ConsequenceDream Theater Drum Week continues with an exclusive “Crate Digging” list of 10 albums that influenced legendary Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. Check out our list of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time, and stay tuned for additional lists, artist content, and more as we celebrate the visceral instruments that give us the beat.
Mike Portnoy has undoubtedly influenced countless drummers throughout his 40-year career, as his wide-ranging skills behind the drums are nearly unmatched. In an exclusive article for ConsequenceIn “Drum Week,” the legendary stickman offers insight into his own inspiration by analyzing the albums and drummers that influenced him.
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As a founding member of progressive metal titans Dream Theater, Portnoy has established himself as one of the most prominent drummers of the past four decades. He recently returned to the band after a 13-year absence, and he and his Dream Theater bandmates are preparing to embark on a 2024-2025 tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary.Pick up tickets here).
In addition to Dream Theater, Portnoy has developed a versatile resume that includes work in Avenged Sevenfold, The Neal Morse Band, Flying Colors, The Winery Dogs, Metal Allegiance, Adrenaline Mob, and Transatlantic, among other projects. And, of course, he also did ConsequenceThe newly released list of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time.
When choosing the 10 albums that influenced his drumming, Portnoy made sure to evenly split his list between the three genres that had the biggest impact on him.
“I should start by pointing out that this list is chronological, so it’s not in order of whether someone has had more influence than another,” Portnoy told us before running through his selections. “It’s simply chronological, as I’ve gone through these albums in my life and in my development as a drummer.
He continued: “And the other thing is that if you look at it stylistically, it’s split into three sections: the first part is made up of the classic rock guys; the middle part is made up of the prog rock guys; and the third part is made up of the metal guys. And really, if you look at my style, it’s made up of those three areas: classic rock, prog rock, and metal. So it’s really a good cross-section of what makes me who I am.”
While you won't see a KISS album on this list, Portnoy credits Peter Criss as one of his early drumming heroes, telling us, “If I could expand this list to 11 or 12, Peter Criss and KISS would have been on the list as well, because he was a huge influence on me in my early development as a drummer.”
So who makes your list? Let's say it ranges from the Beatles to Pantera. Check out the albums that influenced Mike Portnoy below, and stay tuned for more artist-curated content. ConsequenceDrum Week of
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