who was the biggest loss to DT

[jonnybaxy]

Just though this would be an interesting question I think it will be between MP and DS

Include reasons, I think that MP was the biggest loss as he was a main writer for the band and made the final decisions, he was also a main founding member and he will be missed (well to me anyway) 

[WheyWaffles]

Just though this would be an interesting question I think it will be between MP and DS

You mean between KM and KM, right?

Include reasons, I think that MP was the biggest loss as he was a main writer for the band and made the final decisions, he was also a main founding member and he will be missed (well to me anyway) 

And rofl.

[jonnybaxy]

Just though this would be an interesting question I think it will be between MP and DS

You mean between KM and KM, right?

Include reasons, I think that MP was the biggest loss as he was a main writer for the band and made the final decisions, he was also a main founding member and he will be missed (well to me anyway) 

And rofl.

What you 'rofl'ing at?

[Elite]

Kevin Moore is the only correct answer here.

[senecadawg2]

I refuse to vote for any of them, because to be honest, I am perfectly fine with the way DT are right now. The strongest case could be made for Kevin Moore, but had Kevin Moore not left, JR never would have joined in. Imagine SFAM and SDOIT with Kevin Moore. Moreover, imagine DT with Kevin Moore, who is not interested in the musical direction the rest of the band is headed.

[Sycsa]

I think having anyone else but Kevin and Mike is pointless.

Some would argue that Derek had more taste than Jordan, but he was obviously limited technically(couldn't play many of Kev's solos accurately) and had a terrible lead sound in my opinion. He also looked ridiculous on stage. On the flip side, he used lots of Hammond and real Leslie speakers, which is a big plus, but I still prefer Jordan by a mile.

We never know how the band would've ended up if Kevin had stayed, he was an amazing musician, composer, lyricist and keyboard player, with a great feel and taste, although I didn't like all his stuff on Awake. I think Jordan is a perfect fit for DT in every aspect and they seem to get along great with JP and inspire each other.

I think we need more time to grasp just how big of a loss Mike's departure was, his personality and presence is strongly missed, at least for me, but judging from the new album, DT seems somewhat refreshed and revitalized, which leads me to believe that the rest of the band is better off without him. We'll see. Wouldn't mind if Mike returned in a couple of years though. 

[Sycsa]

The 2004 reunion was cool, would like to see another one of those.

[Progmetty]

I'd say Kevin Moore but it was a temporary loss compensated by the gain of Jordan Rudess.

[KevShmev]

Gotta be Kevin Moore.  His departure was significant in that they lost a big part of their original sound and a major songwriter, of both music and lyrics.  Had Portnoy left the band 10 years ago, a very strong argument could be made for him, but not him leaving in 2010. 

Moreover, imagine DT with Kevin Moore, who is not interested in the musical direction the rest of the band is headed.

That is kind of an irrelevant point since we have to assume that had Moore stayed in the band, and was still in it to this very day, he'd still be a big fan of their style.

[theseoafs]

Silly poll. The answer is Kevin Moore.

[SeRoX]

Kevin Moore for me. Maybe I'm in the minority here but I'm the one thinks that Kevin Moore was the soul of DT.

[WheyWaffles]

What you 'rofl'ing at?

The only "main writer" DT has lost is Kevin Moore.

[jonnybaxy]

I think having anyone else but Kevin and Mike is pointless.

Yeah but its just for the people who moan 

I think we need more time to grasp just how big of a loss Mike's departure was, his personality and presence is strongly missed, at least for me, but judging from the new album, DT seems somewhat refreshed and revitalized, which leads me to believe that the rest of the band is better off without him. We'll see. Wouldn't mind if Mike returned in a couple of years though.

I share that thought maybe more will be clear after the next album, maybe they will think it works as it is now or maybe they will see it isn't the same and invite portnoy, just aslong as nothing stupid happens I'll be happy

[OsMosis2259]

Voted for MP but I regret that now...

I don't think any members were really big losses because after every loss(sure it was sad for some of them to leave), they still seemed to fill the spot.

[jonnybaxy]

What you 'rofl'ing at?

The only "main writer" DT has lost is Kevin Moore.

I meant more recently, portnoy was writing 60% of the music after Kevin

[KevShmev]

What you 'rofl'ing at?

The only "main writer" DT has lost is Kevin Moore.

Yep.  By all accounts we've heard, Portnoy was more of an arranger/director than a writer of melodies, riffs, etc., generally speaking.  An important job, for sure, but you really can't call him a main writer in the same regard you can Petrucci, Moore or Rudess.

[KevShmev]

What you 'rofl'ing at?

The only "main writer" DT has lost is Kevin Moore.

I meant more recently, portnoy was writing 60% of the music after Kevin

Er, what?  Where did you get that number from?  Is this Geoff Tate math? 

