Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci recently spoke with Music Aficionado, revealing his favorite guitar solo of all time as well discussuing the creation of the band’s new double-CD concept album, The Astonishing. Petrucci also talks about some of the rock, jazz and progressive artists that have influenced his style, his favorite songs, and some of the brand new signature gear he has been using on the road and in the studio. An excerpt from the interview is available below.

Petrucci on Rush classic "La Villa Strangiato": 

"Alex Lifeson’s solo is unbelievable. It starts with this really kind of mellow breakdown, and then he builds it up with this great phrasing that’s kind of bluesy, kind of melodic. By the end he’s just like a rocket ship taking off. To me it's the perfect example of dynamic guitar playing and how to build a solo. Absolutely ridiculous. My first concert ever was Rush at the Nassau Coliseum, and when they played this it was a religious experience. I can still put myself back there and remember having my mind completely blown. Like, what the hell is going on?"

Go to this location for the complete in-depth interview.

Dream Theater's new album, The Astonishing, a character-based two-act double album that tells the story of dystopian future in which only machines can create music, was released on January 29th. An official trailer for the album can now be seen below:

The band kicked off their world tour for the album on February 18th. Fan-filmed video from the show, which featured The Astonishing performed in its entirety, is available below.

The setlist was as follows:

Act I
“Descent Of The NOMACS”
“Dystopian Overture”
“The Gift Of Music”
“The Answer”
“A Better Life”
“Lord Nafaryus”
“A Savior In The Square”
“When Your Time Has Come”
“Act Of Faythe”
“Three Days”
“The Hovering Sojourn”
“Brother, Can You Hear Me?”
“A Life Left Behind”
“Ravenskill”
“Chosen”
“A Tempting Offer”
“Digital Discord”
“The X Aspect”
“A New Beginning”
“The Road To Revolution”

Act II
“2285 Entr’acte”
“Moment Of Betrayal”
“Heaven’s Cove”
“Begin Again”
“The Path That Divides”
“Machine Chatter”
“The Walking Shadow”
“My Last Farewell”
“Losing Faythe”
“Whispers In The Wind”
“Hymn Of A Thousand Voices”
“Power Down”
“Astonishing”

Dream Theater has made the entire 34-track album available for streaming; check it out below.

Dream Theater have issued a following message addressed to fans:

"Dream Theater invites you to come to a show dressed as your favorite character from The Astonishing. Each night, find the NOMAC in the venue lobby 30 minutes before showtime; a representative will be there to take your picture. Following each tour leg, Dream Theater will select our Best Costume winner. Finalists selected from each tour leg will receive a gift and be entered into the Grand Prize competition, where the overall winner - determined by fans - will win a special Dream Theater Grand Prize Pack.

The band looks forward to seeing many of you dressed as Astonishing characters in the coming weeks!"

Tour dates:

March
23 - Zurich, Switzerland - Kongresshaus

April
14 - Quebec City, QC - Theatre du Capitole
15 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
16 - Toronto, ON - Sony Centre
18 - Albany, NY - Palace Theatre
19 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
20 - Hartford, CT - Oakdale Theatre
23 - New York, NY - Radio City Music Hall
24 - Baltimore, MD - Hippodrome Theatre
26 - Greensburg, PA - Palace Theater
27 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre
30 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater

May
1 - Minneapolis, MN - State Theater
3 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
7 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
10 - Portland, OR - Schnitzer
11 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theater

For up-to-the-minute news and ticket information visit this location.