"...We'll meet again, my friend. Some day soon..."I can barely wrap my head around it, but apparently Mike Portnoy is leaving Dream Theater after 25 years.
Though the split is reportedly amicable, Mike has decided that he "needed a break" from the band he's been a major part of since before its inception. From the sound of it, he's gotten kind of burned out on pouring so much of his time and energy into the band even during their down time between albums (only 11 studio albums since 1985 isn't exactly a busy schedule, after all) and it got to the point where playing in other projects was more fun than writing and recording with the band his own father named so many years ago. And regardless of what you may think about Dream Theater as a band, there's no question as to their musical legacy. Or to the fact that Portnoy was a major driving force behind their sound. And with the band still on track to start recording in early 2011, who knows what direction things will go for DT?
I'm not sure what to think of it all, but as a fan of both the band and Mike as a talented musician, I respect their decision and hope everyone prospers from here on out.
Fans will miss you, Mike. Keep up the good work!
- Genghis is feeling a little nostalgic...