Grammy-nominated prog metal behemoths Dream Theater have released a captivating sci-fi themed music video made by digital artist Wayne Joyner (opens in new tab) to accompany their new track “The Alien”. Clocking in at a substantial 9:32 “The Alien” is the opening track from Dream Theater’s forthcoming A View From the Top of the World – the band’s 15th studio album.
“It’s the first one we wrote together,” explains John Petrucci, whose electric guitar work on the new track sounds as dazzling as ever. “It gives people a window into what it was like when we initially met up after all of those months off. It has the adventure, the untraditional structure, the heaviness, and the hooks. It really set the tone for the album.
“James [LaBrie] wrote the lyrics about the idea of terraforming and looking beyond our Earth for alternative settlements. Since we’re going beyond our planet, ‘The Alien’ turns out to be us. I thought it was a cool and creative lyric by James.”
Following the album’s release on October 22 via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music, Dream Theater will be heading out on a 32-date North American tour beginning on October 28 in Arizona and concluding in Florida on December 14. Visit the band’s website here (opens in new tab)for more details.
Pre-order your copy of A View From the Top of the World here (opens in new tab).
Rod Brakes is a music writer with an expertise in all things guitar-related. Having spent many years at the coalface as a guitar dealer and tech, Rod's more recent work as a journalist covering artists, industry pros and gear includes writing hundreds of articles and features for the likes of Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar World, Guitar Player and MusicRadar, as well as contributions for specialist books, blogs and social media. He is also a lifelong musician.
