Your Controversial Opinions on DT

[gzarruk]

I have nothing bad to say about Mike Mangini, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors; he's a monster drummer and brings a lot to his instrument and his fans.  It's not a crime, it's not an insult, it's not an issue that needs to be explained away, there's no blame that has to be placed, to acknowledge that maybe perhaps he wasn't the best possible fit for that particular job in the grand scheme of things.

But what job, though? To be Dream Theater's drummer? Or to do everything Mike Portnoy, the personality, did? Because he got hired for the former, not the latter, and he did that fantastically well. Some might even say he fit that job better than good ol' MP, I for one think he did. As for the latter, only MP can be and do MP, but that's where the other 4 members dropped the ball, IMO. Just my 2 cents.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

MP is a founding member in a band with a long history. There is no true replacement for that and they weren't hiring for that.

They conducted a search for drummers to come in and play the parts how they wanted and handle other aspects of the ship. Clearly determining set lists, being the press guy, etc were not part of that. Edit: nor should they have been as it would have been weird to have the new guy do either.

[emtee]

No better or more qualified drummer could have been hired after MP quit. A no-name wouldn't have worked. MM was the perfect choice to keep the band moving forward. Sadly, the production choices for 3 of 5 albums were very impactful in a negative way. Not his fault. I am simultaneously grateful for his era and impact and for MP's return.

[Stadler]

But what job, though? To be Dream Theater's drummer? Or to do everything Mike Portnoy, the personality, did? Because he got hired for the former, not the latter, and he did that fantastically well. Some might even say he fit that job better than good ol' MP, I for one think he did. As for the latter, only MP can be and do MP, but that's where the other 4 members dropped the ball, IMO. Just my 2 cents.

I wouldn't begrudge anyone from thinking that the two are the same thing, or at least have some overlap.  The drummer in dream Theater isn't "just" a drummer, it's a partner with personality.  Ace Frehley might just be the worst (lead) guitar player to ever be in Kiss, but for many, it seems, he's the ONLY (lead) guitar player to ever be in Kiss. Mark St. John fucks up and he's unprofessional; Ace fucks up and it's "Ace being Ace! Love that goofball!"

I mean, Alcatraz suffered without Yngwie - even WITH Steve Vai - because Yngwie was more than just 'the guitar player'.  Gary Cherone is arguably a better singer than both Sam or Dave, and yet that was the worst incarnation of Van Halen for most people, and one of the knocks is that it was sort of directionless.  You might not like either of Sam or Dave's direction, but they were both forceful personalities that drove the behavior in that band.

There were, arguably (and arbitrarily) four or five requirements that were open on the day that Portnoy left.  Mangini filled one of them, admirably.  Whether the others were supposed to or not, the fact remains that three or four of the requirements never really were adequately filled, and as long as they were open, the remaining five members are fair game for criticism.

[Mosh]

I don't think they could have asked for a better drummer to fill the interim time without Portnoy than Mangini. If anything, having to hindsight to know that a reunion would happen, Mangini's time in the band makes even more sense. Frankly I am surprised this is up for debate.

[HOF]

I don't think they could have asked for a better drummer to fill the interim time without Portnoy than Mangini. If anything, having to hindsight to know that a reunion would happen, Mangini's time in the band makes even more sense. Frankly I am surprised this is up for debate.

Yeah, from a very casual follower of the Mangini era, Mangini seemed to be a good steward of the drum throne. Worked well with the band and kept it going strong after what was a major shakeup. He also filled the need for a top notch technical performer who could hang with the rest of the band and do MP's parts justice while adding his own thing. Obviously wasn't everything MP is as a band member or person, and nobody could have or should have expected him to be.