There has been a plethora of rumors, misinformation and speculations surrounding the whole Mike Portnoy affair. Here's an attempt to clear up some confusion.

Numero uno: Mike Portnoy didn't get kicked out of Avenged Sevenfold.

Avenged Sevenfold released the following statement a couple of days ago:

"For the past few months, we've been blessed with Mike Portnoy's talent and humanity. When Mike agreed to tour with us, it was only through the end of 2010. We always knew we'd need to find another solution for 2011 and beyond. And it's time for us to take that next step."

And here's what Avenged Sevenfold's manager Larry Jacobson wrote to West Coast Sound denying any correlation between Mike Portnoy's departure and the Australian tour's cancellation:

"The plan had always been for Mike Portnoy to play with the band through 2010. Nothing changed there but it was confusing because Mike gave interviews suggesting he may be touring with the band beyond 2010. There will be another drummer behind the kit for the band's Nightmare After Christmas Tour as well as for the many other dates around the world that are underway into 2011 and beyond.

As for Australia, the timing is completely unrelated. If you've read any of the juvenile and public attacks by the promoter, you can probably figure out why the band had legitimate doubts they could work with him to be able to put on the professional show their fans expect. They're not in Australia every day so each tour needs to be the best the band has to offer."

More importantly: Mike Portnoy is NOT going to rejoin Dream Theater any time soon.

In early December guitarist John Petrucci said the following:

"I know that the big question is "Who is the new Dream Theater drummer?" I also realize that some people are getting frustrated waiting for the news.

Well, auditions went great and we do have someone but we are spending some time getting everything in order before making an official announcement. Let me just say that we are all incredibly excited about our choice and just bursting at the seams to let the world know!"

FYI: Dream Theater will appear at the High Voltage Festival in London on July 24, 2011. So we'll know by then.

And just today Mike Portnoy issued the following statement on his official forum:

"Just for the record, this is indeed true...

Fairly recently, I reached out to the guys to try and make amends and offered to reconcile for the sake of having peace back in our lives... (plus I know how much it meant to alot of the fans...). I figured it was still possible to try and save us because they hadn't made any announcements yet or begun any public activity with another drummer... but sadly, they declined my offer (well, actually their lawyer did... they didn't even tell me themselves...)

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Source:	mikeportnoy.com
Band profile:	Dream Theater

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....

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Dream Theater

Screaming orgasm time for the North American metalheads, ladies and gents.

Iron Maiden are pleased to announce that their forthcoming new studio album will be called The Final Frontier, and is expected be released late summer of this year.

The announcement comes with news of a North American Tour with very special guests Dream Theater to open in Dallas, Texas, on 9th June and finish in Washington D.C. on 20th July, making it Maiden's most extensive North American tour in many years. Also Coheed & Cambria are rumored to be on this tour - Ed.]

Following these shows in USA and Canada The Final Frontier World Tour will travel back to Europe for a few selected major festival and stadium shows with the band planning to continue to many other countries in 2011 (full currently confirmed dates below).

The full Live Nation press release for the North American Tour is posted here.

The Final Frontier 2010 North American Tour

Jun. 09 - Dallas, TX - Superpages.com Center
Jun. 11 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Jun. 12 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center
Jun. 14 - Denver, CO - Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
Jun. 16 - Albuquerque, NM - The Pavilion
Jun. 17 - Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Wireless Pavilion
Jun. 19 - San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheatre
Jun. 20 - Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion
Jun. 22 - Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre
Jun. 24 - Vancouver, BC - GM Place
Jun. 26 - Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
Jun. 29 - Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Center
Jun. 30 - Winnipeg, MB - MTS Center (no Dream Theater)
Jul. 03 - Toronto, ON - Molson Amphitheatre
Jul. 07 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
Jul. 11 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC
Jul. 12 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Jul. 14 - Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagra Pavilion
Jul. 15 - Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center
Jul. 17 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Jul. 18 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Jul. 20 - Washington DC - Jiffy Lube Live

The Final Frontier 2010 European Tour

Jul. 30 - UK, Knebworth - Sonisphere Festival
Aug. 05 - GER, Wacken - Wacken Open Air 2010
Aug. 07 - SWE, Stockholm - Sonisphere Festival
Aug. 08 - FIN, Pori - Sonisphere Festival
Aug. 11 - NOR, Bergen

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Source:	ironmaiden.com
Band profile:	Iron Maiden
Event:	Iron Maiden: The Final Frontier 2010 N. American Tour

Dream Theater have line up the following South American tour dates for March 2010. Support acts are yet to be announced.

Currently confirmed dates are as follows:

3/11 - Santiago, Chile - Movistar Arena
3/13 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Luna Park
3/16 - Porto Alegre, Brazil - Pepsi On Stage
3/18 - Curitiba, Brazil - Master Hall
3/19 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Credicard Hall
3/20 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Citibank Hall
3/22 - Lima, Peru - Jockey Club
3/24 - Caracas, Venezuela - Poliedro

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Source:	dreamtheater.net
Band profile:	Dream Theater
Event:	Dream Theater: 2010 South American Tour

Original news, posted on 09.05.2009

"A Rite Of Passage", the new video from US metallers Dream Theater, has been made available online.

"A Rite Of Passage" comes off the band's forthcoming album, entitled Black Clouds & Silver Linings, which is scheduled for release on June 23 via Roadrunner Records.

UPDATE

"Wither", the new video from US metallers Dream Theater, has been made available online.

"Wither" comes off the band's latest album, Black Clouds & Silver Linings, which was released on June this year via Roadrunner Records.


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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Dream Theater

Sweden's Pain Of Salvation has been confirmed as Dream Theater's Special Guests for their 2009 Australian Tour.

Dream Theater tour dates:

Dec. 01 - Auckland, NZL - Civic Theatre (no Pain Of Salvation)
Dec. 03 - Brisbane, AUS - Convention Centre
Dec. 05 - Sydney, AUS - Hordern Pavilion
Dec. 07 - Melbourne, AUS - Palais Theatre
Dec. 08 - Melbourne, AUS - Palais Theatre
Dec. 09 - Adelaide, AUS - Thebarton Theatre
Dec. 12 - Perth, AUS - Metro City

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Source:	dreamtheater.net
Band profile:	Dream Theater
Event:	Dream Theater: Australian + New Zealand Tour

Progressive metal veterans Dream Theater have announced "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" as the title of their tenth studio album. The band commenced work on the album - their second for Roadrunner Records, following up 2007's "Systematic Chaos" - in October of last year.

Roadrunner will release the record on June 23. In addition to the standard version CD, the album will also be available on vinyl LP, as well as a 3-disc Special Edition CD that will include the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs, the titles of which will be revealed at a later date.

Six weeks prior to the June 23 street date, Roadrunner will release one cover song per week through digital retailers.

Drummer Mike Portnoy and guitarist John Petrucci are once again at the helm as producers, while Paul Northfield mixed the record.

The band will embark on a world tour in support of the album beginning in Europe throughout June which will be followed by the second edition of the band's Progressive Nation tour featuring Zappa Plays Zappa, Pain Of Salvation and Beardfish throughout North America in July/August.

A video for the first single, "A Rite of Passage" will be shot in late March.

The track listing for "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" cover artwork] is as follows:

01. A Nightmare To Remember
02. A Rite Of Passage
03. Wither
04. The Shattered Fortress
05. The Best Of Times
06. The Count Of Tuscany

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Source:	dreamtheater.net
Band profile:	Dream Theater

Prog Metal veterans Dream Theater are currently wrapping up work on their tenth studio album. The band commenced work on the as-yet untitled album - their second for Roadrunner Records, following up 2007's "Systematic Chaos" ? in October of last year.

Drummer Mike Portnoy and guitarist John Petrucci are once again producing the CD, while engineer Paul Northfield will mix the record. Roadrunner Records plans to release the album in early summer upon which the band will immediately embark on a world tour to support it.

Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Dream Theater

Posted on the Dream Theater official site:

The band will release Chaos In Motion 2007/2008, which documents their "Chaos In Motion" world tour, which kicked off June 3, 2007 at the Monsters of Rock Festival in Milan, Italy and concluded almost a year to the day later on June 4, 2008 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It's essentially a travelogue of their most recent touring experience and it hits shelves on September 23. Chaos In Motion 2007/2008 will be available in two configurations: as a double DVD set and as five disc collector's set which includes two DVDs and three CDs, containing 14 live tracks featured in the DVD set and expanded artwork.

