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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| DrM DreaMutilated Posts: 131  |
Written by TemplarLS on 09.09.2010 at 13:22 Don't think it's specifically about sevenfold, I rather believe he's just a bit worn out, and who can blame him? Dream Theater are not famous without reason. Either way, this is the band that's taught me to follow musicians, and not just bands and I am looking forwards for what's to come from both sides.
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| SexyCat_1113 Posts: 78  |
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| BloodTears ANA-thema Elite Posts: 11835  |
I don't believe this. It must be some sort of sick joke. Life goes on though.
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| Njord njord Posts: 1129  |
I believe Mike is tired of DT, mainly because there's no more challenges to him in this band. He's the only one of the group that confessed some of his deepest sins and feelings. Now he wants to move on, see and live other reality, release this burden from him. Dream Theater will miss him, but this band is made of constant changes. This is another one. The sound will be different, but that's DT's nature in every new release.
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| corrupt With a lowercase c Admin Posts: 3226  |
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| ponderer Posts: 153  |
Written by corrupt on 09.09.2010 at 14:55 OMG! That's an awesome choice man. I'd wig if he came out of hiding. Incredible INCREDIBLE drummer. As far as the Mike Portnoy thing goes, allow me a few lines here... I've always considered MP to be one the hardest working individuals in the business. He's working with several different projects pretty much all at the same time. He was working on the production of the dvds while the band was touring, working on new material, and keeping himself busy with side-projects all the time. It's one thing to be a guitarist or singer, but the workhorse behind the Dream Theater behemoth was the drummer. The workhorse behind any band is the drummer unless he's a lifeless dope addict pumping out BOOM SPLAT like a slave drone monkey. MP is probably one of the most talented, hard-working individuals there is, and his legacy with Dream Theater will live forever. He's the very definition of progressive rock and metal. Having said that... Transatlantic started to suck balls about the time the religious crap started suffocating the lyrics and music. Watching this band go from awesome to yawn was tragic at best. As far as the other newer stuff Mike is doing I haven't bothered to listen to it since someone on here called it Metalcore. The label alone made me want to choke on my own vomit. Hail might be interesting to listen to but as of yet I haven't heard any of it. If MP needs some space and time, give it to him. He's earned it FFS. The rest of the band doesn't want to stop because they have mouthes to feed and bills to pay, they aren't retarded. It's not like MP is quitting music completely either. He's gotta do what he's gotta do man. Give the guy a break. One last quip before I head back to the real world. To the clueless douchebags who said Dream Theater was on the road to selling out like Metallica? BAHAHAHAHA. Yah that'll happen never. They've been writing some of the heaviest shit ever in their careers. Systematic Chaos and Black Clouds are massive offerings in the progressive metal genre. Good luck Mike and I hope you find what you are looking for.
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| PrettyMao Posts: 86  |
I hear Peter Criss is available. Meeeow!!
---- The Mao loves you all!!! **KISS**KISS**
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| iMPERiAL_iCE Weeping Heart Posts: 1127  |
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH, how the hell do they want us to listen to DT after Mike????? it's just not the same, who's gonna do all the amazing drum fills all over the songs (creatively speaking)???? who's gonna be the one cursing around in all the DVDs???? who's gonna play the whole Twelve-step Suite live like DT promised????? WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?????
---- The older I get.........The faster I was  Smurfilator -- back when Smurf Metal existed :'(
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| Winterthrone Posts: 289  |
Unbelievable, yet time destroys everything, even the greatest bands! Man he probabbly realized there was a lot more money to earn in A7X for less work!
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| Zombie Thrash'tillDeath Posts: 1627  |
Good
----  None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free Johann Wolfgang van Goethe 1749-1832
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| |pyro| Posts: 29 |
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| MikeVonDoom Posts: 335  |
My first post in this forum... and on such a shocking news! Dream Theater without MP isn't the same! I hope that this is a case like when Bruce Dickinson made an hiatus from Iron Maiden! Let's hope for the best!!!
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| BlankFile Posts: 691 |
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| Iced Angel Posts: 24 |
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| Doc G. Full Grown Hoser Staff Posts: 9718  |
Written by Vombatus on 09.09.2010 at 13:45 Nowhere did it say he's joining A7X.
---- "I got a lot of really good ideas, problem is, most of them suck." - George Carlin
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| BitterCOld The Ancient One Admin Posts: 15255  |
My guess is that touring with other bands (not a7x specifically) helped him find a spark or something that has been long missing with DT. maybe it brought the "fun" back. not a DT fan, but based on comments above, it seemed he had a lot of weight on his shoulders within the project, and relationships were contentious. time away in a project without the stress makes the whole thing fun again for him.
---- get the fuck off my lawn. Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
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| timmoe Posts: 89  |
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| Elio Red Nightmare Posts: 4920  |
It was about time. DT have been a joke for the last ten years or something.
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| DreamNightmare Posts: 42 |
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| Crème fraiche Posts: 698  |
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| Axe Argonian Posts: 116  |
If he permanently joins A7X, I'll probably cry many sorrowful tears. Oh well. At least Symphony X is still alive and awesome! 
---- "Man does at all times only what he wills, and yet he does this necessarily. But this is because he already is what he wills." - Arthur Schopenhauer
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| Vombatus Potorro Posts: 2357  |
Written by Doc G. on 09.09.2010 at 18:45 Indeed, but I was just guessing since he just made an album with them, says he gets much more fun and blablabla. If he finally doesn't, well... I'm sorry for posting something incorrect on a metal forum ! 
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| Paradox0 Unasuming Madnes Posts: 592 |
Written by Vombatus on 09.09.2010 at 21:34 Then again, how much do the guys in DT suck to the point that you'd prefer the company of....*ugh* Avenged?
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| Powerslavex Alexskywalker Posts: 777  |
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| X5452 Account deleted |
X5452
Account deleted
My internet is out for 1 day and when it finally decides to work again this is the news I get to read... Very sad news 
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| x-avier Posts: 46  |
For me, DT changed really long time ago. After Kevin moore left, and Labrie lost his voice, the band was completely different from what they reprensented on their first 3 albums. Falling into infinity is a great prog album along with scenes from a memory. But i think MP took to much control of the band. The lyrics came to be written almost every single song from him petrucci or labrie. Myung wrote learning to live, trial of tears, lifting shadows of a dream, kevin moore pull me under wait for sleep 6 o clock I mean the songs that WE LOVE. My point is that if he had remained as the great drummer he is and contributing with the band like THE MIRROR of stuff like that perfect, but when you want to make DT your personal band thats different. All this gothic new style that DT started having, this metallica songs and whatever want you to call them are because of him, all the beatiful prog metal that we love in the 90s was gone. In conlcusion, MP, never saw a better drummer than him, 2 times I saw him live and once he did and improvise solo because petruccis guitar had some problems, and men he WAS the drummer. But thats life, I hope with this DT can come back to their old prog music. Hope you the best Mike
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