In a recent Instagram video, John Petrucci provided insight into the making of the upcoming Dream Theater album featuring Mike Portnoy, detailing the meticulous process that went into crafting their signature sound.
Reflecting on the guitar recording sessions, Petrucci expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the collaborative effort with their skilled engineer, Jimmy T (James Meslin), to achieve what they dubbed the “Mount Rushmore of guitar tones”:
“I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve officially completed recording all the guitars for what we’ll refer to as DT16, our latest Dream Theater album. Jimmy T and I embarked on a mission to capture the ultimate guitar tones, and I’m incredibly pleased with the results. We had a blast in the studio, dialing in the perfect sound.”
Petrucci delved into the technical aspects of their approach, revealing a nod to Dream Theater’s illustrious past with the involvement of longtime engineer Doug Oberkircher, known for his work on classic albums like ‘Images And Words’ and ‘Scenes From A Memory’:
“In our pursuit of sonic excellence, and with Mike Portnoy back in the fold, we decided to pay homage to our roots. We reached out to our friend Doug Oberkircher, who still possessed the original Neve preamps used on those iconic recordings. Acquiring these preamps allowed us to infuse our new material with the same raw energy and warmth that defined our earlier work. The result? A blend of aggression and depth, akin to a blazing T-Rex sculpted from chocolate cake [laughs]. Needless to say, we’re thrilled with the outcome.”
Meanwhile, Portnoy celebrated completing his drum parts for his eagerly awaited return to the band, teasing fans with hints of what’s to come:
“Today marks the end of my drumming sessions for DT16! But this is just the beginning… There’s still plenty of work ahead on guitars, bass, keys, vocals, and more. We’re keeping details under wraps for now, but rest assured, we’re incredibly excited about what we’ve created. Stay tuned for updates!”
As anticipation builds for the album’s release, Petrucci and Portnoy remain tight-lipped about specifics, keeping fans eagerly awaiting the unveiling of their latest masterpiece. Dream Theater’s European leg of the 40th Anniversary Tour 2024 – 2025 is set to kick off on October 20, promising a thrilling showcase of their enduring musical legacy.
You can watch the musician’s video message here.
