Mike Portnoy - Drum Solo / Testing New Drums

[@applejacks971]

It's fun to watch a 'professional' drummer sit down at a kit and just do some jammin. It's also nice to hear the natural sound of the drums without being mic'd and thru a sound board. Just a regular guy playing a regular kit, good times and a fun video to watch.

[@Mike-pd6np]

+applejacks971 I know i'm a bit late, but why did you put professional in quotes?

[@toshiroyamada2443]

applejacks971 messing around with a kit is important lol playing the technical stuff is fine and all hut letting loose and having some fun is the best part for me

[@danielguest7841]

I wouldn't call that a regular kit.

[@mikelealbadrummer]

Mike Portnoy remains one of the best progressive metal drummers of all time, don't forget that this man recorded masterpieces like" images and words", "awake" ecc.

[@harrylupo9489]

IS THE BEST

[@jont1305]

To people who commented saying this was predictable, I have to agree. I predicted it would be awesome.. And it was!

[@vicw4522]

false... it's a fucking mess

[@connerkerrison2579]

Shastynn Victoria okay

[@dcairol]

Check out Gavin Harrison. That’s impressive.

[@MrFritzinger]

Yeah, all the haters? Please compare The Count Of Tuscany to any song from the last two DT albums. Also, I personally could identify Portnoy out of 100 drummers. Lighten up guys, music is not only about technique. Portnoy is still my favorite drummer of all time, doesn't matter what all you ignorant "I-know-everything-best-professors" say.

[@LegionOf3]

The Count of Tuscany alone was way better than the two newest albums put together.

[@masterjosue24]

he lacks creativity in big proportions, nothing new next to every prog metal drummer, he's nothing without quadruplets

[@TheBombtrack26]

I love your final phrase my friend!! :P Anyway a professor respect other drummer, they never compare them. My professor have a big respect for other drummer.

[@Real_Boye]

The problem with the new albums is that petrucci is getting wayyy to much responsability and its repeating his songs... With portnoy there was more balance....

[@Ziri0615]

yeah man!!! a true dream theater fan...and a true mike portnoy fan!!

[@HydraSperati]

Pretty damn good performance. I think too many people are complaining instead of respecting the fact that Mike Portnoy is in his late 40's and still shredding better than a lot of drummers.

[@dcairol]

This is not a good performance.

[@dcairol]

@@Alfred_-vp9ys sure it is…(for someone who knows nothing about drums).

[@joelalexander4513]

@@dcairol dude shut your hole,..let's see you rip a better test jam...i'll wait.

[@Elizabeth_AJ]

@@dcairolI’d like to see you try to do better than this.

[@octavioroso5821]

Amazing drummer i meet Mike Portnoy at the airport in Brazil few years ago he's a great guy so is John Petrucci .

[@SoonerAce311]

yes, yes okay, okay stop with the Mike bashing. yes, this wasnt his best effort by FAR. if anyone thinks that Mike Portnoy sucks, just pull up "The Instrumental Medley" from dream theatre and witness a truly inspiring, dynamic compilation of about 20 of their best songs live. i did the same thing with Tony Royster Jr. about seeing one mediocre video from him and just thought, "he sucks." then saw some other videos from him that just shredded my mind. so everybody just chill the f&^% out and check out "The Instrumental Medley" from Dream Theatre.

[@stevedrums1675]

He doesn't suck. But he's not nearly what he'll tell you he is. He's a hard worker. But he's never played an original note in his body.

[@dumpslivers]

stevedrums how can you play an “original note”

[@GamingDrummer89]

I see MP as more of a song drummer than a soloist. I could watch him play songs all day, but his solos haven't really impressed me in years. Great prog rock drummer, though!

[@GamingDrummer89]

***** I do remember he used his famous beat from "6:00" during his solo on "5 Years in a Lifetime", but other than that I've never really seen him do that in a solo.

[@hyutyub]

Agree!

[@Hoehnfels]

Agree !

[@panzerken]

Good point. Exactly what I have been saying. He can't open solo like Virgil,Lang, Marco etc., but I give him a pass because I think he plays great to his prog rock tunes, and really thats where it really matters.Right??

