“Mike Portnoy said, ‘This is the first thing we’re going to play in 10 years. Guess what it is.’ He started playing. I came in with the wrong song!”: John Petrucci hired ex drummer for his 2020 solo album, but didn’t want him back in Dream Theater
John Petrucci reunited with former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy for his 2020 solo album, Terminal Velocity, a decade after Portnoy left the band. The collaboration prompted speculation that Portnoy might return to Dream Theater, but Petrucci said at the time that this was not his intention and that he preferred Mike Mangini to remain as the band’s drummer.
Petrucci had deliberately avoided using Portnoy on his first solo album to keep it separate from Dream Theater, but felt the circumstances had changed after Portnoy’s departure. Portnoy recorded drums over six days using programmed parts prepared by Petrucci and engineer James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin, while bassist Dave LaRue also contributed; Portnoy ultimately returned to Dream Theater three years later.
- Petrucci reunited with Portnoy for Terminal Velocity in 2020.
- He initially did not want Portnoy back in Dream Theater.
- Portnoy returned to the band three years later.