Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater

I could be very wrong, but maybe this was either quit the band, Mike, or you will be fired.

CCVP wrote:   I kindly disagree with the fact that they will ever be metal. Hell, most ""metal""core bands aren't even 5% metal IMO. The only exception to that, so far, is Protest the Hero, but all others. . . . It is just hard to understand or to see any metality () in them. And to make it all worse they are filled in the EXTREME METAL subgenre. Ugh, talk about confusing. . .

Edited by TheClosing - September 11 2010 at 15:01

horsewithteeth11 wrote: CCVP wrote: horsewithteeth11 wrote: CCVP wrote: jsem wrote: If it turns out he left DT just to play for A7X full time, I'll be pretty upset. Maybe he will be able to convert them to progressive metalcore? Fixed I kindly disagree with the fact that they will ever be metal. Hell, most ""metal""core bands aren't even 5% metal IMO. The only exception to that, so far, is Protest the Hero, but all others. . . . It is just hard to understand or to see any metality () in them. And to make it all worse they are filled in the EXTREME METAL subgenre. Ugh, talk about confusing. . . You need to hear Converge then. They're hardcore-based and definitely metalcore/mathcore, but they're more extreme than 95% of metal bands. Some others I could recommend: Botch Coalesce Car Bomb (Very Meshuggah-like) I agree a lot of metalcore is generic. But you can find some good stuff if you're willing to look hard enough. A7X isn't a good example of true metalcore anyway.

Will check some of those (if not all). Thank you for the suggestions.

TheClosing wrote: Just because they write their music aimed at the so called mall rat crowd doesn't make it any less metal. There's a lot of made up genres like "emocore" for example. You have to look at the traits of the music and you'll see it's clearly the same music that's been around for quite some time. Don't let the girl pants and eye liner fool you. That's image and not music.  Heavy palm muted riffs? Check! Dual guitar harmonies? Check! w**ky mandatory solo over extended bridge? Check!  High gain amps with scooped mids? Check! Excessive use of double bass? Check! Tough guy vocals? Check!  They play generic metal with Guns N' Roses sentiments.

I, for one, do not care for trends, specially the recent ones. I listen to the music, no matter if the rest of the world or everybody else that lsiten to the guys are a buch of retards. The main proof of that is that I listen to Dream Theater and most of their fans I have ever met are some of the most obnoxious people ever, what cause so much hatred towards their fanbase.

 I have already taken my time to listen to Ax7. A whole album (their latest, before the one MP recorded). Are they heavy? Yes. Are they metal? No. Those are two different things that have little to do with each other: using techniques that became famous or well known for being used for metal bands and actually being a heavy metal bands. 

EDIT: edited the post slightly to make my pov to be better understod. Besides, that song was already recorded WITH MP.


Edited by CCVP - September 11 2010 at 17:13

CCVP wrote:    I have already taken my time to listen to Ax7. A whole album (their latest, before the one MP recorded). Are they heavy? Yes. Are they metal? No. Those are two different things that have little to do with each other: using techniques that became famous or well known for being used for metal bands and actually being a heavy metal bands.  EDIT: edited the post slightly to make my pov to be better understod. Besides, that song was already recorded WITH MP.

A statement by MP's sister on his forum:

"Before I write this, understand that this is MY statement.  Mike might kill me for speaking up, but I just can't sit by quietly.  I guess I'm like Mike in that way.

PLEASE stop reading between the lines with this whole situation. There is no hidden meaning in all of this (is there ever with Mike?  The guy is an open book with his fans!!).  Everything Mike said in his interview with Eddie Trunk, in his press release or otherwise is everything he has been saying to me for the past year, at least.  He LOVES the other (DT) guys and their families.  They have grown up together, married women that were (and are) best friends, have raised their kids as best friends.  They are family.  This was not an easy decision for him as a drummer, founding band member (and band leader) or person. 

Let's put 25 years into perspective.  I am 40.  I met John and John when I was 15.  How many friends do I still have that I have had to live AND work with for the past 25 years?  Not a single one.  I can't imagine looking at the same group of people for that many years and being able to come up with new, fun ideas (that will then be judged the world over).  My friends and I get stuck on doing the same things on random weekend gatherings!    


Remember, this is strictly my perspective here...

You'd think that being a rock star would be 100% fun 100% of the time.  But I know that Mike works extremely hard and takes every bit of this experience to heart.  You might think you know, but you have no idea (to borrow a line from Behind the Music).  It is a part of who he is as a person, it is definitely not just a job.  He's been running at a pace (WITH DREAM THEATER) most people couldn't keep up for a few months, much less 25 years.  He just wants a break.  He wants to have the chance to play with other musicians and be reminded of how special this all is.  He wants to have fun and not be in charge of every detail for a bit.  (And for those of you thinking he should just let others take the reins in DT, all I'll say is that you have no idea what you are talking about.) 

