Mike Portnoy and Dream Theater: reunion or not?
Dream Theater in 2005 - Public Domain Source
For some months rumors are persisting about the possible return of drummer Mike Portnoy in Dream Theater.
Mike was the founder of the band in 1985 together with bassist John Myung and his great friend John Petrucci, guitarist and still charismatic leader within the group.
The collaboration between Portnoy and DT had abruptly ended in September 2010, when the drummer announced to fans around the world that he had made the decision to leave the band.
At the basis of this choice, a discrepancy of views with the other members, since, while he asked to take a break of at least a year, his colleagues were already prepared to enter the studio and record the new album.
Since then, their streets have been divided definitively, with the DT who have replaced Portnoy with another Mike (Mangini) and he who has joined various bands, projects and supergroups (Avenged Sevenfold, Son of Apollo, Flying Colors, Adrenaline Mob, The Winery Dogs).
In recent years, much has been said about the drummer's alleged repentances and closings by the rest of the band to his possible return, but no official statements have ever been made.
In January of this year, however, in an interview with Myglobalmind, Portnoy returned to talk about John Petrucci, revealing that he has maintained an excellent relationship with him, that the two are often in contact and that both would like to go back to work together in the future. And he verbally stated that "it would be a shame not to do it".
A few weeks ago, then, the frontman of the band, James LaBrie, in a video interview answered a question about the possible reunion with Portnoy, with a sibylline "never say never" .
If two clues make a test, much less is needed to rekindle the media interest.
In truth, it seems that the reason for the abandonment of Portnoy is linked exactly to LaBrie.
It's said that in the last period, the drummer was not too happy about the performance of the Canadian singer and that he asked to stop for a period just to discuss his possible replacement.
The version seems to be confirmed by an audio in which Portnoy himself, speaking of the Liquid Tension Experiment project, (which also included Petrucci and Rudess) had called it perfect, because it was like DREAM THEATER without annoying vocals.
In addition, LaBrie has confessed that he hasn't talked to Mike for 10 years and the reason would be to be found in some of the singer's 2011 statements. The frontman had admitted that Dream Theater were "not sad at all" that Portnoy was no longer a band member.
Mike didn't take it well, considering those sentences deeply disrespectful.
But, if this were really the case, how should LaBrie's last words be interpreted?
Is it a small opening, that had never been before, or are they just statements of circumstance?
James LaBrie in concert in 2012 - Image CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
Meanwhile, LaBrie seems to be targeted by fans, who have long shown that they do not appreciate his performances.
The difficulties of the live vocalist are evident, also due to the great complexity of the vocal parts in the songs of the DT.
Certainly, LaBrie characterised an era when, until the mid-1990s, he became the protagonist of memorable performances and imprinted his indelible mark on the group's sounds.
The case of severe food poisoning, following which he had suffered a laceration of the vocal cords, had seriously jeopardized his career and triggered more than one warning about his live performances. LaBrie had continued even if not in the best conditions, finding a good yield from 2002 onwards (I attended a DT concert in 2004 and I can confirm that his was an excellent performance).
It must be said, however, that the decline has been undeniable in the last 15 years and today it seems that even in the recording studio the singer needs autotune.
But then how would you explain the decision of the other members of the band to give up a star like Portnoy and keep a battered LaBrie?
And, if this is really the scenario, how likely is it to see Mike come back behind the drums, but with another singer in front?
At present, the most concrete possibility appears to be a reissue of the Liquid Tension Experiment, which would allow the two friends and Rudess to return to play together, without invading the field and using the name of Dream Theater.
Liquid Tension Experiment onstage, 2008 - Image CC BY-SA 3.0 Source
It wouldn't be the same, but we'll see.
It will not be easy to unravel this skein, also because, in addition to the personal quarrels that can undermine the balance within the band, there are very specific contractual constraints and the interests at stake are very many.
Meanwhile, fans of the old guard stand with their antennae straight: those who have never become fond of Mangini and want to return to watch the sparkling performances of the drummer from Long Beach are allowed to dream: so much that it costs nothing.
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