The Chaos in Motion Tour was a trek that found the band traversing the globe, playing 115 shows in 105 cities in 35 countries on five continents to hundreds of thousands of fans. It also included the first annual Progressive Nation Tour, an idea that the band had kicked around for a few years and finally launched into action this past spring.

The official content and tracklisting for the DVD are as follows and are subject to change:

Double DVD Set
Disc One:

"Around The World In 180 Minutes" Live Concert Footage

01. Intro/Also Sprach Zarathustra
02. Constant Motion
03. Panic Attack
04. Blind Faith
05. Surrounded
06. The Dark Eternal Night
07. Keyboard Solo
08. Lines In The Sand
09. Scarred
10. Forsaken
11. The Ministry Of Lost Souls
12. Take The Time
13. In The Presence Of Enemies
14. Medley: I. Trial Of Tears II. Finally Free III. Learning To Live IV. In The Name Of God V. Octavarium

Disc Two:

"Behind The Chaos On The Road" Documentary
Promo Videos: Constant Motion, Forsaken, Forsaken (In Studio), The Dark Eternal Night (In Studio)
Live Screen Projection Films: The Dark Eternal Night (N.A.D.S), The Ministry Of Lost Souls, In The Presence Of Enemies Pt. 2
"Mike Portnoy Stage Tour"
"Mike Portnoy Backstage Tour"
Photo Gallery
Deluxe Collector's Edition 5-Disc Set
Chaos In Motion 2007/2008 Double DVD Set PLUS
- 3 CD's containing the live 14 tracks featured in the DVD set
- Expanded artwork and more

A trailer for the DVD can be viewed at this location.

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Source:	dreamtheater.net
Band profile:	Dream Theater

Dream Theater have posted their new anime video for the song "Forsaken" - coming off the band's latest effort "Systematic Chaos" - at their official website. Four more videos are also available at the band's "Nightmare Cinema" videoplayer.

Source:	dreamtheater.net
Band profile:	Dream Theater

The following has been posted on Dream Theater's myspace page:

New York progressive metal pioneers Dream Theater are set to unveil the maiden voyage of "Progressive Nation". A package tour they will headline that will also feature the talents of Opeth, Between The Buried And Me and 3.

The tour is the brainchild of Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy who explains: "I've been wanting to assemble a package tour like this for many years now. With all of the festivals and package tours that go through America, I've been talking with our manager and agent for over 10 years now about doing something that focuses on the more progressive, musician-oriented side of hard rock and metal. I decided it was time to stop talking the talk, lace up and finally walk the walk"

While Dream Theater co-headlined 2005's Gigantour alongside Megadeth, as well as embarking on previous co-headlining runs with both Queensrÿche and Joe Satriani and opening slots for Yes, Deep Purple and Iron Maiden, they have primarily built their 22 year career on the road playing solely to their own audience.

Portnoy comments: "I've always prided myself on personally hand picking new and exciting opening acts to open for Dream Theater in the past. Bands such as Porcupine Tree, Symphony X, Spock's Beard, Fates Warning, Pain Of Salvation and King's X. In all of these cases, it was important for me to pick bands that I respect and admire but also ones that I know our fans will enjoy. And I think playing with DT has helped expand all of those band's fanbases as a direct result. I am hoping Progressive Nation will continue to do the same thing in offering an audience for more daring and experimental acts that otherwise may not get the mainstream exposure they so rightly deserve."

Joining the bill for this inaugural run is Sweden's legendary Opeth who have been enjoying an ever-growing and expanding audience of their own for many years now. DT's Roadrunner Records label-mates will be ready to unleash their new album "Watershed" next spring and Progressive Nation should be a great launching pad for their next World Tour cycle. Guitarist/Vocalist Mikael Akerfeldt adds: "We're very excited about this upcoming tour with Dream Theater. It will be the first tour that we're doing in support of our upcoming record, and also somewhat of a dream come true personally as I've been a fan of theirs for a long time. It's quite intimidating to be on the bill with such amazing musicians but obviously we'll try and give them a run for their money and pull out a few nice licks of our own. I guess we'll need to practice a little bit for this....how boring! Yet, I can't wait for this tour to start and I'm sure we'll have a blast with the DT guys as well as together with the other bands on the bill!"