[WheyWaffles]

On a side note, I think DT's biggest loss was letting John Arch slip by (largely of his own volition).  John Arch would have made DT the greatest band of all time in my book.  His sloppy one-take four-track dub over The Killing Hand is amazing.

[TAC]

On a side note, I think DT's biggest loss was letting John Arch slip by (largely of his own volition).  John Arch would have made DT the greatest band of all time in my book.   

I cannot agree with this. You underrate James.


Definitely it's Kevin Moore. I don't think it can even be disputed.

[SjundeInseglet]

Gotta be Kevin Moore.  His departure was significant in that they lost a big part of their original sound and a major songwriter, of both music and lyrics.  Had Portnoy left the band 10 years ago, a very strong argument could be made for him, but not him leaving in 2010. 

This, so very much.

Some would argue that Derek had more taste than Jordan, but he was obviously limited technically(couldn't play many of Kev's solos accurately)

I think we can all agree that Derek honed his chops considerably after leaving DT and that he indeed overcame any technical limitation he might have had up until that point. There's no reason to believe he wouldn't have upped his game if need had he stayed in DT.

[jonnybaxy]

What you 'rofl'ing at?

The only "main writer" DT has lost is Kevin Moore.

I meant more recently, portnoy was writing 60% of the music after Kevin

Er, what?  Where did you get that number from?  Is this Geoff Tate math? 

Can't remember but just read it somewhere, its why he was being worn down by DT (here we go) *prepares for 'why portnoy left' argument* 

[theseoafs]

Even the band has said that the reason ADTOE came so easily is that they didn't lose one of the band's main composers when MP left.

[WheyWaffles]

On a side note, I think DT's biggest loss was letting John Arch slip by (largely of his own volition).  John Arch would have made DT the greatest band of all time in my book.   

I cannot agree with this. You underrate James.

I love James when he isn't trying to sound like a badass (a product of the '00s' Portnoy influence, by most accounts), but John Arch is my favorite singer ever.  Seeing him perform in Hartford in May was the highlight of my musical life.  DT is tied with Fates for me personally.

[KevShmev]

Can't remember but just read it somewhere, its why he was being worn down by DT (here we go) *prepares for 'why portnoy left' argument* 

This is why you can't believe everything you read, especially on the internet.  Because that is simply not true, unless everyone in-the-know is lying about Petrucci and Rudess having been the main songwriters for the band for the last decade. /irony, since you are reading this on the internet

[jonnybaxy]

Even the band has said that the reason ADTOE came so easily is that they didn't lose one of the band's main composers when MP left.

Er, ADToE was near enough ready for recording when he left...

[KevShmev]

Even the band has said that the reason ADTOE came so easily is that they didn't lose one of the band's main composers when MP left.

Er, ADToE was near enough ready for recording when he left...

Okay, you have to be trolling.

I would say, "well done," but not really.

[WheyWaffles]

Even the band has said that the reason ADTOE came so easily is that they didn't lose one of the band's main composers when MP left.

Er, ADToE was near enough ready for recording when he left...

Is this the kind of thing they spread on the MP forums nowadays?

[SeRoX]

Even the band has said that the reason ADTOE came so easily is that they didn't lose one of the band's main composers when MP left.

Er, ADToE was near enough ready for recording when he left...

Please tell me you are joking, right?

[SjundeInseglet]

Even the band has said that the reason ADTOE came so easily is that they didn't lose one of the band's main composers when MP left.

Er, ADToE was near enough ready for recording when he left...

Huh? I think you need to get your facts straight. ADTOE was nowhere near ready for recording when MP left.

[theseoafs]

 

[jonnybaxy]

Can't remember but just read it somewhere, its why he was being worn down by DT (here we go) *prepares for 'why portnoy left' argument* 

This is why you can't believe everything you read, especially on the internet.  Because that is simply not true, unless everyone in-the-know is lying about Petrucci and Rudess having been the main songwriters for the band for the last decade. /irony, since you are reading this on the internet

Portnoy did write quite a bit though he wrote quite a lot of lyrics

[WheyWaffles]

Good thread son.

[KevShmev]

In other news, I read somewhere a while back that most of the drum parts on the first 10 Dream Theater albums were actually played by Lars Ulrich, not Mike Portnoy.

[jonnybaxy]

Even the band has said that the reason ADTOE came so easily is that they didn't lose one of the band's main composers when MP left.

Er, ADToE was near enough ready for recording when he left...

Huh? I think you need to get your facts straight. ADTOE was nowhere near ready for recording when MP left.

They were trying to get into the studio when portnoy was going out on his other bands (its was a half troll )

[WheyWaffles]

Cliff Burton wrote Stream of Consciousness, originally entitled "Orion Pt. 2."