In a new interview with Consequence, Mike Portnoy talked about his return to Dream Theater after a 13-year absence.
“And, really, everything about it feels right. It feels like this is where I should be and need to be and want to be,” the drummer shared.
He reflected on his upcoming first show with the band, “But that very first night at the O2 Arena in London, I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like. I’ve dreamt about it 100 times, through the years, of what it would be like to be onstage with those guys again.”
“And to feel the interaction and the love and the excitement in the audience, it’s going to be so electric. I can’t wait. I cannot wait. And we’re now getting so close. It’s going to be incredible,” Portnoy added.
The musician recently shared his thoughts on Dream Theater’s rehearsals for their upcoming shows in a Facebook post. He wrote, “My view at the office… Rehearsals have been sounding and feeling great! Incredible how quick and seamless we have jumped right back into these songs together again after all these years…(in some song’s cases, it been decades since playing them together!).”
Mike continued, “I don’t want to be overconfident, but I have to say it’s already sounding and feeling so comfortable and natural… like no time has passed…a little over 3 weeks away from kickoff!!! Can’t wait…”
Portnoy helped start Dream Theater in 1985 with John Petrucci and John Myung. He played on 10 albums and left in 2010. In a chat with Mariskal Rock, Portnoy said he has no regrets about leaving the band.
The drummer noted, “As far as any regrets, I don’t have any regrets. I think even leaving Dream Theater back in 2010, I don’t regret that because I think if I had unhappily stayed at the time, I might’ve spent the rest of my life regretting not taking a chance.”
Dream Theater starts a month-long UK/European tour on October 20 at The O2 Arena in London. In December, they’ll head to Latin America for more shows, followed by a North American 40th anniversary tour starting in February.