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

[liamh]

This is absolutely shocking news to come home to.
Mike Portnoy brought so much creativity to metal drumming. And I still think he is 100% the best metal drummer out there.

[lucasreis]

LaBrie should quit, instead of MP. LOL

Seriously, now, I don't think it has anything to do with Avenged Sevenfold. He just want to play different stuff, he wants to rest a little. He devoted all his life to DT and it's normal to human beings to want changes sometimes. Everyone knows that. So, I won't blame the guy. If he's happy about his decision, fans should just support him as a person and not be selfish about it. True, it ....ing sucks, just like when Christian Alvestam left Scar Symmetry, or when Bruce left Maiden, but they are all human beings and have their own aspirations.

[asmegin_slayer]

Originally Posted by Wolfv11

What I think was ridiculous as well was that MP seemed to imply that since he was taking a break that the rest of the band should as well.

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...

Don't know what your version of "taking a break" means but he clearly said that he wants to take a break from DT itself.

20 years of doing that really begs for something new and creative. Even if that means playing/touring with avenge sevenfold.

[liamh]

*cough* Bobby Jarzombek *cough* Replacement *cough*

[_detox]

Originally Posted by Wolfv11

And Portnoy leaving a band that was respectable to go and play sell out bullshit? Is he going to give himself a creepy name too?

I've just read the original statement from Portnoy and not this whole thread, so you'll have to forgive me if I missed an update.

But where the hell did MP actually say he was going to play full time in Avenged Sevenfold?

I'm not sure where you get off deciding who's respectable and who's not. And this is coming from someone who is not a fan of Avenged Sevenfold and not particularly interested in DT's current output either.

[RevDrucifer]

I just saw the news today and am shocked/bummed/speechless.

I've been a pretty die-hard DT fan since 95', have seen countless shows and have followed them nonstop, even if I didn't dig their past few albums like I did Awake or SFAM.

As a fan I've known all along Portnoy's commitment to DT and that's why I find it so ridiculous that they plan on moving on without him.

Is someone going to start writing the set-list like he did? Fit for each city so they don't get the same set between tours?

The Official Bootlegs?
Artwork?
Stage-design?
Video themes?

And as for the comments about Portnoy leaving for a watered-down pop metal band....well, I still don't know how DT fans are NOT fans of A7X because I've essentially viewed them as DT without the filler. (City Of Evil on).

They're not all over the place with the time sigs, but they certainly have enough changes in their songs and I haven't heard ANYONE come out with stuff like they have. You can't tell me shit like "A Little Piece Of Heaven", "Save Me", "Beast And The Harlot", "Afterlife", etc, don't carry some kind of progressive torch with all the twist and turns those songs go through.

I guess people still live in the mindframe that if you sell a lot of albums you suck. The funny thing is when the Slipknot fans give A7X shit for their silly names and say they care more about their looks than their music.

[liamh]

I just thought of something..
What is going to happen to Progressive Nation?!?!

[Wolfv11]

Too much for Portnoy?

This seems like dining at quality restaurants for the past 20 years and then saying your tired of it so you'll go and have some McDonalds.

Maybe he'll learn how to play in Lydian raised 4th?
http://www.youtube.com/v/cEydKC680Ik?fs=1&hl=en_US

[C2Aye]

Originally Posted by asmegin_slayer

You can taste his sweat and spit too!

Petrucci needed covers for his mesa cabs to stop previews of the Portflurry heading his way!

[Seedawakener]

I seriously believe this is good news! THe quality of DT's albums have been getting worse every album since 6DOIT IMO. Portnoy quitting might just shake the band to go in a different direction. Maybe, just maybe they'll put out something fresh next time. DT has released nothing that could even touch the brilliance of I&W the last few years. These are all my opinions. What element will DT be losing when Portnoy Leaves?

[Key_Maker]

May be he'll back to play with Transatlantic/Neal Morse full time.

[Moro]

Originally Posted by Wolfv11

Lars attempting to sue fans for doing something his band promoted in the 80's.
David leaving a band that many people found to be therapeutic (at least when they were teenagers)
And Portnoy leaving a band that was respectable to go and play sell out bullshit? Is he going to give himself a creepy name too?

Lars was standing up against something we all know is wrong. And keep in mind I don't like Lars Ulrich one bit, I think he's a douchebag. But still, his stand was right. Piracy is wrong.

David left the band because he felt he needed to. Portnoy did not leave for A7X and even if he did, how much of an asshole do you have to be to expect someone to accommodate their career to your preferences and musical tastes? Not David, nor Mike owe you shit. Get over yourself.

I love their drumming, they are two of my favorite drummers. Yet if they prefer to do something, it's their ....ing lives. I'm still puzzled by this sort of statements... When did the fans started telling the artist what they should do? How selfish and just plain disrespectful! Live your lives and let your artists, who are human too, live theirs.

[kung_fu]

I agree that this can only be a good thing, for both parties. I don't really dig much DT after 6 Degrees, it seems to me that they are trying to be metal (which is something they fail miserably at imo) and things have certainly grown stale. Too many bands these days just go through the motions. I wonder if Charlie Zeleny (spelling?) would work, i know he plays with jordan.

[TheDivineWing22]

Originally Posted by Seedawakener

Portnoy quitting might just shake the band to go in a different direction. Maybe, just maybe they'll put out something fresh next time. DT has released nothing that could even touch the brilliance of I&W the last few years.

So by fresh you mean going back to their roots?

[Seedawakener]

Originally Posted by TheDivineWing22

So by fresh you mean going back to their roots?

Nope. Never said that. Just something progressive for once.

[kung_fu]

Hopefully, with mike gone, DT will finally get an outside producer to shake things up.

