Mike Portnoy returns to Dream Theater after 13 years
They're commencing work on a new album
Drummer Mike Portnoy has returned to Dream Theater 13 years after he exited the progressive metal band.
Portnoy will reunite with guitarist John Petrucci and bassist John Myung – the trio formed the band at the Berklee College Of Music in 1985 - along with long-time members, vocalist James LaBrie and keyboardist Jordan Rudess.
It’s also been confirmed that Dream Theater are poised to hit the recording studio to commence work on their 16th studio album and the first with Portnoy since 2009’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings.
Commenting on his return to Dream Theater, Mike Portnoy says: “I am overwhelmed with joy to be returning home and reuniting with my brothers!
“There is so much shared history between us all…so many memories, so much music…to think we’re coming up on 40 years since this journey began!
“The idea of creating new music together is so exciting and I absolutely cannot wait to hit the road and get to play live for a whole new generation of fans that weren’t ever able to see this line-up before…There’s no place like home!!”
Departing drummer Mike Mangini states graciously: “I understand Dream Theater’s decision to get Mike Portnoy back at this time.
“As was said from day one, my place was not to fill all the roles that Mike held in the band. I was to play the drums in order to help the band carry on. My main role of keeping our live show working tightly on a nightly basis was an intense and rewarding experience. Thankfully, I got to experience playing music with these iconic musicians, as well as some fun times laced with humour. I also really enjoyed spending lots of time with the crew. And then there’s the Grammy win, which was amazingly satisfying.
“To the fans: thank you so much for being amazing to me. I cherish the pictures I have of you all losing your minds and having fun. Finally, I really love the band, crew, and management and wish them and the entire organisation all the best.”
John Petrucci adds: “Mike Mangini’s drumming is otherworldly and I’m extremely grateful for the time he spent with us in Dream Theater. I’m very proud of all the amazing music we made together that culminated in our first Grammy win last year and the countless magical moments that we’ve shared on stage over the past 13 years. I wish him all the best of success in his future musical endeavours
“I’m incredibly excited to welcome Mike Portnoy back into Dream Theater! As an original founding member, long-time friend and incredibly talented and creative drummer, I know that his return will bring a renewed spirit, passion, and energy into DT that all of us, including our fans, will joyfully welcome. I can’t wait to roll up our sleeves and get back into the studio together!”
Mike Portnoy originally quit Dream Theater on 8th September 2010 citing other projects, burnout, and his desire for a break as reasons behind the parting of ways.
Since then, he’s been a member of The Winery Dogs, Metal Allegiance and Sons of Apollo, amongst many other musical projects.
Dream Theater last toured the UK in April 2022 when they played arena shows in Belfast, Newcastle and London.
The 50 Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time:
50) The Rolling Stones – ‘Gimme Shelter’ (1969)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
49) Budgie – ‘Breadfan’ (1973)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
48) The Cult – ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ (1985)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
47) Metallica – ‘Master of Puppets’ (1986)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
46) Deep Purple – ‘Highway Star’ (1972)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
45) Deep Purple – ‘Burn’ (1974)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
44) Rush – ‘2112’ (1976)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
43) Eagles – ‘Hotel California’ (1976)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
42) Pink Floyd – ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond Parts I–V’ (1975)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
41) Sex Pistols – ‘Pretty Vacant’ (1977)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
40) Judas Priest – ‘Painkiller’ (1990)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
39) Status Quo – ‘Caroline’ (1973)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
38) Status Quo – ‘Whatever You Want’ (1979)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
37) Pink Floyd – ‘Time’ (1973)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
36) Motörhead – ‘Ace of Spades’ (1980)
35) Black Sabbath – ‘War Pigs’ (1970)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
34) Guns N’ Roses – ‘Paradise City’ (1987)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
33) Dire Straits – ‘Money for Nothing’ (1985)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
32) Led Zeppelin – ‘Kashmir’ (1975)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
31) Lynyrd Skynyrd – ‘Free Bird’ (1974)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
30) T. Rex – ‘20th Century Boy’ (1973)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
29) Nirvana – ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ (1991)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
28) The Who – ‘Baba O'Riley’ (1971)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
27) Motörhead – ‘Overkill’ (1979)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
26) Derek and the Dominos – ‘Layla’ (1970)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
25) Led Zeppelin – ‘When the Levee Breaks’ (1971)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
24) AC/DC – ‘Highway to Hell’ (1979)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
23) Rainbow – ‘Tarot Woman’ (1976)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
22) UFO – ‘Doctor Doctor’ (1974)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
21) Iron Maiden – ‘Phantom of the Opera’ (1980)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
20) Meat Loaf - ‘Bat Out of Hell’ (1977)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of all Time
19) Iron Maiden – ‘The Trooper’ (1983)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
18) Metallica - ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ (1984)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
17) Deep Purple – ‘Speed King’ (1970)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
16) Black Sabbath – ‘Paranoid’ (1970)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
15) Guns N’ Roses - ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ (1987)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
14) Van Halen – ‘Hot for Teacher’ (1984)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
13) AC/DC – ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ (1977)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
12) Iron Maiden – ‘The Number of the Beast’ (1982)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
11) Led Zeppelin ‘Whole Lotta Love’ (1969)
The Greatest Rock Song Intros of All Time
10) Led Zeppelin – ‘Rock and Roll’ (1971)
Technically, this intro should be part credited to Little Richard; John Bonham was playing the drum beat from the intro to 'Keep A-Knockin' during Zep's sessions in Headley Grange for their fourth album when Jimmy Page joined in. The tapes happened to be rolling and 15 minutes later the basis of the song was finished!
