(Rock News Desk) James LaBrie insists Dream Theater are better and happier without Mike Portnoy – and that both band and fans have noticed the difference on stage. And he reveals he hasn't spoken to his ex-colleague since the phone call during which he announced his decision to leave the prog-metal outfit he co-founded.The drummer made his surprise decision last year while he was touring with Avenged Sevenfold. Dream Theater replaced him with Mike Mangini, with whom they recorded upcoming album A Dramatic Turn of Events. They're now touring with Mangini – and LaBrie tells Prog Sphere the difference is clear.
"We were talking about how everything is much more balanced and everyone is in their role or their position," says LaBrie. "It's where things should be on stage where it's not somebody in the background trying to grab the limelight, when maybe they should just be grooving or whatever. more on this story
