How easy it is to lose something important has probably convinced many human beings. People who have been affected sooner or later regain the meaning of life and go further. What about those who have lost all their possessions? And at your own request?
Many of you will think: "it's their fault, they wanted it!" I agree. On the other hand, by analyzing their behavior, we can draw far-reaching conclusions. For this reason, I decided to take on a brief history of the failure of a conceited man.
"A Dramatic Turn Of Events" is the name of the eleventh studio album of the American band, undoubtedly included in the first league of progressive rock. As you will see later in the article, this album was very aptly titled. Its release was preceded by the most important event in the band's history, namely the departure of one of the founders of Dream Theater, drummer Mike Portnoy.It is worth mentioning in a few words about the circumstances of this change in composition, which date back to the second half of 2010.It was then that Mike Portnoy decided to celebrate the band's twenty-fifth birthday in a very unusual way. An official information appeared on the Internet that the drummer was leaving the band under the pretext of disagreement with the other musicians. The conflict was to concern the temporary suspension of Dream Theater's activities.From then on, Mike was a free man. With a rich baggage of experience and a wallet stuffed to the brim, he began a carefree life. Offers of cooperation with other bands poured in from everywhere, and Mike, as befits a former rock star, of course, did not want to settle down for a long time in any of them. Mention should be made of the international tour with Avenged Sevenfold, where Portnoy didn't have to make too much effort. After all, even the fastest drum parts in the heaviest metal music are nothing compared to the intricate, progressive interlacing that the musician served in the Dream Theater for a quarter of a century. Returning to the topic, Porntoy, despite fruitful cooperation with the A7X, went on a lonely journey. However, it soon turned out that the interest in the drummer was decreasing in direct proportion to the time he spent outside his native band. Instead of clinging desperately to smaller and smaller projects, Mike came up with a brilliant idea. In the winter of 2010, like the prodigal son, he attempted to return to the bosom of the Dream Theater. However, he encountered a wall.
"… I reached out to the guys and tried to improve our relationship, to reconcile to restore peace to all of us. At the same time, I knew how much it could mean to countless fans. I decided that it was not too late, since they did not make any official statements and did not function in the public space with a new drummer. Unfortunately, they declined my offer. Actually, their lawyer did, they didn't talk to me themselves. So I ask fans on my Twitter and Facebook profiles to stop insisting that I go back to Dream Theater. I tried, but the door is locked."
Well, closed, because on the other side on the drummer's stool sat Mike Mangini, who a moment later became an official member of the band. How did Portnoy take it? Apparently poorly, which is confirmed by the rapid change of tactics. Since he could not return, he decided to tease his former colleagues a bit. On his forum, he openly ironized the new album "A Dramatic Turn Of Events". For example, he did not like the song "Build Me Up, Break Me Down", in which he found many similarities to the composition "Feed the Machine" by Reed.
"… The arrangement and orchestra sound disgustingly familiar! This is certainly an intentional allusion to fans… After all, it couldn't have been brazen plagiarism, could it? I have no choice but to laugh."
There were many similar comments. And what about Dream Theater? They didn't really care. Despite the passage of two years, the band's leader – James LaBrie seems to be still looking at the new drummer and does not spare him compliments.
"I, personally, but also the whole team, feel that we are moving forward. Mike Mangini is our drummer and will remain so until the very end. That's just the way things are. The reason why Dream Theater moves forward is the presence of such a drummer in the group, who completely understands the band and helps to fulfill musical aspirations. Mike Portnoy has also moved forward, working with other musicians and doing what he wants. I think he enjoys it. But when it comes to Dream Theater, Mike Mangini is drumming with us and it will stay that way. After recording "A Dramatic Turn of Events" and a fifteen-month tour, we got to know him as a man and a drummer. So when we were about to enter the studio together again, everyone was relaxed. This incredible musical chemistry was unleashed, and we worked in a natural and creative environment. Mike was no longer in the position of "the new one." He can do things behind the drums that no one else can, so when we compose, we want to go even further than usual. And he walks with us, he does not leave us at a step. He has a lot of ideas. "
The album released this year, simply titled "Dream Theater", mentioned in the above statement, also bears no traces of mourning for Portnoy. Despite the lack of his presence, the musicians agree that this album is definitely a summary of twenty-one years of presence on the music market. Without much problem, they recorded the most characteristic aspects of Dream Theater, i.e. one big progressive interweaving of various genres – songs lasting from three to twenty-two minutes, where Mike Mangini worked just as well, and here and there maybe even better than his predecessor.
As it turns out, the plans to change for the better in reality turn out to be a total failure.Let this short snippet of the sad story of overconfident Mike Portnoy be an important life lesson and even a warning for you. Some things, however, are worth thinking twice and, importantly, never be proud of. Just because we have everything at any given moment doesn't mean we'll keep it forever.