[@GamingDrummer89]

***** Well, I wouldn't just leave it at "giving him a pass". I think that's selling Portnoy quite a ways short. However, you are correct that communicative ability with other musicians and the ability to bring songs to life are the most important things. Solos are indeed very entertaining, but even the best soloists (like the ones you mentioned) can, in my opinion, only go so far with solos alone. When I see a drummer like Portnoy or any of those guys you mentioned play a song and really drive it well, it's on a whole other scale of awesome.

[@TheEric1203]

It's alright but not as good as the Hello Kitty kit

[@D3HuC]

There's nothing in this world that could be better or even close to Hello Kitty labeled anything, so your comment is pretty obvious.

[@godofshu]

+TheEric1203 Seem him play with The Winery Dogs in Nashville back in October. I lost my shit when he pulled it out of nowhere. XD Lol

[@TheEric1203]

Man I hope I can see them someday :)

[@TheEric1203]

***** but have you even heard the badassery of the Hello Kitty one? :)

[@Diggerdog2nd]

You should hear him on a coffee table. I was backstage in Orlando in 2009 standing next to him before a show & Mike was playing on a coffee table warming up . He even made that sound great. But he was surprisingly short person.

[@Footy_Fan]

OK! I have always admired Mr. Portnoy, but he is officially in mytop 5 favorite drummers now. WOW! EPIC!

[@rachinsrisakulchawla2704]

Still needs more cowbell.

[@jamestom2510]

Portnoy is such an amazing drummer, oozing with creative flair. He could make my mums cooking set sound amazing.

[@spikescorcher3345]

consider this, he never had a formal lesson, so he's more talented without lessons than most drummers are with lessons. I do prefer his band oriented drumming, but I enjoy his solos too

[@octaviogonzalez8322]

He went to Berklee for a whole 1 year, he never had formal lessons? I don't think so

[@harrylupo9489]

??? Graduate of Berkley school of music !!!

[@kimmcswain]

Mike,I've watched and seen many drummers!! You kick A*s!! AWESOME!! I've not watched nor seen anyone play like you do!! I'm loving watching you play. 🎼🙌🏼☠🤘🏻

[@poppinlochnesshopster3249]

+Kim McSwain Now read the name of the channel that uploaded this video. Now tell me why your comment was silly.

[@christraven]

This sounds like every music store's drum section that I've ever been in. Just a bunch of kids banging like spastics on the kits, only somehow, this guy is held up as a premier drummer. Sure, maybe he can write intricate drum parts in the context of a song, but there is _nothing_ that he does that any drummer with name recognition today cannot do.

[@6672rock]

A nice assortment of drums and cymbals in that kit. I like the look of the clear and chrome drum shells mixed together.

[@SuperXpress2]

Jesus fucking christ can we just enjoy the music? If you don't like Mike Portnoy's playing, then you don't have to listen to it. It's as simple as that. For those criticizing his technique or his "lack of complexity" go listen to Dance of Eternity or Learning to Live or Stream of Consciousness or many others (or just go fucking listen to Dream Theater when he was with them). I personally love his playing and I think it fitted Dream Theater very well and I also think it fits well with the recent artists he played (such as Neal Morse, Flying colors or when he played with Adrenaline Mob). Can't we just love music for what it is? I don't see many people criticizing Ringo Starr for playing pretty basic things or John Bonham, obviously if you get past the historic contributions these drummers gave, but I mean just in terms of technicality... But then again, if you fail to see Portnoy's contribution to music, progressive rock or heavy metal, then just go listen to Dream Theater my friend :) And if you don't see anything there, then rock, metal or prog rock might not be your thing (or you're an idiot).

[@jordanwicks2424]

+SuperXpress2 Completely agree. Can't count the amount of times people on jam vids like this one, no matter the drummer, point out the tiniest mistakes. They can't seem to comprehend that that's part of jamming, trying out new stuff to see what sticks. Sometimes it doesn't fit, but if drummers never experimented we'd never find the stuff that does fit.

[@Shamukh]

How are u gonna know if u don't it if u don't listen to it. "don't like? don't listen" doesn't make sense. Lotta people come see check the hype and are genuinely unimpressed. It's not other ppl's problem whether or not you idolize a poor drummer, so you shouldn't take is so personally when they have different taste.