9) Metallica – ‘Enter Sandman’ (1991)
One of the most famous riffs of all time, its genesis came from Kirk Hammett who was inspired by the menacing sound of Soundgarden's second LP. "It was about two or three o'clock in the morning," explained Hammett "I had just been listening to Louder Than Love… And I heard that album, I was inspired, I picked up my guitar, and out came that riff." Add the ominous "war drum" toms of Lars Ulrich, and the recipe was complete for a classic intro.
8) Rush – ‘The Spirit of Radio’ (1980)
The iconic opening riff on Rush's commercial smash 'The Spirit of Radio' showcases Alex Lifeson's guitar playing prowess. Commenting on the introductory guitar riff, Lifeson told Classic Rock in 2006: "I just wanted to give it something that gave it a sense of static – radio waves bouncing around, very electric. We had that sequence going underneath, and it was just really to try and get something that was sitting on top of it, that gave it that movement."
7) AC/DC – ‘Back in Black’ (1980)
Easily one of the most memorable intros in the history of popular music, 'Back in Black' opens with a gloriously simple yet brain-gnawingly infectious riff from Angus Young. A musical tribute to the late-great Bon Scott, new vocalist Brian Johnson was tasked with concocting the lyrics that would sit on the bedrock of the explosive riff. "I just wrote what came into my head, which at the time seemed like mumbo, jumbo," Johnson later remarked. "'Nine lives. Cats eyes. Abusing every one of them and running wild.' The boys got it though. They saw Bon's life in that lyric."
6) Black Sabbath – ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970)
The opening title track on Black Sabbath's self-titled debut studio album, 'Black Sabbath' is very music the sound of the birth of the heavy metal genre. The song opens with the sound of heavy rain and ominous thunder claps with the clanging of a church bell, before Tony Iommi's delightfully evil riffs confront the listener and Ozzy Osbourne cries, "what is this that stands before me? / Figure in black which points at me" – seemingly referencing the mysterious witch-like woman on the famous album sleeve. A truly seminal moment.
5) Rainbow – ‘Stargazer’ (1976)
Flaunting the late-great Cozy Powell's heroic musical prowess behind the drum kit, the eight-minute musical opus that is 'Stargazer' kicks off with a pummelling drum solo before Ritchie Blackmore's trademark riffs enter the fore. Powell's monumental and muscular rhythms perfectly tee up the epic track that captures all five members of Rainbow at the peak of their musical powers.
4) AC/DC – ‘Hells Bells’ (1980)
Echoing the ominous start of Black Sabbath's 'Black Sabbath' a year earlier, AC/DC's 'Back in Black' opener 'Hells Bells' begins with the slow, funereal tolling of a 900 kg bronze bell. Made by John Taylor & Co Bellfounders in Loughborough, the sound of the bell was recorded by assistant engineer Tony Platt using Ronnie Lane's mobile studio inside Taylor's Bell Foundry. It was recorded after AC/DC had finishing laying down 'Back in Black' in the Bahamas.
3) AC/DC – ‘Thunderstruck’ (1990)
The fifth and highest ranking AC/DC song intro on our list is their rip-roaring 1990 track 'Thunderstruck'. Angus Young reportedly created the searing opening guitar parts by playing with all the strings taped up, except the B. It was a studio trick he learned from his older brother and former AC/DC producer George Young.
2) Guns N’ Roses - ‘Sweet Child O' Mine’ (1987)
Guns N' Roses' monumental song 'Sweet Child O' Mine' opens with one of Slash's standout riffs. Dispelling the widespread belief that the riff was born from a practise exercise, Slash told Eddie Trunk in 2022: "I was sitting around the house where Guns used to live at one point, in '86 I guess it was, and I just came up with this riff. It was just me messing around and putting notes together like any riff you do. You're like, 'This is cool,' and then you put the third note and find a melody like that. So it was a real riff; it wasn't a warm-up exercise." He added: "Initially it was just a cool, neat little riff that I'd come up with. It was an interesting pattern and it was really melodic, but I don't think I would have presented it to the band and said, 'Hey, I've got this idea!' because I just happened to come up with it while we were all hanging around together. Izzy (Stradlin)was the first one to start playing behind it, and once that happened Axl started making up words, and it took off that way."
1) Deep Purple – ‘Smoke on the Water’ (1972)
Firmly entrenched in rock and roll folklore, the legendary and instantly recognisable opening riff on Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water' was played by Ritchie Blackmore on a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar. Years later, Blackmore noted that he took direct inspiration from Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, joking "I owe him a lot of money." 'Smoke on the Water' was also voted the Greatest Rock Riff of All Time by Planet Rock listeners in 2017.