Dream Theater’s James LaBrie Expresses Hope for New Solo Album + Tour

Dream Theater are just a couple months removed from the release of their double album, The Astonishing, and frontman James LaBrie already has more work on his mind. The singer recently expressed a desire to write a follow-up to 2013's Impermanent Resonance as well as take his solo outfit back out on the road.

In an interview with Carl Begai, LaBrie discussed the issues surrounding getting another solo record underway, stating, “I think it’s just a matter of Matt Guillory [keyboards], myself, and all the other guys making time to get together. It really is a band and me and Matt are really passionate about keeping the same players of the last 10 years." He goes on to mention that him and the keyboardist have talked and "we agree that we definitely have to do another one, we have to follow up Impermanent Resonance with an album that is just as killer. I think it’ll be better. It really is a matter of being able to sit down and put the time and focus into it that it deserves. But yeah, I do believe there will be another one. I really want to do another solo album before I say ‘I’m done, I don’t want to do this anymore…’ or ‘I don’t want to perform live anymore.'”

LaBrie then steered past the album and spoke about his hopes to hit the road with his solo band. “I really want to take the solo band out because a lot of that material begs to be played live. I think it would be incredible to do that," he began, expressing confidence in his band adding, "And with players like Peter Wildoer [drums], Ray Riendeau [bass], frickin’ Marco Sfogli [guitar] and Matt, they’re all incredible musicians. They can pull all that s--t off live, no problem. I would really like to see it happen and I think it would be something where I’d be saying to the fans ‘If you want to see it you’d better come out on this tour because I can’t really guarantee it’s ever going to happen again.’ I’m not saying it won’t happen again, but better to be safe than sorry.”

Dream Theater recently kicked off their North American tour in support of The Astonishing. Each show will see the progressive metal luminaries perform conceptual record in full and will not feature any of the band's previous material. A full list of tour dates can be found at our 2016 Guide to Rock + Metal Tours.

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