Dream Theater - Mike Portnoy Leaves The Band (UPDATED)
Original news
In the "didn't see this one coming" department, Mike Portnoy has just announced he is quitting Dream Theater. Portnoy issued the following statement on his Facebook fan page he administers himself:
"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 DT 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 DT'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 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...
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 DT 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 DT 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 DT 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 MP projects!)
Sadly... Your fearless ex-leader and drummer, Mike Portnoy"
UPDATE
The rest of the band has made the following announcement:
"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. "The Spirit Carries On."
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."
In the "didn't see this one coming" department, Mike Portnoy has just announced he is quitting Dream Theater. Portnoy issued the following statement on his Facebook fan page he administers himself:
"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 DT 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 DT'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 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...
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 DT 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 DT 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 DT 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 MP projects!)
Sadly... Your fearless ex-leader and drummer, Mike Portnoy"
UPDATE
The rest of the band has made the following announcement:
"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. "The Spirit Carries On."
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."
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| nana.MD Star-Queen Posts: 2052  |
I think DT is not going to be the same, ever...a great band died today 
---- Live how you want just don't feed on me, if you doubt what I say I will make you believe...
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| Angelic Storm Melodious Posts: 6675  |
I really hope for his sake Mike isnt going to be joining A7X on a more permanent basis. Leaving DT for them would be madness, but I can understand why under the current circumstances, he'd want to leave. DT should just take a break, and let Mike come back when he's ready. DT without Mike Portnoy is unthinkable. I normally treat Blabbermouth comments with scorn, but someone said DT continuing without Mike would be like Rush continuing without Neil Peart. Which is absolutely true. Another sad day for metal indeed. 
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| Oskmrgo83 Oskmrgo83 Posts: 222  |
Mike Portnoy is living the same experience that Jason Newsted got in Metallica during the Echobrain era. Stay true for your principles. So, now we have to wait and see what's gonna happen in the near future.
---- Now it's time to... rock!!!!!
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| siavash_eddie Posts: 10  |
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck so its the end of the DT.... i cant imagine dream theater without mike portnoy .... RIP DT ...their music was awesome...
---- Support Music Not Rumors
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| jsillers Posts: 1 |
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| BudDa Elite Posts: 887  |
Huh? What the fuck is happening in the metal world these days
---- Freeze! Step away from the hubris.
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| Aetherius Posts: 219  |
For 15 years this has been my number 1 or 2 favorite band and to hear this makes my heart feel a little heavy. I know all good things come to an end, but I wasnt ready for this. wow... now im just wondering what the next news will be from DT.
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| Lighioana Posts: 1 |
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| ashadows92iq Posts: 21  |
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| Mikyz Posts: 711  |
WoW, that sucks. But at least he isn't lying to himself, it's good for him but really bad for DT and its faithful fans. Unfortunately, there's no doubt that the consequences will be heard in DT's future endeavors.
---- Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone.
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| Fat & Sassy! Elite Posts: 3857  |
Having worked with A7X, being with Dream Theater STILL seem too gay for him. (Seriously though... This is a shame, but eh... I feel that they've kinda been losing their spunk for a while now. I am a little interested to see what they can do without him though. Although, I will forever love most of the work DT did with him in the band.) Oh, and tomorrow, maybe STEVE HARRIS will leave Maiden! :O
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| Aetherius Posts: 219 |
Lol and dave mustaine will leave megadeth(sarcasm) -- uhh, dam we dont wanna start jinxing stuff do we!?? strange year for metal -.-
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| Thryce Retired Staff Elite Posts: 4346  |
Written by Nacur on 09.09.2010 at 05:16 Hi there, I'm Thryce, at your service to ruin your day, [Link]. Written by ashadows92iq on 09.09.2010 at 09:41 I know right. This is like Ginger Spice leaving the Spice Girls all over again
---- Your favorite band sucks.
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| Ellrohir Heaven Knight Posts: 8664  |
Because Avenged Sevenfold is obviously a better deal...
---- My rest seems now calm and deep Finally I got my dead man sleep 
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| Zhao The Arkaholic Posts: 104 |
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| Mamad Posts: 2 |
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| vezzy Stallmanite Posts: 3493  |
I wonder what else is on the news.
---- Licensed under the GPLv3. Relinquish proprietary software for a greater GNU/America.
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| Eeric Account deleted |
Eeric
Account deleted
Nice, now the only thing what was annoying in dream theater is gone, and that was portnoy's being arrogant towards his band mates, seemed always to me that they were only tools for him. And he got pawned  but why all you saying that metalcore did this? just wondering..
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| Aetherius Posts: 219 |
Guess cuz of his summer touring with emo metalcore avenged sevenfold maybe
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| Warman Erotic Stains Posts: 7695  |
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| Ag Fox Angel No More Elite Posts: 4774  |
Written by Introspekrieg on 09.09.2010 at 04:15I lol ed so hard on this
---- loves 小巫
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| Daniell _爱情_ Elite Posts: 6063  |
They should disband. I'm sure there is a drummer that can replace Mike, but I can't imagine that his creative input can be replaced. DT are like Led Zeppelin. They should not continue without one of the members.
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| Forsaker Posts: 57  |
Im not a big fan for DT , but it's really sorry when you read news like this so good luck Mike and DT keep metal guys
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| Ivor Staff Posts: 5310  |
Written by Daniell on 09.09.2010 at 11:59 I wouldn't actually be so sure about that. It might turn out that they'll start putting out a bit different material. Now that MP is not participating, maybe someone else will step in in the writing phase. As far as I recall, Myung hasn't been writing much recently, and there were some great songs written by him in the early days. So, in general, I have a mixed feeling about it. Sure, it sucks that MP left. But given that he did so much of the work overall, someone ("sometwo," "somethree"?) else has to step in, and thus things are bound to change. Whether for better or worse is yet to be seen. I.
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| DrM DreaMutilated Posts: 131  |
Written by Ivor on 09.09.2010 at 12:18 I couldn't agree with you more. Dream Theater for me is a landmark, a band to which I compare almost every Prog band I stumble upon and it's very sad to see Portnoy leave. Still, I can always dream (pun intended) of the day he might go back, but who knows? Maybe they'll go to a new direction now, and a change is almost always refreshing.
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| nb Posts: 248  |
This is shocking, I did not think they would part ways, but it is understandable from Mike's arguments and also from the bands side. I would expect a slight change in their music now, without Mike's input, but they are such great musicians that the output will be awesome. Mike did not say what he was going to do specifically, but more Transatlantic would be awesome. Good luck to both sides, and as a big fan I will follow both their projects.
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| Kingface Posts: 335  |
Gotta be the Metal Music shock of 2010...for now at least! It is a shame and it'll be interesting to see what he ends up doing and what Dream Theater end up doing. If I ever was gonna see DT, I would've liked to have see them with Portnoy, but oh well.
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| TemplarLS Posts: 48  |
Why?why?why? plz dont do this to me!!!!! U leave most tallented musicans in the world because of avenged sevenfold??? DO u know what are u doing?!
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| Vombatus Potorro Posts: 2357  |
By Oden's beard ! I thought i'd never live to see Mr.Portnoy leaving DT to join... avenged sevenfold ? WTF ?! 
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