LIFTING SHADOWS OFF A Dream

For over a decade, the chances of drummer Mike Portnoy returning to the band he co-founded back in 1985 appeared to be remote. But with a gradual warming of relations between members, and Portnoy working on Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci's second solo album, there seemed to be an unstoppable momentum and inevitability about his return to the band in late 2023.
The timing was perfect, with Dream Theater celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.
"It's interesting you brought up the word 'inevitable' because I've used that word myself a few times to describe it," says Portnoy cheerily. "There were many baby steps that got us to this point. First and foremost, the most important thing was to rebuild our personal relationships before we even thought about playing music together. It started with John Petrucci and I, with our families getting together for the holidays and things like that.
It was the same with Jordan [Rudess, keyboards]. I kept in touch with Jordan and would get together with him on occasions.
During those phases, it was just about reconnecting and getting rid of all the drama and bullshit from over the years. There was a time when I started to think it would be really sad if it didn't happen. Now, here we are and thank God it happened. I've often been asked if I had any regrets about leaving the band. I would say that at this point, my regret was not leaving the band; the regret is that it took so long to reunite. Now that we're back together, it feels so natural, so good and so right. I just wish it had happened sooner.
Bu hikaye Prog dergisinin Issue 157 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Prog dergisinin Issue 157 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap

SOLSTICE
Since their formation in 1980, Solstice have been led by guitarist Andy Glass through various hiatuses and line-up changes. It took until 2020 and the start of the Sia trilogy to truly find their feet, but this strange route to success has left them in an interesting position.

SAVATAGE
It's not entirely accurate to use the word \"reunion\" if a band never broke up in the first place, but semantics aside, it's fair to say that American progressive/ power metal trailblazers Savatage have spent the better part of the past two decades far away, in a land caught between time and space.
Against The GRAIN
US veterans Glass Hammer have ripped up their own rulebook - yet again - on Rogue, an hour-long concept album that takes the listener on a journey of self-discovery via life's highs and lows. Bassist and co-founder Steve Babb takes Prog on a deep dive into its themes, its innovative recording process and the global mix of musicians involved in the project, and explains why, after more than 30 years in the saddle, his fire for creative reinvention still burns as brightly as ever.

JOHN LODGE
It’s lovely to be here,” says John Lodge. “In fact, it’s lovely to be anywhere,” he adds, adapting the old joke and explaining that just over a year ago he had a stroke. Yet with “Prayers, love and good vibes,” he continues, “here we are.”

True Or False
Aband featuring members of Porcupine Tree and King Crimson were always going to be considered a prog supergroup, but O.R.k are continuing to prove there is much more beyond the label. With fifth album Firehose Of Falsehoods another impressive addition to the quartet's catalogue, Prog catches up with bassist Colin Edwin to find out more.

HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT'S ADEQUATE/ GHOST OF THE MACHINE
The new album by modern prog mainstays Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate is an expansive, polystylistic release centred on Heisenberg's uncertainty principle.

DIVIDE AND DISSOLVE
Sax, drone and rock'n'roll with an anti-colonial message.
SALLY POTTER
The avant-garde musician, filmmaker and activist on exploring the human connection, staying optimistic in the face of uncertainty and her memories of brother and VdGG bassist Nic.

BLIND CONVERGENCE
Ambitious ambient solo project from Thieves Kitchen guitarist Phil Mercy.

Chris Squire: "The greatest bass player in prog rock history." - his 30 greatest performances
He was one of the most influential and creative rock musicians, who transformed the way the bass was viewed. Chris Squire's impact on the world of progressive rock is still felt to this day, as is the music he played a major role in creating. Prog asks former bandmembers, collaborators and musical fans to share their favourite songs from his back catalogue. Is yours among them?