Dream Theater: "It's nice to see 40 years later that there's still room to grow and expand"

Mike Portnoy always had a very special place among the many musicians that have inspired, influence and helped me through the last 30 years of my journey in rock and metal music, so I could never pass the chance to chat with him. On the contrary, every time I have the chance to interview him, it’s been really special and enjoyable. This time was even more special, since it would be the first time I’d interview him as the drummer of Dream Theater, exactly where he is meant to be.

As Dream Theater continue celebrating their 40^th anniversary with a massive world tour, time has come for us here in Athens, Greece to witness their reunion show, at Release Athens Festival. And it gets even better, as they’ll have Mastodon and Haken on their side, which makes the anticipation even bigger (for Mike as well)…

Mike seemed to be in great spirits as we talked the upcoming shows, his fond memories of the Greek audience and how things are rolling since his return to band, while we also talked about that magic he brought back to the live shows, with his "bag of tricks". We also talked about the future plans with the "Parasomnia" tour, about the possibility of playing the "12 step suite" in its entirety at some point and why "Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence" is not represented in the band’s live sets so far… And, of course, we got him to tell us his favorite albums of 2025 so far.

As always, enjoy the might Mike Portnoy!

Hello Mike!

Hello!

How are you?

Good! How you doing man?

I'm doing fantastic. I have the chance to talk with Mike Portnoy today…

(laughs) Well, I hope you never get used talking with me…

So, first of all thank you for your time. I know you're having a heavy schedule ahead with many shows, so I really appreciate it.

No problem, man!

I always want grab the chance to express my gratitude and my thanks for all the music and all the stuff that you've done over the years!

Thanks man!

We we've talked a few times in the past, but it was about The Wirery Dogs or The Neal Morse Band… Actually, this is the first time that we have the chance to speak with you being the drummer of Dream Theater, so I feel super happy and super excited about it. I still pinch myself sometimes about it…

Well, thank you. Now I could talk about Dream Theater! Usually in other interviews with other bands, I wouldn't talk about it. Now we can… (laughs)

I always love playing in Greece! Such great, great, passionate fans

We have a few topics to talk about! And, of course, the first one is your upcoming show, here in Athens, Greece, which is the main topic of this interview. Because it's been 17 years since your last appearance with Dream Theater here. And from the information that I've gathered, this may be your biggest headline show you ever had in Greece. So, it's going to be fantastic! How do you feel about it? Do you anticipate it?

Yeah, we can't wait. It's like you said, it's been a long time and I always love playing in Greece! Such great, great, passionate fans, so I expect it's going to be great! And we have two great bands playing with us as well. So it's just going to be a great bill, with a great night of music for everybody.

I think the Greek fans are very lucky to have this bill. It's a one-time only bill like this

Yeah, Mastodon and Haken… it's quite a combo…

Yeah, you're going to get really three different sides of prog and prog metal. You know, it's a great-great bill. I think the Greek fans are very lucky to have this bill. It's a one-time only bill like this.

I agree. And just today, my interview with Charlie from Haken was published. It was conducted a couple of weeks ago. And he told me how much of an influence Dream Theater and you have been on him. And he mentioned that in the 90s, he viewed you as teachers....

Hmm, yeah…

And so it really special for them as well. It's really special for everyone. And in my opinion Haken are the best musical children of Dream Theater's legacy, if I may say so. If you understand what I'm saying…

Yeah, I agree! And that's why when I did the Shattered Fortress tour back in 2017, the guys from Haken were essentially my band to perform Dream Theater’s 12-step suite. So, yeah, they nailed it. I knew that they would be the perfect musicians to play this music and they did an amazing job.

Agreed! Now, you're already starting to spoiling us, your, fans with your bag of tricks…

(laughs)

Just being there is going to be special… We don't want to do anything out of the ordinary. We'd rather give you the Dream Theater show that you haven't seen yet

... as you’re presenting different things in special occasions. Is there a chance or room to expect something special that you that you may have planned for us in Greece?

Just being there is going to be special. I mean, you don't want us to change up the setlist. I don't know…. Just to play there at all. It's been so long. We don't want to do anything out of the ordinary. We'd rather give you the Dream Theater show that you haven't seen yet. So I think no matter what we do it, it will be special just being there.

So, how different are these summer shows in comparison to the first tour you did back in last autumn?

Well, the first five months of the tour, from October 2024 through March 2025, it was basically the 40th Anniversary shows. It was a three hour show, two sets with an intermission. And it was pretty static setlist, because we wanted everybody to experience the songs that we were playing on that tour and not only celebrating the 40th anniversary, but also celebrating the reunion of this lineup. So, you know, for about 5 months there, that was the show. But now that these summer shows have rolled around, there's a lot of different formats from day-to-day, cause some a lot of them are festivals, a lot of them are headlining shows, some are headlining shows as "An evening with", with two sets and an intermission. Sometimes it's just a single two hour set. Some of the festivals it could be 75 minutes set, a 90 minute set… So, we pretty much have to adapt to very different situations at each and every one of the stops this summer. But it's been fun for me, because I could change up the setlist from night to night, to adapt to the different scenarios. And we've also done a few special things as well, like playing Pink Floyd's "Echoes" at the Pompey show and bringing back "The Count of Tuscany" when we got to Tuscany, Italy… So, little special things like that are always fun to surprise the fans with as well.

