Dream Theater

alantig · 20 Sep 2006

Mike Portnoy announced that he's leaving DT tonight on his Twitter feed and web site. He basically said that he was having more fun w/his side projects, including filling in for The Rev in Avenged Sevenfold, and that he needed a bit of a break from DT because he's been so heavily involved. The other guys apparently decided to continue without him.

(For all you DT fans, I apologize for buying the Petrucci guitar and breaking up the band.)

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

We saw DT open for Iron Maiden over the summer and it seemed that playing MSG was the high point for the band. Guys from LI always dream of playing to the home crowd at the Garden and they finally had achieved that.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

Portnoy is one of the best drummers in the world by far-a big, big loss. Seems they did not see eye to eye.

From Anti-Music.com:

Mike Portnoy dropped a bombshell on Dream Theater fans on Wednesday, announcing that he is leaving the group after 25 years.
Portnoy is currently playing with Avenged Sevenfold, taking the place of drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan who was found dead in his home last December.

Both Dream Theater and Portnoy have issued statements about splitting (you can read both in full below) but Portnoy summed us his reasons for leaving by saying, ""After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater"

Here is his full statement: "I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write: After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater....the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century. To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....

After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater... Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DT guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them...it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break...

Dream Theater was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985...24/7, 365...never taking time off from DT's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was 'off' between cycles)...working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band...

But I've come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.

We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here & there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a 'hiatus' to recharge our batteries and 'save me from ourselves.'

Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather...I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be...

While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes....

Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DT and I talked about 'always following your heart and being true to yourself'...sadly I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater...and I would simply be 'going through the motions,' and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.

I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come...I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played....

I'm sorry to all the disappointed DT fans around the world...I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work...I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)...but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within....

You DT fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me....(and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future MP projects!)

Sadly... Your fearless ex-leader and drummer, MP

Dream Theater issued this statement: "To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with profound sadness -- regret -- we announce that Mike Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has decided to leave Dream Theater. Mike's stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band.

While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that Dream Theater will continue to move forward with the same intensity -- and in the same musical tradition -- that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us. Fans and friends: File this episode under 'Black Clouds and Silver Linings.' As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2010, and we'll follow that with a full-on world tour. 'The Spirit Carries On.'

All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

Dream Theater have chosen a replacement for drummer Mike Portnoy, who sensationally quit the band earlier this year.

The prog metal outfit will name their latest member soon, and begin recording a new album in January.

Meanwhile, Portnoy has revealed that his departure from the band he formed and named left him “heartbroken.” But he feels he had no choice because the outfit were experiencing advanced symptoms of burnout – with one member refusing to spend any time backstage with the others.

Guitarist John Petrucci tells Artisan News: “We had some auditions several weeks ago and we’re going to start recording our latest record in January.”

“It wasn’t easy. We’d been in a band with Mike for nearly 25 years. Him leaving the band was a major shock and a major heartbreak. The whole thing has been difficult – but we look ahead to the future positively.

Portnoy took the decision to quit after his bandmates refused his original suggestion for them all to take a break. He recently told Classic Rock Prog: “I’d be lying if I didn’t say I am devastated they chose to continue without me.

“After giving my heart and soul, blood, sweat and tears to the band for 25 years, I hoped they’d value me and our relationship enough to respect my need for us to take a little break. I am truly heartbroken over their decision.

“It also kills me that in the past the guys would never question or even debate my direction within the band. They always let me call the shots and always trusted my vision and guidance. Then, with such a huge and personal conflict, they disagreed with me for the first time – on the biggest decision of them all.

“On the surface it may seem that life was great and full steam ahead, but beneath the surface, there was a lot of friction and burn-out. We had one band member who would literally not even sit in the same room with the rest of us for years now. We’d only see him on stage or at meet and greets. Other members did a lot of complaining about the day-to-day stuff. These are obvious signs of wear and tear.

“Of course, in the wake of this split the guys have to pull together, so I’m sure they will surely look at these issues and change them. I’m just saddened they wouldn’t wait for me to do it.

“Them choosing to move on without me it is ultimately going to seriously damage our relationship, as well as the legacy I spent so long building and protecting.”

