Mike Portnoy leaves DT

[JMD]

Don't know if any of you are Dream Theater fans or not, but Portnoy has posted on Facebook that he has left the band.

Wednesday September 8th 2010

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 *** 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,
MP

[alifeincomplete]

It's heartbreaking. This is the day that music died for me, I'm afraid. I was... stunned... when I heard the news earlier. I feel like I've lost a life-long friend.

[eXperiment63]

It' potentially great for a7x.

[Guffers]

Mark my words this won't last. Its like as if Lars left Metallica, it just won't be the same band. They will get Virgil Donati or someone similar and Mike will be back within 5 or so years.

[JMD]

Quote: Originally Posted by Guffers

Mark my words this won't last. Its like as if Lars left Metallica, it just won't be the same band. They will get Virgil Donati or someone similar and Mike will be back within 5 or so years.

I agree he will probably be back, but the Lars leaving Metallica comparision is way off. Lars is a horrible drummer and could easily be replaced by several guys out there, and it would be an improvement to the band. Portnoy's replacement will not be as easy to find.

Also I hope Portnoy didn't leave to join A7x full time, huge downgrade if he did.

[Guffers]

I don't disagree that Lars is a technically poor drummer but his particular brand of back beat combined with Hetfield's guitar basically defines their sound. Replace Lars and it might sound tighter but it wouldnt sound like metallica.

[Gibbz]

Quote: Originally Posted by JMD

Lars is a horrible drummer and could easily be replaced by several guys out there, and it would be an improvement to the band.

Lars is Metallica. Take him out of the picture and there's no band.

[mrpotatohead5]

Quote: Originally Posted by ABrooks111

Lars is Metallica. Take him out of the picture and there's no band.

As much as they could have some improvement in the ability of the drummer if he was gone there is no replacement for Lars, if your really into Metallica you realize how much he IS such a large part of the band, so much of the sound and image, he is so involved in the live shows. I'd love to hear what James, Kirk, and Rob could do with a different drummer but it would not be Metallica.