Nicholas , a man with psychological problems, consults a hypnotherapist who conducts a past-life regression therapy session. In a hypnotic trance, he begins to see a woman named Victoria and a life that seems strangely familiar. Nicholas discovers that he was Victoria in a past life and that she was murdered. He begins to believe that Victoria is haunting him to reveal the truth about the murder.
This plot, which could be from a suspense film, is actually the story of Dream Theater , Metropolis, Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory , released in 1999. It became a classic and acclaimed album by the band, even recorded in New York on the DVD Metropolis 2000: Scenes from New York .
Twenty years later, Dream Theater returns with The Distance Over Time Tour – Celebrating 20 Years of Scenes From A Memory , with shows in Brazil. Before arriving here, vocalist James LaBrie spoke with Wikimetal about the band's past and future.
“Anyone who sees the show will realize that this performance is on another level,” he said, comparing it to the 2000 DVD. “It’s great, the performance is better now, everyone is playing better. The sound, the lights, it’s a completely different experience.” The new performance will also be released as a DVD, to be recorded in London in early 2020.
“In 20 years, everyone is expected to grow as individuals and collectively as a band. We did that. Changes are natural, we have more knowledge now. And we are more aware of the world around us, of social problems. This brings enlightenment,” LaBrie reflected on the years separating the album's release and the new tour.
“I remember us recording Scenes in New York, it was freezing. Going to the studio was like going home. It was our first concept album, the first with Jordan Rudess on keyboards. We thought it could become a classic. And, luckily for us, it did,” LaBrie recalled. “It’s the kind of album every artist wants in their discography; it touched so many fans around the world. It’s truly very dear to our hearts.”
In homage to the iconic album, Dream Theater will perform it in its entirety in Brazilian cities. But, as the tour name suggests, it's not just Scenes that the band will showcase in the new three-hour show. Distance Over Time , the most recent album from the progressive metal legends, is also included in the setlist.
“What differentiates Distance Over Time from its predecessors is the way we approached the album. We lived together during production, in a remote area; we breathed together, we did everything together. This was essential to the way the album sounds. It gives a more organic feel to the sound. And we consciously wanted to make a heavier album, with many metal elements. But, at the same time, create a balance, without forgetting our progressive side,” explained the vocalist.
“We can’t forget that this is our 14th album; we’ve had a lot of room to grow as musicians. We’ve known each other for thirty years. It’s as if we’ve created an unspoken language between us.”
And if this creates a kind of generational clash in the new show, LaBrie has the perfect explanation for why it works. “We always want to be relevant. We have to take into account everything that happens in the world. When you listen to a Dream Theater album, you hear a sound that is part of that moment in time, that makes sense at that moment. The secret is to create a musical environment for those sounds.”
From scenes from the past to the present, the new tour is both a celebration of the band's career and a preparation for the future. "It's a new chapter for Dream Theater: new record label, new people to work with. It's incredibly exciting. We love what we do."
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