Portnoy made his shock announcement while touring as stand-in drummer for Avenged Sevenfold, following the death of Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan last Christmas. He’s decided to extend his stay with A7X into next year, although he’s stopped short of saying whether he’s going to join them full-time.

Dream Theater were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame earlier this week.

Jimbo · 19 Jul 2006

Invisible Pedestrian wrote:

Dream Theater were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame earlier this week.

I've lived here for 50 years and didn't even know we had a LI Hall of Fame!

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

I have their two Rhino CD set that has a one disc titled ther Dark and the other the Light in my car and played last week during my monthly drive to Naples. Very cool and at times intense band, which of course is to my liking.

Rick A.

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

They are awesome live. Nice to hear that they've got a new drummer and will continue on.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

It’s been a dramatic year for Dream Theater, with founding member and effective bandleader Mike Portnoy suddenly quitting.

But the prog metal outfit’s lead guitarist says that wasn’t the worst moment of his year – that came when the band were on tour in support of their heroes, Iron Maiden.

Petrucci explains: “During our set Mike decided to go off on a medley of Maiden covers. I’d normally be able to hang off that in my sleep, since I know just about every song.

“But in all the excitement I forgot the guitar I was playing was in drop-D tuning – so I just butchered one song after another.

“It turns out that, unbeknownst to me, Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith was standing right beside me the entire time. Oh well – it’s not like it was in front of an Iron Maiden crowd or anything!”

The split with Portnoy does figure largely in Petrucci’s review of the past twelve months, however; and he appears to suggest the drummer’s touring stint with Avenged Sevenfold is to blame for his departure from Dream Theater.

Asked what his personal theme song for 2010 would be, he replies: “I Will Survive – for obvious reasons.”

And Petrucci says the biggest lesson he learned this year was: “Don’t let your drummer fill in for another band.”

The band have chosen a replacement sticksman and will start work on a new album in January. They’ve asked their fans to show patience while they iron out contractual details before naming their new member.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

Avenged Sevenfold have explained why Mike Portnoy could not remain with the band into 2011 – and they say the drummer agrees with their sentiments.

Last week the ex-Dream Theater man announced he’d been dismissed from the band he’s been standing in with since their sticksman, Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan, died last Christmas.

The move followed a series of interviews in which Portnoy had suggested there was the possibility of becoming a full-time part of A7X.

Now the band explain: “We’re not ready to add a permanent member – and we don’t know if we’ll ever be. If we do, it will be someone who’s not only a brilliant drummer but someone we’ve gotten to know well, and who the fans get to know and hopeful accept.

“Mike and the band agree it can’t be him. Why? Long before there was an Avenged Sevenfold there were members of this band who looked up to Mike.

“Jimmy learned a lot from watching Mike play. He’s also a brilliant writer and producer. But because of all that, the world would always see it as Avenged Sevenfold with Mike Portnoy.”

A7X manager Larry Jacobson says confusion was caused by Portnoy’s discussion of a potential future, raised after he dramatically quit Dream Theater in September.

Jacobsen explains: “The plan had always been for Mike to play through 2010. Nothing changed, but it got confusing because Mike gave interviews suggesting he might tour with the band beyond 2010.

“There will be another drummer behind the kit for the Nightmare After Christmas tour in January and many other dates round the world in 2011 and beyond.”

Last week A7X frontman M Shadows suggested another reason behind Portnoy’s departure was the band’s distress over the way he dealt with his split with Dream Theater.

Meanwhile, Portnoy has revealed he tried to rejoin Dream Theater soon after he’d quit – but the band said no via their legal counsel.

The drummer says: “I reached out to the guys to try and make for the sake of having peace back in our lives. Plus I know how much it meant to a lot of the fans. Sadly, they declined my offer – well, actually their lawyer did. They didn’t even tell me themselves. Please stop asking me to go back to Dream Theater. The door is now shut.”

Portnoy is now working on prog musicians Neil Morse’s upcoming album in Nashville.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

(I have heard it's Mike Mangini who is incredible and used to play with Extreme and Steve Vai, but don't know if that's true or not)

The long wait for the announcement of the new Dream Theater drummer is almost over, with details of the announcement to be made public on Thursday, April 21.

