STEVEN WILSON on Project with MIKAEL AKERFELDT: We Didn’t Wanna Do a Prog-Metal Supergroup

PORCUPINE TREE’s Steven Wilson recently spoke to the U.K. branch of Roadrunner Records about his much-anticipated collaboration project with OPETH’s Mikael Akerfeldt, tentatively dubbed “Storm Corrosion”. You can now watch the chat below.

On how the songwriting sessions for “Storm Corrosion” are progressing:

Wilson: “In March we started [working on the material for it]. It’s sporadic, because we get together once every three months. [Mikael] comes over to my studio and we work for a few days and we get really drunk on red wine, go buy and loads of records and then come back, and if we’re lucky, do, like, ten minutes work. But the incredible thing was that although, comparatively, we haven’t worked that long, what we produced we were so happy with, and we are so happy with. It’s nice to know that what we always suspected was that when we actually got together, it was gonna be quite easy. It was also in the back of your mind, thinking, ‘Maybe it won’t work.’ Maybe it [was] just built up so much [in my head before we started writing songs], and it was so easy. So easy. And the music was so crazy and so inspiring to both of us. So I think that was good to feel, like, ‘It’s gonna work.’ So we have about, I’d say, 25 minutes of music [written] so far. We’re getting together again in November to do another piece or two. Drink some more wine, buy some more records… So that’s kind of a work in progress, and I don’t know when that will come out. Then it would be great to do some shows around that, too, but he’s [Mikael] gonna be back with OPETH next year at some point, so it may not be feasible. But certainly the record [should be ready to be recorded and released by then].”

On the similarities and differences between PORCUPINE TREE and OPETH and how they play into the new project:

Wilson: “The funny thing is that the music we’re making together is actually nothing like either of us made before. Because I think we both had this idea of this kind of music that we knew we couldn’t get our bands to play, but that we both kind of understood where we were coming from. ‘Cause we have this kind of passion [for] very experimental, obscure records, almost orchestral in their scope. And we wanted to make a record like that for a long time. It’s a long way from metal and it’s a long way from anything that, I think, Mikael has ever done, including the ‘Damnation’ record [from OPETH]. I think a lot of people thought, ‘Oh, it’s gonna be like ‘Damnation’.’ It’s not; it’s a long way from that, too. And it’s actually a long way from anything I’ve done; [it’s] possibly closer to aspects of things I’ve done, but really quite distinct from anything I’ve ever [released]. [It’s] very orchestral, lots of strings, lots of guitars and vocals, too. Lots of very long songs that kind of go in different directions that you don’t necessarily expect them to go in — almost theatrical in a way. And we both kind of admitted to ourselves that there are a lot of fans out there that are probably gonna hate it. But we’re doing it for us. The one thing we didn’t wanna do is get together and do a prog-metal supergroup, which would have been so easy to do — and kind of expected, in a way. And, you know, we might do that anyway one day. But this time around, we thought, ‘Let’s just do this [kind of] record.’ Some people will love it and some people will not, and that’s OK, because, in a way, I don’t think we wanted to just give what was expected, and we’re certainly not doing that.”

On whether Steven and Mikael are self-producing the new project:

Wilson: “Right now, we kind of fall into my studio at midnight and work through the night and just… It’s great, because in many respects, Mikael is the closest I know to someone who is… How do I put this? He’s the equivalent of me in his band. He’s like the captain of the ship and we kind of understand each other — all the frustrations of being in that position, all the stresses and pressures of being in that situation — so because of that, there’s no ego thing at all — yet! [Laughs] But we’re both kind of control freaks, in a way, so that’s kind of a strange situation to be, where you’re working with someone where you don’t feel any of those issues and you have that complete trust. So we’re just like… [I go], ‘Here, you have the guitar. Do something amazing.’ And he does. And then I’m like, ‘Oh, I’ve got an idea for that,’ and I do some keyboard thing. And he’s like, ‘That’s amazing! I love that.’ And so it’s really… It sounds like we’re kind of blowing each other the whole time… [Laughs] But it’s just so much fun. And that’s the important thing — I think it’s fun. Because there’s no ego and there’s no pressure. Because people don’t know what to expect. And we’ve kind of already resigned ourselves to the fact that we’re gonna do something that people are gonna hate, anyway. I mean, I’m exaggerating… I’m sure a lot of people are gonna dig it. But people are gonna be surprised by it. We’re not giving people what they expect, so there’s little pressure, really — there’s very little pressure. It’s just literally swapping instruments and I’m kind of recording it on my own system.”

