Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater

[Fat Freddy]

(Shrugs shoulders) Doesn't really mean a damn thing to me since I'm not much of a DT fan but people are already freaking the f**k out about this news all over the net... I guess it is pretty shocking news, as Portnoy is credited with being the brains behind Dream Theater.

 

Drummer Mike Portnoy of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has released the following 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 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!)"

[zacharyamelie]

Now that is some seriously shitty news. I've been since Images And Words (BTW, my favorite release of all time, from any band) a pretty big DT fan and Mike has always been the backbone to the band, not only with the music but also the lyrics. For some reason James Labrie leaving would not have been so shocking. I wonder how they will keep going on? I just hope their label doesn't resort to releasing loads of live shit and B sides just to keep sales up.

 

Very sad news indeed.

[Ytseman]

Same here, fan since Images & Words and it's also my favourite album of all time.

 

Though, I haven't been interested in anything really since Falling Into Infinity. I think they died when Kevin Moore left....

[TIM (2)]

He drummed on the new AVENGED SEVENFOLD disc, maybe he's going to join them?!

[JamesEagle]

 

Just don't get the fuss about this band at all. Each to his own I suppose.

[JC_AOR]

Apart from Images and Words, I'm not very familiar with the Dream Theater discography. 'Another Day' is one of my all time favourite songs.

[bangerdave]

Hope the band stay together and i wish Mike all the best in his new adventure.

[Bobbi Flekman]

If they've been doing the recording>touring>recording thing for 20 years I can imagine that you'd want a bit of a vacation. Sad that the others didn't comply. One thing I don't understand is this: I can imagine that you'd want a break from the other guys, but you could be doing things away from the others and just meet each other during soundcheck, rehearsal, and shows. If you'd want a break from touring, then why so busy with different bands?

[Jez]

Sad news for the band, as he is one hell of a great drummer. He has had his hand in so many different projects over the last few years, something had to give I suppose, so I am not that shocked to be honest. Hopefully he will continue delivering great records as he has done in the past with his future projects, and Dream Theater I am sure will continue to be the 'prog 'Collosus' that they are with a new drummer.

[heaven&hell]

I know he's just a drummer but to me Mike along with John was Dream Theater so this is shocking to say the least. I was a big fan at one time but over the last couple of discs I've been uninterested but I will say that they are a hell of a band and are so freaking talented but I always hoped they'd follow the path they started on Falling Into Infinity by having great songs to go with the playing. I just wonder who will replace him since in my mind he's unreplaceable.

[Nick C]

I see A7X have dispensed with his services now....as was to be expected although I suspect Mike Portnoy would have liked to be in the band for the longer haul, I think they're wise to find another drummer rather than maybe gain the dubious reputation as one of MP's numerous projects.