I haven't posted in a few months on here, so I hope I'm not opening a can of worms, but this thread caught my eye right away.
MP was and is the "soul" of DT. I like Mike Mangini. He's good drummer and a good guy. I even saw him during his brief stint in Extreme at a dump called THE ROXY on Long Island (run by the same dude who ran SUNDANCE)
However, in my opinion, DT has been "sterile" since MP was canned. In my opinion, THE ASTONISHING either would not have been made or would sound a lot different if MP were in the band to counter JP's ideas (yes, the fact that I don't like THE ASTONISHING probably influenced that opinion).
I won't even mention my feelings that THE LOOKING GLASS lyrics that you all shot at me for :-)
I still remain optimistic that a reunion will happen. But I also think the Islanders are coming back to Long Island, so what do I know??!??
However, if by some miracle, DT takes him up on his offer to play on the cruise (which they certainly will not) Mike Mangini should obviously play also
- TC