Will you still listen to "new" Dream Theater now?

[setrataeso]

Without Portnoy, and presumably with a new drummer, Dream Theater could end up sounding very different.
No doubt, in many people's eyes, they will certainly feel very different.
So, without Portnoy's musical input, his stage presence, his dedication to the fans and to the smallest details...are you still going to listen to the new Dream Theater?

I will.

[zxlkho]

Absolutely yes.

[MetalMike06]

Though I'm not quite as optimistic as a lot of others, yes, I'll still of course get their stuff and support the rest of the guys, as I'm sure it'll still be very worthwhile.

[chrisbDTM]

i think people are underestimating the power of the rest of DT

[?]

I'm sure they'll keep on making great music. So yes!

[ReaperKK]

Yes, I'm actually more excited for new DT

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

Definitely. I'm excited too.

[Zydar]

Yes I will, but I think I will take a "break" from DT until they release the new album. I need a breather.

[skydivingninja]

Yes.  I'm intrigued to see what will happen on the next album.

[ShadowWalker]

HELL YES! In fact, for the first time since being disappointed by SDOIT and each subsequent release, I am actually excited to hear what DT will put out next...

[tri.ad]

Of course. Actually, I'm very interested to see how DT will develop without MP.

[Samsara]

A RESOUNDING "Yes." Just because the drummer and face of the band jumped ship, doesn't mean the band's writing core has. Dream Theater will be Dream Theater. I look forward to new music.

[RazielSR]

Absolutely, but it's gonna be strange. I have been living this kind of feelings these past years (2008-2009) with the departure of Timo Tolkki of Stratovarius. And I support tha band as it is now. They realized Polaris album which I consider on the top 5 albums from Stratovarius and now the band have power again and it is plenty of new energy. Anyway, the classics stills there and for me it's almost impossible to listen. But if the new music is good, we'll have a lot less pain than we have today.

[?]

Absolutely, but it's gonna be strange. I have been living this kind of feelings these past years (2008-2009) with the departure of Timo Tolkki of Stratovarius. And I support tha band as it is now. They realized Polaris album which I consider on the top 5 albums from Stratovarius and now the band have power again and it is plenty of new energy. Anyway, the classics stills there and for me it's almost impossible to listen. But if the new music is good, we'll have a lot less pain than we have today.

I'm a Stratovarius fan too and I agree with all of this! At first I was shocked about them continuing without Tolkki but Polaris was a great album and made me realize that they're doing well without him.

[TL]

Definitely. I think the rest of the guys could easily come up with something great. It will definitely be different, but different may be exactly what they needed from a musical standpoint.

[MykeHavoc]

Without a doubt. I'm hoping that JMX and JLB get more input, and the four work as a team to come up with some great music.

[LudwigVan]

I wouldn't miss it for the world.

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

By the way, this reminds me of what happened to Black Sabbath. Heaven and Hell is an absolute gem and it was made when Ozzy wasn't present! I'm not really deep into the BS history yet, but it gives me more hope. Petrucci's a composer too, you know.

[rumborak]

Petrucci's a composer too, you know.

Lol, what?

Petrucci is the composer of Dream Theater.

rumborak

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

Petrucci's a composer too, you know.

Lol, what?

Petrucci is the composer of Dream Theater.

rumborak

Well, I quite didn't know.

[Volk9]

Absolutely yes.

[The Letter M]

Of course I will. I'm a DREAM THEATER fan, after all, and through all their roster changes, I've still heard them. I'm not going to be a fan who listens to ONE VERSION of the band - it's all DT to me.

The problem now is, because I'm also a big MIKE PORTNOY fan, I'll have more stuff to buy, which can never be too good for my wallet and bank account. It's quite possible we'd have several albums by MP and DT within a year's time... oy vey.

-Marc.

[Octavawake]

Hey guys, first post here.

While I am inevitably heartbroken by this news, I also feel excited about where this will take DT. Additionally I feel they may change their sound again because lets be honest, they've been incredibly heavy the past few albums and I miss that raw sound from even the likes of SFAM.

[ariich]

I listen to literally hundreds of bands that aren't DT, so I can't think of a single possible reason that I wouldn't continue to listen to them.

[Octavawake]

Also, quoting another dude, he makes a sadly true point:

"As much as I have said in the past about MPs relationship with controlling everything about DT this is just beyond belief really I can't see a Dream Theater with out him in terms of playing, writing, direction, the million other things he does, setlists, merchandise, dvds, anything to do with art released, interviews, promotion etc etc etc "

Taking particular notice to the part about setlists and merchandise etc. 

[LTE]

Yes of course. Many other drummers could fit into DT's writing style and allow JR,JP, and JM's writing to be more prominent. I'm actually excited, but at the same time, I will miss Mike.

[Gadough]

Yes.

i think people are underestimating the power of the rest of DT

Bingo.

[fadetoblackdude7]

It'll be hard for them to write the new disc when they sit in their circle in the studio and look around at an empty drumset. But somehow, they'll manage......yes, I will always listen to DT!!

[The Letter M]

It'll be hard for them to write the new disc when they sit in their circle in the studio and look around at an empty drumset. But somehow, they'll manage......yes, I will always listen to DT!!

Whose drum set would be in the studio? If there was one there, I doubt it would be empty. 

-Marc.

[RazielSR]

I'm a Stratovarius fan too and I agree with all of this! At first I was shocked about them continuing without Tolkki but Polaris was a great album and made me realize that they're doing well without him.
[/quote]

HEY! Nice to read another Stratovarius fan. Polaris was great, but wait for the next...in February/March 2011, you'll see. They are now using some prog elements mixed with speed. the next album is gonna kick ass, it's a pity that in the prog kingdom, just very few people know this absolutely wonderful band that always used to mix power metal songs with some prog elements here and there.


I think the same is gonna happen with DT, but I think here is gonna be difficult, cause in the case of Stratovarius, TT was making bad albums plus his mental disorder since 2004, and Portnoy is leaving in the top. It's gonna be difficult. Damn, this is nasty.

[Seventh Son]

By the way, this reminds me of what happened to Black Sabbath. Heaven and Hell is an absolute gem and it was made when Ozzy wasn't present! I'm not really deep into the BS history yet, but it gives me more hope. Petrucci's a composer too, you know.

Exactly! Don't forget, when Dio left, Iommi still managed to put a few more quality records out there. After all, I consider Tyr to be a masterpiece and it doesn't have either Ozzy or Dio singing. But that's a discussion for another time...

Point still stands though. It would be interesting if Dream Theater turned the table to their advantage, and made an outstanding record from this!

[fadetoblackdude7]

It'll be hard for them to write the new disc when they sit in their circle in the studio and look around at an empty drumset. But somehow, they'll manage......yes, I will always listen to DT!!

Whose drum set would be in the studio? If there was one there, I doubt it would be empty. 

-Marc.

You know what I mean lol

[RoeDent]

Absolutely. I get the feeling that MP will go down the metal route and (with all hope), DT will return to a more 'proggy' sound while maintaining some of the metal aspects (such as JP's epic shredding).

[John94]

I will look forward to "The Spirit Carries On" Tour and I will hopefully look forward to meeting them for the first time, sadly, without Mike.

[Octavawake]

Absolutely. I get the feeling that MP will go down the metal route and (with all hope), DT will return to a more 'proggy' sound while maintaining some of the metal aspects (such as JP's epic shredding).

Agreed. Mike is obsessed with the Metal influence, IMO, and to hear a less heavy, proggy DT again would bring a tear to my eye.