[TheDivineWing22]

Originally Posted by Seedawakener

Nope. Never said that. Just something progressive for once.

I guess that is where we disagree. I've always felt like every dream theater album had its own unique sound which, in my opinion, is progression. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[BenInKY]

Originally Posted by Ibz_rg

Not nearly as devastated as some people here. Sure, it sucks. But shit like this happens. I'm sure it will work itself out in time. If not, listen to your old DT albums. ...., there's 25 years worth.

Yeah really, 25 years is a good run. They already started repeating themselves, so sooner is better than later to quit (if money isn't the main concern).

Originally Posted by MarkB

...., I can't believe it's true. Portney was like half the band, without him alot of everything is going to fall onto Petrucci's shoulders. Who knows what the next album will sound like now.

Yes but Petrucci's shoulders can support 1000's of lbs! (literally)

Originally Posted by Esp Griffyn

C) does not constantly pitch in ridiculous lyrics in a terrible singing voice.

Exactly! I cannot STAND portnoy's voice. Even though he's from the northeast he sounds like a total hick when he sings.

Originally Posted by SD83

he can do a solo record full with songs like "The dark eternal night"...
To be honest, the songs/parts on the last records which I loved the most were the heavy ones (Dark eternal night, the blast beat part in A nightmare to remember, etc). I'm just not that much into their softer side I guess...

I agree with this. DT's 15 minute log sections of total bullshit between the only decent rocking on these last few albums made them unlistenable. If I wanted to hear video game music I'd play Zelda. Kick Rudess out!

Originally Posted by Anthony

Anyway, on the subject

Good. I'm glad he left. He needed to.

Then maybe Petrucci will leave and take the rest of the cheese with him. And then Ruddess will leave and continue to pretend he's a wizard. Then Myung will leave and start another band, where he will let his beta personality get in the way of expressing his musical vision again. And then Labrie will leave and continue to make good music.

Hah, that's pretty funny.

Originally Posted by Dehumanize

How has Portnoy leaving Dream Theater stabbed anybody in the back? It's his decision, he's not obligated to write music for a bunch of nerds.

Yup.

Originally Posted by lucasreis

or when Bruce left Maiden

Bruce left Iron Maiden!? *crawls out from under rock*


The bad elements of DT's latest efforts drove me away: LaBrie's complete lack of annunciation, weird extended segments of video game music and strange noises, faggy contrived lyrics (yes I said it), Portnoy barfing his voice all over songs that were just fine without it, chopping and shuffling song ideas for the sake of being random and songs that are just plain too long.

I have a feeling that the other guys wanted him out anyway and this was their chance to give him the boot.

Anyway, I say 25 years is a good run. Plus I've seen them live 8 times and have the albums I like by them. Creative wells will always run dry, and fans will always eventually get tired of something.

[bostjan]

WOW!



This is quite a shock to me as well. I've always equated Dream Theater with Mike and JP. Without Mike, the band won't be the same. This might be good for the band, it might be bad for the band, and it might destroy the band. Also, this could be great for Mike or it might be a bad decision down the road.

Quite honestly, I thought that the last couple Dream Theater albums have been catering to a different crowd than they used to. I'm not talking going back to Images and Words...I think if you listen to each album from Majesty to Train of Thought, you see that the band morphs from one sound to another quite consistently. I didn't purchase the latest album, and it's the only one I do not own, particularly because it just didn't grab me at all.

So maybe this will provide both parties with some room for growth.

Also, if Dream Theater did break up, (which I could see happening without Mike) I honestly think that it'd be a rocky time for the guys, but that they would continue to prosper in the long run. I think that John Myung has a huge reputation and would easily get plenty of offers. Obviously, JP is very well known and could join any one of several bands. Jordan might be the toughest one to place, but he's also most adaptable. And James LaBrie could spend more time promoting his solo career.

I could see all of this going quite well, in the best case scenario, or terribly wrong...either way I'm nervous but also excited to see if this ends up being a good thing.

[Pauly]

I'm not really fussed. Nothing lasts forever and even people who devote their lives to a skill or craft have periods where they get bored and question themselves, burn out or want to try something different in order to be feel the kind of creative satisfaction they're worried has gone missing. He's entitled to do what he wants, and if the other members wanted him all or nothing and wouldn't let him take an extended break, and he chose the latter, then so be it. Life goes on.

Of course it's sad for DT fans because he's one of the founding members and they've been around so long, but musicians leaving bands they've been in for years is hardly a shocker. It's also sad people are getting all angry at Portnoy like he personally owes them something. Whatever his character, he's been doing something that requires a lot of time, commitment and sacrifice for decades. Give the guy a break. If he wants to sit at home a bit more with his wife and kids, pick and choose his musical endeavours rather than having to be full-time with a band - even if they've been his friends and work-mates for 20+ years - cool, more power to him.

It's easy to criticise him, but he's only human and it's not like anyone else here has ever had to leave a job or location, even if they loved the people they worked or lived with/around for personal/financial/career reasons. The only difference is you (luckily?) don't have thousands of people who have an interest in what you're doing, who'll react differently to your decisions and voice their opinion about it publicly.

[Espaul]

Someone has prob said this, but now we will get that Wilson, Åkerfeldt and Portnoy project

[xtrustisyoursx]

Anyone else hoping Nick Di'Viriglio replaces him? Anyone? Bueller?

[djpharoah]

Can we keep this thread on topic?

[Dehumanize]

Originally Posted by djpharoah

Can we keep this thread on topic?

It looks on topic to me. You mods are ridiculous.

[djpharoah]

Originally Posted by Dehumanize

It looks on topic to me. You mods are ridiculous.

I'll take your opinion when you've been here longer than 6 months