John Petrucci has opened up on just how much he and the rest of Dream Theater were affected by Mike Portnoy’s departure from the band’s lineup in 2010.
Greg Prato, reporting for Ultimate-Guitar.com:
Portnoy wasn’t just another drummer in a metal band but an integral part of their creative process. Since their inception, Petrucci and Portnoy have made all the important decisions in Dream Theater. Losing one half of this duo was stressful for the band’s loyal following, and you could only imagine how John felt at that moment. Of course, Mike Mangini was a worthy fill-in, but nothing could fully replace Portnoy’s unique groove and creative mind.
When we recently caught up with John Petrucci for an interview, the guitarist reflected on the tumultuous period right after Portnoy left, but also added that they managed to get back on track with Mangini’s help.
“That was a big change for us,” John recalled. “It was very upsetting for us. This is somebody who we’re all best friends and built this band together, and it was a shock that he had decided to move on. So, it was something where we all had to kind of learn what our strengths were, and to carry the band on without him.”
Read more at Ultimate-Guitar.com.
Dream Theater released their massively successful Vol. 1 boxed set in 2024, covering the band’s 1992-1999 studio albums. Today, they unveil the next instalment with Dream Theater Vol. 2.
Volume 2 notably includes the next four highly sought-after studio albums: Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence (2002), Train Of Thought (2003), Octavarium (2005), and Systematic Chaos (2007).
This 8LP boxed set is exclusively available on Rhino.com in North America and via select Warner Music Group stores internationally. Limited to only 2,500 copies worldwide. Order here.
Vol. 2 highlights Dream Theater’s journey through the 2000s, reflecting not only their continuous sonic evolution but also their success in carving out space for progressive metal on international charts. This volume includes the group’s iconic Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence, which features the 42-minute title track that encapsulates their approach to redefining the boundaries of commercial music. This album also introduces drummer Mike Portnoy’s twelve-step suite with “The Glass Prison” and continues throughout the next four albums in their discography. The last chord of Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence serves as the opening chord to the group’s follow-up album, Train Of Thought.
Expanding on the group’s heavier live sound, Train Of Thought is the group’s most traditional metal album, using thicker guitar tones, heavier drums, and intensely targeted lyricism. The album features suites four and five of Portnoy’s twelve-step suite with “The Dying Soul,” a lyrical and musical continuation of “The Glass Prison.” Like its predecessor, Train Of Thought’s final note rings through the beginning of the following, and one of Dream Theater’s most essential albums, Octavarium.
Dream Theater’s Octavarium was a commercial success, bringing the band to the Top 5 in Sweden, Finland, and Italy, alongside the Top 10 in Germany, Japan, and Norway. The album opens with “The Root Of All Evil,” parts six and seven of Portnoy’s suite. The 24-minute title track features orchestral elements inspired by progressive rock leaders Genesis and Yes.
Peaking at #19 on the Billboard 200, Systematic Chaos is Dream Theater’s highest charting album in their career thus far and their first with the metal/hard-rock label, Roadrunner. Leaning into their roots of virtuosic seven-string thrash and metaphorical fiction, Systematic Chaos encompasses the band’s consistent progression in the definitions of rock and metal.
Tracklisting:
Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
Side A
“The Glass Prison”
a. Reflection
b. Restoration
c. Revelation
“Blind Faith”
Side B
“Misunderstood”
“The Great Debate”
Side C
“Disappear”
“Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence Part 1”
I. Overture
II. About To Crash
III. War Inside My Head
IV. The Test That Stumped Them All
Side D
“Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence Part 2”
I. Goodnight Kiss
II. Solitary Shell
III. About To Crash (Reprise)
IV. Losing Time/Grand Finale
Train Of Thought
Side A
“As I Am”
“This Dying Soul”
I. Reflections of Reality (Revisited)
II. Release
Side B
“Endless Sacrifice”
“Honor Thy Father”
Side C
“Vacant”
“Stream Of Consciousness”
Side D
“In The Name Of God”
Octavarium
Side A
“The Root Of All Evil”
I. Ready
II. VII. Remove
“The Answer Lies Within”
“These Walls”
Side B
“I Walk Beside You”
“Panic Attack”
Side C
“Never Enough”
“Sacrificed Sons”
Side D
“Octavarium”
I. Someone Like Him
II. Medicate (Awakening)
III. Full Circle
IV. Intervals
V. Razor’s Edge
Systematic Chaos
Side A
“In The Presence Of Enemies (Part One)”
I. Prelude
II. Resurrection
“Forsaken”
Side B
“Constant Motion”
“The Dark Eternal Night”
“Repentance”
I. Regret
II. Restitution
Side C
“Prophets Of War”
“The Ministry Of Lost Souls”
Side D
“In The Presence Of Enemies (Part Two)”
I. Heretic
II. The Slaughter of the Damned
III. The Reckoning
IV. Salvation
(Photo – Mark Maryanovich)
Did you know BraveWords has an active Facebook Group where you can start your own metal discussion or take part in many other discussions. The BraveWords Facebook Group is the evolution of the old BraveWords message board from years ago.
Bands… feel free to promote your shows and albums.
Podcasts… feel free to promote your new episodes.
Radio Shows… feel free to promote your latest show.
