DREAM THEATER have unveiled the full cover and running order for their 34-track album The Astonishing, which is released early next year.

 

The artwork focuses on flying spherical devices they’ve called NOMACs, while three of the eight leading characters in the story – Gabriel, Emperor Nafaryus and Arhys – have been named on the band’s website.

 

DREAM THEATER say: “This album cover extends an ominous invitation into the retro-futurist dystopian setting of The Astonishing.

 

“The deceptively beautiful yet chillingly totalitarian image is a bold harbinger of the visual components and ideas presented by the sonic story that is our most ambitious creative work to date.”

 

The band previously confirmed plans to premiere their 13th album in full on the road, starting with a European theatre tour that kicks off in February.

 

 

TRACKLIST

ACT I

 

01. Descent of the NOMACS 

02. Dystopian Overture

03. The Gift of Music

04. The Answer

05. A Better Life

06. Lord Nafaryus

07. A Savior in the Square

08. When Your Time Has Come

09. Act of Faythe

10. Three Days

11. The Hovering Sojourn 

12. Brother, Can You Hear Me?

13. A Life Left Behind

14. Ravenskill

15. Chosen

16. A Tempting Offer

17. Digital Discord 

18. The X Aspect

19. A New Beginning

20. The Road to Revolution

 

ACT II

 

01. 2285 Entr'acte

02. Moment of Betrayal

03. Heaven's Cove

04. Begin Again

05. The Path That Divides

06. Machine Chatter 

07. The Walking Shadow

08. My Last Farewell

09. Losing Faythe

10. Whispers on the Wind

11. Hymn of a Thousand Voices

12. Our New World

13. Power Down 

14. Astonishing