I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write:
After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater....the band I founded,
led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.
To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be
misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty
decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....
After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail, Transatlantic
and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion
that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these
other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater...
Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DT guys dearly and have a long
history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them...it's just
that I think we are in serious need of a little break...
Dream Theater was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day
and waking moment of my life since 1985...24/7, 365...never taking time off
from DT's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was "off" between
cycles)...working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane
people ever would do for a band...
But I've come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me
out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my
relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.
We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now
(of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few
months apart from each other here & there over the years has been much needed
and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a
bit of a "hiatus" to recharge our batteries and "save me from ourselves"...
Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my
feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a
breather...I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against
my initial wishes, but it was not to be...
While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike
Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their
way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as
to not hold them back against their wishes....
Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me
about the future of DT and I talked about "always following your heart and
being true to yourself"...sadly I must say that at this particular moment, my
heart is not with Dream Theater...and I would simply be "going through the
motions", and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake
of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.
I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is
enjoyed by fans for decades to come...I am proud of every album we made,
every song we wrote and every show we played....
I'm sorry to all the disappointed DT fans around the world...I really tried
to salvage the situation and make it work...I honestly just wanted a break
(not a split)...but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from
within....
You DT fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have
always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my
future musical journey, wherever it may lead me....(and as you all know my
work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future MP projects!)
Sadly...
Your fearless ex-leader and drummer,
MP