[@Ziri0615]

come on guys!! this is a total improvisation!!! fucking good

[@klistarf]

It's sometimes easy to lose track of how amazing this guy is (as it is with anyone if you don't watch /listen to them for a little while), but how nice it is to 're-discover' the immense talent that is possessed herein... \m/ (:o)

[@aaronrus]

The kit sounds great , y'all are nuts

[@dmcintyre5210]

With a little bit of practice this kid can go far.

[@Glitch-nr9ct]

Just fabulous! Beautiful work Mike.

[@vladimirmijatovic4171]

Before this i watched Mancini's solo and it was quite impressive. Man's a beast and he's got his place in DT well deserved. But, i prefer Portnoy's solo because it sounds more appealing to me. If you are saying that any of these drummers have no skill, you should go back to your cave and leave the performers and listeners to enjoy the music. They are both great drummers and have different styles which can't be appealing to everyone. GO MIKE!!!

[@Ziri0615]

i love you man! no mike portnoy no dream theater! mike mangini is a robot!

[@stobyjoemobley8288]

Ra Sa I tend to agree. Mangini has technique out the wazoo, but Portnoy plays with way more heart.

[@bradchristy8429]

+Stoby Joe Mobley Without Portnoy, DreamTheater sounds like all the other bands trying to sound like DreamTheater. I've been a fan since Images and Words (bought Day and Dream shortly after), and I can't get past the loss of Portnoy. DreamTheater has joined the same ranks as Queensryche: I loved them, but they are no more.

[@vladimirmijatovic4171]

Nightwish and Drowning Pool aswell are bands that were something else before... :(

[@semmes5342]

WHAT A KIT...LOVE THE MARCHING BAND SNARE

[@mateusxavier8805]

this is a test, not a solo.

[@nicolasfrossard4315]

Mateus Xavier Well, it does say Solo in the title...

[@bankruptbritain6103]

Mateus Xavier no difference

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

Mike Always Amazing and never gets lost !!!!!!

[@kokigami5492]

Mike needs a GPS to navigate that kit

[@aboutthemetal8783]

Damn good And I’m glad he didn’t edit the mistake Out where he clipped his stick on a rim Cool

[@TheDanielBarcellos]

o melhor de todos os tempos sem dúvida alguma

[@dcairol]

Nah

[@j_d_n3708]

Mano a musicalidade dele é espetacular, o jeito que ele distribui as notas combinam muito bem.

[@johngrobson4899]

Hey great playing smooth style top drummer Mike you rocked that kit

[@gringochucha]

It's pretty pathetic how people throw shit at some musicians and passionately defend others as if the world were some kind of musical war. There's plenty of room for all the different drummers, people. Get a life.

[@pecoslalremsanga]

Mike you are the Real Dream Theater.. ... Every theater's Dream is you

[@romanchaikovskyi2537]

The first 2 minutes of solo reminded me of Chad SMith :D

[@mikelocke3285]

Mike Portnoy is absolutely incredible. The fastest,most presise drummer I've ever seen. I've been playing drums and percussion for my whole life and I just can't believe anyone could be this fast. Totally amazing and Incredibly creative. One of the most Talented and fabulous musicians ever. Should be in the Guinness Book Of World Records For sure. Totally amazing and Incredibly skilled. I wish I could take lessons from the King of Progressive Rock, Mike Portnoy

[@mikelocke3285]

Neil Peart, Mike Zonder, Mike Mangini

[@bradchristy8429]

+Ethan McGuire Speed is not the grade by which we truly measure drummers. Not by a long shot. some of the worst drummers are those trying to play fast. Portnoy is so far ahead of most other drummers out there. I've watched him playing with DT when he was doing things most drummers can't even dream about, all the while interacting with the crowd, working with a drum tech, trying to fix a problem, or discussing breakfast (or whatever) with Petrucci and Myung. He doesn't NEED to be any faster than he already is to be miles ahead of most mortal men. Guitarists do the same thing: They get so wrapped up in "how fast can I play", that they end up just making noise that nobody wants to listen to. For the record, Portnoy was never a permanent fixture in A7F. He was asked to temporarily replace The Rev solely because The Rev IDOLIZED Portnoy, and Portnoy agreed in order to honor such a dedicated fan. The Rev was truly amazing, for his age, and there weren't many who could have filled his shoes, but he had a lot of growing up to do to reach Portnoy's caliber.

