Mike Portnoy Quits Dream Theater!!!!!! WTF!?

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!)"

I can't believe I just read that. Really shocking news since I thought he was basically the brains behind Dream Theater.

Oh well all things come to an end it isn't like they were the biggest draws anymore!

Wargod51

Well they aren't quitting he just left but who the hell is going to replace him?

Wayne, this is your shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You heard Wayne, LOL.

This is quite shocking news. I never saw it coming especially since I saw Dream Theater earlier this year, they all seemed to be having a great time on stage and the setlist was focused very much on the new album which I thought was great. Even though I wasn't as familiar with Black Clouds as with their older material, I thought it was fresh for a band of their caliber not to rely on fan favorites in concert.

On that note I'm glad I caught Dream Theater live with the last line-up.


As for Dream Theater continuing on:

I don't think there will be a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy - of course stranger things have happened, look at the current version of Sepultura: there no original band members left. However I am not sure Dream Theater fans will want nor appreciate the band without the mastermind behind it. Plus it takes a full line-up and the chemistry they had to call it Dream Theater.

If either Geddy Lee, Neil Peart or Alex Lifeson suddenly left Rush, it wouldn't be Rush anymore. That chemistry would be gone no matter who would replace a departing member.

Maiden and Priest suffered due to replacing prominent band members. Even though neither Halford nor Dickinson were original band members, their impact on the music went so deep that replacing them was as fatal as though they had been the main brains behind those bands.

And lets not even get started on Axl Rose and the current incarnation of GNR ...

I for one wouldn't tolerate a Dream Theater without Portnoy, it just wouldn't be the same band.

Truth is, Portnoy is making a lot more money with Avenged Sevenfold. He didn't have to join that band, this whole "burn out" was of his own making. The other guys didn't agree on taking the hiatus because they haven't been doing anything...Portnoy likes to take on a ton of projects for whatever reason. This is his fault. I wonder what Myung has to say...

Alex Dee Rokket wrote:

This is quite shocking news. I never saw it coming especially since I saw Dream Theater earlier this year, they all seemed to be having a great time on stage and the setlist was focused very much on the new album which I thought was great. Even though I wasn't as familiar with Black Clouds as with their older material, I thought it was fresh for a band of their caliber not to rely on fan favorites in concert.

On that note I'm glad I caught Dream Theater live with the last line-up.


As for Dream Theater continuing on:

I don't think there will be a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy - of course stranger things have happened, look at the current version of Sepultura: there no original band members left. However I am not sure Dream Theater fans will want nor appreciate the band without the mastermind behind it. Plus it takes a full line-up and the chemistry they had to call it Dream Theater.

If either Geddy Lee, Neil Peart or Alex Lifeson suddenly left Rush, it wouldn't be Rush anymore. That chemistry would be gone no matter who would replace a departing member.

Maiden and Priest suffered due to replacing prominent band members. Even though neither Halford nor Dickinson were original band members, their impact on the music went so deep that replacing them was as fatal as though they had been the main brains behind those bands.

And lets not even get started on Axl Rose and the current incarnation of GNR ...

I for one wouldn't tolerate a Dream Theater without Portnoy, it just wouldn't be the same band.

I agree with what you are saying. I saw them open for Maiden, and they were better than The actual headliners of the night. I can see the band going into a more mainstream sound just like Systematic Chaos was heading

I have a feeling that many side projects are about to come active again, Dream Theater with out Portnoy has some pit falls,

ZetaReticuli wrote:

I wonder what Myung has to say...

He'll probably say "Dream Theater will be ready in 15, 10 minute".

Phoenix Reign Drummer wrote:

ZetaReticuli wrote:

I wonder what Myung has to say...

He'll probably say "Dream Theater will be ready in 15, 10 minute".

Well, that's the most he's ever said in 20 years of being in the band

ZetaReticuli wrote:

This is his fault. I wonder what Myung has to say...

I wonder if My Chemical Romancing are looking for a bass player?

I agree that Portnoy is now and has been the real creative force behind DT from the beginning. I think that they will have HUGE problems trying to find someone to fill not just the throne behind the kit, but also the other aspects of being in a band. I hope they can be successful in the future, who knows,maybe this is the kick in the butt the other guys need to get them out of the rut they've been in the last few years. And by the way, I'm not really the biggest fan, I love prog but for some reason DT never got to me.

He was probably bored playing with DT. I know I was the last couple times I've seen the live.

Good. I always felt he was holding them back...

Wargod48 wrote:

Oh well all things come to an end it isn't like they were the biggest draws anymore!

Wargod51

Really? They're still pretty damn big, dude.

Either way, they'll find another drummer. All shall be well.

ZetaReticuli wrote:

Truth is, Portnoy is making a lot more money with Avenged Sevenfold. He didn't have to join that band, this whole "burn out" was of his own making. The other guys didn't agree on taking the hiatus because they haven't been doing anything...Portnoy likes to take on a ton of projects for whatever reason. This is his fault. I wonder what Myung has to say...

Truth is? How the hell do you know what the truth is? God, music fans can be so ridiculous at times! Dude said his heart wasn't in it. Maybe he's just being honest! Holy crap! Crazy concept, huh?

Bad news. Loved his work with DT

he's a great drummer, no doubt he'll be snapped up as a permanent member of Sevenfold. my guess is that had a role in this anyway.

whatever the case, hopefully DT will get some as equally capable both in the drums & in the song writing.

Terrible news, but the decisions that Mike makes, are his decisions and thats part of life. If his heart wasn't there then it's time to move on. Mike will always be apart of some type of project and I personally would love to see him continue with A7X. If not whatever he is part of will have a huge draw...

As far as Dream Theater goes they will be fine. I mean they still have John Petrucci and John Myung, two of the best musicians on the planet.

Phoenix Reign Drummer wrote:

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!)"

Hopefully he'll go into a better metal band

Wow...I never thought I'd see the day. I always thought he'd be the first to go (burnout) but it being his band pretty much I figured he'd dissolve it....I'm surprised the other guys will continue as DT in name without him...25 years and a dozen albums and having the leader walk out...

The other guys can do what they want...they have every right to the name as much as they've worked for and under it...I just think it'll be strange...I guess Petrucci & LaBrie will take over...