I feel quite bad for Mike Mangini, but maybe I just don't have insight and it really was mutual decision...

I think the things were perfectly ok as they was - despite criticism DT were doing fine and Portnoy had a lot of interesting bands to be in (Transatlantic, Sons of Apollo, Liquid Tension Experiment). So I am rather sceptical to this reunion, but we'll see.

*watches and thoughtfully smiles*

I haven't been this excited about Dream Theater in years.

Not a very metal analogy, but... this situation reminds me of John Frusciante's return to the Chili Peppers and their forced parting with Josh Klinghoffer. A newer member has to make way for the living legend, and the aftertaste is somewhat bittersweet.
I'm sad to see Mangini go, at least two albums with him were top notch in my books ('Distance Over Time' and 'A Dramatic Turn of Events'), and he seems like a wonderful person in addition to being a very talented musician. But I also can't deny that Portnoy's return got me excited for the new music, and I can't help but feel a little sentimental about this reunion of the classic and beloved lineup...
I hope they regain the darker vibe which was all but absent on the last LP.
Good luck to everyone involved!

Written by Ellrohir on 25.10.2023 at 19:09

I feel quite bad for Mike Mangini, but maybe I just don't have insight and it really was mutual decision...

I think the things were perfectly ok as they was - despite criticism DT were doing fine and Portnoy had a lot of interesting bands to be in (Transatlantic, Sons of Apollo, Liquid Tension Experiment). So I am rather sceptical to this reunion, but we'll see.

I hope he will continue to contribute to those bands, they make better music as DT since mid 90s

Written by Bad English on 25.10.2023 at 20:19

Written by Ellrohir on 25.10.2023 at 19:09

I feel quite bad for Mike Mangini, but maybe I just don't have insight and it really was mutual decision...

I think the things were perfectly ok as they was - despite criticism DT were doing fine and Portnoy had a lot of interesting bands to be in (Transatlantic, Sons of Apollo, Liquid Tension Experiment). So I am rather skeptical to this reunion, but we'll see.

I hope he will continue to contribute to those bands, they make better music as DT since mid 90s

No, they don't. All those three bands make predictable music, no surprises, nothing fresh really.

Shows how much I care about this band; I didn't even know he left.

Dammit, Mike, make another OSI album instead!

Nothing but respect to Mangini, but DT and Portnoy belong together.

Written by A Real Mönkey on 25.10.2023 at 20:32

Shows how much I care about this band; I didn't even know he left.

Dammit, Mike, make another OSI album instead!

He left OSI even before he left DT. He got upset with Kevin Moore, again. Jim Matheos was more important to that band than Portnoy ever was...

Clearly they are more interested in the "Theater" part than in the "Dream" one...
I like Mike but I feel quite sceptical, too. I don't think they will do any better, unfortunately

Now all they need is a good vocalist.

Written by John_Doe on 25.10.2023 at 20:30

Written by Bad English on 25.10.2023 at 20:19

Written by Ellrohir on 25.10.2023 at 19:09

I feel quite bad for Mike Mangini, but maybe I just don't have insight and it really was mutual decision...

I think the things were perfectly ok as they was - despite criticism DT were doing fine and Portnoy had a lot of interesting bands to be in (Transatlantic, Sons of Apollo, Liquid Tension Experiment). So I am rather skeptical to this reunion, but we'll see.

I hope he will continue to contribute to those bands, they make better music as DT since mid 90s

No, they don't. All those three bands make predictable music, no surprises, nothing fresh really.

As you see it's not in my fav list, but still better as DT after 1995

Spit out my water at this. Always wondered if it'd happen, but never expected.

This isn’t gonna fix DT, they make predictable music and have for the last 15 years. I would be more excited to see them replace LaBrie tbh

Written by John_Doe on 25.10.2023 at 20:39

Written by A Real Mönkey on 25.10.2023 at 20:32

Shows how much I care about this band; I didn't even know he left.

Dammit, Mike, make another OSI album instead!

He left OSI even before he left DT. He got upset with Kevin Moore, again. Jim Matheos was more important to that band than Portnoy ever was...

Absolutely, OSI is and was 100% Matheos/Moore project. Portnoy has no say in that matter
And IMO Gavin Harrison is perfect for a project like OSI, so I don't miss Portnoy that much there...but the DT news are pretty exciting though.

Written by Antidote on 25.10.2023 at 23:35


Absolutely, OSI is and was 100% Matheos/Moore project. Portnoy has no say in that matter
And IMO Gavin Harrison is perfect for a project like OSI, so I don't miss Portnoy that much there...but the DT news are pretty exciting though.

I can't say it's exciting news, but it is good news I guess.

This topic got me dreaming of Mark Zonder returning to Fates Warning....but this is another story

Fates Warning is over and that has been well documented by band members. My wish is that after a couple years they will reconvene and yes, hopefully with Zonder.

