Avenged Sevenfold Splits With Mike Portnoy

Avenged Sevenfold Splits With Former Dream Theater Drummer Mike Portnoy

posted Dec 16, 2010 at 3:07 PM by Diamond Oz. (43 Comments)

Band Photo: Avenged Sevenfold (?)

Former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy has announced that he will no longer be drumming for Orange County hard rock act Avenged Sevenfold. His message reads as follows:

"Yes, the rumours 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 A7X family and history.

"I also adore the A7X 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 ecclectic 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."

What's Next?

43 Comments on "Avenged Sevenfold Splits With Mike Portnoy"

Member

1. metalplague writes:

Hahahahaha... all this after leaving DT. What a depressing downward spiral.

# Dec 16, 2010 @ 3:14 PM ET | IP Logged

2. ZMA writes:

I'd like to see what he does next now that he's out of both those bands. Although not like it matters. I probably has enough money so he doesn't have to work for a few years before he comes back to anything haha.

# Dec 16, 2010 @ 3:27 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

3. hellrat writes:

yessir MP....ha, ha ha ha HA!

fvcking awesome....wonder how he like his likes his little fvcking brat bat tattoo now?

good comedy :)

# Dec 16, 2010 @ 3:35 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

4. brandedcfh420 writes:

WOW, double wammy. it was agreed upon before he left DT so im sure he has another plan already in motion!!

# Dec 16, 2010 @ 3:44 PM ET | IP Logged

5. txdrummerboy writes:

its hilarious how all the haters want to bash Mike cuz its en vogue

as far as A7X goes, correct me if i'm wrong but wasn't he offered the position full-time and turned it down with the agreement that he would fill in for the remainder of 2010?

hell, if he needs a break who here has any right to criticize? afterall, he toured relentlessly with three acts this year: DT, Transatlantic and A7X and personally I don't know how he does it ... i know i couldn't

also as far as DT goes, his body of work speaks for itself.

he did, however, get a little mopey (not to mention whiney) after leaving DT but c'mon he was in that band (relationship) for 25 years!

how many of us have goten a little whiney and mopey after ending a serious relationship?

# Dec 16, 2010 @ 3:55 PM ET | IP Logged

Former Contributor

6. bloodofheroes writes:

great, because the metal world needs more "Appice" drummers, fan-freaking-tastic

# Dec 16, 2010 @ 4:08 PM ET | IP Logged

7. Chelsea writes:

Wow...just fvcking Wow.

# Dec 16, 2010 @ 5:01 PM ET | IP Logged

8. twobntouch writes:

Like true SoCal, use and abuse, then kick to the curb. A7X is the epitomy of genuine. Too bad for Mike, he was the best musician in the band.

# Dec 16, 2010 @ 6:19 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

9. OlafBerzerker writes:

maybe Mike woke up and smelt the carcass

# Dec 16, 2010 @ 11:03 PM ET | IP Logged

10. A7xrockx writes:

He will be missed

# Dec 16, 2010 @ 11:23 PM ET | IP Logged

11. well... writes:

hahaha come crawling back to Dream Theater b****!!! f*** Avenged Sevenfold but still got respect for mike.

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 12:02 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

12. livingDeaDbeat00 writes:

Who the fvck cares? It was never a permanent gig. Can the metalverse move on now?

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 12:56 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

13. tallica_fan writes:

whats next for him, nu metal perhaps? :p

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 1:49 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

14. NW_MetalHead writes:

I agree with DeaDbeat, this doesn't matter, A7X sucks and MP isn't in a DT anymore...old news is old

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 2:09 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

15. hellrat writes:

nah, he's headed back to the fart band....dreamy chunder, or whatever the fvck they're called

this dude's career has been an almost complete waste of a notable talent

now how do y'all like that?

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 2:10 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

16. WOLF7 writes:

I got really excited when I read to the point "Avenged Sevenfold splits".
Such a shame it said "with Mike Portnoy" and not "up".

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 4:51 AM ET | IP Logged

17. d writes:

time for a new drummer boys

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 5:32 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

18. BrianMN writes:

In my wildest dreams only, but I'd love to see him with Morbid Angel while Sandoval recovers.
Yes, Yeung is awesome but just imagine what Portnoy could do with them.....

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 8:59 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

19. hater_guy writes:

so much for being ''burnt out'' in DT. I wonder what will happen with Mike now.

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 10:18 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

20. Rayze writes:

Portnoy's probably not fast enough for Morbid Angel. He's a creative, not a technical player.

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 10:23 AM ET | IP Logged

Supporter

21. Jomama writes:

I've never been a fan of Dreamtheatre or Avenged, but I like Mike and he is so talented that he can do whatever he wants at this point in his career. That's what life is all about. New experiences. I wish him good luck in his future gigs.

