Metal Reviews

He's a phenomenal drummer but they can get other guys to take his place. I think the center of the songwriting should be around the strings, as it's a lot easier to write a drum beat than a guitar solo. I don't like the fact that he was trying to take away from the traditional DT sound.

Inferno for DT!!!

I'm obviously still conflicted about this because I am such a huge fan, but mark my words, the next DT album will be the best of their career or will completely suck. Mike brings good things and bad things to the band and it will be really nice to see what they have to offer without those constraints. If I were Petrucci, I wouldn't have been so gracious about the drummer controlling the band and having one of the best guitarists in the world in the band with everyone else being just as virtuosic. This might be like separating Lennon and McCartney where they each brought something that was essential and separately it doesn't work. But we've heard all the various members of DT shine on their own before in many different ways and to be honest, it looks good right now as a fan.

As long as they don't bring in Joey fucking Jordison, the most overrated drummer in the world.

I'm hoping with Portnoy gone they're going to stop associating with that sort of band altogether.

Amen to that...

Open Letter to Mike,

I don't even know where to begin. I have been a DT fan since 1988, I have seen 27 shows, purchased at least 5 of every studio album, all the ytsejam albums, t-shirts, mugs, clocks, gold packages, plat packages, the damn book. I have purchased the albums for countless people for gifts, I have spent tens of thousands of dollars in DT gear and tix and turned hundreds of people on to your music. Needless to say I'm hurt and disappointed. DT is my escape from my crazy life.

While I can respect your decision, I just don't understand the burn out comments. You CHOSE to do everything that you did, you wanted control and you got it. Honestly do you think you will not burn out with this 'emo' band or any other act? Touring is tough no matter who you are touring with. DT was always supposed to be your number 1 priority, but obviously things change.

The thing I don't understand is how you can even begin to UNDERSTAND what it really means to be 'burnt out'.

YOU: Professional musician, you meet everyone you want to meet, you get to see the world, doing what you love for a living, never looking for your next paycheck, have gear given to you, never worried about losing your house and having food on the table. I know you worked very very hard to get there, but even still, you are living the dream and so many of us wish we had a fraction of that lifestyle.

ME: Slinging cars 70+ hours a week to feed my family and never seeing them. Hardly making the bills because the economy crashed. Doing a job I HATE, and dealing with the depressed masses in this economy to tray to make an honest living. Just like you I worked very hard to get everything I have. I am burnt out beyond belief, but I will keep on trucking because I am NOT a quitter!

You want to leave, do what you need to do, I can totally respect that, but don't complain about 'burn out' I would love to walk in your shoes for a day and be 'burnt out' in that regard.

Unfortunately I am a fan of my team. Being a huge sports fan, if Tom Brady left the Pats to go to the Jets, I would not support him, I would never be a Jets fan. This is no different, I am still a Patriots fan, and I am still a Dream Theater fan.

Having said that, I will return my 2 copies of A7X immediately after work. I only purchased it because you are on it. I hate the music, especially the singer, and the guitarist can't hold a candle to JP. The music is boring, transparent, and weak (just being honest not mean). As good as you are, you are no longer part of the team that I call my favorite band, so I will not spend a single dime on future projects.

I know I am just one person, one fan, and I know losing one fan isn't a big deal for you, you have hundreds of thousands. I don't post much here, but I visit often, I plan on staying away from this site and deleting any MP tweets/feeds. I can't bear to see the DT badges taken off in exchange for that emo band!

Either way, as upset as I am, I wish you the best. Your music has been a gift to us all. It has got me through some of the hardest times in my life. I wish you health and happiness. I wish your family the best and may you find what you are looking for. Thank you for everything you have done for all DT fans. I am deeply saddened, as this is where we part ways as artist/fan, but as everyone else is saying here, the spirit carries on.

Much love, much respect and best wishes,
Justin

Yeah, it's funny how seriously people take it.

I'm airing on the side of this being a good thing in the end for Dream Theater. With Portnoy gone, I doubt we'll hear much "DAY AFTER DAY AND NIGHT AFTER NIGHT RECOUNTING THE EVENTS DID THEY EVER SEE THE RED LIGHT" or "KINDESS! COURTESY! SELF-RESTRAINT! INVENTORYYYY!" anymore, because God knows we don't need any more of that shit.

I always thought they must have known how daft that sounded, and went with it for fun. Aren't they friends with Napalm Death? They know what proper growlers sound like. But yes, potential new dawn for DT, not a bad thing at all.

Agreed and I'm looking forward to hearing new DT as well.

So is Portnoy going to play along and start dressing like A7X?