Zach Shaw of MetalInsider.net recently spoke with Mike Leonard - director of DREAM THEATER's web series, The Spirit Carries On, which chronicles the audition process behind the band’s search for drummer Mike Portnoy’s replacement. An excerpt from their chat follows:

Out of the seven drummers that auditioned, was there one that particularly stood out to you?

"We filmed with Mike Mangini (STEVE VAI, EXTREME, ANNIHILATOR) the night before his audition and both as a person and as a drummer, he impressed me the most. Mike is such an incredibly genuine and nice guy, just like all the members of Dream Theater. He’s also incredibly meticulous about making sure he does his part and gets all the details right. All of the drummers that we filmed with were incredibly nice and professional, but Mike really made a great impression on me. Then watching him play in real life blew me away – he’s a monster.He plays the most complicated things like they’re nothing, just incredible. I’ll never forget it."

Are there any plans to release a physical copy of this documentary, maybe along with extra footage?

"Yes, I believe there is going to be a DVD release this summer with the new album. We have talked about many different options and I have no idea what is actually going to happen, but I’m sure it will be released at some point and there’s tons of potential for bonus footage."

To read the interview in its entirety, click here.

Episode 1 and 2 of The Spirit Carries On can be viewed below:

Despite not having announced their new drummer, Dream Theater already has the following shows booked:

July

4 - Rome, Italy - Ippodromo Capanelle
5 - 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 Park
4 - Székesfehérvár, Hungary - Fezen Festival