10 Times Mike Portnoy Was the Best Drummer on Earth

Check out this killer compilation of the legendary #DreamTheater / #WineryDogs drummer’s most spectacular parts.

#MikePortnoy #LoudLists #Loudwire #Top10 #Metal #Drums #Drummer #Portnoy

[johnchausow]

Honestly him stepping in to help out Avenged Sevenfold after their drummer passed was super cool of him. Just helping finish that record and helping that band get back on their feet for a tour.... I really respect that

[leddygee]

Saw DT in a small club in northern California in '92... Tickets were $5.00, the most stunning performance I'd seen in my life!! There were about 60 people in the club... They played like there were 10, 000!!

[munkeepilot]

What makes this all the more impressive is he’s using a different kit on every shot. Most drummers are METICULOUS in setting up their kit EXACTLY the same. Every. Single. Time. Because of the importance of muscle memory, especially when you’re playing so many notes that it’d still be challenging for an octopus. But this cat always mixes it up, likely based on what sounds he wants for that particular show. Meaning he’s gotta retrain his muscles (muscle memorization?) where each drum/cymbal is. Definitely an elite level of virtuosity here.

[johnhedstrom]

Video should be titled “The Seven Hairstyles of Mike Portnoy”

[josebuzani]

Mike Portnoy is my all time favorite I dont care some people say theres drummers faster than him out there but his creativity is beyond speed.

[blinksterr]

I love watching Mike drum. Every time I see a live vid of him it reminds me of why he was The Rev's favorite drummer.

[RaverFlav]

"why didn't you put a snare there ?"

"I had to fix my glasses"

[adrianmarchena]

"The great debate" IMO is musically Mike's best creation as a drummer. He puts everything he knows in that song. There are other tunes that may sound more technical but that one is like portnoy's resume.

[Eggy-bppj]

I absolutely adore the guy. He's easily my favourite drummer of all time!! I have a signed drum head from him and it has a proud place in my room! He's such a wholesome guy as well!!

Amazing musician, and a great person as well :) what a legend

[michaeladnizio]

10 times Mike Portnoy was the best drummer on Earth: Every single time

[jmcruz]

This guy's great. He should have auditioned in Dream Theater.

[ericscott]

One of the times he’s the greatest drummer is every time… chops, tone consistency, flair, showmanship, the ability to do literally whatever he thinks of, his catalog of recorded music, compositions, arrangements, snd being able to recreate and deliver live, there’s no one any better. Just an opinion.

[acerimmer]

So glad he's back! The songwriting in DT just hasn't been the same since he left. Portnoy wrote most of my favorite songs. Can't wait for the new album!

[al]

Year 1999, just started drumming with my metal/rock band, trying to find drumming instruction videos, back in the day we had CD’s not even DVD’s are out. Found Mike Portnoy’s multi CD instruction videos on how to play some dream theater songs. We covered lot of those songs on concerts and man it was a blast. I even got myself a pair of Iron Cobra twin bass pedals. Mike is a legend. He is the best of the best.

[jeffdill]

I love how many times during The Glass Prison that he just casually pushes his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose while in the middle of performing a drum part that normal humans (i.e. everyone who isn't Mike Portnoy) have a hard enough time keeping up with *listening to*, much less *playing*. 😰

[reemclaughlin]

Mike does no wrong, but next time HE GETS THE PURPLE HELLO KITTY KIT! 🤙🏼💖

THIS IS WHAT WE WANT!

[lennydean]

10 Times Lars Ulrich was actually kinda ok

[MachineHeadDissent]

Still is....He is a beast of a drummer!!!....

[davejohnsonaudio]

I think Mike's best attribute with DT, was the way he crafted his parts to fit with the songs. His drumming was a song in itself, but it generally fit really well with the rest of the band. He totally carried the band in the earlier years. I'm a guitarist and I got more excited listening to Mike than John.

[andrewpappas]

His drum solo in Metropolis Part 1: The Miracle & the Sleeper and Pull Me Under and Winery Dogs' Elevate still make me think that Portnoy is part machine, the dude is that badass a drummer