Yeah, it's what I call the Mike Portnoy magic is back...

Ha! Thank you!

There's a lot of markets that we're still getting to for the first time. So in those markets, it will have those kind of very-very special emotions

I think you might be also a bit more relaxed. Because I had the chance to witness two show of yours in Rome and Milan last October, and the emotions were very high. Also a very good friend of mine, was in London and he texted me that he was in tears during the show. I guess this is something special as well, but by now those kind of emotions maybe have gone…

Well, it depends on where we're playing! Cause like for instance, coming to Athens, they haven't seen the reunion yet. So it will be just as magical and special, because this lineup, this reunited lineup hasn't played there yet. It would be the same in Romania and Bulgaria and Turkey. There's a lot of markets that we're still getting to for the first time. So in those markets, it will have those kind of very-very special emotions. And now we're going through some markets again for the second time, for instance we're here in Germany tonight, returning since being here last fall. So now I think in some of these other markets where they got to see the very first reunion show, now everybody's starting to settle in "OK, this is the lineup now and this is what we have and we need to look towards the future"...

It's been almost two years now since I've come back to the band, so it's starting to feel normal again. For the first couple months on tour it felt surreal

I was thinking that since he joined the band, there have been so many things that have happened… Like the 40th anniversary touring, you've got the "Parasomnia" album which is great and it's very well received by your fans, and overall the feedback is amazing I think. So how does it feel as time passes by, are there still moments where you question "Is it really happening?" to quote a song you may know?

Well, it's been almost two years now since I've come back to the band, so it's starting to feel normal again. You know, for the first year or the first couple months on tour it felt surreal. Like "Wow, is this really happening?". But now it feels "Ok! Well, it's been a couple of years…" and, you know, now like I just said a second ago, it feels like "OK, we're settling in, and this is the lineup. And here we are. And now it's time to look towards the future". The future for us in the coming months will be to transition to the "Parasomnia" tour and start playing that album in its entirety, beginning in September. So yeah, it's been nice going through the different phases of this world tour over the past year or so.

It's nice to see 40 years later that there's still room to grow and expand

Another thing I mentioned is that the brand of Dream Theater has kind of expanded or exploded since your return. You know, bigger crowds, bigger interest, biggest stages. I'm saying that because I follow the bank for 30 years and I'm very happy to see that explosion in number happening. Do you do you see that from your side as well?

Yeah, absolutely! I mean, this whole world tour so far, since it began in October, it's been the biggest shows of the band's career! So, it's nice to see 40 years later that there's still room to grow and expand. And it's been amazing. It's really been a quite a ride so far.

You mentioned one thing, and I I'd like to highlight it, because I think it's very important. You brought back that Mike Portnoy magic that I mentioned… The one that old fans like me kind of missed… I'm talking about the three hours long sets, with epic songs like "Octavarium", even the small changes from set to set each night you have now. And playing a couple of tracks no one would expect, like "The Count Of Tuscany" in Tuscany or "Echoes" in Pompeii… I think that those are integral parts of what built the myth of Dream Theater over the years and they have your stamp over them. Do you enjoy providing this to the fans? And how do you plan to continue?

Yeah. I mean, to me, that stuff is so important. And I've always treated the things like that as being very, very important. You know, I always want to feed the fan base and give them exciting new things that maybe they're not expecting or nice surprises. That's always been the way that I wrote setlist for Dream Theater, for the band's whole career while I was in the band. So, coming back into the band it was one area that I was really hoping I would get control of again and I'm very-very happy that that's one area that has been put back into my into my lap. Because it is an area that I'm very passionate about.

Yeah, I know! And you're one of the best in doing that. And I think it’s because you manage to see at it as being both the fan and the musician. You know what the fan wants, so you can see both sides. I think that's something that you always did great.

Yeah, absolutely. Thank you!

I'm very aware of that. I'm very conscious of that. And there is a reason for it

May I ask one kind of nerdy question? Cause we are nerdy DT fans and along with some friends we tend to do analyze many things regarding Dream Theater, and one of them is the setlists you play. So, I've mentioned that there is one album that's been kind of neglected so far. It’s "Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence". How come? Is this on purpose or is it something that has just occurred?

I'm very aware of that. I'm very conscious of that. And there is a reason for it. So time will tell.

Very nice! I appreciate this answer. Also, you have also announced that along with the whole "Parasomnia" album, in your upcoming tour you'll be playing "A Change Of Seasons" which is mind blowing. Cause, this is my favorite song of all time…

Oh, yeah?

Yeah, I’m the type of guy whose favorite song lasts just 23 minutes and I memorized all the lyrics as a teenager. And this is very much your song…

Thank you!