In a recent interview with U.K.’s Classic Rock, Akerfeldt stated about the writing process for the “Storm Corrosion” CD, “I got together recently with Steven at his house, and we wrote a new tune straight away. Of course, with the two of us involved, it was 10 minutes long. And it came out so well that we started working on a second one as well.”

Although DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy was initially supposed to be part of the project, it now appears that he will no longer be involved.

“To be honest, there’s just no room for drums on what we’ve done so far,” Akerfeldt said. “I called Mike up, and he was cool about it. He’s got so much going on anyway, and I’m sure we will work together in the future.”

Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy Joins Hail! in 2010

Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy will join the ranks of bassist David Ellefson (Megadeth, F5), guitarist Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) and vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest, Yngwie Malmsteen, Iced Earth) in the all-star band Hail! on select US dates in early 2010 — marking the band’s first shows on American soil.

Ellefson comments on the news, exclaiming, “Mike Portnoy is a demi-god! He is hands-down one of the very best drummers in the entire world and to be able to play together is really an honor.  We have had our fingers crossed for this to happen because, truth be told, we had originally talked with him about the possibility of playing with us early last year. At that time Dream Theater was working on ‘Black Clouds & Silver Linings’, so it just couldn’t happen at the time, but his enthusiasm and understanding about what we as HAIL! were doing was immediate. There was no need for any explanation, he got it — because he is it,” goes on Ellefson.  “Mike’s been a great friend for a long time and I am thrilled to announce his participation.”

“An interviewer recently asked me how long we planned on doing this and I joked ‘until we run out of drummers!’” laughed Ellefson. “Seriously, though, look at the guys we’ve had — Jimmy DeGrasso, Roy Mayorga, Paul Bostaph and now Mike Portnoy! It is our aspiration to try and reward every fan that comes to see us with a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’re doing our best to have the best players play the best songs from the best bands to the best fans! …and it’s working!”

Andreas Kisser also commented, saying, “We’re really excited! Although it’s only a few shows, and obviously we’d love to play a full tour of the entire US, New York and Boston are two great cities to start with and the fans there are tremendous. Between Mike Portnoy playing drums with us and all the friends we know in this area (hint, hint) I’d ask Santa for a tent and start camping out now for my tickets! These shows are going to be sick!”

Stay tuned for the official dates.

For more information, go to www.mikeportnoy.com

Mike Portnoy Leaves Dream Theater

I am about to write something I never imagined I’d ever write:

After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater….the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.
 
To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision…it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so….

After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater…
 
Please don’t misinterpret me, I love the DT guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them…it’s just that I think we are in serious need of a little break…

Dream Theater was always my baby…and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985…24/7, 365…never taking time off from DT’s never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was “off” between cycles)…working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band…

But I’ve come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me out…and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.

We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here & there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a “hiatus” to recharge our batteries and “save me from ourselves”…
 
Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather…I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be…

While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way…so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes….
 
Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DT and I talked about “always following your heart and being true to yourself”…sadly I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater…and I would simply be “going through the motions”, and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.
 
I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come…I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played….

I’m sorry to all the disappointed DT fans around the world…I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work…I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)…but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within….

You DT fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me….(and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future MP projects!)

Sadly…
Your fearless ex-leader and drummer,
MP

For more information, go to www.mikeportnoy.com

Project Featuring Mikael Akerfeldt, Mike Portnoy, and Steven Wilson Has Launched!

Infusing all shades of rock into a “twisted” and “experimental” musical incarnation is a long-anticipated and newly embarked project – to feature Porcupine Tree’s Steven Wilson, Opeth’s Mikael Akerfeldt, as well as Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy. In a recent interview with Chordstruck Magazine, Wilson explained how the project is still “in [its] very early days,” as he is currently getting the concepts out and onto the paper, drafting the first few tunes with Akerfeldt. Thus far, both European progressive metal masterminds have churned out “15 minutes of music” in Wilson’s London studio.