The band’s label, Roadrunner Records, has advised fans to head to the band’s Facebook page at 11 a.m. (EST) on that date to sign up for the mailing list and to receive details about an exclusive look at the audition process and to find out exactly when and how the new member will be named.

Dream Theater conducted three days of intense auditions with seven drummers in New York City just over a month after Mike Portnoy parted ways with the group. “The departure of our lifelong bandmate and friend was an unexpected and truly heartbreaking blow,” guitarist John Petrucci said. “The fact that as a result of that event we’d be introduced to seven infinitely capable and uniquely talented drummers was heartening.”

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

Roadrunner sent over the official word about Mike Portnoy's replacement in Dream Theater: A little more than a month after drummer Mike Portnoy's sudden departure from Dream Theater, the band held three days of auditions in New York City. Over an incredibly productive three-day period, the band played, jammed and spoke candidly and at length with seven of the world's greatest drummers.
The remaining members of the band got to know the candidates musically, personally and professionally and thus assessed the fit of each drummer's incredible chops with the band's trademark prog-rock sound.

After intense consideration, the band has unanimously chosen drummer Mike Mangini (Extreme, Steve Vai, Annihilator) to fill the seat behind the kit which was left vacant by Portnoy's departure late last summer.

Dream Theater began telling their intense tale on April 21st when the band took to its Facebook Page to give fans a glimpse into the audition process. A video tool that was powered by new technology prompted fans to 'like' the page in order to unlock exclusive content. Much to the joy of fans, a trailer for the 3-part documentary series on the audition process was then revealed. Those that 'liked' the page then received updates on when and where the actual documentary would be airing.

The series, which is featured on Roadrunner Records' YouTube Channel, has received an overwhelmingly positive response from fans and critics alike and amassed over 1.5 million views in one week's time.
Additionally, both Dream Theater and Mike Mangini were trending topics on Twitter this past Friday, behind only Royal Wedding-related topics.

Keyboardist Jordan Rudess reflected on Mangini's audition saying, "From the first countoff to the very last note of the final song, every beat Mike played was not only in perfect time, but also executed with an undeniable sense of virtuosity and musicality."

The band has always been extremely sensitive to the fact that this is not only a monumental decision in their own lives, but also a critical moment in the lives of fans around the world, and has treated their announcement of their new rhythm section anchor with incredible respect to the band's legacy.

"The departure of our lifelong bandmate and friend was an unexpected and truly heartbreaking blow," said guitarist John Petrucci. "The fact that as a result of that event we'd be introduced to seven infinitely capable and uniquely talented drummers was heartening. But when we played with the infectiously positive powerhouse of a drummer that is Mike Mangini, we knew we had found a silver lining to what has been, by far, the most challenging episode in our musical lives."

Bassist John Myung explained that "Mike Mangini is inspiring to us on many levels. His attitude and outlook are entirely positive. His total immersion into performing with us is undeniable, and during the audition, we all felt his strong musical and personal presence. At the same time, we also felt a real unity. He will open up our creative potential. It was destiny at work for us to have found the right person at the right time."

Going into the auditions, singer James LaBrie had a strong vibe for Mangini's potential. "I had the privilege of working with Mike on three of my solo albums, so I knew he would be a huge contender. He is without a doubt one of the most intelligent, intuitive, interpretive and virtuosic musicians I have ever played with."

Mangini is completely cognizant of the demanding rhythmic and artistic responsibilities he'll be expected to take on as the band's new timemaster, as well as how deeply the band's history and relationship runs with DT's passionate and dedicated followers. "I went to work diligently on the audition material far beyond just learning the songs," explained Mangini, who, upon taking up the mantle for DT, gives up a coveted faculty position at the Berklee College of Music. "I imagined myself onstage with them, giving the fans what I know Mike Portnoy – who is obviously a legend – always worked so hard to provide. For his sake, as well as for the fans and the band's, I fought hard to earn the privilege of carrying on the spirit of Dream Theater. At the same time, I wanted to honor Mike's incredible drumming and musical interpretations. This band has a phenomenal past. DT's fans are so passionate about DT's music. They deserve to hear the songs they know played as they love them. I'm responsible for that now."

