Drummer Mike Portnoy has rejoined Dream Theater

nme.com:

Dream Theater have announced the return of founding member Mike Portnoy, over a decade after he left the line-up.The news of his return to the prog band was shared by the band today (October 25) with a surprise X/Twitter update. “We are thrilled to announce the return of drummer @MikePortnoy to Dream Theater,” it read.In the post, the band also confirmed that the new line-up is already set to begin work on a new studio album, which will mark their first with the drummer since 2009’s ‘Black Clouds & Silver Linings’.Portnoy’s return also marks the restoration of the classic 1999/2000 line-up – also featuring singer James LaBrie, guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung and keyboardist Jordan Rudess.During that time, the five-piece recorded six albums, including the fan favourites ‘Metropolis Pt.

2: Scenes From a Memory’, ‘Images And Words’ and ‘Train Of Thought’. Portnoy later parted ways with the prog metal heavyweights in 2011 and went on to join other projects including The Winery Dogs, Sons of Apollo and Adrenaline Mob.We are thrilled to announce the return of drummer @MikePortnoy to Dream Theater!

We will be going into the studio to begin working on our 16th studio album and the first with MP since 2009’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings!

pic.twitter.com/oS7tevCQVQ— Dream Theater (@dreamtheaternet) October 25, 2023His return to Dream Theater also marks the departure of current drummer Mike Mangini, who was selected to join the band as part of a very public audition process back in 2011.