social media posts, and more. Ultimately, one lucky winner was given access to content before everyone else including the release date and cover artwork, and the winner would be the one to share the first taste of never before heard music. Listen to that first teaser below:

Progressive metal pioneers Dream Theater - James LaBrie (Vocals), John Petrucci (Guitars), Jordan Rudess (Keyboards), John Myung (Bass), and Mike Mangini (Drums) - share a bond with one of the most passionate fan bases around the globe as evidenced by their two Grammy Award nominations, platinum-certified videos, multiple Top Ten-charting albums selling over 15 million records worldwide, and numerous other accolades. On its 14th full-length and first release for InsideOutMusic / Sony Music, Distance Over Time, the band recharge the brotherhood that has kept them creating music together for over 30 years. It’s Dream Theater at their most dynamic, direct, and definitive.

In 2018, InsideOutMusic is celebrating 25 years as one of the leading labels worldwide for progressive music and is part of the Century Media Label Group, a division of Sony Music.

(Photo - Mark Maryanovich)