Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater

[Bacong]

in 10 years they're going to be in their 50s.

[Rafael Guerra]

I'll go to bed. Can't wait to wake up at 7 tomoz and check the forum as well as Twitter. Things are happening so fast...

[The Letter M]

I'd add that I expect he'll be back at some point, in one way or another.

I also think this. Not because of the denial, no. It's because he just wanted to take a break. Maybe 5 years will pass, maybe even 10, but he will miss the band and the stuff he did with them. David Ellefson came back to Megadeth 8 years after leaving the band, and even Jason Newsted played with Metallica in the R&R Hall of Fame after nine years. And they both had more personal reasons than Mike (At least as far as we know). So maybe. Maybe...

But I think we somewhat saw it coming. We were speculating about it when he said he was going to be in A7X until November after saying initially that he was just going to be a session drummer. So maybe he just took the step and did it.

Precisely. While Mike may be pulling a "Phil Collins" of sorts, he'll probably eventually want to reunite for at VERY LEAST, a tour for an anniversary, or a farewell (it'll happen some day). Maybe we'll get an album out of it... maybe not. But I don't think a tour would be out of the question. It really hinges on what the rest of the band will do between now and the new album and how they decide to handle their future now that it's in the hands of JP, JMX, JR and JLB. Maybe their new drummer's name will start with "J" to complete the alliteration.

-Marc.

[ZBomber]

I definitely think MP will want to come back to the band at some point down the road.

I just dunno if the band will take him back at that point.

[Gadough]

I just read the thread about this on 5/8... I now realize why I don't post there.

I couldn't get past the first page.

[Sintheros]

What the fuck.

[setrataeso]

I just read the thread about this on 5/8... I now realize why I don't post there.

I couldn't get past the first page.

Same. It's pretty disgusting.

[Birch Boy]

When I first saw everyone's statuses hours ago, I figured it was a joke...

[TTTSTA]

I am totally bummed by this! and in total shock! However the first thing i thought when i read this was "He'll be back!" The 30th annivesary tour is starting to sound KILLER!

Can someone please explain what 5/8 is?

[orcus116]

The forum created from the ashes of DT.net. The people that wanted to discuss more DT broke off and became DTF.

[Orbert]

Nothing to add.  Shock.

[setrataeso]

The forum created from the ashes of DT.net. The people that wanted to discuss more DT broke off and became DTF.

Its shit is all you need to know.

[Nic35]

So we'll probably never see the 12 step suite live.

[Pyroph]

How can he look back at his own naked torso and not say to himself 'What the fuck did I do?!' Man's COVERED in DT tattoos.

This is really fucking with me.

[KevShmev]

Wow.  Just wow.

[LCArenas]

I will never see the "Wither" music video the same way.

[TL]

Wow.
So unexpected. So many conflicting emotions.
I've typed, deleted, re-typed, etc, a number of thoughts from all over the spectrum. None of it felt quite right.

This seriously doesn't feel like it's really happening. I don't know when it will actually sink in.

At such a key moment in their career too.

[setrataeso]

So we'll probably never see the 12 step suite live.

Or A Change of Seasons, or The Best of Times.

[Slain]

I called one of my best friends and told him the news, and he honestly didn't believe me. He thought I was pulling his leg. The other end of the line for at least a minute or two was silent after he read it on the site. This is truly, a sad day. I'm honored and ashamed to be able to say I went to the last North American DT show with the core members, but unfortunately it was also my first.

It's a new beginning. A refreshing start, and DT may take their music in places that it wouldn't have with MP. For example, we will definitely see a less metal approach this time around, which is something I think some DT fans have been wanting. I say this to soften the blow, it doesn't mean that it will be the same.

I think I saw this coming, though. Mike commenting on not being a huge fan of Labries style of vocals anymore was a huge indicator to me. I think he's just into heavier stuff now, and wants to play more metal music (i.e. A7x and Hail!). And about him possibly becoming a permanent member of A7X, it's almost like losing a girlfriend that you love and care about, to someone else. You want her to be happy, and you know she will be if that's what she wants, but you can't help it but to feel bitter about it, because you're losing someone special.

It really set in when I saw "Former Members" on the wikipedia page. That hit me hard.

I just hope that this doesn't split the fanbase too much (I've already read posts on facebook and myspace stating "I WONT LISTEN TO DT WITHOUT MP") even though it most likely will. Oh well, wishful thinking I guess.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I will never see the "Wither" music video the same way.

