Mike Portnoy Confesses What It’s Like Playing His Replacement’s Drum Parts

Mike Portnoy is back in Dream Theater and now he’s playing songs that were originally recorded

with drummer Mike Mangini. He says it feels fun and fresh because the songs are new

to his hands, even if they’re part of the band’s history. He mostly keeps

Mangini’s drum parts but tweaks a few things to fit his own style. Portnoy also learned

songs from five Mangini-era albums and brought his own sound to the new album “Parasomnia,”

showing both respect and creativity as the band starts a new chapter.