With the addition of Mangini to the band's lineup, Dream Theater moved forward into the studio to begin recording their third release for Roadrunner Records. Guitarist John Petrucci reprises his role as producer, and Paul Northfield (Rush, Queensryche, Porcupine Tree) assumes the same engineering position that he has had on Dream Theater's previous two Roadrunner releases. The band will kick off a world tour in July 2011.

Mangini, for one, cannot wait to get on the road and show the Dream Theater fan base why he was the chosen one. "I am just busting at the seams on being the new drummer for Dream Theater," he said. "Digesting the incredibly challenging catalog, exploding with creative ideas, and anticipating what James, John, John and Jordan will come up with collectively and individually for new music and a fresh stage show is going to be really exciting and fun for me. I consider this opportunity the absolute pinnacle of my career. I can't even imagine what untapped and future musical genius is inside of these guys; I can't wait until we get into the studio together. Playing with these guys…it's the mountaintop. This is where I want to be."

alantig · 20 Sep 2006

The audition videos are great. DT wouldn't have gone wrong with Marco Minneman, either - that guy is a freak. There's some showmanship during his audition that shows a level of confidence and cool under pressure that is hard to believe. Especially when you hear these great drummers talk about how nervous they are.

And give it up for DT - their audition process was well thought out and intelligent.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

Pretty intense stuff here-no wonder the band moved on.

Mike Portnoy admitted to Dream Theater that quitting the band had been a mistake, says keyboardist Jordan Rudess.

But when he asked to rejoin it was too late – they’d already replaced him with new drummer Mike Mangini.

Portnoy astonished the band and fans by quitting last September while he was on tour with Avenged Sevenfold. They auditioned seven sticksmen before settling on Mangini in December. Once he’d been given the job Portnoy asked if he could come back.

Rudess tells Music Radar: “When Mike told us he was leaving I sat on the steps of my studio and cried. This is a guy who’s a friend of mine, who we all love and admire. We didn’t want to see everything come crashing down. The whole thing brought me to tears.

“But we realised we had to find a way to keep going. So we found these seven amazing drummers to check out. That was very emotional too – how tdo you bring a new guy into a situation where you’ve been with somebody else for so long? It was a very heavy thing.

“We found Mike Mangini, who we thought was great. We realised it could work, that we could do it.”

Rudess says the band were re-energised and set to work on a new album when Portnoy dropped his second bombshell.

“Mike came to us and said: ‘Guys, I’ve reconsidered – I made a mistake.’ He wanted to rejoin. It was like, ‘Oh my God, you can’t do this to us. You can’t pull the rug from under us like this.’

“But Mike Mangini had resigned from his professorship at Berklee College of Music. He has a wife and kids. We’d invested in him and our future.

“It was hard. You throw up your hands and go, ‘This can’t be happening.’”

Guitarist John Petrucci says he had reservations when Portnoy hit the road with A7X, and when that led to his decision to leave DT he tried to warn the drummer it was a bad move.

“I remember he told me he was going to play on their album, which was okay by me,” says Petrucci. “But then he told me he was going to go on tour with them. I remember telling him, ‘I don’t think that’s such a good idea.’ We had some pretty intense conversations about it.

“Doing projects, that’s fine. We all do outside things. But playing in somebody else’s band, and to that degree – that’s different. I thought it was treading dangerous waters.

“When he came to quit, the biggest thing we did was tell him, ‘Don’t do that, Mike. It’s a mistake.’ We gave him all the reason you could give. We said, ‘Mike, this might seem exciting right now, but you’re going to wind up unhappy.’ We tried to tell him that.”

Portnoy had originally suggested Dream Theater should go on a five-year hiatus, but his bandmates couldn’t accept that. Rudess says: “That was a major blow. Five years? That’s a big statement. This is what we do, we make our livings from it, we enjoy it. You can’t stop it cold like that. He did try to sell us on it, though. He’s great with the whole rock’n'roll vision thing – but we just couldn’t swallow that concept.”

But with the dust settled, and DT aiming to release their new album in September, they hope they can preserve their friendship with Portnoy.

Petrucci says: “We’re still working things out between us, but I hope we can remain friends.”

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

Dream Theater have confirmed a North American tour for 2016, to feature performances of The Astonishing in full.

The run begins on April 14, following a series of theatre appointments across Europe, starting with the debut of their 13th album in London on February 18 and 19.

