DREAM THEATER ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF DRUMMER MIKE PORTNOY

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

What exactly is "knucklehead" in this context? 

I won't speak for him but the way I read it made me think of how many fans perceived some rather questionable musical decisions that MP was directly responsible for. For example: the day after day followed by ROR part on Nightmare. My memory is not as sharp as it used to be but I seem to recall a lot of people scratching their heads at that. Again, not sure what he had in mind specifically; it's just one of a few things that I thought of.

[CodyWanKenobi]

The Mangini era is all knucklehead lmao what are you talkiing about. The MM albums are able to barely scrape up five listenable songs across ten years of albums. That's embarrassing.

lol imagine being this arrogant with your bs opinions. Now THAT is embarrassing.

[Dream Team]

What a troll.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

The Mangini era is all knucklehead lmao what are you talkiing about. The MM albums are able to barely scrape up five listenable songs across ten years of albums. That's embarrassing.

  my friend. We're a loving community here but you have to share the love, too

[MoraWintersoul]

I won't speak for him but the way I read it made me think of how many fans perceived some rather questionable musical decisions that MP was directly responsible for. For example: the day after day followed by ROR part on Nightmare. My memory is not as sharp as it used to be but I seem to recall a lot of people scratching their heads at that. Again, not sure what he had in mind specifically; it's just one of a few things that I thought of.

The first one I remember was "forevermore! into the night! BLISTERING!"

[Stadler]

The first one I remember was "forevermore! into the night! BLISTERING!"

Admittedly not one of my favorite DT moments, for sure.

[KidInTheDark666]

I think that part is a great fit in a thrash-influenced tune like Constant Motion. James also really did it justice live. I would like to hear it on the upcoming tour too.

[TAC]

I always thought it was a great line.

[Ben_Jamin]

Constant Motion is so fun live.

On the album, it has one of my favorite JP solo moments when he does a dive bomb. That pitch fits the song.

The lyric pacing and rhythm is great at portraying that sense of "random thoughts in neat disorder."

[TAC]

The first thing I thought of when I heard the verses in Constant Motion was that it's a sped up verse of Anthrax's I Am The Law.

[Dream Team]

DT05, I notice you intentionally avoid answering specific questions, so I'll ask again: what is objectively wrong with songs like Breaking All Illusions, Outcry, Beneath the Surface, The Bigger Picture, Fall Into the Light, At Wit's End, and Pale Blue Dot? I crave your wisdom, please guide me.

[KevShmev]

The first one I remember was "forevermore! into the night! BLISTERING!"

Let's not forget that dreadful scream he did on the SC tour near the end of the medley. That was THE moment where it was clear that Portnoy was drunk with power, where he knew he could do whatever he wanted and no one in the band was going to check him on 99% of the things he wanted to do (I left the 1% for his lawyers here who will inevitably point out the few examples of when he didn't get his way ).

[macneil]

Systematic Chaos is probably the album with the most "knuckle headed" moments with some of its shouted/"growl" attempts (and to a lesser extent BC&SL). Not that these moments really bother me that much, but I also can't say that I missed them.

Those 2 albums in particular were I think when the balance swung a little too far towards being Portnoy-dominated, the following albums were nice in that they felt more balanced as a band. Love all the eras though!

[Glasser]

The first thing I thought of when I heard the verses in Constant Motion was that it's a sped up verse of Anthrax's I Am The Law.

How hilarious would it be if DT all came out wearing Jams on the next tour? 

[KevShmev]

Systematic Chaos is probably the album with the most "knuckle headed" moments with some of its shouted/"growl" attempts (and to a lesser extent BC&SL). Not that these moments really bother me that much, but I also can't say that I missed them.

Those 2 albums in particular were I think when the balance swung a little too far towards being Portnoy-dominated, the following albums were nice in that they felt more balanced as a band. Love all the eras though!

Agreed.  Even though they are two of my least favorites by the band, there is still a lot to like on both SC and BC&SL. 

[Trav]

Agreed.  Even though they are two of my least favorites by the band, there is still a lot to like on both SC and BC&SL. 