[@SegahHQ]

+Brad Christy I really like Mike Portnoy too, certainly because I enjoyed Dream Theater so much. But I discovered some bands, particularly Animals As Leaders, and you really should listen to them, C.A.F.O or The Woven Web are the 2 best songs for me, the actual drummer is called Mike Garstka and he's for me the best drummer. It's only my point of view, but If you're searching for speed, metal will be your friend, Alex Rudinger have a youtube channel, he did a cover of " Xenochrist " from The Faceless ( he was in this band ), and more recently " All Her Own Teeth " from his new band called Good Tiger, it's pretty awesome. It's less technical than Animals As Leader than what he used to do in The Faceless but it's really enjoyable :) I hope you'll like it, and I would like to listen what do you like, maybe with a link. It's always a great thing to speak with other drummers. Have a nice day :)

[@cometcourse381]

+Mike Locke You have to be kidding. I hope you have heard Jon Theodore, John Stanier, and especially Zach Hill. I'm never really sure why people think Portnoy is good because most of the time he sounds like an amateur, especially in this video. Also he uses double kick which is just fucking embarrassing. I think you need to listen to more music. Seriously, Mike Portnoy is the epitome of bland, soulless drumming. He is basically a robot, and that isn't a compliment.

[@AlexMcClaranDrums]

why does everybody seem to hate this guy? i thought it was alright.

[@DankoHidalgo]

No one hates this guy. He's Mike Portnoy, not Lars Ulrich.

[@dcairol]

He’s brilliant but slightly overrated IMO. Check out Marco Minnemann, Virgil Donati or Gavin Harrison for insane solos. MP is a bit repetitive and predictable.

[@hardsysselefterskole2939]

Ahh... you people with your comments, flaming, pretending to know stuff, making yourselves sound smart, talking shit... it makes me smile in bitter-sweet disgust. I love this guy. Not only for his drumming but also for his songwriting which inspired me enourmously as a musician and personally. He should be praised as the creative artist he is, and receive a lot of love and thanks for producing truly wonderful and amazing music. A lot of well known, established bands want to work with him, and invite him to play on their projects. I know it's almost only progressive music he plays, but that doesn't matter. He deserves respect for what he does - well... that's just my opinion anyway.:-)

[@erikarnald419]

fuck I dropped my jaw on the floor

[@deppurple700]

Erik Arnald me too still havnt found it

[@ronaldrahmannasution2574]

Robert Miller

[@n1c4m1]

I could listen to this allday long!!!! Awesome!!! :D

[@sebax6933]

Come on guys, what is so bad about this? Mike is an awesome drummer and this solo is pretty cool, may be a little repetitive, but instead of looking it that way, look it musically. It is not a bad solo.

[@rebarbadora]

ahahahahah

[@guill4882]

​​@@dcairol "compared to other dummer that not impressive blah blah... Go listen to this drummer" this kind of comment... Just listen to a drummer jamming in its own way i am so tired of people triyng to compare drummer to other drummer ...

[@JohnBarrow1961]

This guy kicks ass.

[@eennymo]

You Portnoy Hate Club members need to get a life. He must be doing something right... awards 30 years in a row, and now voted Drummer of the Year by Prog Magazine. Either you have some personal vendetta against him or you don't recognize talent. I'm not sure which it is, maybe both. If it is something personal, get over it. I'm tired of all your insults. I understand technical arguments, but the name-calling and personal attacks are getting old. Grow up.

[@matinx64]

The thing is that he is not as talented as some other drummers, ok, he is not that talented as a drummer to be in the spotlight for the time he has been and that is what makes the drummer world hate him. That's what people see, but they don't see the work behind as a full time musician, as a writer, as a creative metal drummer. Is all that together that makes him so good as a drummer.

[@jasonscott3512]

Not as talented as other drummers are you fucking kidding me

[@mrlucretia]

@@jasonscott3512 I agree must be the best trollcomment or most stupid shit I have read last few years. Guess we know who aint a talentscout for a livin' huh? -_0

[@domofhigh9230]

That's one insane drum kit you've got there

[@RatAndTheHarlot]

that kit must be a nightmare to setup

[@straightbrutality9264]

A nightmare that he'll remember

[@jtjdrums]

More of a fun jam than a full blown solo. I like.

