by Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy recently opened up about his drumming style and how it differs from one of his biggest influences, Rush’s Neil Peart, in an interview with Ultimate Guitar.
When asked what he took from Neil Peart’s playing on a technical level, Portnoy acknowledged the influence while highlighting key differences between their approaches.
“Well, even though I grew up with Neil and he was one of my biggest heroes and Dream Theater’s music is very closely interwoven with Rush’s music, they were such a big, big influence on us, all of that aside, I think we’re very, very different players, to be honest,” Portnoy said.
He explained what he did take from Peart’s style.
“The things I got from Neil were the big, giant drum kit. I used to stare at the pictures of his drum kit and just imagine all of those things on a drum set. Also, the way that he was so musical with the way he constructed his drum parts, the way that they developed from section to section to section on such a musical level. I think that was the stuff that really inspired me,” he continued.
Portnoy pointed to one crucial difference in their playing philosophies.
“But like I mentioned, I think we’re very different players. I’m way more rooted in metal. I bring the Lars Ulrich and Vinnie Paul elements to Dream Theater, whereas Neil was a little bit more grounded in traditional Prog,” he explained.
The most significant distinction lies in their approach to consistency.
“Also, Neil was very, very methodical in terms of always playing his drum parts the same consistently every night. He was great at that, being able to play consistently. I’m horrible at that. I need to be able to just be in the moment and just jam,” Portnoy admitted. “So I bring a little bit more of a looser kind of Lars Ulrich style to my playing. You know, I’m somewhere between Lars and Neil, for better or for worse.”
Portnoy’s reflections on Peart come at a significant time in his career. He continues to honor the legacy of one of progressive rock’s most influential drummers while carving his own path in the genre.
Dream Theater’s official website noted that Portnoy is a founding member of the band who played with them from 1985 until 2010. He contributed to landmark albums such as Images and Words (1992), Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (1999), and Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009). After a 13-year absence, he rejoined Dream Theater in 2023 and is currently active in their 40th-anniversary tour.
Portnoy’s drumming achievements extend far beyond Dream Theater. Drumeo reported that he has won 32 Modern Drummer magazine awards and became the second-youngest inductee into their Hall of Fame at age 37. He has also been involved with numerous other projects, including Transatlantic, The Winery Dogs, and Liquid Tension Experiment. These projects showcase his versatility across progressive rock and metal genres.
Neil Peart, who passed away in 2020, remains one of the most influential drummers in progressive rock history. His technical proficiency, complex rhythms, and lyrical contributions have inspired countless drummers, including Portnoy. Peart’s legacy continues to serve as a touchstone for innovation in drumming within progressive rock and beyond. His approach to compositional drumming and musical storytelling remains unmatched in the genre.
Portnoy has historically described Peart as “the ultimate progressive rock drummer.” He has made several heartfelt tributes following Peart’s passing. His recent comments further demonstrate the deep respect he holds for Peart’s musicianship while acknowledging the distinct paths their drumming styles have taken. While Peart’s methodical precision defined Rush’s sound, Portnoy’s spontaneous, in-the-moment approach has become a signature element of Dream Theater’s progressive metal identity.
