Metal Allegiance is entering their second decade together, and unlike most other metal supergroups or collaborations, Metal Allegiance continues stronger – and heavier – than ever. Beginning as a celebration of heavy metal, Metal Allegiance is powered by the almost tribal bond shared between the extreme music community’s most revered trailblazers, armed with a list of contributors onstage (and off) that read like a Wikipedia entry on the genre itself –whose “core 4” is comprised of David Ellefson, Mark Menghi, Alex Skolnick, and Mike Portnoy. On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the band – which in addition to the core 4, will also include Chuck Billy (Testament), Bobby Blitz (Overkill), John Bush (Armored Saint), Doc Coyle (Bad Wolves & God Forbid), Brandon Ellis (The Black Dahlia Murder), Marty Friedman, Gary Holt (Slayer / Exodus), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Jeff Loomis, Mark Tornillo (Accept), Angel Vivaldi and more – will perform at what has become an annual event for the band at the House of Blues (400 Disney Way) in Anaheim, CA. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Mike Portnoy
Dream Theater Drop a Single and Video for “Night Terror” – New Album Coming Soon
Prog titans, Dream Theater, have returned with the announcement of their sixteenth studio album, Parasomnia. It is the first album featuring their iconic lineup – vocalist James LaBrie, guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung, keyboardist Jordan Rudess and drummer Mike Portnoy – since 2009’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings, and is due February 7, 2025, via the label Inside Out Music/Sony Music.The band will also celebrate their 40th anniversary on the road, with an extensive live run throughout Europe, and North and South America, from October 20th, and have already released the album’s first single, “Night Terror.” It comes with a music video, directed by Mike Leonard. Catch the new track, live listings, and more below.
Watch Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs) Learn To Play Danny Carey’s Drums from “Pneuma” by Tool
Mike Portnoy world-renowned drummer of Dream Theater, and other bands such as The Winery Dogs, Liquid Tension Experiment, Flying Colors, Transatlantic, Sons of Apollo, and Neal Morse and others has met his match as a drummer! Mike has tried to learn “Pneuma” one of the pinnacle songs from the latest album by Tool, Fear Inoculum. Watch this video from Drumeo with Mike learning and play the songs, while paying tribute to Tool drummer Danny Carey!
Dream Theater Announces Their Reunion with Co-Founder and Drummer Mike Portnoy
Dream Theater are announcing the return of drummer Mike Portnoy to the group. Portnoy will reunite with guitarist John Petrucci and bassist John Myung – the trio formed the band at the Berklee College Of Music in 1985 – along with longtime members, vocalist James LaBrie and keyboardist Jordan Rudess. Dream Theater will be going into the studio to begin working on their 16th studio album and the first with Portnoy since 2009’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings.
INTERVIEW: Billy Sheehan of The Winery Dogs on Their New Album, and Longevity in The Music Business
Ghost Cult caught up with bass guitar legend Billy Sheehan of The Winery Dogs! Billy discussed the new album “III” – out now on Three Dog Records, launching their own label, the evolving role of labels in the music business, how Billy – Mike Portnoy, and Richie Kotzen all write together, the return of touring, how many guest sessions Billy really did during the height of the pandemic, and much more! Continue reading
CONCERT REVIEW: The Winery Dogs Live at Tupelo Music Hall
Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan, and Mike Portnoy. Three dynamo musicians that need no introduction on their own, much less as a three-piece supergroup. The Winery Dogs rolled into Derry New Hampshire’s Tupelo Music Hall this past Sunday on their 2023 World Tour. Intimate venue, the cold weather outside, and hot music. Let’s dive in…
The Winery Dogs Announce Share Their New Single and Video for “Xanadu”
Prog-Rock supergroup The Winery Dogs, featuring Richie Kotzen, Mike Portnoy, and Billy Sheehan – already announced their upcoming new album III, is set for release on February 3, 2023, via the band’s Three Dog Music label (via Burnside Distribution/The Orchard). Following in the footsteps of their first two albums, III was once again self-produced by The Winery Dogs and mixed by longtime band associate Jay Ruston (Anthrax). Pre-orders are available today, December 9 on CD and all digital formats, which include an instant download of the album’s first single “Xanadu” – out now. A vinyl edition of III will also be revealed in just a few months. Watch the video, stream the single, and also a chance to win a guitar from Richie Kotzen.
The Winery Dogs Announce European Tour Dates, New Single Out This Week
Prog-Rock supergroup The Winery Dogs, featuring Richie Kotzen, Mike Portnoy, and Billy Sheehan – already announced their upcoming new album. Now they have announced addtional 2023 tour dates, this time in Europe. III is set for release on February 3, 2023, via the band’s Three Dog Music label (via Burnside Distribution/The Orchard). Following in the footsteps of their first two albums, III was once again self-produced by The Winery Dogs and mixed by longtime band associate Jay Ruston (Anthrax). Pre-orders will be available starting Friday, December 9 on CD and all digital formats, which include an instant download of the album’s first song to be released, “Xanadu.” A vinyl edition of III will also be revealed in just a few months.
The Winery Dogs Announce Their New Album “III” – World Tour Dates Incoming
Prog-Rock supergroup The Winery Dogs, featuring Richie Kotzen, Mike Portnoy, and Billy Sheehan – are back in full force with their aptly named third album III, which is set for release on February 3, 2023, via the band’s Three Dog Music label (via Burnside Distribution/The Orchard). Following in the footsteps of their first two albums, III was once again self-produced by The Winery Dogs and mixed by longtime band associate Jay Ruston (Anthrax). Pre-orders will be available starting Friday, December 9 on CD and all digital formats, which include an instant download of the album’s first song to be released, “Xanadu.” A vinyl edition of III will also be revealed in just a few months.
ALBUM REVIEW: Liquid Tension Experiment – LT3
It’s been twenty-two years since Liquid Tension Experiment, the Progressive Metal supergroup formed by Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, The Winery Dogs) John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and Tony Levin (King Crimson), released a record after their critically acclaimed album Liquid Tension 2 (Magna Carta). In this new album entitled LT3 (InsideOut Music) these musicians prove once again why they are part of the biggest bands in the genre and why they are considered to be among the best in their respective instruments and their craft.