DREAM THEATER's John Petrucci Comments On New Drummer Mike Mangini - "He Is Not Only A Beast Of A Player But An Incredible Person As Well Who Truly And Fully Understands And Values Everything That We Strive To Be As A Band"
April 30, 2011, 13 years ago
As reported yesterday, DREAM THEATER have finally chosen their new drummer - Mike Portnoy’s official replacement is Mike Mangini (STEVE VAI, EXTREME, ANNIHILATOR).
Guitarist John Petrucci posted the following reaction on his forum: "Well, it's been a very exciting day for all of us in Dream Theater and we are happy to finally share the news that Mike Mangini is our new drummer! He is not only a beast of a player but an incredible person as well who truly and fully understands and values everything that we strive to be as a band. Thank you for being so patient and incredibly supportive to us throughout the years and especially over the last several months. Thank you for your faith in us and your immediate and practically across-the-board acceptance of Mike Mangini as our new drummer. Thank you for the positive words about the documentary and all of your passion and dedication. The movie is our gift and our invitation into something that would traditionally be very private and I appreciate everyone's sensitivity towards that. There's a lot of work to be done, so back to the studio. JM finished tracking bass today and Jordan is recording as I type. Things are real busy around here. Can't wait for everyone to hear the new music and to begin playing live with Mike!"
Mangini was revealed as the band's new drummer in the Dream Theater web series, The Spirit Carries On - watch part 3 below:
Mike Leonard has been directing the web series, The Spirit Carries On and he says there is going to be a DVD release of the series available with the band's new album.
The drummers in contention were Aquiles Priester (ANGRA, PAUL DI’ANNO), Peter Wildoer (DARKANE), Virgil Donati (PLANET X, SEVEN THE HARDWAY), Derek Roddy (HATE ETERNAL, NILE, TODAY IS THE DAY), Thomas Lang (JOHN WETTON, ROBERT FRIPP, GLENN HUGHES), Marco Minnemann (KREATOR, NECROPHAGIST, EPHEL DUATH, JOE SATRIANI) and Mangini.
Dream Theater live:
July
4 - Rome, Italy - Ippodromo Capanelle5 - Verona, Italy- Villafranca Castle
6 - Winterthur, Switzerland - Eishalle Deutweg
8 - Metz, France - Sonishpere
9 - Loreley, Germany - Night Of The Prog Festival
10 - Weert, Netherlands - Bospop Festival
12 - Moscow, Russia - Crocus City Hall
13 - Kiev, Ukraine - Sports Palace
17 - Porto, Portugal - Coliseum Of Porto
19 - Tel Aviv, Israel - Exhibition Grounds
22 - Doncaster, UK - Doncaster Dome
23 - Wolverhampton, UK - Wolverhampton Civic
24 - Victoria Park, London, UK - High Voltage Festival
27 - Vienna, Austria - Gasometer
28 - Katowice, Poland - Spode
29 - Mala Skala, Czech Republic - Enatska Noc Festival
31 - Lokeren, Belgium - Lokerse Festival
August
2 - Athens, Greece - Terra Vibe Park4 - Székesfehérvár, Hungary - Fezen Festival
