MIKE PORTNOY Explains Long Wait For ADRENALINE MOB Album

Former DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy says that there is a very good reason the already completed debut album from his new band ADRENALINE MOB won't be released before 2012.

ADRENALINE MOB is the new band featuring Portnoy, SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP),bassist Paul DiLeo and STUCK MOJO/FOZZY axeman Rich Ward.

The group has been confirmed as one of the support acts for GODSMACK on the Massachusetts group's post-Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival headlining run throughout North America in August.

To coincide with the tour, ADRENALINE MOB will release a four-song EP in August.

Commented Portnoy: "Most labels require a three-month 'setup' for a well-promoted release... As it is now late July, delivering the album to a label TODAY won't get a release 'till October... and basically ALL labels won't release a new album past October (unless you are MADONNA, LADY GAGA, EMINEM, etc.). So rather than us taking these GODSMACK shows with NOTHING available and a release not likely 'till January (or so),we decided to put out an EP to give you all a taste of the MOB now so we can play some shows and still set up a full-length release!

He added, "Believe me, we are as anxious as you all to hear this music!"

GODSMACK with ADRENALINE MOB tour dates:

Aug. 16 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House Of Blues
Aug. 20 - Watertown, NY - Watertown Grandstands
Aug. 21 - Hamilton, ON - Copps Colisseum
Aug. 23 - Dubuque, IA - Five Flags Arena
Aug. 24 - Bloomington, IL - US Cellular Colisseum
Aug. 26 - Casper, WY - Casper Events Center
Aug. 27 - Grand Junction, CO - Rock Jam

Professionally filmed video footage of ADRENALINE MOB performing a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "The Mob Rules" on June 24 at the Hiro Ballroom in New York City can be seen below.

A review of ADRENALINE MOB's concert at the Hiro Ballroom which marked the group's first-ever live performance can be found at NY Hard Rock Music Examiner.

In a March 2011 interview, Russell described ADRENALINE MOB as "a straight-up rock band with just rock songs kind of like an edgy, modern kind of sound. It's not progressive or trying to be too metal or anything it's just good, old crunchy rock stuff." He added, "I think it will be really well received by people who like to hear that kind of stuff. This is a new thing for Portnoy and myself, too. I've always done kind of done stuff with AYREON, but that's more of a vintage-y vibe, but nothing like this, which is kind of modern-sounding, almost like ROB ZOMBIE meets BLACK LABEL SOCIETY meets DISTURBED, [but] with [Ronnie James] Dio singing. It's all this kind of craziness. So it's definitely different and it's cool."

Speaking to MetalSymphony.com, Orlando stated about ADRENALINE MOB, "This band is not in the vein of SYMPHONY X or DREAM THEATER. It's more along the lines of, say, ROB ZOMBIE, GODSMACK, DISTURBED, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, SHINEDOWN with Russell's absolute pipes from hell and Mike just outright killing it on the kit. The guitar is really rocking and has some pretty insane moments, but it's a song-oriented band and that's the most important aspect before anything." He continued, "Russell and I have an amazing writing chemistry together and he is one of my closest and dearest friends. It's an absolute pleasure to work with such a great talent as Russell on every level.' He added, "Mike is just unbelievable. His playing is beyond words at times. He's the utmost professional musician but also one of the nicest and coolest guys I have ever met and played with. It's an honor to call him my bandmate, to say the least, and I look forward to ripping it up every night out there with Mike and Russ and the guys!"

Photo credit: Joe LaRusso