It’s a new year and Dream Theater isn’t wasting any time getting back to work. Guitarist John Petrucci has checked in online with a photo update, showing off the band’s studio and suggesting that recording is about to commence with the caption, “Let the fun begin …”
Petrucci, recently speaking with Metal Insider, revealed that the group was in the early phases of preparing for a new disc. He explained, “So far it’s not very developed at all. We’re scheduled to go into the studio in January … We have a handful of ideas we compiled while we were on the road, and we have those archived. And since I got back from the road, and have had some time off, I’ve been spending more time compiling, writing and demoing some things.”

The guitarist said that there is a definite direction that’s in place for the new album and all of the details concerning players and studio time are locked in. While Petrucci was reluctant to talk about the specific direction, he did add that he prefers not to wing it when heading into the studio. He explained that the band members have met and everyone is on the same page and in the right headspace toward achieving their common musical goal.

As for Mike Mangini, the drummer who took over for Mike Portnoy with the band’s last album, Petrucci says this will be the first time he would be included in the writing process. “He going to be in from day one, so we’ll write together as a full group,” says the guitarist. “The tapes that we have from doing that a bit on the road have been incredible. At soundcheck, if I’d come in with an idea and we’d start jamming on it, he was really quick and had great creative concepts. I think it’s going to be a very cool experience.”

-loudwire.com