Dream Theater (Official Thread)

[Cosmic Harmony]

If I had to take a guess it'd be because Mike Portnoy used to do a lot of the production and whatnot so he probably turned his drums up a bit more.

 

[METALPRIEST]

I can see that happening!!!

Props to Mangini for doing a great fill in job, but who here would really love to see the return of Portnoy for the next album and tour.

I'll go first.

 

[Prime]

I can see that happening!!!

Props to Mangini for doing a great fill in job, but who here would really love to see the return of Portnoy for the next album and tour.

I'll go first.

I wouldn't, to be honest. Mangini fits in better with DT, they have a better chemistry. Not saying Portnoy was bad or anything, but Dream Theater is a very talented set of musicians, and to have a talented drummer like Mangini is a must. Technically and musically, Mangini just blows Portnoy out of the water.

 

[METALPRIEST]

Wow!! Out of the water? Interesting. Not sure if I can agree with that but I'm all ears dude.

 

[Prime]

Wow!! Out of the water? Interesting. Not sure if I can agree with that but I'm all ears dude.

Just my personal opinion if anything. I've heard mixed opinions about the Mangini/Portnoy thing. After seeing their performance here though, and enjoying the new album upon first listen, it just strengthens my opinion about Mangini. Portnoy isn't bad by any means, but I prefer Mangini.

 

[Riff Raff]

The drums should be turned up for the next album, I think Mangini is a fantastic drummer, certainly had some shoes to fill but when I saw the auditions that came with my special edition album he was the best man for the job.

 

[Cosmic Harmony]

I wouldn't, to be honest. Mangini fits in better with DT, they have a better chemistry. Not saying Portnoy was bad or anything, but Dream Theater is a very talented set of musicians, and to have a talented drummer like Mangini is a must. Technically and musically, Mangini just blows Portnoy out of the water.

The only part of this that I agree with is Mangini fit on their latest album better than Portnoy would have. That said however I don't entirely consider that a good thing. Everyone knows that all of the guys in Dream Theater are beyond amazing musicians but I feel....like they hit a plateau on this album. More than a couple parts of "A Dramatic Turn of Events" feel so unpleasantly robotic and cold and to me it comes across as the band just throwing in a ton of complexities just because they feel that they're supposed. The ballads are nice but with the exception of "Beneath the Surface" they don't feel as sincere or emotional as previous piano songs like "The Spirit Carries On" or "Space Dye Vest". I guess what I'm saying is that Mangini is very talented but Mike Portnoy is very talented as well and plays with a great deal more personality if you ask me and the I feel let down on this album, that's not really Mangini's fault though.

 

[joe]

I don't think Portnoy will ever be back. Supposedly he asked if he could come back and he was denied. I will say the band made the right decision not to hire Virgil Donati. The most overrated and uninspired drummer in metal I've ever heard. Hopefully the band will turn up Mangini's volume on the next album.

 

[METALPRIEST]

You're right joe, I think I also read that Portnoy asked to come back.

Makes a great case for "Be careful what you wish for"

 

[Riff Raff]

I hope they don't get Portnoy back, how ****ed for Mangini would that be to get ditched after getting the job not long ago. Take a new direction, don't go backwards. If they get rid of Mangini that would be an incredibly dog thing to do. In my opinion anyway.