I love both Mikes, but I'm excited. After all, Portnoy no doubt helped DT become on of the greats.

The band is almost full original line up again, so what say you guys, are we kicking Jordan out and and handcuffing Moore to the keys for the line-up memes?

Give us something to hang our hat on! Welcome back, Mike!

Written by DystopianWonder on 26.10.2023 at 00:08

Fates Warning is over and that has been well documented by band members. My wish is that after a couple years they will reconvene and yes, hopefully with Zonder.

Yes it's over, but one can dream

Written by Antidote on 26.10.2023 at 09:17

Written by DystopianWonder on 26.10.2023 at 00:08

Fates Warning is over and that has been well documented by band members. My wish is that after a couple years they will reconvene and yes, hopefully with Zonder.

Yes it's over, but one can dream

Zonder's replacement was more than OK.
I hope Fates Warning will make a comeback in the future, their retirement came out of the blue.

Either of them is a great drummer. Portnoy may have much more influence on songwriting, because I'm pretty sure Mangini had no say in that department.

Written by Vellichor on 25.10.2023 at 23:24

This isn’t gonna fix DT, they make predictable music and have for the last 15 years. I would be more excited to see them replace LaBrie tbh

DT doesn't need fixing. If you expect them to be as good as they were in the 90's, that's never going to happen. You will get a decent album (or a couple of songs) from time to time and that's it.

That's... Highly unexpected.

Written by Daniell on 26.10.2023 at 12:28

DT doesn't need fixing. If you expect them to be as good as they were in the 90's, that's never going to happen. You will get a decent album (or a couple of songs) from time to time and that's it.

When I say fix I just mean make interesting music again, they seem to be completely out of ideas. Each new album feels like you’ve heard it before and I don’t think Portnoy will change that. I’m not a big DT fan though so my expectations aren’t that high.

Written by DystopianWonder on 26.10.2023 at 00:08

Fates Warning is over and that has been well documented by band members. My wish is that after a couple years they will reconvene and yes, hopefully with Zonder.

Is it? From the interviews i've read it's more a on hold situation. Jim is quite old but one should never say never.. Elegy did their first live concert in 20 years last weekend. I don't think anyone thought they would come back.

Written by majormalfunction on 26.10.2023 at 14:23

Written by DystopianWonder on 26.10.2023 at 00:08

Fates Warning is over and that has been well documented by band members. My wish is that after a couple years they will reconvene and yes, hopefully with Zonder.

Is it? From the interviews i've read it's more a on hold situation. Jim is quite old but one should never say never.. Elegy did their first live concert in 20 years last weekend. I don't think anyone thought they would come back.

He's not that old, what about the guys of Deep Purple or Uriah Heep then? Both released new music in recent times.

I hope to hear new music, of any kind from Jim Matheos. Ray Alder is quite active, he's been in two bands + a new solo album.

Wasn't expecting this. but with the latest collaboration of liquid an petrucci it makes sense

Written by Vellichor on 26.10.2023 at 13:40

When I say fix I just mean make interesting music again, they seem to be completely out of ideas. Each new album feels like you’ve heard it before and I don’t think Portnoy will change that. I’m not a big DT fan though so my expectations aren’t that high.

I knew precisely what you meant and I was referring to it. I don't think it's realistic to expect a band this old to come up with fresh ideas. I personally enjoy an occasional song from them, but my expectations never rise above sea level.

Written by Daniell on 26.10.2023 at 16:00

Written by Vellichor on 26.10.2023 at 13:40

When I say fix I just mean make interesting music again, they seem to be completely out of ideas. Each new album feels like you’ve heard it before and I don’t think Portnoy will change that. I’m not a big DT fan though so my expectations aren’t that high.

I knew precisely what you meant and I was referring to it. I don't think it's realistic to expect a band this old to come up with fresh ideas. I personally enjoy an occasional song from them, but my expectations never rise above sea level.

As time goes on, there seem to be more and more examples of bands putting out a surprisingly solid late-career album that shows hitherto undetected sparks of life and inspiration (which I would say Distance Over Time is not that far away from being, considering how bad the preceding record was). I don't expect it to happen with Dream Theater (I doubt they can do better than Distance Over Time, and pretty much everything Portnoy's done since leaving the band has been very forgettable), but it's as likely to happen after a major songwriter rejoins the band after a decade-plus away than it is at any other point this late in their career, and particularly for fans who enjoyed their 2000s material but not 2010s material. I doubt more than a few realistically expect an album of the standard of their 90s greats, but if someone's threshold for success is another Train Of Thought or Octavarium-level album instead of another Astonishing or self-titled, then I don't think it's unrealistic for them to hope for this change to 'fix' their trajectory