Heavy Metal Soap Opera (The Mike Portnoy vs. Dream Theater Saga)

[BigPhi84]

Oh, also, I never like the Mike Portnoy lyrics. They were always so elementary. Here's hoping that DT will let John Myung write some more lyrics for the band.

Oh, and also, the mixes that Portnoy produced never had enough bass guitar. Hopefully, John Myung can turn himself up again.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

why, oh WHY couldnt it have been LeBrie?!?!!?!

Joking aside, I'd rather see LeBrie go as well.

 

[splinter8451]

Joking aside, I'd rather see LeBrie go as well.

He tried to leave back when his voice blew out for those couple years but the band wouldn't let him because he was the voice of the band, and I agree with the band

 

[scherzo1928]

Joking aside, I'd rather see LeBrie go as well.

this is how ive felt about DT the past 10 years or so

 

[Demeyes]

I did not see this coming. I'm fairly concerned because he had a big say in the bands running, the music, setlists and concepts. He'll be easily replaced for gigs but writing could be pretty different without him so the results could go either way.
He'll be back though, I'd say we'll see him back in the DT camp within a few years.

 

[Origin]

...I think I just felt my heart break for the first time in a few years.

I really hope he ends up going back after stretching his legs, that band is the fuckin world to me, as I'm sure it is to many others.

 

[Hemi-Powered Drone]

If not Gavin, maybe Neil Peart would be a good replacement drummer.

 

[blister7321]

^ +1 to dragonblade

but holy shat i just died inside

 

[Andrew]

neil peart would be interesting. but yeah we all know mike is up with the times and the trends.. and loves all sorts of modern music while maybe the others arent? and he wants to relax and maybe start something new. gotta respect it! it's a bummer and a sad day though : [

 

[QuambaFu]

Holy shit about this. Lately I've been a casual fan of DT but this is pretty huge news considering how stable(not crazy and pretty level headed) they have been it's pretty big news.

Portnoy is the 7th trending topic on twitter right now.

 

[AdamMaz]

I must respectfully disagree, as IMO, their latest album is their best since Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence.

Which minus "Glass Prison", wasn't that good.

 

[Waelstrum]

This can't be real, Portnoy seemed to me like he was more than just a drummer, it was like he was a conductor that had drums instead of a baton. In the writing process he was at the front, leading a lot of those awesome rhythms that helped define progressive metal. What he did was more than just bashing skins and keeping a beat, he was musically one of my favourite drummers. I normally ignore the drums and listen more to melodies and harmonies and stuff, but with Dream Theater there was so much going on that you hear it a new way every time, and a large part of that was Mike.

Sure they can get someone to play the way he played, and indeed someone who can keep a steadier beat than him. But what about his input in the writing process?

(I swear to god, they'd better find a good temporary replacement, if it's a drum machine I'll cry.)

 

[splinter8451]

Here's LaBrie's answer to all of this...

 

[davemeistro]

I will poop if they hire Bobby Jarzombek.

 

[scherzo1928]

Here's LaBrie's answer to all of this...

Dont get me wrong, i really like Labrie's singing, and actually I have all his solo albums, It´s just that... sometimes he can be waaay off. In the 3 shows i saw them, i didnt see Myung, Portnoy, Rudess or Petrucci miss a single note... But on one of the shows Labrie's voice was horrible.

 

[Justin Bailey]

hey guyz wouldn'tit be sweet if they got buddy rich toplay with them!????LOL AWEZXUME

 

[MetalBuddah]

A part of me just died inside. This is the biggest shock in the metal world in a long long time. I can't imagine them without Portnoy...but maybe this could be a good turning point for Dream Theater. Who knows....

If one thing is for certain, I saw his last ever live performace with Dream Theater at Jiffy Lube Pavillion on July 20th.

Im sad

 

[pineappleman]

WHAT. THE. FUCK!?

WHAT

THE

FUCK!?!!

 

[Demiurge]

That sucks, but it might not be the worst thing ever for the band (Kevin Moore already left- he can't leave again!).

They've been going in (IMHO) the wrong direction for awhile and perhaps James LaBrie, given the quality of his own work, shouldn't be bearing the blame for everything that DT doesn't do well. I think they need to stop pretending to be a heavier band than they're capable of being and get back to basics. Maybe they should get Gavin Harrison in the fold so they can have a tasteful progressive rock presence in the band.

 

[Xiphos68]

If he honestly left Dream Theater then I don't think Dream Theater will even continue to be honest. But this really stinks though.

But I also have a feeling he might come back as well. Lord willing.