[@erict7185]

a lot of haters here that probably can't put up jack shit for chops! Portnoy is a god ppl.

[@pablosoria2168]

one of the best drummers of today, who can play all styles, at least that's my opinion

[@markpietrafitta8899]

I don't understand why musicians are so catty to each other. Especially drummers. They're worse than sorority girls.

[@spacejazz6272]

guitarists are worse

[@Stonewall380]

+Stephen Barlow As a guitarist and drummer, I'd say drummers are worst, IMO. But singers are THE WORST!

[@spacejazz6272]

+Stonewall380 Entertainment haha I'm a drummer and guitarist and I feel like there's more competition and hate among other guitarists but maybe I just hang around with the wrong ones xD

[@Stonewall380]

Stephen Barlow I guess it just depends on the person. lol

[@wildanS]

+Mark Pietrafitta Those are not musicians, just drummers.

[@simonsherlock]

I love the sound of that kit. Does anybody else find it weird when you see a bit and think "wow, I can actually play that bit!". Not that there's many bits where that is the case for me :)

[@dcairol]

This drum solo is not impressive at all. It doesn’t make justice to his recordings from the 90s/2000s. He’s not good soloing.

[@OutlawStarkiller]

Wow this kit sounds absolutely atrocious. Nice playing though

[@FMarinDM]

+Leo Melnikov shit! I actually thought the same as that guy... But yeah i didnt realize it didnt have any mics!

[@jamesoconnor2226]

OutlawStarkiller totally agree wThomas Lang sonors light years ahead in melody. Hey i love mikes work this drmset sounds dead.

[@芝田啓人]

聞いてて非常に楽しい。。。

[@36tenaz]

good playing to me :)

[@branni6538]

Man those roto toms/octobans sound fantastic!

[@TheAnorisma]

GENIOS COMO PORTNOY SON POCOS ..... EL MARCO UNA DIFERENCIA ENTRE LOS BATRERISTAS!!!!!!!......DISCULPENMEN SI ME EQUIVOCO ...PERO PARA MI EL ES LA VERSION EVOLUCIONADA DE ...¡NEIL PEART!!!!!( OJO!.NO ESTOY DICIENDO QUE MIKE ES MEJOR)!!!

[@johnevans2248]

So good and fun to watch.

[@newspaperlightbulb]

4 on the hands followed by 2 on the feet--literally seven minutes of this shit.

[@drmyp7752]

Ох..льно!!! Как раз такой стиль мне по нраву, это вещь!

[@jayramos8621]

The way he wrote his drum tracks with Dream Theater is legendary! But i must say, coming from watching Jojo Mayer play drum solo to this, MP sounded too amateur.

[@hayabus111a]

Or coming from watching Benny Greb!!! Daaamn! Those drummers are amazing ! What I love about Benny is that he's only 30 yo!

[@dcairol]

Or Gavin Harrison, or Virgil Donati. Or Guitar Center Drum Off contest.

[@niledrums]

Insane! You're the best Mike

[@EntreMusicayMusicos]

When Mike is soloing... intro: RLRLLRLRLLRLRLLRLRLLRLRLL END: RLRLKK RLRLKK RLRLKK RLRLKK... Now i know why he was desmissed from dream theater

[@cbendernagel]

he wasn't kicked out. They wanted him to stay. He left because he wanted to take a break and they didn't.

[@EntreMusicayMusicos]

I know man, im just kiddin... but it's not good when he always use the same techniques .. thats boring

[@drumboarder1]

As he's said himself, he's a not a solo drummer

[@manojbairwa2853]

he left the band not dismissed

[@BRxNER]

Manoj Bairwa He,s just say it humorous

[@ieetemos4breakfast]

Mike even said that the acrylic drums are really more about looking cool. IMO the starclassic bubinga shells were the best sounding drums he used in or out of DT. I can't believe it's been nearly 6 years since he left DT...

[@audacla]

Everyone is a genius drummer behind a pc screen with a few words eh? You people, of all of the words are telling, why don't pick up a drum and a camera and demostrate something? Talking is very easy! This is pratically a joke, and who tells "is bad, is only famous", isn't this just frustration?

[@Northernwoodw]

To anyone who knocks Mike, he has forgot more than you will know. His body of work, not a 7 minute jam speaks for itself. He is a top 10 drummer of all time, if he is so bad why have so many drummers emulated him. Their are 2 drummers that I have had trouble learning some of their grooves Mike is one. Everyone else no problem that's how I know he is at the top! He is famous because of his drumming you idiots!