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 11:03 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

22. Blindgreed1 writes:

Rayze: Are you on crack? Portnoy isn't technical? Wow...

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 12:46 PM ET | IP Logged

23. cynic22 writes:

"He's a creative, not a technical player."

Portnoy? Not Technical?

The internet is a mysterious place

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 1:04 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

24. Natsquatch writes:

Yeah, that "Portnoy isn't technical bit" has me scratching my head too.

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 2:26 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

25. BrianMN writes:

I was going to address that but I knew BG would do it funnier LOL.

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 2:48 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

26. Blindgreed1 writes:

Brian: ;-)

BTW, A7x blows dogs for quarters.

Where's fresh fist up his a$$??? DB been swingin the ban hammer again?

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 4:44 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

27. KORNDOGG writes:

Hes an amazing drummer, but not a good match for A7X.

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 5:13 PM ET | IP Logged

28. fresh fist in your fucking face 4 ever writes:

I am here fvcking little b****. I'm. So glad hes out the band. He never was good enough to replace the rev. I am good enough to play.

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 6:21 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

29. silvermountains writes:

A7X Doesn't deserve the talent he brings to the drum kit.

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 8:31 PM ET | IP Logged

30. Cdp14 writes:

Hey Fresh fist in your ass.It was a privilege for A7x to have MP fill in for the rev.He was more than good enough to play for them

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 9:41 PM ET | IP Logged

31. The New MJ writes:

to fresh fist, portnoy was the rev's idol he's more than capable of playing in that sh**ty little pantera cover band you call a7x

# Dec 17, 2010 @ 10:14 PM ET | IP Logged

32. haha writes:

well you are right on something tho. ''I am good enough to play'' - fresh fist. yeah your good enough to play with a7x balls you f***ing fagot a$$ b****

# Dec 18, 2010 @ 2:36 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

33. OlafBerzerker writes:

froosh fist. to quote BG.......revs dead baby ! revs dead

# Dec 18, 2010 @ 2:41 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

34. TheIronMan writes:

Korndog: He's the perfect match for A7X. Jimmy's almost sole influence was Mike Portnoy. They have very similar drumming styles, just Portnoy is better.

# Dec 18, 2010 @ 8:24 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

35. wilco writes:

dont know what you got untill its gone
good for this f***er he left something good and now he got nothing
guess xmas came early for him this year
hahahahahahaah

# Dec 18, 2010 @ 10:47 AM ET | IP Logged

36. Option Paralysis writes:

Yes!!!! I saw them in vegas last weekend which means i saw Portnoys last show with A7X. Don't know why I care but I do

# Dec 18, 2010 @ 11:30 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

37. Trendkill91 writes:

A7X are already bad mouthing Portney on the internet saying, "he complains about DT to much"

I'm a bit p***ed off A&X dropped out of the australian tour. Now I don't get my human mud at them.

# Dec 19, 2010 @ 4:55 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

38. Trendkill91 writes:

Correction - **Now I don't get to throw my human mud at them**

# Dec 19, 2010 @ 4:57 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

39. Tivic writes:

I like to see him work with Warrel Dane if WD does a 2nd solo cd.

# Dec 20, 2010 @ 6:40 PM ET | IP Logged

40. That_Metal_Dude writes:

Hey...atleast he has HAIL! to look forward to... or does he??? hahaah they probably don't want him either after these little stunts he has been pulling... lol either way, good luck to you PORTNOY i'm sure he wont have any trouble finding a kick a$$ band to play with in the near future... :-)

# Dec 21, 2010 @ 6:57 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

41. OlafBerzerker writes:

morbid angel would be a nice fit

# Dec 22, 2010 @ 2:18 AM ET | IP Logged

42. inthenameofmetal writes:

i love the kids getting all happy about this, the original plan for mike was he would leave after 2010 anyways. this is old news, DT decided not to let him come back so that seems like overkill to me. he filled in for avenged because the REV was heavily influenced by him. 2010 has passed almost, plan expired. TADAHHH! its magic boys!

@Trendkill91 why would you waste money to wait around at a show you dont like just to sling mud? haha

# Dec 22, 2010 @ 1:12 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

43. TheFishWasDelish writes:

@Olaf
Morbid Angel already has a drummer filling in for Pete while he is recovering from that surgery.

# Dec 23, 2010 @ 9:27 AM ET | IP Logged

To minimize comment spam/abuse, you cannot post comments on articles over a month old.

Avenged Sevenfold Splits With Former Dream Theater Drummer Mike Portnoy

What's Next?

Latest News

Hot Topics