Ultimate Classic Rock's Matthewe Wilkening has issued an interview with DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci. The following is an excerpt:

Q: How is the new album coming?

A: "We’re just wrapping it up here in the studio — got a couple of solos, a couple of little vocal things we’re finishing. I’m really excited. We started in January, it’s been a lot of work, and I’m really happy with the way it came out. It’s very intense and really cool. I think we made a lot of great music. I can’t wait for it to be done and mixed and then get it out there to the world."

Q: What plans do you have in mind for your next round of touring?

A: "We have thought about the tour. The first tour we’re doing is in Europe, a festival tour with some headlining dates, as well. We’re playing some interesting places like Russia, Kiev, Rome, everything like that. Initially, it’s us getting out there. We’ll play a song from the new album, but it will be focused more on the festival scene, and people’s introductions to Mike Mangini. When we tour in the fall in support of the record, we’ll initiate some of the new concepts, new imagery, new lighting and video presentations, and, of course, the new songs. It’ll be something different at that point."

Read the complete interview at this location.

As previously reported, Dream Theater are finishing up their highly anticipated new album, the first with newcomer drummer Mike Mangini (ex-EXTREME, STEVE VAI, ANNIHILATOR). The album will be called A Dramatic Turn Of Events.

The band has now announced that the album will be released September 13th via Roadrunner Records and will be supported by a massive world tour.

The tracklist is as follows:

'On The Backs Of Angels'

'Build Me Up, Break Me Down'

'Lost Not Forgotten'

'This Is The Life'

'The Shaman's Trance'

'Outcry'

'Far From Heaven'

'Breaking All Illusions'

'Beneath The Surface'

Guitarist/producer John Petrucci comments: "I'm incredibly psyched with the way this album came out and can't wait to share it with everybody. We are currently in the mix stage with the great Andy Wallace and it's all sounding amazing!"

Vocalist James LaBrie: "In the grand scheme of Dream Theater's career, the last several months have been such an incredibly positive, fulfilling and rewarding experience. The new songs and sound has never been so spirited or rejuvenating. I cannot wait for every one of our fans to sink their audio senses into this batch of tunes."

Keyboardist Jordan Rudess: "We have poured our hearts and minds into the creation of this album. All the life changing events that surrounded us before, as well as during the whole process, fueled our desire to dig deep within ourselves and create the best music we possibly could."

The band will kick off a world tour in July 2011. New drummer Mike Mangini, for one, cannot wait to get on the road and show the Dream Theater fan base why he was the chosen one.

“I am just busting at the seams on being the new drummer for Dream Theater,” he said. “Digesting the incredibly challenging catalog, exploding with creative ideas, and anticipating what James, John, John and Jordan will come up with collectively and individually for new music and a fresh stage show is going to be really exciting and fun for me. I consider this opportunity the absolute pinnacle of my career. I can’t even imagine what untapped and future musical genius is inside of these guys; I can’t wait until we get into the studio together. Playing with these guys…it’s the mountaintop. This is where I want to be.”