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Post by shredheadjhj on Sept 9, 2010 18:05:47 GMT -5
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Post by TuskerKevin on Sept 9, 2010 19:33:56 GMT -5
Oh crap.
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Post by Lewis on Sept 9, 2010 19:38:50 GMT -5
Bad news indeed, I just hope it's not permanent..  Who knows, maybe a break would have done them some good  |
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Post by bloodlineguitar on Sept 9, 2010 23:23:24 GMT -5
Yeah i agree they should have taken a break. DT has been one of my fave bands since I first started playing guitar. It's disappointing that Mike had to choose between the band he helped start and just taking a break and jamming with some other musicians.
Why couldn't James quit?
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Post by shreder75 on Sept 10, 2010 7:38:10 GMT -5
I guess I'm in the minority here when I say that I think that band went downhill over a decade ago? lol
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Post by Ayton(e) on Sept 10, 2010 11:23:31 GMT -5
DT were for a long time my favorite band. Images, Awake, and SFAM are all indelibly recorded inside my head and on my list of best albums ever. The last several albums have not done anything for me; I began waning at 6 Degrees, but really lost a lot of respect when Octavarium came out with uninspired writing and weird muffled production like a Fostex 8 track. Seemed like even they didn't care — how could I? So it's sad to see him go, end of an era, but it's a bit like your parents getting divorced when you're 40 and living on the other side of the world.
Since that link in the first message doesn't work, here are the statements.
MP's statement:
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 ass 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
-------
DT's statement: To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with profound sadness -- regret -- we announce that Mike Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has decided to leave Dream Theater. Mike's stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band.
While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that Dream Theater will continue to move forward with the same intensity -- and in the same musical tradition -- that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us. Fans and friends: File this episode under 'Black Clouds and Silver Linings.' As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2010, and we'll follow that with a full-on world tour. 'The Spirit Carries On.'
All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed.
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Post by shreder75 on Sept 10, 2010 12:04:33 GMT -5
Aytone,
I lost them starting at falling from infinity..I always thought they lost something when Kevin left the band....I liked Change of Seasons with Sherinian, but really didn't care for Infinity at all..then Rudess joined up...I always respected his crazy skills but in DT it seemed to make them into a 'let's do this because we can!' rather than 'let's do this because itmakes sense and sounds good'....he added a carnival atmosphere to the band that got old quick
that being said I listened to Images and Awake like it was going out of style..I was friggin' addicted to the band..
then when they started to wane in my estimation I discovered Pagan's Mind and was happy with the then current state of progressive music all over again..hehe
that being said, Mike has been and always will be one of my favorite drummers..
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Post by shredheadjhj on Sept 10, 2010 12:38:50 GMT -5
"Scenes From a Memory" is their last truly amazing album, and it was recorded in 1999. They have had some good stuff here and there after that. "Train of Thought" had some decent tracks, and so does the newer one, but everything after "SFaM" they could have made one albums of really good songs out of.
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Post by shreder75 on Sept 10, 2010 12:41:26 GMT -5
SFAM is what really killed the whole DT thing for me....Train of Thought does have a couple cool songs..and I liked Glass Prison on Six Degrees..but other than that it's kinda been few and far between for me...
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Post by shredheadjhj on Sept 10, 2010 18:33:31 GMT -5
6 Degrees had a couple of really cool movements on it.
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Post by waylay00 on Sept 12, 2010 16:33:00 GMT -5
Aytone, I lost them starting at falling from infinity..I always thought they lost something when Kevin left the band....I liked Change of Seasons with Sherinian, but really didn't care for Infinity at all..then Rudess joined up...I always respected his crazy skills but in DT it seemed to make them into a 'let's do this because we can!' rather than 'let's do this because itmakes sense and sounds good'....he added a carnival atmosphere to the band that got old quick Completely agreed. That's exactly how I feel. Rudess, while a technically talented musician, added a real gimmicky side to DT. The songs on the first few albums with Kevin Moore weren't as "showy," but they were much more melodic and listenable, IMO. It's weird though, because DT seems to have gained more fans who for the most part like the newer stuff instead of the old. |
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Post by shredheadjhj on Sept 12, 2010 17:40:19 GMT -5
It's weird though, because DT seems to have gained more fans who for the most part like the newer stuff instead of the old. I disagree. It seems most of the fans prefer either "Images and Words", "Awake", or "Scenes From A Memory". There's not many people who seem to prefer another one of their albums. |
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Post by waylay00 on Sept 12, 2010 19:53:41 GMT -5
I'm talking about the period before SFAM though. I guess it all depends on where you look though. Most of the younger fans seem to be fine (if not happier) with the newer works, but a lot of them are also into more modern metal bands anyways. People who are more into classic progressive rock and classic hard rock (like Rush, Yes, Genesis, Zeppelin, as well as '80s metal) seem to like the older, early '90s DT. At least those are my observations from several message boards.
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Post by shreder75 on Sept 13, 2010 9:42:20 GMT -5
one thing I've noticed about DT fans though....their hardcore fanbase is just that..HARDCORE....kinda like metallica fans....there are some people who would defend and support them if they put out a polka rap album and say it's the greatest thing since sliced bread..lol
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Post by Dirrty Craig on Sept 13, 2010 9:42:26 GMT -5
This news bummed me out for sure... Scenes from a Memory is by far my favorite too. Perfect from beginning to end. The first 3 were great too.. but I like everything even Octivarium.
They have recorded more music than any other band I think,, it can't all be great.. although I like just about everything they recorded.
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