The Adrenaline Mob and Flying Colors albums are the two first albums Mike Portnoy has worked on since his departure from Dream Theater. Having two completely different styles the albums, however, do share the same spontaneity, both being presented by their creators as the result of an instant chemistry. It’s easy to picture these musicians in a state of effervescence and creativity that led the writing process of these two albums to be brief and without hesitation. Simplicity is the word to be stressed here, simplicity in the music and in the way it was written, which leads us to this easy conclusion: these projects could be a fleeting way for Mike Portnoy to take his mind of his departure from Dream Theater. But it’s not that simple.

First of all, there’s no doubt about Mike Portnoy’s musical eclecticism. When it comes to the way he works, this whole style revolving around a spontaneous writing isn’t new to him either, Dream Theater having been writing their albums really fast these past few years – which is the main point on which they are criticized by their fans. Last year, he had described himself as being a divorcee enjoying his new-found freedom, a metaphor which he toned down a bit in this interview as bimbos can be nice for a while but a divorcee eventually misses being in a couple. For those who thought of Adrenaline Mob and Flying Colors – two very attractive musical projects – as the artistic equivalent of one night stands to help heal one’s wounds, Mike Portnoy answers: “I’m more of a polygamist”. For him, these bands have the potential to be around for years, as suggested by “Omerta” the title of Adrenaline Mob’s new album, which he describes as an oath people take when they enter a brotherhood. Adrenaline Mob is his new gang.

After any break-up, no matter the amount of cheerfulness you display or how convincing you are, it’s always difficult to rid your friends of their skepticism, as they’re convinced it is just a mask. No matter the truth or Mike Portnoys efforts to convince the public otherwise, they will always have doubts when it comes to how he feels about his departure from Dream Theater. We don’t claim to know the truth, however, we do understand why that may annoy him.

As for the truth, apart from shrinks, no one can really claim to know it. Too many fans convince themselves that they know their idols personally, which can be even more the case given the drummer’s honesty and interactivity with his fan-base. Such a choice has its advantages and its by-products, but Portnoy seems to want to stick to it.

Interview…