DREAM THEATER Announces North American Tour Dates

Progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER will release their new album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", on September 13 via Roadrunner Records. The CD, which marks the recorded debut of new drummer Mike Mangini, will be made available in the standard version; a special edition CD/DVD set will include "The Spirit Carries On" a 60-minute movie documenting DREAM THEATERs much-discussed drummer auditions; a double LP set in gatefold jacket; and a limited deluxe collector's edition box set. The "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" deluxe collectors edition box set includes the "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" album; instrumentals of the entire album; the DVD of "The Spirit Carries On"; a double-LP set of "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" (180-gram vinyl in gatefold jacket); DREAM THEATER-branded custom turntable slipmat; and a litho print of album. Also, 50 lucky winners will find a DREAM THEATER "Ticket For Life," which is randomly inserted into packaging. All the content will be housed in a custom box and those who purchase will receive a digital download of the album the day prior to release.

"It's a really cool collection dedicated to the art and music of our forthcoming release, along with a few awesome goodies," guitarist John Petrucci said.

DREAM THEATER is also planning to embark on a massive world tour, where they will play selections from "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", as well as classic, staples and fan favorites. Labelmates TRIVIUM will appear on many dates, supporting their new album, "In Waves".

"We are all very pumped about the release of 'A Dramatic Turn Of Events' this September, as well as the world tour we'll embark upon in support of the album," said Petrucci. "Our first leg will bring us throughout North America where we'll showcase songs from the new album along with tons of fan favorites and a brand new tour production unlike any other that we've done before. We're equally excited to have our friends in TRIVIUM join us. It's sure to be an incredible tour. We're looking forward to seeing all of our friends on the road this fall!"

The initial confirmed run of dates is below, with more to be announced imminently.

Sep. 24 - San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
Sep. 25 - Los Angeles, CA - Nokia Theater
Sep. 27 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SODO
Sep. 28 - Vancouver, BC - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Oct. 03 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre (no TRIVIUM)
Oct. 04 - Pittsburgh, PA - Trib Total Media Amphitheatre
Oct. 06 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall
Oct. 07 - Montreal, QC - Place des Arts
Oct. 08 - Quebec City, QC - Pavilion de la Jeunesse
Oct. 10 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre
Oct. 11 - Morristown, NJ - Mayo Performing Arts Center
Oct. 12 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
Oct. 22 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall (no TRIVIUM)
Oct. 25 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
Oct. 26 - Austin, TX - Bass Concert Hall

"A Dramatic Turn Of Events" deluxe collector's edition:

CD1

01. On The Backs Of Angels
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
03. Lost Not Forgotten
04. This Is The Life
05. Bridges In The Sky
06. Outcry
07. Far From Heaven
08. Breaking All Illusions
09. Beneath The Surface

CD 2

01. On The Backs Of Angels (instrumental)
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down (instrumental)
03. Lost Not Forgotten (instrumental)
04. This Is The Life (instrumental)
05. Bridges In The Sky (instrumental)
06. Outcry (instrumental)
07. Far From Heaven (instrumental)
08. Breaking All Illusions (instrumental)
09. Beneath The Surface (instrumental)

You can now pre-order this set at this location.

In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci stated about the departure of the band's drummer and founding member Mike Portnoy, "I love Mike. We've known each other for so long I met him when I was, what, 17? We went to Berklee [College Of Music] together. We went through everything. He's an awesome guy.

"It was a heartbreaking chapter in our lives, but it's just one of those things in life where there's a big change, and you don't expect it, and what matters is the way face that change. You can embrace it or you can run from it. We just chose to move on."

On the topic of "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", Petrucci said, "It's everything that makes DREAM THEATER what it is. It's all our elements metal elements, progressive elements, melodic elements, and all the playing and fusion elements we've always had. I try to stay pure to the initial conception of our band; we're a progressive band and we're a metal band, mixed.

"We always try to push some sort of boundary and do something that's a little bit different, some sort of element we haven't done before. You'll hear that for sure. You don't want to repeat yourself, but at the same time it's important to stay focused on what makes up the sound of the band.

"My favorite bands growing up were YES and RUSH, so 'Hemispheres', 'Close To The Edge', 'And You An I' those big, dramatic songs are a huge part of what we do, married with the metal sound and melodic sound that makes us unique. That's always be there."