The way I see it, it's not a matter of Mike not wanting to be in DT (Remember, he DOES want to be in DT... he NEVER wanted or planned to leave the band).  Giving up Dream Theater must be like giving up a child for him.  I know it's been horribly painful.  But I am extremely proud of him for recognizing that he needs to be reinvigorated and for doing what he needs to do to make that happen.  You know Mike.  He does not do anything half-assed.  He wants every drop of music that Dream Theater releases to be perfect and fulfilling for everyone.  Right now, he is guaranteeing that he can't do that.  Maybe (apparently) the other guys don't feel the same about this situation, I can't speak to that, but he knows that he needs a break to be able to bring the best of himself to the table.  There is no alterier motive.  He genuinely just needs a break.  He needs a break that allows him to find new inspiration and have some down time.  When he has done his other side projects, if you think he was not also working on DT stuff, you'd be incredibly mistaken.   

I guess I got a bit long-winded there... sorry, but it's torture to sit back and watch my brother getting ripped apart or criticized for making this incredibly INCREDIBLY hard choice.  And for those of you who are supporting/understanding of his decision, I want you to know HOW MUCH it is appreciated. 

Thanks for listening...
~ Sam"

Edited by DisgruntledPorcupine - September 11 2010 at 23:19

DisgruntledPorcupine wrote: A statement by MP's sister on his forum: "Before I write this, understand that this is MY statement.  Mike might kill me for speaking up, but I just can't sit by quietly.  I guess I'm like Mike in that way. PLEASE stop reading between the lines with this whole situation. There is no hidden meaning in all of this (is there ever with Mike?  The guy is an open book with his fans!!).  Everything Mike said in his interview with Eddie Trunk, in his press release or otherwise is everything he has been saying to me for the past year, at least.  He LOVES the other (DT) guys and their families.  They have grown up together, married women that were (and are) best friends, have raised their kids as best friends.  They are family.  This was not an easy decision for him as a drummer, founding band member (and band leader) or person.  Let's put 25 years into perspective.  I am 40.  I met John and John when I was 15.  How many friends do I still have that I have had to live AND work with for the past 25 years?  Not a single one.  I can't imagine looking at the same group of people for that many years and being able to come up with new, fun ideas (that will then be judged the world over).  My friends and I get stuck on doing the same things on random weekend gatherings!     Remember, this is strictly my perspective here... You'd think that being a rock star would be 100% fun 100% of the time.  But I know that Mike works extremely hard and takes every bit of this experience to heart.  You might think you know, but you have no idea (to borrow a line from Behind the Music).  It is a part of who he is as a person, it is definitely not just a job.  He's been running at a pace (WITH DREAM THEATER) most people couldn't keep up for a few months, much less 25 years.  He just wants a break.  He wants to have the chance to play with other musicians and be reminded of how special this all is.  He wants to have fun and not be in charge of every detail for a bit.  (And for those of you thinking he should just let others take the reins in DT, all I'll say is that you have no idea what you are talking about.)  The way I see it, it's not a matter of Mike not wanting to be in DT (Remember, he DOES want to be in DT... he NEVER wanted or planned to leave the band).  Giving up Dream Theater must be like giving up a child for him.  I know it's been horribly painful.  But I am extremely proud of him for recognizing that he needs to be reinvigorated and for doing what he needs to do to make that happen.  You know Mike.  He does not do anything half-assed.  He wants every drop of music that Dream Theater releases to be perfect and fulfilling for everyone.  Right now, he is guaranteeing that he can't do that.  Maybe (apparently) the other guys don't feel the same about this situation, I can't speak to that, but he knows that he needs a break to be able to bring the best of himself to the table.  There is no alterier motive.  He genuinely just needs a break.  He needs a break that allows him to find new inspiration and have some down time.  When he has done his other side projects, if you think he was not also working on DT stuff, you'd be incredibly mistaken.    I guess I got a bit long-winded there... sorry, but it's torture to sit back and watch my brother getting ripped apart or criticized for making this incredibly INCREDIBLY hard choice.  And for those of you who are supporting/understanding of his decision, I want you to know HOW MUCH it is appreciated.  Thanks for listening... ~ Sam"

well we didnt get any on the last one, sooo.... i dont think we'll get anymore ever.

i think there's gonna be some stylistic changes, some drastic, some gradual. you know people are going to love and hate the new one, just as any from the past

darkshade wrote: well we didnt get any on the last one, sooo.... i dont think we'll get anymore ever. i think there's gonna be some stylistic changes, some drastic, some gradual. you know people are going to love and hate the new one, just as any from the past

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