MIKE PORTNOY Discusses DREAM THEATER, Other Projects In Video Interview

One of the final interviews drummer Mike Portnoy gave as a member of the progressive metal band DREAM THEATER — conducted in May 2010 by The Crooked Step — can be viewed below.

Portnoy yesterday announced his decision to quit DREAM THEATER, the band he formed and led for 25 years. Portnoy wrote an extensive letter on his web site explaning that he is burned out and his heart is simply not into the band anymore. "To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision," he said. "It is something I have struggled with for the last year or so." He added, "After having had such amazing experiences playing with HAIL!, TRANSATLANTIC and AVENGED SEVENFOLD this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in DREAM THEATER. . . . I love the DREAM THEATER guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them... it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break." The remaining members of DREAM THEATER released their own statement saying, "Mike's stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band. While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that DREAM THEATER will continue to move forward with the same intensity — and in the same musical tradition — that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us. As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2011, and we'll follow that with a full-on world tour."

DREAM THEATER supported IRON MAIDEN on a North American tour which kicked off on June 9 in Dallas, Texas and concluded on July 20 in Washington, D.C.

DREAM THEATER's latest album, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", sold 40,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart.

DREAM THEATER's last CD, "Systematic Chaos", opened with 36,000 units in 2007 to enter The Billboard 200 chart at No. 19. 2005's "Octavarium" premiered with 27,000 copies to debut at No. 36.

In addition to the standard-version CD, DREAM THEATER's tenth studio album, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", was also made available on vinyl LP, as well as a three-disc, special-edition CD that includes the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs.