The Astonishing cover

Released 10 years ago

The Astonishing

Dream Theater · 2016

130 min · 34 tracks · progressive metal · progressive rock

An ambitious rock opera that marries intricate progressive metal with a cinematic narrative experience.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • cinematic narrative journey
  • wave-like pacing dynamics
  • immersive two-part listening
  • emotional highs and lows

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer quick, standalone tracks
  • seek consistent energy throughout

Where this album fits

Career context
Released on January 29, 2016, 'The Astonishing' is Dream Theater's thirteenth studio album and marks their first major conceptual work since 'Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory' in 1999. At this point in their career, the band was exploring new musical territories and storytelling techniques, following a period of lineup stability after welcoming drummer Mike Mangini in 2010.
Stylistic neighbors
Symphony X· Opeth· Fates Warning

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Descent of the NOMACS 1:10
  • 2 Dystopian Overture 4:50
  • 3 The Gift of Music 4:00
  • 4 The Answer 1:52
  • 5 A Better Life 4:39
  • 6 Lord Nafaryus 3:28
  • 7 A Savior in the Square 4:13
  • 8 When Your Time Has Come 4:19
  • 9 Act of Faythe 5:00
  • 10 Three Days 3:44
  • 11 The Hovering Sojourn 0:27
  • 12 Brother, Can You Hear Me? 5:11
  • 13 A Life Left Behind 5:49
  • 14 Ravenskill 6:01
  • 15 Chosen 4:32
  • 16 A Tempting Offer 4:19
  • 17 Digital Discord 0:47
  • 18 The X Aspect 4:13
  • 19 A New Beginning 7:40
  • 20 The Road to Revolution 3:35

Disc 2

  • 1 2285 Entr’acte 2:20
  • 2 Moment of Betrayal 6:11
  • 3 Heaven’s Cove 4:19
  • 4 Begin Again 3:54
  • 5 The Path That Divides 5:09
  • 6 Machine Chatter 1:03
  • 7 The Walking Shadow 2:58
  • 8 My Last Farewell 3:44
  • 9 Losing Faythe 4:13
  • 10 Whispers on the Wind 1:37
  • 11 Hymn of a Thousand Voices 3:38
  • 12 Our New World 4:12
  • 13 Power Down 1:25
  • 14 Astonishing 5:51

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata