Mike Portnoy Leaves Dream Theater
Mike Portony has quit Dream Theeater, in a move that will shock fans of the progressive metal band.
The drummer has released the following statement:
“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 Dream Theater 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 Dream Theater’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 Dream Theater 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 Dream Theater 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 and 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 Dream Theater 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 Dream Theater 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 Dream Theater 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 Mike Portnoy projects!)”
The band, though, intend to carry on have said the following:
“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 2011, and we’ll follow that with a full-on world tour.
“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.”
Find out more at http://www.dreamtheater.net/
Bloody hell, though strangely, I am not that surprised.
However I reckon he’ll be back in the fold in a few years time. After all it is HIS band!
WOW!!!
Very disappointing news; maybe MP would have had more time to recover and chill out if he hadn’t been in three other touring bands this year! Sure he’ll rejoin in the next few years, will be very interesting to see what the rest of DT come up with for the next LP.
Good luck to both sides. If, as it seems, there were ‘issues’ then we can only reel with shock, and then move on…
Holy crap!!!!! Didn’t see this one coming, feel mixture of anger and extreme sadness. Best wishes for the future for both Mike and the Dream Theatre boys.
WOW, didn’t see this coming. Probably not a good move for the band as their star was eventually rising. I suppose it sets them up for a reunion in a few years time.
Good on him. Look forward to his input in many other projects and seeing him wallop the skills with AV7 on the tour in October at the SECC
absolutely gutted… DT and Portnoy have given me 10 years of music as my favourite band. DT will never be the same. He had so much input.
Not a big DT fan but even I didn’t see this coming. Ah well, here’s hoping his new venture with Steven Wilson takes off, it should be amazing cos MP is a fantastic player.
iv been a DT fan for 18 yrs and its a sad news that i read that he had left, anyway all the best to both sides
Can’t see how DT can replace Mike Portnoy….interesting times ahead!!!! Best of luck to all of you…..to coin a phrase…..’The Spirit Carries On!!’
Best of Luck to you all…..’The Spirit Carries On’……
Big fan here, since the beginning and I’m not surprised. I found the last few albums gigs less inspiring and actually thought it would be good to see some change in the band. Too much theme songs lately iyam…
saw the guys on their first tour back in ‘93… have been one of my faves for years and seen them umpteen times! for some strange reason, i wish them to continue – but in honesty, mr portnoy has distinctive drumming, and his sound will be missed. whoever replaces him better be good! good luck to him, and the rest of the dt boys for seeing through it. i am guessing this may be their last album now. ho hum…
I really hope him to continue his Transatlantic adventure as the music played with them is MUCH better than the Dream theatre’s.
Maybe A7X will get to keep him now! Every song on “Nightmare” is much more inspired than anything that was on Dream Theater’s “Black Clouds…” See you on Sept. 24 in Post Falls, Mike!
This is a very sad day for all Dream Theater fans.
Portnoy was not only the drummer he produced, wrote and oversaw every aspect of the band.
The band need to make sure they take there time getting a replacement because finding a drummer who has the same technical ability, creativaty and prog metal mind is not going to be easy.
Good look for the future to both Portnoy and band.
Steve D
ummm I think that the one who should leave is LaBrie!!!!!
Wow i must say am shocked to hear MP has left DT, he was in my eyes DT in many ways,it wont be the same now without him. Who can replace him?? Maybe Joey Jordenson of Slipknot. Anyway i wish DT and MP the very best in there future plans. Lets hope that 1 day MP will return to DT.
I second Marco’s post on this one. DT’s music is OK, but the vocals are way too overblown and pomp-rock for my tastes. I think the Transatlantic records are much more interesting, Maybe now they won’t have to wait another 8 years to make another album.
Yes, it was some shock to read this earlier. Been big a fan ever since I bought the ‘Dream and day unite’ album on vinyl when it came out.
The problem for DT now in replacing him is his enthusiasm as well as the drumming. Very few are capable of filling his big shoes, but one who springs to mind is Virgil Donati who is technically superb and could play DT’s music.
I am a massive fan of Transatlantic so lets hope they now do more especially as Neil Morse is not in a band either. And the Steve Wilson Mikael Arkefelt project should be immense.
Best of luck to both MP and DT. With their musical background I reckon the DT boys will can do a really good album without him.
He must have inherited the Hardest Working Man in Showbusiness role from James Brown, he’s had so many other things going on.
This is probably a good thing for DT. Given MP’s control of the project, he has, in my opinion, led them down a path of less creative writing than in their earlier years. Add to that the cookie monster vocals and other metal cliches which were generally due to what MP was listening to at the time. Without his presence they stand to regain their writing chops and be the more elegant prog metal project they once were.
Having just come back from holiday with no news / radio / tv (may as well have been on the moon!!)… just been told and although shocked not totally surprised. Been following these guys for 19 years so know how hard and relentless their work ethic has been. Still a major blow and interesting to see how the next album pans out….expect a reunion in a year or so
Portnoy should forget about this Avenged Sevenfold nonsense and get on with only truly inspiring outfit he’s played with recently – TRANSATLANTIC! No disrespect to A7X, but Portnoy is truly prog and therefore requires melody and light and shade to bring the best out of him. Unlike A7K, Neal Morse and Roine Stolt achieve exactly that, and with them, Mike is a better drummer for it. Just look at his/their performance at High Voltage – unbelievable! Come on Mike – put your full weight behind Transatlantic now, and make the world a better place…
No wonder you are burnt out Mike.
Too many irons in the fire.
You have spread yourself too thin.
Dream Theater will manage fine without your services.
There will be no shortage of quality stick men ready to take your place.
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