I was not really excited about either of those at the time. However over the years I've come to appreciate them more. I think once it was apparent they weren't continuing that style completely, I became more comfortable with them. I think of them as kinda mid-tier now.

[Setlist Scotty]

I was not really excited about either of those at the time. However over the years I've come to appreciate them more. I think once it was apparent they weren't continuing that style completely, I became more comfortable with them. I think of them as kinda mid-tier now.

What do you consider bottom-tier now Trav?

[KevShmev]

I was not really excited about either of those at the time. However over the years I've come to appreciate them more. I think once it was apparent they weren't continuing that style completely, I became more comfortable with them. I think of them as kinda mid-tier now.

I am not one of those "my favorite bands' worst albums are better than most bands' best ones!" fans, but I will say that most of my favorite bands are ones where I still enjoy most or all of what I consider the least best ones quite a bit.  DT12, Systematic Chaos and Black Clouds... are to me what Test for Echo, Presto and s/t are to me for Rush: bottom tier records that I still like quite a bit.

[Trav]

What do you consider bottom-tier now Trav?

Oh man lol. When Dream and Day Unite would be bottom tier. A couple of songs that seem "underwritten". Kevin's lyrics are great but he crams so many in it sounds like Charlie is running out of breath. But a lot of it I absolutely love. Falling Into Infinity as well. About half of the songs are great and half seemed like they were struggling with what to do. Still trying to find their way after losing Kevin who was a big part of the songwriting. Obviously the chemistry with Jordan set them on a winning path.
My instinct is to add The Astonishing as well. I've said before that it fails more than it succeeds. It over reaches. But there is so much great stuff in there also, and so I won't say it's "bottom tier".

[Trav]

I am not one of those "my favorite bands' worst albums are better than most bands' best ones!" fans, but I will say that most of my favorite bands are ones where I still enjoy most or all of what I consider the least best ones quite a bit.  DT12, Systematic Chaos and Black Clouds... are to me what Test for Echo, Presto and s/t are to me for Rush: bottom tier records that I still like quite a bit.

100%. I would say that for DT and Rush as well. They're probably the only bands where I can enjoy even the stuff I consider they're worst. I just love their voices, their style I find joy and more than that MEMORIES in all of it. Since Neil's passing I'll tear up listening to fucking Dog Years!

[hunnus2000]

100%. I would say that for DT and Rush as well. They're probably the only bands where I can enjoy even the stuff I consider they're worst. I just love their voices, their style I find joy and more than that MEMORIES in all of it. Since Neil's passing I'll tear up listening to fucking Dog Years!

I agree and especially with Rush, I think I am the only who loves Thai Shan! Hell, even my mother-in-law likes the song.

[Stadler]

I agree and especially with Rush, I think I am the only who loves Thai Shan! Hell, even my mother-in-law likes the song.

I think that song gets a bum rap. I ranked it 92 on my list, but it's ahead of such percieved classes as "The Necromancer", "Clockwork Angels", "Spirit of Radio", "By Tor and the Snow Dog" and "Freewill".  People deny it - of course they do - but I'm convinced there's a significant number of people that don't like it because Geddy bagged on it a couple years (decades, now) ago in an interview.

[Orbert]

*Tai Shan

I like it, too.

[pg1067]

How hilarious would it be if DT all came out wearing Jams on the next tour? 

It might be the best thing ever if they did a live cover of I'm the Man.  James can play the drums while MP (in a fedora), JM (in a sideways baseball cap) and JP take the Charlie, Frank and Scott roles, and JR can be Dan.

People deny it - of course they do - but I'm convinced there's a significant number of people that don't like it because Geddy bagged on it a couple years (decades, now) ago in an interview.

There's no question that's true.  Personally, I disliked the song LONG before I knew Geddy slagged it.  It's the same thing with some folks' attitude about Falling into Infinity.

*Tai Shan

*Pad Thai Shan   

[TAC]

People deny it - of course they do - but I'm convinced there's a significant number of people that don't like it because Geddy bagged on it a couple years (decades, now) ago in an interview.

I mean, my ears did work in 1987.

[Trav]

Yeah, technically Tai Shan only sucks when you listen to it with your ears.