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Dream Theater
Event:	Progressive Nation Tour

Progressive metallers Dream Theater have posted the following on their website:

After recently celebrating the band's 20-year anniversary, Dream Theater returns with its first-ever best-of collection. Spanning 1991-2005, the two-disc set contains rare single edits, B-sides and a trio of new remixes that spotlight that band's nonpareil musicianship, complex arrangements and amazing songwriting. Dream Theater's Greatest Hit (...& 21 other pretty cool songs) will be available from Rhino on April 1 at all physical retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $19.98 and at all digital retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $12.99.

Referring to Dream Theater's first and only major radio hit, "Pull Me Under," the compilation's tongue-in-cheek title is a testament not only to the band's sense of humor but also highlights the acclaimed New York-based quintet's ability to make music and cultivate a legion of fans on its own terms, without help from radio or MTV. The collection features more than two hours of progressive hard rock from James LaBrie (vocals), John Myung (bass), John Petrucci (guitar/vocals), Mike Portnoy (drums/vocals) and Jordan Rudess (keyboards).

The collection contains three newly remixed versions of tracks from Dream Theater's breakout 1992 album, Images And Words: the aforementioned "Pull Me Under" as well as "Take The Time" and "Another Day." Portnoy says this album presented the perfect opportunity to give the songs a bit of a facelift. "The original mixes always sounded a bit '80s' to me, so we had our good friend and longtime mixer Kevin Shirley give the tracks a bit of an update to sound more like the rest of the Dream Theater catalog. The songs remain the same (no pun intended-Kevin just mixed that album as well), but there are little nuances in the tracks that I forgot were originally there, and it's very cool to hear them again."

The collection's 22 songs are split evenly between two discs, which are divided into "The Dark Side" (the metallic) and "The Light Side" (the melodic). Filled with some of the band's most sinister sounds, the first disc lives up to the billing of "The Dark Side." Longtime fans will appreciate the abundance of alternative versions of classic tracks, including single edits of "Lie," "Home," and "Misunderstood." Disc One concludes with two tracks from the band's 2005 album Octavarium: "The Root Of All Evil" and "Sacrificed Sons."

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Source:	dreamtheater.net
Band profile:	Dream Theater

Dream Theater will be featured as the Xbox LIVE Artist of the Month for the month of December

LIVE members on Xbox 360 will have access to exclusive performance, interview, and behind the scenes footage from Dream Theater's recent tour, themes, gamer pics and more!

Dream Theater will be playing the game "Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge" over Xbox Live THIS WEDNESDAY 12/5 from 5 pm-7 pm EST. Get onto Xbox LIVE and prepare to get pwned by DT. Get all the details on how you can play with DT in "Crimson Skies" at this location.

Xbox Live Game With Fame with Dream Theater

Date: December 5, 2007
Time: 5-7PM (EST)
Game: Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
Gamertags: DreamTheaterMP | DreamTheaterJP | DreamTheater JM (with a space between DreamTheater and JM) | DreamTheaterJL | DreamTheaterJR

Click here for all details.

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Dream Theater

US progressive metal band, Dream Theater have announced their Australian tour for early 2008. All scheduled dates will be "An Evening With Dream Theater" (which means no opening act and 2 sets with an intermission). The dates are as follows:

Jan. 25 - Perth, Australia - Showgrounds
Jan. 27 - Adelaide, Australia - Showgrounds
Jan. 29 - Melbourne, Australia - Festival Hall
Jan. 30 - Sydney, Australia - The Hordern
Feb. 01 - Brisbane, Australia - Riverstage

Source:	dreamtheater.net
Band profile:	Dream Theater
Event:	Dream Theater: Australian Tour

Dream Theater's video for the song "Constant Motion" has been posted on YouTube at this location. The track comes off the group's new album "Systematic Chaos" which was released in the United States on June 5, 2007.

This video is also available now for download in QuickTime format on Dream Theater official website (right-click on the links below and select "Save Target As").
Download "Constant Motion" - Large
Download "Constant Motion" - Small

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Source:	dreamtheater.net
Band profile:	Dream Theater