Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie recently shared his thoughts on Mike Portnoy’s return to the band. He described it as a “great new beginning” in an interview with The Prog Report.
LaBrie’s comments focused on how natural Portnoy’s return felt to the band. He highlighted the drummer’s unique musical contribution.
“I’d say, you know, maybe after the first five shows, then it just became like, okay, you know, it’s cool,” LaBrie said. “Like, this is a great new beginning once again. It just feels right.”
The vocalist also addressed the comparison between the band’s two drummers. He acknowledged Mike Mangini’s contributions while emphasizing Portnoy’s distinctive style.
“I’ve said it in several interviews, it’s funny you get away and you know Mike Mangini is a phenomenal drummer,” he continued. “He was incredible in the band, and he has his style of playing and being involved in the music and the writing and all that stuff. And then coming back to Mike Portnoy, I was just reminded and we even talked about it while we were writing ‘Parasomnia’ and it’s just he has a very specific vibe and feel and groove to when he plays and you you just feel that and then you’re reminded and you’re like, ‘Wow, you know, yeah, there it is. There it is. That’s exactly what it used to be like.'”
LaBrie concluded his statement by describing the reunion as a homecoming for all band members.
“And it’s good, you know, it’s like coming home, for all of us,” he said.
The reunion comes after years of gradual reconciliation between Portnoy and his former bandmates. It marks the end of a 13-year separation that began when the drummer left Dream Theater in 2010.
Metal Injection reported that the reconnection process began during the pandemic lockdown. Portnoy collaborated with guitarist John Petrucci on his 2020 solo album and participated in the revival of their side project Liquid Tension Experiment. These collaborations helped rebuild the personal and professional relationships that had been strained following Portnoy’s departure.
Modern Drummer noted that Portnoy has expressed genuine excitement about returning to the stage with Dream Theater. He called it “the final piece” of reconnecting with his former bandmates. The drummer emphasized his anticipation of performing for their devoted fanbase again after more than a decade away from the band.
“It’s exciting at this stage of my life to have this third act,” Portnoy said in an interview with Blabbermouth.
The band is set to embark on their “40th Anniversary Tour 2024 – 2025” in Europe. This will mark the first tour with Portnoy back in the lineup. Revolver Magazine revealed that both the band and Portnoy have acknowledged the significance of making the most of their time together. They recognize the importance of this new chapter in their careers as they reunite for what could be their final major touring cycle together.
