Friday, December 17, 2010

Making sense of Portnoy/DT/A7X drama one last time.

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Mike Portnoy is out of Avenged Sevenfold now. Now before anybody gets their panties in a twist this was only supposed to be a temporary gig anyway.Here is is statement:

Yes, the rumors are true... Sadly my time with AVENGED SEVENFOLD has come to an end... The band has decided to carry on into 2011 without me...

"I had a great time with them throughout 2010, but it was their choice to end the relationship at the end of 2010 as was always the initial plan....

"I had an awesome time on stage with the guys every night and have so many cool memories from the experience with them... I am proud to always be part of the AVENGED SEVENFOLD family and history. I also adore the AVENGED SEVENFOLD fans and totally appreciate the way they welcomed me aboard and were so loving and supportive during my time with the band...thank you!

"As far as my future, I am excited by the endless musical possibilities that lie ahead of me...my love for music runs very deep and my taste is very broad and eclectic which will give me the chance to explore many different things and collaborate with many great friends and artists I admire and respect...

"Happy holidaze to you all and c-ya in the New Year."
Sounds sort of nice though I get a hint of butthurt in that statement. Could it be that Mike succeeded in annoying not one but two bands in one year? Lets find out from the Avenged camp after the jump.

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From Blabbermouth:
AVENGED SEVENFOLD frontman M. Shadows told The Pulse Of Radio that the band was not happy about the public way in which drummer Mike Portnoy's split with his former group DREAM THEATER was played out, which may have soured Portnoy's relationship with AVENGED, ultimately causing his departure from the Orange County, California-based act. "We were actually a little more shocked," M. Shadows said. "We felt that maybe both parties could have handled it a little more internally without being so press release-happy about what had happened between them. Because we're a band that, really, when it comes to news all over web sites or this or that about bands, you know, we don't tweet much, we don't try to put ourselves out that much, and all the drama and controversy wasn't something that we wanted at all."

Mmmm hmmm. Yeah I can sort of see that being a problem. Here is the followup about their plans for next year at Blabbermouth

So to recap:
1. Dream Theater wraps up tour opening for Iron Maiden to resupport Black Clouds and Silver Linings.

2. Jimmy Sullivan dies from being a drug addicted douche.

3. Avenged Sevenfold asks Mike Portnoy to help finish the record and tour because he was a hero to the dead junkie. Mike Portnoy agrees.

4. Mike Portnoy decides that playing in front of a bigger audience on less complicated songs is fun and wants to put Dream Theater on hiatus. Dream Theater does not agree.

5. Mike Portnoy gets butthurt and quits. Dream Theater auditions new drummer. Mike can't believe they are really going on without him. Dream Theater responds with "duh".

6. Mike Portnoy ruins his chance of being a permanent drummer with Avenged Sevenfold by bringing unwanted drama to the camp therefore leaving as originally agreed anyway.

7.Mike can now concentrate on his half dozen other prog projects and A7x can now pull a Slipknot and not commit to a new drummer.

Does that pretty much cover it? I hope so.Then we can all get on with our lives before the new year.

2 comments:

Draeden said...

Here is the official word from A7X:

For the past few months, we've been blessed with Mike Portnoy's talent and humanity. When Mike agreed to tour with us, it was only through the end of 2010. We always knew we'd need to find another solution for 2011 and beyond. And it's time for us to take that next step.

We know we are not ready to add another permanent member of Avenged Sevenfold. We don't know if we will ever be. But if we do, it will only be with someone who is not only a brilliant drummer, but also someone we've gotten to know well on the road and off, and who you the fans have had a chance to get to know, and hopefully accept. In other words, in this family, we take these steps together, band and our extended fan family.

We are lucky to be surrounded by so many friends, many of whom knew Jimmy very well personally, as well as our band and Jimmy's drumming talent and style. These friends have introduced us to several amazing drummers. We have decided to take one of them out starting in January. He will not be a member of a7x. He will be someone you and we are getting to know. Perhaps this drummer will be a fit. Perhaps not. One thing is for sure. Over time we will find someone who helps us continue our quest to make the music we love for the fans we love.

Mike and the band agree that can't be him. Why? Long before there was an Avenged Sevenfold, there were members of this band who looked up to Mike and, in Jimmy's case, learned a lot from watching Mike play. He is a brilliant writer, producer and of course drummer. Because of that, the world and we would always see it as Avenged Sevenfold with Mike Portnoy. We take a lot of pride in A7X being about something greater then any individuals. Its about the music, the fans and the friends and family we have as well as continuing our best friends legacy.

Please give whoever we try your love and support....and the benefit of the doubt. They won't be Jimmy. Who could be? But he will be himself, with his own special talents and creativity. And that's all we could ever look for.

Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for everything you've done to love and support us.

A7X

Draeden said...

Love the Christmas A7X pic by the way, great find! :)