I want to open this review by saying that the talent and obvious skills of all the musicians involved in this record is undeniable, these are musicians that have been proving over and over again why they are recognized as some of the top artists in their genre and why they have the following they have. Having said that, this solo album by John Petrucci (Dream Theater) was not for me. And though we can argue that this kind of album is for a specific sector in the Progressive Metal realm, I truly cannot digest music that is made to show off the skills that “x” or “y” musician has in their instrument and that is my perception of Terminal Velocity (Sound Mind Music/The Orchard).
Tag Archives: Mike Portnoy
Watch Mike Portnoy and Stu Hamm Cover Rush’s “YYZ” for David Z Fundraiser
Progressive Music legend Mike Portnoy (Sons Of Apollo, Dream Theater) has teamed up with bassist Stu Hamm, guitarist Paulie Z and keyboardist Walter Ino to record a cover version of the RUSH classic “YYZ”, filmed while they were in quarantine. The clip was premiered this past Tuesday (July 14) as part of the David Z Foundation’s third annual fundraising campaign livestream. This past January, Portnoy shot down rumors that he will tour with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson as the replacement for late RUSH drummer Neil Peart. Peart died on January 10th. Watch the clip here.Continue reading
Mike Portnoy, Dee Snider, Chris Jericho, Ray Luzier, John Moyer, and More to Raise Money for The David Z Foundation Livestream Tonight
Stars from across Rock and Metal will join together on a livestream to raise money tonight on the David Z Foundation Livestream. David Z (David Zablidowsky) was the brilliant metal and progressive rock musician best known for his work in bands such as Adrenaline Mob, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and ZO2, died three years ago on July 17th, 2017 when a tractor-trailer collided with Adrenaline Mob’s tour bus. Check out the updated poster from Mike Portnoy’s tweet below. You can donate at the GoFundM link below and watch the live stream including artists ranging from Mike Portnoy, Dee Snider, Chris Jericho, Ray Luzier (Korn), John Moyer (Disturbed) Rikki Rockett, Don Dokken, Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan, Jeff Scott Soto, Carmine Appice, Eddie Trunk, Marco Mendoza, Joel Hoekstra, Tiffany, John Pooper, Alex Skolnik, Charlie Benante, Dug Pinnick, Ra Diaz and more! Continue reading
Listen to Mike Portnoy’s Isolated Acapella Version of The Beatles’ “Because”
Mike Portnoy (Sons of Apollo, Neal Morse Band, Flying Circus, ex Dream Theater) has been a busy guy during the coronavirus quarantine. He just shared his contribution to an as-yet to be unreleased acapella cover of The Beatles classic “Because” from Abby Road. The final track will include his Sons of Apolla bandmates Jeff Scott Soto, and Bumblefoot!
Watch Jordan Rudess Celebrate America with “The Star-Spangled Banner”
To celebrate Independence Day today, Dream Theater keyboardist and progressive music genius Jordan Rudess has shared an instrumental cover of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” The United States National Anthem. Rudess recently launched a Patreon you can follow here.Continue reading
PODCAST: Episode #107 – Neal Morse on “Cover 2 Cover” Pt. 3 and His New Solo Album
Ghost Cult caught up with progressive music legend Neal Morse (Neal Morse Band, Transatlantic, Spock’s Beard) recently over Zoom to discuss his upcoming new covers album Cover 3 Cover (InsideOut Music), his third such album with his frequent collaborators Mike Portnoy and Randy George. The new album is releasing at the same time as a new collection of all three. Neal chatted extensively about the project, his personal take on covers, the mystery of the secret Sax Man in the ‘Baker Street’ video, how all the cover songs were chosen, how he approaches songcraft for his different projects, his upcoming Sola Gratia solo Progressive Rock concept album, what Morsefest looks like during the pandemic, future projects and his entire catalog appearing on the new Waterfall music streaming app from Radiant Records. Purchase and support all of Neal’s projects at this link and check out our chat. Continue reading
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Former Dream Theater Drummer Mike Portnoy Guests on John Petrucci’s New Solo Album, “Terminal Velocity”
John Petrucci’s new solo album Terminal Velocity is due out this fall and reunites him with his former Dream Theater bandmate Mike Portnoy! Portnoy performed drums on the album, along with bassist Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs, Flying Colors). Portnoy broke the news on social media, along with the tracklisting for the album as well. The two reunited over Christmas a few years ago and have sung each other’s praises often, ever since. Continue reading
PODCAST: Episode 100: Bobby Blitz and Mark Menghi Talk BPMD, Covers, and American Rock Bands
For our 100th Episode of the Ghost Cult Podcast, Keefy interviewed Bobby Blitz (Overkill) and Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance, also interviewed in podcast #2) about their new band BPMD, and their debut album of covers American Made out now on Napalm Records. We talked to the guys about how the new supergroup, also featuring Mike Portnoy and Phil Demmel came together, why they chose to cover only American bands, how they chose deep cuts over popular songs, how BPMD is different than other bands that come together to create covers, what the music industry might look like after the coronavirus, whether the band will ever perform live or not and more! You can buy American Made at this link and hear our chat right now!
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ALBUM REVIEW: BPMD – American Made
Named after the four members, Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth, Mike Portnoy, Mark Menghi, and Phil Demmel, supergroup BPMD is here with their debut release, a covers album by the name of American Made (Napalm Records). As the title suggests, every cut on the record was originally recorded by an American artist, and each revitalised track sounds nothing short of tremendous.Continue reading
BPMD – Featuring Bobby Blitz, Mike Portnoy, Mark Menghi and Phil Demmel, Shares New Lyric Video for “We’re An American Band”
BMPD – the all-star cover band featuring Bobby Blitz, Mike Portnoy, Mark Menghi and Phil Demmel have announced their new album American Made coming soon, on June 12, 2020 via Napalm Records. Pre-order’s are live below. Watch their lyric video for their new single, a cover of Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re An American Band.”Continue reading