[TAC]

Not to change the subject, but while the band's bio has been updated on Spotify to include MP's return, the band pics have not.?.?

[Trav]

Not to change the subject, but while the band's bio has been updated on Spotify to include MP's return, the band pics have not.?.?

It has on Apple Music. It's that shitty photoshopped one they put out when they announced his return.

[TAC]

It has on Apple Music. It's that shitty photoshopped one they put out when they announced his return.

Gotcha!

[brakkum]

It has on Apple Music. It's that shitty photoshopped one they put out when they announced his return.

At first I thought the announcement was someone that got into the DT account and was shitposting because of how bad that pic is   

[Setlist Scotty]

I think that song gets a bum rap. I ranked it 92 on my list, but it's ahead of such percieved classes as "The Necromancer", "Clockwork Angels", "Spirit of Radio", "By Tor and the Snow Dog" and "Freewill".  People deny it - of course they do - but I'm convinced there's a significant number of people that don't like it because Geddy bagged on it a couple years (decades, now) ago in an interview.

Can't speak for anyone else, but it was always my least favorite song on HYF and never really liked it that much. In fact, I probably appreciate it more now as I'm older than I did before, but still not a big fan of it. Surprised you ranked it ahead of those songs that you listed; while most are overplayed, I prefer them to Tai Shan. Then again, you are Stads!   
 
 

There's no question that's true.  Personally, I disliked the song LONG before I knew Geddy slagged it.  It's the same thing with some folks' attitude about Falling into Infinity.

There may be some of that, but I think in both cases, fans of the band at the time those albums were released probably in general did have negative reactions to those songs/albums. I know for a fact that there were a lot of people - myself included - on the Ytsejam Mailing List who were severely disappointed with the way FII turned out. Yeah, we knew changes were coming because MP/the band said so in interviews around that time, but when the actually album came out, for many of us, it was much worse than we anticipated. Granted, some of that may have been due to the changes we noticed from the way some songs were played during the Fix for 96 shows, and had we not heard the original versions, we wouldn't have been bothered as much. But OTOH, I'd also say that for a good chunk of the fan base, it was probably older fans telling younger fans about the background of FII that may have influenced their view of the album, and not simply just when MP would make comments about it many years later.

[TAC]

I know for a fact that there were a lot of people - myself included - on the Ytsejam Mailing List who were severely disappointed with the way FII turned out.

Yup, the ears knew right away!


And how was I not on that list?? I was trading boots all over the place and no one ever mentioned it to me.

[KevShmev]

100%. I would say that for DT and Rush as well. They're probably the only bands where I can enjoy even the stuff I consider they're worst. I just love their voices, their style I find joy and more than that MEMORIES in all of it. Since Neil's passing I'll tear up listening to fucking Dog Years!

While not a favorite of mine and certainly not one of Neil's lyrical shining moments, I can't help but enjoy Dog Years whenever I do hear it.  That riff smokes.

I think that song gets a bum rap. I ranked it 92 on my list, but it's ahead of such percieved classes as "The Necromancer", "Clockwork Angels", "Spirit of Radio", "By Tor and the Snow Dog" and "Freewill".  People deny it - of course they do - but I'm convinced there's a significant number of people that don't like it because Geddy bagged on it a couple years (decades, now) ago in an interview.

That didn't help, but I think many didn't like the song already; Geddy's comment just gave them a bit of "see, even Geddy thinks it stinks" hubris about it, although I am someone who doesn't often put a lot of stock in artist's opinion of his/her own work, as I feel they are too close to it to always be totally fair and objective about it.

[Kram]

I agree and especially with Rush, I think I am the only who loves Thai Shan! Hell, even my mother-in-law likes the song.

Always been a fan of Thai Shan and Hold Your Fire in general.  Saw them 4 times on that tour - great memories!

[CraftyCaleb2483]

The Mangini era is all knucklehead lmao what are you talkiing about. The MM albums are able to barely scrape up five listenable songs across ten years of albums. That's embarrassing.

At some point, this opinion of yours starts becoming prejudiced, because as far as we know, you haven't taken a good enough listen to any of the Mangini era songs, so your opinion might not be based on experience