[@koolBOY8323]

where are the videos from all the haters. i'd love to see them do better. oh wait...

[@Macy1ify]

Exactly

[@danielmathia5875]

kool - aha, so if you buy new TV and get problem with it, please, dont bring it back to seller and try to complain, before you build your own better device! thank you.

[@themortable]

Very very awesome bravo congratulations

[@theultimategamer213]

Leaving dream theater was probably his most regretted decision ever

[@rubenduartejr.7168]

Awesome testing! Give it up for LP drums! I was impressed!

[@CapeKornkid]

Problem is that after hearing his previous solos, this one seems boring. Give the guy a break. He's established himself as one of the planet's greatest. He doesn't have to prove anything more to anyone. Just saying!

[@dcairol]

Gavin Harrison or Virgil Donati would never solo like this.

[@MetalJames1282]

world class drummer!

[@jcmatias]

5:00 - 5:28 -> one of his WORST moments EVER

[@SuperHelldrummer]

HAHAHAH AGREE

[@ghostssmokesdjgames2261]

what is so bad in that part?

[@panzerken]

it's one of those Saturday afternoon in the Guitar Center drum department solos. Shut up kid, and get off the drums!

[@johnathanzachary9297]

***** if there is a kid that can play dat , i mean he reached a Mike's level. Its not that easy ya know

[@dcairol]

@@ghostssmokesdjgames2261 you’re probably asking that if you are not a drummer.

[@jordanshain3698]

What the hell are you guys talking about!? He has done so much! He's how old and he still jams. He has how many drummer awards, and he's been a part of how many awesome groups. What have you done?

[@kyloken]

Hey, watch the "old" statements!- LOL It's because the art of the musician did not hit any teenagers after the 80's. Us old guys are the only ones who can actually play instruments these days!

[@schneidercorn2813]

+Kenny Rhodes it's funny how people think teenagers are the problem when clearly the adults that play instruments complain about the "musicianship" of today; I'm referring to jazz and rock, not pop, just in case you're wondering. comments like these are total bs.

[@kyloken]

+schneidercorn my statement has a "rich" background, after the 80's music programs in schools were dropped which changed the music of today. As you may notice, the art of song writing and musicianship is gone today. To quote Prince, "I grew up when musicians played their own instruments and wrote their own songs." This was the context of my post.

[@xBaphometHx]

I love Portnoy's work in DT, but this solo was hella boring!

[@keenman0403]

God Sabian cymbals sound beautiful

[@leanderthal-z]

Tito Puentnoy

[@-Vitalis-]

Mike Taconoy

[@izzysix1742]

I love how that 18 inch tom is mounted on the rack on top of the 14 and 16 inch toms. How do they mount that? I want my dad to mount one like that for me on my kit...and of course buy me an 18 in tom to add haha

[@brodycuster3773]

i think the one you're talking about is the gong drum. its actually 20 inches and hanging over a 16 and 14. i want one.

[@STIXAHOY]

How can this drummer who shared his rhythmic ingenuity on Dance of Eternity - play such a poor solo.

[@OscarFleming]

Julia Francis but he's a great composer.

[@patricel6341]

Julia Francis this is testing not soloing

[@Raphaelzis]

+Bobby Whiles Just because someone can't do something it means he/she can't express an opinion on it?

[@Tac-0]

+Julia Francis alright? well.. upload a video where you do better then ? i bet you dont even know how to work your hands and feet at the same time..

[@yogengrg7690]

Because dance of eternity was recorded with many takes. Plus he compose and wrote down each sections time signature before. This take is just on the spot improvisation.

[@windberpa1220]

Set sounds really good!

[@Moon-to9se]

Мне вот звук не нравится(

[@GlitchMan]

Потому что кухня не подзвучина ... Запись идет комнатного звука

[@grayesmith9774]

Love when he goes to the bell of the hi hat

[@tommylight1312]

This guy is the most overated drummer ever. And my music teacher said he was the "best".

[@dcairol]

This is definitely a bad example of his skills. Check out his work with Dream Theater.