The plan is to definitely do a European leg for "Parasomnia", which would also include "A Change Of Seasons" as well

So, will you bring that tour to Europe as well? Do we even stand a chance to see it in Greece as well? Maybe it's too early, but yeah, you know…

Well, the plan is to definitely do a European leg for "Parasomnia", which would also include "A Change Of Seasons" as well. So, the plan is to come to Europe with that tour in the spring of 2026 next year, whether or not we actually make it specifically in Greece, it’s not something we control… Where we actually play, when we come through on a leg is up to the promoters and the booking agents and our management and things like that. There's a lot of variables involved. So in answer to your question… yes, we will be doing it in Europe, whether or not it makes it specifically to Greece, I guess time will tell. We'll see.

Playing the whole 12 step suite is definitely on my bucket list for the future

A couple of months ago when "Parasomnia" was released, we had a chance to talk with James and when we asked him what he would like to do now with you back in the band regarding the live sets, he mentioned that he would love to play the whole 12 steps suite in its entirety. And then again coming back to Charlie of Haken that I interviewed a couple of weeks ago, while talking about The Shattered Fortress, he told me he's dying to see it with the real guys. So would you consider doing it? It or could this be a bit painful to you to do it as a whole?

Oh no-no, not painful at all. To me, it's unfinished business. Yes, it was very satisfying to do this Shattered Fortress tour. Yeah, that was great. But it was still not with Dream Theater, which was obviously always the intention when I started the whole idea. So, yeah, to me it's unfinished business and it absolutely is something that WILL happen. I think right now it would have been too much specific chunk to take up the 40th anniversary set. You know, I think we I wanted to have a little more diversity in the set list now coming back, so I didn't want to do it just yet. But, absolutely it's definitely on my bucket list for the future for sure.

You played in Pompeii. You're playing two nights at the ancient theater of Plovdiv. What do you have to do to get you to play at Herodion, Acropolis, here in Greece?

(laughs)

I have fond memories of the very, very first time we played in Athens in 1998. It was a memorable night. Even all these years later, I still remember it

To get you for a show or two? That would be special

We just need to be invited. That would be amazing! Absolutely! I mean, I have fond memories of the very, very first time we played in Athens in 1998. It was a beautiful, ancient amphitheater and that was such a great way to be introduced to the Greek audience. It was a memorable night. Even all these years later, I still remember it.

That show is legendary here in Greece. But, I think you'll top it with your next one. It will be by the sea. A very nice scenery, by the sea. You'll love it as well..

Beautiful!

I've enjoyed playing out "Octravarium" again. That's such a special song and it was nice to revisit that 20 years later… But, even something like "Pull Me Under", which I've played a zillion times at this point it's still enjoyable, because it's still new to me again...

By now, you’ve played quite a few shows and you’ve played quite a few songs. What was the song that you found yourself thinking that you missed the most playing all these years?

The one I missed the most? Well, I've enjoyed playing out "Octravarium" again. That's such a special song. It's such a great moving piece of music. So it was nice to revisit that 20 years later now… having not played it in 20 years. So, that one was great.

On the heavy side, it's been fun playing "The Dark Eternal Night" again. That's been a fun one. And I like binging back some of these alternate arrangements, like the extended version of "Hollow Years", or the version of "Peruvian Skies" that we're currently playing… I like bringing back, different versions of songs into the setlist as well.

But it's all been great to me, because I hadn't played this music for so long with these guys… So, it's all special. Even something like "Pull Me Under", which I've played a zillion times at this point it's still enjoyable, because it's still new to me again…

I love the upcoming Igorr album. It's my favorite album so far this year

Last question… Apart from "Parasomnia", which is your favorite album of 2025 so far?

(laughs) Well, it's not out yet, but I'm lucky enough to have an advanced copy of the new album by Igorrr, from France. Their upcoming album is absolutely incredible. I love it. It's my favorite album so far this year. But there's a lot of great albums that have just come out. I love the new Steven Wilson album, I just got a copy of the new Between The Buried And Me that's coming out in September. My son's band Tallah, they have a new album coming out in in September, which is great. So, there's been a lot of great, great music this year so far.

You know, I asked you because to me personally your musical taste has very important. I remember back in the late 90s when you posted lists on your website and I read about this band that was called Spock’s Beard. So, you introduced me to the "Neal Morse Universe", as I like to tell it, which has become very important for me. So, over the years tend to trust your taste and your instinct in music...

Well, thank you!

So, I haven't listened to the new Igorrr album yet, but I will surely do when I get my hands on it…

Great!

So just before we close this interview, send your message to your Greek fans and I'll make sure I'll pass it to them. We're so, so excited to have you back here with Dream Theater…

I'm so excited to return to Athens. It's been so long since I've been there with Dream Theater and, like we've talked about in this interview, each and every time we're playing for an audience that hasn't seen the reunion yet it's just always so special and heartwarming and emotional. And I can't wait to share those emotions with the great Greek fans.

I gotta thank you once again for everything, for your music and beyond. I've always loved all your works and bands, but even more with Dream Theater, which has been my favorite band over the years. So, I can't wait to witness another great show by you and the guys here in a few days...

Thank you, man. Looking forward to it.