Now, Akerfeldt, Wilson, and Portnoy – are dudes that keep themselves busy, dabbling in dissection with all types of music – exemplified by and ranging from the traditional death metal calls of Bloodbath’s Resurrection Through Carnage, through to the progressive, experimental tunes of records like Dream Theater’s When Dream and Day Unite, and Opeth’s My Arms, Your Hearse. Nonetheless, zooming in on the present and collaborative effort at hand, Portnoy added that, in spite of their more traceably progressive metal backgrounds, “people are going to be very surprised by the direction” – especially those who may spin the record with expectations of the “death-metal-progressive rock” feel. He assured readers of this, so too that “if you put the two of [both Wilson and Akerfeldt] together,” the “last thing [they’d] do is something similar to what people already known from our most high-profile project.” In short, they itch to innovate, forever avoiding that easier but all-too common path of writing music that is predictable, familiar, and perhaps more welcomed by their established fanbases.

Despite the fact that the duo (and soon to be, trio) intends to venture into the more “mellower” and less “prog” sonic realms, they have promised that their direction is “arty…ambitious,” and inevitably, “epic” – undoubtedly “dark” – a sure-fire way to hook listeners on the deliberate melodies and the introspective lyrics that gave both musicians a solid status in the musical world. They have walked into the studio’s with the intent of doing “something really, really special and really different” – a desire that they have kept in mind for years. Added Portnoy in a 2009 interview with Pyromusic.net, “the three of us each mentioned wanting to work with each other years ago, and since then it’s kind of been this rumor that won’t go away.” Rumor-turned reality? Not quite, as he also explained how the exponential “hype and anticipation” has ironically made them “hesitant” to go forward with the project. Perfectionists as they are, it’s due to the overwhelming reception from a record that has barely been drafted, to-date, that they feel the hype has “surpassed anything [they can] realistically deliver.”

As opposed to a more silent and understated entry of new music into the libraries and flowing from the headphones of music listeners, Portnoy attributed the excitement to the Internet, on which news and music getting “leaked” is an increasingly common phenomenon: often a source of bliss for beloved yet impatient fans, and a royal nuisance for bands (and their loving labels). He vehemently critiqued such “leaks” and the internet for too often “[opening] up [a] can of worms of discussion,” after which “people starting discussing and discussing and discussing and dissecting and anticipating…[building] up such a level of hype and expectation in their head that it’s impossible to ever satisfy.”

As far as expectations are concerned, Portnoy and Wilson wish to keep the project’s growth “under the lid,” but have promised that they “would love to work together” and get it all together, synthesizing a record that’s “different” as anything they’ve ever made but essentially, and perhaps most crucially, straight rockin.’

Mike Portnoy, Avenged Sevenfold New Drummer

Avenged Sevenfold has issued the following update about entering the recording studio with Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater. Avenged drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan, who died in late December, was a huge fan and greatly influenced by Portnoy.

“I want our fans to know that with Jimmy in our hearts, our journey to record has officially began. Jimmy helped leave this world an amazing gift and now it’s our job to make sure to deliver that gift to our fans. We asked Jimmy’s all time favorite drummer Mike Portnoy to record on behalf of him. Mike said it would be an honor and without question that’s what Jim would have wanted. Its comforting to us that someone like Mike, who is undoubtedly revered as one of the best drummers in the world, held such respect and adoration for the Rev’s abilities.

Even though it will never be the same without our brother by our side, his essence lives in our hearts and through the music he helped create. He was a legend before any of the success or any of that bullshit and we are fucking excited to lay this down for our fans, and especially for Jimmy.”

The Dream Theater drummer writes:

After having had such an amazing experience recording my drum tracks for the new Avenged Sevenfold album, we all knew it would be awesome if I’d be able to do some touring with the band after its release…

I am happy to say that the timing worked out perfectly that my touring cycle with Dream Theater (and Transatlantic) was coming to an end just as A7X’s was scheduled begin!

(well, perfect for everyone except my poor family!)  : )

Although I wish I could stay on board with A7X in a more permanent capacity, the reality is that I am commited to Dream Theater as my main priority (that is my baby afterall!), and I will need to resume work with DT to start a new album at some point in 2011….

However, I will be able to join my brothers in Avenged Sevenfold for at least the duration of their touring throughout 2010… and hopefully this will give them the time to continue to heal and get comfortable back on the road….

You can look at me like the band’s “rebound drummer” to buy them some time until they are comfortable and ready to make a commitment to somebody new for full-time relationship in their future!

In the meantime, I am real excited to hit the road with the boys…to bring my drumming from their new album to life on stage and to honor The Rev with all of their older material….

(Hey, do I get to have a cool, bad-ass stage name now???)  : )

C-ya out there,

MP