DREAM THEATER Drummer To Play With HAIL! In 2010

DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy will play select dates with the all-star band HAIL! — comprised of bassist David Ellefson (F5),guitarist Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA),Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ICED EARTH) — in 2010.

HAIL! has been making a lot of noise around the world with its crushing live shows and its insistence on bringing metal to not-so-easy-to-reach places. Having just returned last month from playing one of the first metal concerts ever in Beirut, Lebanon, HAIL! has once again outdone itself.

Commented Ellefson: "Mike Portnoy is a demi-god! He is hands-down one of the very best drummers in the entire world and to be able to play together is really an honor.

"We have had our fingers crossed for this to happen because, truth be told, we had originally talked with him about the possibility of playing with us early last year. At that time DREAM THEATER was working on 'Black Clouds & Silver Linings', so it just couldn't happen at the time, but his enthusiasm and understanding about what we as HAIL! were doing was immediate. There was no need for any explanation, he got it — because he is it.

"The special beauty about HAIL! is the simple purity of passion and this is another clear illustration.

"Mike's been a great friend for a long time and I am thrilled to announce his participation."

"An interviewer recently asked me how long we planned on doing this and I joked 'until we run out of drummers!'" laughed Ellefson. "Seriously, though, look at the guys we've had — Jimmy DeGrasso, Roy Mayorga, Paul Bostaph and now Mike Portnoy! It is our aspiration to try and reward every fan that comes to see us with a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime experience. We're doing our best to have the best players play the best songs from the best bands to the best fans! …and it's working!"

Professionally filmed video footage of HAIL! — Ellefson, Kisser, Owens and Paul Bostaph (TESTAMENT, SLAYER, EXODUS) — performing the SEPULTURA classic "Territory" on November 20, 2009 at Hektic Hall in Beirut, Lebanon can be viewed below. The clip, which was mixed and edited by Roy Naufal, is said to be a sample of the "Hail! In Beirut" DVD that is currently being produced.

Although HAIL! claims to have been "the first metal band" to ever have played live in Lebanon, several other acts — including APOCALYPTICA, LAKE OF TEARS and THEATRE OF TRAGEDY — have previously performed in the country.

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Ace Of Spades (MOTÖRHEAD)
02. Territory (SEPULTURA)
03. Symphony Of Destruction (MEGADETH)
04. Grinder (JUDAS PRIEST)
05. Stand Up And Shout (DIO)
06. Walk (PANTERA)
07. Neon Knights (BLACK SABBATH)
08. Wrathchild (IRON MAIDEN)
09. Run To The Hills (IRON MAIDEN)
10. The Green Manalishi (JUDAS PRIEST)
11. Symptom Of The Universe (BLACK SABBATH)
12. South Of Heaven (SLAYER)
13. Peace Sells (MEGADETH)
14. Paranoid (BLACK SABBATH)

Encore:

15. Refuse / Resist (SEPULTURA)
16. Whiplash (METALLICA)