Record Labels… feel free to promote your latest releases
Click to join and start discussing: https://m.facebook.com/groups/bravewordsmetal/
The post JOHN PETRUCCI On How DREAM THEATER Were Affected By MIKE PORTNOY’s 2010 Departure – “It Was Very Upsetting For Us” appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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Greg Prato, reporting for Ultimate-Guitar.com:
Portnoy wasn’t just another drummer in a metal band but an integral part of their creative process. Since their inception, Petrucci and Portnoy have made all the important decisions in Dream Theater. Losing one half of this duo was stressful for the band’s loyal following, and you could only imagine how John felt at that moment. Of course, Mike Mangini was a worthy fill-in, but nothing could fully replace Portnoy’s unique groove and creative mind.
When we recently caught up with John Petrucci for an interview, the guitarist reflected on the tumultuous period right after Portnoy left, but also added that they managed to get back on track with Mangini’s help.
“That was a big change for us,” John recalled. “It was very upsetting for us. This is somebody who we’re all best friends and built this band together, and it was a shock that he had decided to move on. So, it was something where we all had to kind of learn what our strengths were, and to carry the band on without him.”
Read more at Ultimate-Guitar.com.
Dream Theater released their massively successful Vol. 1 boxed set in 2024, covering the band’s 1992-1999 studio albums. Today, they unveil the next instalment with Dream Theater Vol. 2.
Volume 2 notably includes the next four highly sought-after studio albums: Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence (2002), Train Of Thought (2003), Octavarium (2005), and Systematic Chaos (2007).
This 8LP boxed set is exclusively available on Rhino.com in North America and via select Warner Music Group stores internationally. Limited to only 2,500 copies worldwide. Order here.
Vol. 2 highlights Dream Theater’s journey through the 2000s, reflecting not only their continuous sonic evolution but also their success in carving out space for progressive metal on international charts. This volume includes the group’s iconic Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence, which features the 42-minute title track that encapsulates their approach to redefining the boundaries of commercial music. This album also introduces drummer Mike Portnoy’s twelve-step suite with “The Glass Prison” and continues throughout the next four albums in their discography. The last chord of Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence serves as the opening chord to the group’s follow-up album, Train Of Thought.
Expanding on the group’s heavier live sound, Train Of Thought is the group’s most traditional metal album, using thicker guitar tones, heavier drums, and intensely targeted lyricism. The album features suites four and five of Portnoy’s twelve-step suite with “The Dying Soul,” a lyrical and musical continuation of “The Glass Prison.” Like its predecessor, Train Of Thought’s final note rings through the beginning of the following, and one of Dream Theater’s most essential albums, Octavarium.
Dream Theater’s Octavarium was a commercial success, bringing the band to the Top 5 in Sweden, Finland, and Italy, alongside the Top 10 in Germany, Japan, and Norway. The album opens with “The Root Of All Evil,” parts six and seven of Portnoy’s suite. The 24-minute title track features orchestral elements inspired by progressive rock leaders Genesis and Yes.
Peaking at #19 on the Billboard 200, Systematic Chaos is Dream Theater’s highest charting album in their career thus far and their first with the metal/hard-rock label, Roadrunner. Leaning into their roots of virtuosic seven-string thrash and metaphorical fiction, Systematic Chaos encompasses the band’s consistent progression in the definitions of rock and metal.
Tracklisting:
Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
Side A
“The Glass Prison”
a. Reflection
b. Restoration
c. Revelation
“Blind Faith”
Side B
“Misunderstood”
“The Great Debate”
Side C
“Disappear”
“Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence Part 1”
I. Overture
II. About To Crash
III. War Inside My Head
IV. The Test That Stumped Them All
Side D
“Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence Part 2”
I. Goodnight Kiss
II. Solitary Shell
III. About To Crash (Reprise)
IV. Losing Time/Grand Finale
Train Of Thought
Side A
“As I Am”
“This Dying Soul”
I. Reflections of Reality (Revisited)
II. Release
Side B
“Endless Sacrifice”
“Honor Thy Father”
Side C
“Vacant”
“Stream Of Consciousness”
Side D
“In The Name Of God”
Octavarium
Side A
“The Root Of All Evil”
I. Ready
II. VII. Remove
“The Answer Lies Within”
“These Walls”
Side B
“I Walk Beside You”
“Panic Attack”
Side C
“Never Enough”
“Sacrificed Sons”
Side D
“Octavarium”
I. Someone Like Him
II. Medicate (Awakening)
III. Full Circle
IV. Intervals
V. Razor’s Edge
Systematic Chaos
Side A
“In The Presence Of Enemies (Part One)”
I. Prelude
II. Resurrection
“Forsaken”
Side B
“Constant Motion”
“The Dark Eternal Night”
“Repentance”
I. Regret
II. Restitution
Side C
“Prophets Of War”
“The Ministry Of Lost Souls”
Side D
“In The Presence Of Enemies (Part Two)”
I. Heretic
II. The Slaughter of the Damned
III. The Reckoning
IV. Salvation
(Photo – Mark Maryanovich)
Did you know BraveWords has an active Facebook Group where you can start your own metal discussion or take part in many other discussions. The BraveWords Facebook Group is the evolution of the old BraveWords message board from years ago.
Bands… feel free to promote your shows and albums.
Podcasts… feel free to promote your new episodes.
Radio Shows… feel free to promote your latest show.
Record Labels… feel free to promote your latest releases
Click to join and start discussing: https://m.facebook.com/groups/bravewordsmetal/
The post JOHN PETRUCCI On How DREAM THEATER Were Affected By MIKE PORTNOY’s 2010 Departure – “It Was Very Upsetting For Us” appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
Continue reading...