Hell yeah...and suddenly, Wither acquires a whole different new meaning  

[TTTSTA]

The more i sit here, the more i can't believe!

[The Letter M]

So we'll probably never see the 12 step suite live.

If he decides to get his own touring band and play it, sure. It won't be DT, but if he got musicians capable of playing their stuff, we could likely see a show that features songs with his lyrics, including (but definitely not limited to) The Twelve Step Suite, "The Best Of Times", and "A Change Of Seasons". That right there would be a killer 95 minute set.

It just depends on what Mike wants to do with his now apparent "solo career".

How can he look back at his own naked torso and not say to himself 'What the fuck did I do?!' Man's COVERED in DT tattoos.

This is really fucking with me.

It's just another part of his life. That tattoos will always remind him fondly of what he helped create. Sure he won't have any iconography or images from the upcoming albums, but he's got what he was a part of and I'm sure he won't look at it with regret.

-Marc.

[Nic35]

So we'll probably never see the 12 step suite live.

Or A Change of Seasons, or The Best of Times.

Oh my god I did not think about The Best Of Times.  

[SinisterMinisterX]

Hey dudes. Haven't been to DTF in a long time but a few of you know me. I just saw Blabbermouth. I'm in shock.

If you'd have asked me, 10 minutes ago, who's least likely to leave, I'd have said MP. I wasn't surprised he wanted a break, I know he's been going for long time without one. But I would have figured on the rest of the band also wanting a break. Weren't they supposed to have one anyway, until Maiden came along?

I hope this works out well for DT and MP. And I hope the separation isn't permanent.

[setrataeso]

So we'll probably never see the 12 step suite live.

Or A Change of Seasons, or The Best of Times.

Oh my god I did not think about The Best Of Times. 

Actually, because Mike was the only member who ever vouched for those songs, they will probably never play a WDADU song again.

[Nick]

The forum created from the ashes of DT.net. The people that wanted to discuss more DT broke off and became DTF.

Its shit is all you need to know.

While I'm sure I'd agree with the assessment of their thread it's important now, as in the past that we not attack their forum and stir up shit, so I'd ask that there be no more posts like this.

[robwebster]

How can he look back at his own naked torso and not say to himself 'What the fuck did I do?!' Man's COVERED in DT tattoos.

This is really fucking with me.

It's just another part of his life. That tattoos will always remind him fondly of what he helped create. Sure he won't have any iconography or images from the upcoming albums, but he's got what he was a part of and I'm sure he won't look at it with regret.

-Marc.

I kind of hope he won't, in some ways. The band have made a brave decision. So has Mike. It'll be a very odd adjustment - imagine Mike Portnoy pre-ordering DT11 and waiting for it to arrive on its release date! - but I'd quite like them to stick with it, and do wonderful, new, exciting things in their separate domains.

That was the past. It was old. And great. What next?!

[zxlkho]

This is truly, a sad day. I'm honored and ashamed to be able to say I went to the last North American DT show with the core members, but unfortunately it was also my first.

I was at that show as well. It makes me

[LCArenas]

I will never see the "Wither" music video the same way.

Hell yeah...and suddenly, Wither acquires a whole different new meaning  

Still This barrenness consumes me
And I feel like giving up
So I wither, and render myself helpless
I give in and everything is clear
I break down, and let the story Guide me
/
I drown in hesitation, my words come crashing down
And all my best creations burn into the ground
The thought of starting over leaves me paralyzed
Tear it out again, another one that got away


HOLY SHIT YOU GUYS

[OptionalPlayer]

Another nugget!

But a shitty one. 

[setrataeso]

The forum created from the ashes of DT.net. The people that wanted to discuss more DT broke off and became DTF.

Its shit is all you need to know.

While I'm sure I'd agree with the assessment of their thread it's important now, as in the past that we not attack their forum and stir up shit, so I'd ask that there be no more posts like this.

Right, sorry.
Although, the treatment of Portnoy over there right now makes me furious.

[ScioPath]

Okay, I'm going to go to sleep, and when I wake up, I will realize that this is all some
sort of dream.
If that is not the case; I suppose it's somewhat fitting that it's jewish new year today. Not only is it a symbol of new beginnings, but also, Mike will have until Yom Kippur to realize his mistakes and
repent.

(Sarcastic post; don't take seriously)

[73109]

Oh yeah!!! Fellow jew.

[TL]

I'm really glad that I got to see them live last year.
I honestly never would have thought that I wouldn't be able to see them with MP again.

[Ravenheart]

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