In a recent interview with Dylan Gowan of Banger TV ( transcript via Blabbermouth ) , Mike Portnoy , drummer for Dream Theater , commented on Parasomnia , the band's 16th studio album, released on February 7, 2025 by InsideOut Music. This is Dream Theater's first album with Portnoy since Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009).
When asked about the heaviness of the new album, Portnoy agrees that Parasomnia (2024) is one of the band's heaviest albums, highlighting the crucial role of metal in Dream Theater's sound, especially with him in the lineup. “We’ve always had that metal edge, from the first song on the first album, A Fortune in Lies , I was playing thrash, double bass, thrash beats from the beginning. And we’ve always had songs like that, such as Panic Attack , The Glass Prison , or A Nightmare To Remember ,” he stated. According to the drummer, this fusion between metal and progressive rock is what truly puts the band at the top, both in sales and performances at major metal festivals like Aftershock and Hellfest .
Portnoy added: “If I had to describe Parasomnia to someone, I’d say it has the darkness and intensity of Train of Thought , with the cinematic approach of [Metropolis Pt. 2:] Scenes From a Memory .”
Mike co-founded the band in 1985 with guitarist John Petrucci and bassist John Myung . The drummer participated in 10 albums over 20 years, from When Dream And Day Unite (1989) to Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009), before leaving in 2010.
Mike Mangini joined the supergroup in late 2010 after a highly publicized audition, shortly following Mike Portnoy's departure. Mangini beat out six of the world's greatest drummers— Marco Minnemann , Virgil Donati , Aquiles Priester , Thomas Lang , Peter Wildoer , and Derek Roddy —for the position in a three-day process that was filmed for the reality show "The Spirit Carries On".
Mike Portnoy comments on the new album.
With the release of their new album, produced by Petrucci and mixed by Andy Sneap , the Americans once again surprise us with a unique sound. The cover art was once again designed by Hugh Syme, who brought his creative vision to the band.
In a recent interview with Masa Ito , Japanese music critic and host of TVK's "Rock City," Portnoy spoke about what he has brought new to the band since his return in October 2023, after a 13-year absence. And his answer was quite clear: "It's not up to me to say. I'm not going to sit here praising myself, talking about everything I do for the band. I think it's more for the fans to decide. But everyone knows what I've brought since the beginning, 40 years ago."
Mike also commented on his contribution over the years: “I’ve always been involved in all areas of the band — not just drumming, but also songwriting, lyrics, melodies, production, merchandising… everything. I was the guy who oversaw everything. When I left in 2010, the guys had to get organized and figure out how to divide responsibilities. Now, coming back, it’s necessary to respect what they’ve built in that time. The band’s dynamic has changed, and I’m having to adapt.”
He also revealed what his return after so long was like: “When I left, I was a control freak, I took care of everything. Now, I'm more relaxed. They did incredible things without me, so I need to be respectful of how things work today. Some aspects of the band came back to me, others didn't. It's been a learning experience, but in a very positive way.”
READ ALSO : Dream Theater: Mike Portnoy comments on his return with the band