The follow-up to 2013’s self-titled work is released on January 29. The band recently described it as “a sonic story that is our most ambitious creative work to date.” They continue to reveal elements of the concept via their website.

North American tickets go on sale at 10am local time today (December 18).

DREAM THEATER 2016 TOUR DATES
Feb 18: London Palladium, UK
Feb 19: London Palladium, UK
Feb 22: Amsterdam Carre Theater, Netherlands
Feb 23: Amsterdam Carre Theater, Netherlands
Feb 24: Amsterdam Carre Theater, Netherlands
Feb 26: Oslo Konsethus, Norway
Feb 27: Oslo Konsethus, Norway
Feb 28: Oslo Konsethus, Norway
Feb 29: Oslo Konsethus, Norway
Mar 01: Stockholm Cirkus, Sweden
Mar 02: Stockholm Cirkus, Sweden
Mar 04: Hannover Kuppelsaal, Germany
Mar 05: Paris Palais de Congres, France
Mar 06: Paris Palais de Congres, France
Mar 08: Copenhagen Dr Koncerthuset, Denmark
Mar 09: Berlin Friedrichspalast, Germany
Mar 10: Bochum Ruhrcongress, Germany
Mar 12: Vejle Store Sal Vejle Musikteater, Denmark
Mar 13: Brussels Forest National, Belgium
Mar 14: Nurnberg Meistersingerhalle, Germany
Mar 15: Frankfurt Alte Oper Hall, Germany
Mar 17: Milan Teatro Degli Arcimboldi, Italy
Mar 18: Milan Teatro Degli Arcimboldi, Italy
Mar 19: Milan Teatro Degli Arcimboldi, Italy
Mar 22: Stuttgart Liederhalle Hegel-Saal, Germany
Mar 23: Zurich Kongresshaus, Switzerland

Apr 14: Quebec City Le Capitole De Quebec, QC
Apr 15: Montreal Bell Centre, QC
Apr 16: Toronto Sony Centre, ON
Apr 18: Albany Palace Theatre, NY
Apr 19: Boston Orpheum Theater, MA
Apr 20: Wallingford Oakdale Theatre, CT
Apr 23: New York Radio City Music Hall, NY
Apr 26: Greensburg Palace Theatre, PA
Apr 27: Cincinnati Taft Theatre, OH
Apr 30: Chicago Theatre, IL
May 01: Minneapolis State Theatre, MN
May 03: Denver Paramount Theatre, CO
May 07: Los Angeles Wiltern, CA
May 10: Portland Schnitzer Auditorium, OR
May 11: Seattle Paramount Theatre, WA

JosephC · **Joined:** 27 Jan 2011 **Posts:** 2647

I am currently making a run through the Dream Theater catalog and, as usual, blown away by much of what this band did. Listened to Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence last night and enjoyed it immensely. Even when they release something that is sub-par for their normal standard, it's still pretty damn good when compared to all the stuff that's out there. Falling Into Infinity isn't a great Dream Theater album, but if I stacked it against all the other albums in my collection it would still probably rank in the top 1/3rd. Scenes From a Memory is a rare album that I would give a perfect score. That's right, in the exact same category as Led Zeppelin IV or Moving Pictures.

Up for listening tonight, Dream Theater's live rendition of the Iron Maiden classic, The Number of the Beast.

Mark MN · 13 Aug 2012

I own every CD they released. The only bad album, IMO, is The Astonishing. I tried and tried, but can't get into it.

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

I was so lucky to get to see them last year in the moderately sized Paramount club located near many of their hometowns on Long Island. And even better, the performer my favorite DM album Images And Words.

JosephC · **Joined:** 27 Jan 2011 **Posts:** 2647

Mark MN wrote:

I own every CD they released. The only bad album, IMO, is The Astonishing. I tried and tried, but can't get into it.

Umm, yeah, a real dud among an otherwise pretty damn good catalog.

I waited to comment until I got to it in the DT marathon. I really hadn't listened to The Astonishing since it was first released, and one never knows how time might change an opinion. I got to it tonight and what a snooze-fest. Have to wonder what this would have turned out like if Portnoy hadn't left?

alantig · 20 Sep 2006

I did not remember that I started this thread with the news that Mike Portnoy was leaving Dream Theater.

But today, it comes full circle with the news that Portnoy is returning.

https://dreamtheater.net/dream-theater- ... e-portnoy/

Quote:

GRAMMY®-winning, progressive music titans Dream Theater are announcing the return of drummer Mike Portnoy to the group. Portnoy will reunite with guitarist John Petrucci and bassist John Myung – the trio formed the band at the Berklee College Of Music in 1985 – along with longtime members, vocalist James LaBrie and keyboardist Jordan Rudess. Dream Theater will be going into the studio to begin working on their 16th studio album and the first with Portnoy since 2009’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings.

“I understand Dream Theater’s decision to get Mike Portnoy back at this time,” states Mike Mangini. “As was said from Day 1, my place was not to fill all the roles that Mike held in the band. I was to play the drums in order to help the band carry on. My main role of keeping our live show working tightly on a nightly basis was an intense and rewarding experience. Thankfully, I got to experience playing music with these iconic musicians, as well as some fun times laced with humor. I also really enjoyed spending lots of time with the crew. And then there’s the GRAMMY® win, which was amazingly satisfying. To the fans: thank you so much for being amazing to me. I cherish the pictures I have of you all losing your minds and having fun. Finally, I really love the band, crew and management and wish them and the entire organization all the best.”

“Mike Mangini’s drumming is otherworldly and I’m extremely grateful for the time he spent with us in Dream Theater. I’m very proud of all the amazing music we made together that culminated in our first GRAMMY win last year and the countless magical moments that we’ve shared on stage over the past 13 years. I wish him all the best of success in his future musical endeavors,” explains John Petrucci. “I’m incredibly excited to welcome Mike Portnoy back into Dream Theater! As an original founding member, longtime friend and incredibly talented and creative drummer, I know that his return will bring a renewed spirit, passion and energy into DT that all of us, including our fans, will joyfully welcome. I can’t wait to roll up our sleeves and get back into the studio together!”

“It’s great to be back true to form with our original drummer Mike Portnoy. We started playing together as Majesty almost 40 years ago and I am excited to see what this next phase of Dream Theater creates for the future. I wish nothing but the best for Mike Mangini for all the blood, sweat and tears he put into DT during his 13-year tenure with the band,” adds John Myung.

“Having Mike Mangini with us all these years has been, quite simply, a terrific ride. He is one of the most amazing and naturally gifted drummers I have had the pleasure of working with. Thank you Mike. Life is a very strange ride and I guess that’s what makes it all the more interesting and forever engaging. Having Mike Portnoy back in the band is exactly where we and things should be. Things have a way of going full circle and in this case, it makes perfect sense. I am excited with the prospects of this classic DT lineup being reunited. I can say with absolute confidence this will be the final incarnation of DT with many chapters still to be written well into our future. Onward and upward guys!! Welcome back MP,” states James LaBrie.

“Mike Mangini is one of the most exceptional drummers on earth and I feel privileged that we got to create a whole body of work with him. I will always be grateful for the time we shared in the Dream Theater Universe,” Jordan Rudess continues. “We are so excited to reunite the core Dream Theater family. There is a resonance of spirit and vision that is unique and goes beyond words within our relationship with Mike Portnoy. On the stage and off there is no denying the magic that happens when we are together. I’m thankful we have the opportunity to work together again as Dream Theater and am looking forward to sharing our excitement and passion with our amazing fans for a long time to come.”

“I am overwhelmed with joy to be returning home and reuniting with my brothers! There is so much shared history between us all…so many memories, so much music…to think we’re coming up on 40 years since this journey began! The idea of creating new music together is so exciting and I absolutely cannot wait to hit the road and get to play live for a whole new generation of fans that weren’t ever able to see this lineup before…There’s no place like home!!” exclaims Mike Portnoy.

Progressive metal pioneers Dream Theater share a unique bond with one of the most passionate fan bases around the globe as evidenced by their three GRAMMY® Award nominations, 2022 GRAMMY® Award win in the Best Metal performance category for “The Alien” and 15 million records sold worldwide. The 1992 opus Images & Words received a gold certification and landed on Rolling Stone’s coveted “100 Greatest Metal Albums of All-Time.” Guitar World placed the follow-up Awake at #1 on “Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994.” 1996’s A Change of Seasons notably soundtracked NBC’s coverage of Downhill Skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Fans voted the 1999 Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory the “Number One All-Time Progressive Rock Album” in a 2012 Rolling Stone poll. Not to mention, it ranked as the “15th Greatest Concept Album” by Classic Rock. 2009 saw Black Clouds & Silver Linings crash the Billboard Top 200 at #6 as A Dramatic Turn of Events [2011] and Dream Theater [2013] maintained a three-peat in the chart’s Top 10. Consequence of Sound dubbed 2016’s The Astonishing, “An absolutely unique experience.” Beyond three platinum and two gold videos, the group was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2019, the band continued to expand its audience when they released Distance Over Time to critical and commercial acclaim. On their 15th full-length and second studio release for InsideOutMusic / Sony Music, A View From The Top Of The World the band continue to challenge themselves and push their musical envelope – something they have done for over 30-years performing together. The band recently wrapped the inaugural DREAMSONIC Tour – a traveling progressive music spectacle that will return for more runs in the future.

Seems to be amicable, at least at this point.

Side note - I remember the YouTube series they did for the drummer auditions, and how close it came to being Marco Minnemann of the Aristocrats, which would have short-circuited that band. I'm glad that didn't happen.

Mark MN · 13 Aug 2012

I'm a huge fan of Mangini and hate to see him go. Incredible drummer. But since Portnoy's been gone, something has been missing in the songwriting. Actually, the first album they did with Mangini is a go-to for me. The song are damn good. After that, something was amiss. Hopefully, Portnoy brings that back. The one thing I didn't like about Portnoy was his grandiose demeanor. Maybe he's learned to tone that down and let his drumming do the talking.

By the way, The Astonishing was dismal.

Bishop Hammer · 03 Sep 2007

JohnG wrote:

We saw DT open for Iron Maiden over the summer and it seemed that playing MSG was the high point for the band. Guys from LI always dream of playing to the home crowd at the Garden and they finally had achieved that.

Same here! They were excellent.

JosephC · **Joined:** 27 Jan 2011 **Posts:** 2647

Mark MN wrote:

I'm a huge fan of Mangini and hate to see him go. Incredible drummer. But since Portnoy's been gone, something has been missing in the songwriting. Actually, the first album they did with Mangini is a go-to for me. The song are damn good. After that, something was amiss. Hopefully, Portnoy brings that back. The one thing I didn't like about Portnoy was his grandiose demeanor. Maybe he's learned to tone that down and let his drumming do the talking.

By the way, The Astonishing was dismal.

Portnoy has a special knack when it comes to song arrangements, wouldn't be surprise if the songs are quite a bit better on the next record. It seems everything where he gets his hands into the songwriting turns out to be good (Dream Theater, Transatlantic, Sons of Apollo, Flying Colors, all the other various Neal Morse projects). I was not that big a fan of A Dramatic Turn of Events (although Bridges in the Sky is one of the best songs they've ever done). I think that album really suffered due to them limiting Mangini to play what Petrucci had but down on the demos. I like the self-titled album the most of the Mangini records, really thought he more commercial style songs on that album were really well done. The Astonishing...can appreciate what they were trying to do but agree with pretty much everyone else that they missed the mark. I thought Distance Over Time was a solid, good prog album but not outstanding. A View From the Top of the World was a huge disappointment to me. I didn't find anything really catchy at all with that record and feel it's the worst collection of songs that they've ever put together (even would probably pop on The Astonishing before this one). By comparison, Falling Into Infinity, IMO the worst album they did with Portnoy, still has some really good stuff on it like Peruvian Skies and Hollow Years...and damn do I ever love Hell's Kitchen. The last record they did with Portnoy, Black Clouds and Silver Linings, I think is a pretty average album in terms of Portnoy-era Dream Theater, but I may pick that album over anything they've done since.

Mangini is a fantastic drummer, and depending on your taste, a better drummer than Portnoy. But I think Portnoy is a better fit for this band and I am pretty excited to see him back in. I don't think this will impact what he does with Transatlantic (I think all involved know that is just too good to let fall by the wayside), but I do have some concerns that it will take him out of much of his work with Neal Morse which would be a shame because almost all of that stuff is top-notch.

Dream Theater

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