Adrenaline Mob - Barracuda

Source

John Petrucci Solo - LIVE in Tokyo

~ one of his best ever in my opinion.


Source

BONUS:   Here is Mike Portnoy's take on the writing of "The Best of Times". (Source)

Liquid Tension Experiment - Acid Rain (LIVE)

in LA, 2008


Via

This is just another example that proves my feeling that John Petrucci and Mike Portnoy were BORN to play together. So tight. I love it. And you know what? Replace Tony Levin with John Myung, and you have Dream Theater without their singer. Not that you didn't know this. How beautiful is this?

Adrenaline Mob - Indifferent

Source

Pretty sure I posted "Undaunted" a few months ago. Here is another new one.

Mike Portnoy's Beautiful Drum Kit (Adrenaline Mob)

Via

Adrenaline Mob - Undaunted

Source

Mike Mangini (Dream Theater) - Live Solo in New Jersey

Via

He's no Mike Portnoy, but he's pretty darn good. Actually, he might be very close - almost as good, but he's nowhere near as creative, IMHO. I've heard & seen dozens of solos better than this one, at least at the beginning. The single-stroked accelerated drum roll, along with the last few minutes of the video are where he shines - he's got incredibly fast hands!! ..Starting at about 4:05 to the end is insane.

Brand New Dream Theater - "A Dramatic Turn of Events"

Well they've done it. Here is the brand new work of Dream Theater - their first effort without founding member and drummer Mike Portnoy. Replacing him is Mike Mangini, and as you'll find, it's hard to even notice MP is gone. Here is the track listing. Each song title links to its own Youtube page. Enjoy!!

1. On the Backs of Angels
2. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
3. Lost Not Forgotten
4. This is the Life
5. Bridges in the Sky
6. Outcry
7. Far From Heaven
8. Breaking All Illusions
9. Beneath The Surface

I'll have my review for you very soon!

DT's homepage

Just Had to Post This Picture of Mike Portnoy's Clear Kit

CTE!

Via

Adrenaline Mob - 2011 Album Teaser

Adrenaline Mob's Facebook page

Dream Theater: The Spirit Carries On - Episode 1

September 2010: Progressive titans Dream Theater were ready to work on their new album when the unthinkable happened. Their drummer and close friend, Mike Portnoy, left the band. Floored, the band invited 7 of the worlds greatest drummers to try out and documented all of the auditions. Enjoy the first episode of the three part series.



This video has embedding disabled by request, so please click on the image above to watch the video - it's wonderful!!

Thanks Øystein!

Dream Theater Minus Portnoy

I am sickened.

The greatest drummer who has ever lived has just made the stupid decision to leave my favorite of all-time band. No, Neil Peart didn't leave Rush. But that's the only analogy I can think of, other than Michael Jordan Leaving the Bulls in 1993 to go play for the Lakers. Or maybe Jerry Seinfeld leaving his own show around season #5 or #6 and choosing to go start his own cooking show.

I am thoroughly sickened that someone would let go of their dream. I don't honestly know if it is Mike Portnoy's dream to be a major factor in Dream Theater for 25 years.. or much longer. It would be mine!

As I posted a few hours ago, Mike Portnoy has decided to leave Dream Theater. I have no idea what he's thinking. Perhaps he's drunk? Or smoking crack. A heroin binge? What a stupid thing to do. Avenged Sevenfold is who he's recently been touring with - filling in for them due to the death of their drummer. Avenged Sevenfold is 1/100th of what Dream Theater is! And the other side projects Portnoy is involved in are probably even less than that in the eyes of most of his fans. DT is MP (and John Petrucci), but more importantly MP is DT!

I honestly don't think I would be as upset and pissed at the same time had the guy been killed in a horrible accident or something! At least that would leave lasting memories of his legacy, legend, and future. As it is now, Dream Theater will certainly struggle to maintain what popularity they did have. In my opinion it was never as high as it should have been. A ton of the millions of DT fans would say that a lot of what DT did have - was in fact mostly because of Mike Portnoy.

I know the other guys are extremely talented, and I sincerely wish John Petrucci the best.. because it's gonna be even harder now. Holy cow..

C'mon Mike - please change your mind. Tons of us will never go to another DT concert without you there. Yeah you got that right.

Breaking News: Mike Portnoy's Leaving Dream Theater

Drummer Mike Portnoy, who has been working with Avenged Sevenfold since the death of drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan, has now issued the following announcement about parting ways with Dream Theater:

"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"

Source - Via Vernon, thanks bud!

Here is Dream Theater's statement.

This truly breaks my heart.. More on this once I collect my thoughts and grieve a little lot.

Drumming Legends - A Megapost

Iron Maiden's Nicko McBrain - Live At Guitar Center's Drum-Off


This man-legend is now 56 years old! Still one of the very best ever to pound the skins..

Neil Peart - And the Masters - At Work


There might not ever be anyone better.

3:03-3:09 OMG!

Neil Peart is now 57, and still rockin'.. My one idol growing up. Certainly one of the dozen men I would give anything to meet in my lifetime. His influence will linger for decades... Simply amazing!



Now there is.. Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater


Currently the best drummer in the world. No doubt about it. Just go listen to some Dream Theater.

Old, and long 80's hair, but an incredible demonstration:



Iron Maiden

Rush

Dream Theater

Peace

Mike Portnoy - The Count of Tuscany

From Dream Theater's Black Clouds and Silver Linings



My Christmas gift to you!

The 100 Best Rock Drummers Ever

Mike Portnoy, Dream Theater

Well, here it is, The 100 Best Rock Drummers Ever! From early rock 'n' rollers, to metal powerhouses, we've listed the best rock drummers the world has ever seen.

Of course, music and drumming is subjective, and everyone will have their own idea of who the best drummers are. You might not agree with the list and that's fine. It's more of a ball park ranking than anything truly exact.

Ok, we'll start off at the bottom and work our way up to the coveted number one spot.