[@tommylight1312]

@@dcairol I was 17 years old when I made that comment dude. My opinions on life and everything have changed since then. Portnoy is no doubt an awesome drummer. Great footwork. And this video is clearly not a serious drum solo, and is him just fooling around testing out the kit. And the drums aren't even mic'ed up so they don't sound very good. So I don't understand people bitching about the sound. However I still don't like Dream Theater very much. Especially now with the lineup changes. Sons of Apollo is where it's at. Check them out. Awesome band. Cheers.

[@simonlamphee7639]

Simon philips,gavin harrison are a couple of my fave drummers

[@garyhope2]

+Simon Lamphee Simon Phillips,.....amazing. Really good.

[@shihchen168]

terrible sound....

[@dks3982]

sounds like there was only overheads which explains the sound. if this kit was in a studio fully mic'd up, it would kick so much ass

[@CousinsPicturesORG]

+Steven Chen the kit isn't properly miced

[@shihchen168]

agree

[@mattmarkus4868]

His drums always sound like shit. It's his technique, approach, and equipment choices.

[@sideoutside]

It's the mics, you people don't understand recording.

[@cailyb3240]

MIKE YOU ARE BEAST

[@luthfikautsar4268]

monoton crap

[@rizalkartowisastro5829]

Luthfi Kautsar but his creation of rhythm section and the concept is great than what Mangini have ever did.

[@protossid]

Luthfi Kautsar Please upload your own video then and let us comment.

[@corneboeren4610]

Luthfi Kautsar LMAO, drums are not supposed to be melodic ;) , ofcourse you can create some melodic sound in it. but its not like a keyboard so its probably monotone xD

[@chetsjug]

Luthfi Kautsar Wait... What's a Monoton?

[@PeakResetProductions]

Luthfi Kautsar your so fucking right. all i hear is a lot of brrrrr brrrr dummdumdumm brrrr brrrr... fucking monotone as hell!!

[@OctopusInkBlots]

He took a lot of classes at Berklee that's where he met basically the rest of DT. Theory, some composition stuff, I know he took one that basically trained him on when hearing something he can figure out different musical patterns and harmonies to accompany it. There's a video of him explaining it all out there somewhere.

[@sikatmorten9532]

this is actually boring...

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Terry Bozzio Stunning Drum Solo he can just dream...

[@GodlyDrmmrProductions]

Meh

[@lukehalstead413]

i argree like lars this guy is getting shitter with age

[@drummerdude100]

I agree. What happened to Mike? He used to be so incredibly creative. I still watch his 'drums of thought' dvd and get blown away by the stuff he came up with and the incredible beats and transitions but now? What ever happened? I suppose just like DT are kind of boring now, they all need each other. Then they really come alive.

[@FranciscoCaramello]

drummerdude Midlife crisis...

[@tiagodon]

This is not exaclty a drum solo. It's a rhythms medley. Portnoy is amazing.

[@MichaelBelafonti]

yea this one sucks, terrible transitions

[@warfaredrumming]

All I see are haters posting, the difference between u guys and him, is that he had an endorsement deal...this dude is famous. Who are y'all to make rude comments about his style of playing.

[@warfaredrumming]

Me either, I dont have time for it!

[@adriavazquezalbaiges5534]

Very nice!!! awesome!!

[@puckrocker854]

Me: *don't* *don't say it* *don't do it* "I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL, BABY!"

[@ironjaydentaylor8196]

his drum work in the song save meby a7x is amazing, id love to hear him on the kit behind megadeth

[@thomaskauser8978]

Captivating

[@putasydrogas]

Fuck all the haters. Ok, is obvious that Portnoy isn't the best drummer in the world, but he kicks ass the 90% of drummers. And the most important thing, WITHOUT HIM, ONE OF THE BEST BANDS OF ALL TIME, DREAM THEATER, DOESN'T EXIST. This is rock, if you want more technic, listen jazz.

[@aiarthena5744]

Cmon.. You can find more skillful drummers, but the point isn't only bout skills, it's how your music inspires others! Yes he does!

[@mrbucket75]

Still love Mike, Met2 is one of my favorite albums, and both LTE albums, When The Water Breaks!

[@mindcrime2010]

Definitely a song drummer!!!

[@1979GenXdude]

Damn! LP has improved over the years!

[@itsjustlikedude2207]

That's great!!!