[Metropolis Pt.2: Scenes From A Memory]

[Once In A LIVEtime] [Falling Into Infinity] [A Change of Seasons] [Awake]

[Images and Words] [When Dream and Day Unite] [Liquid Tension Experiment]

[Working Man: Rush Tribute] [Home]

All of the clips on this page are in mp3 format.  So, in order for you to hear the master

at work, you're  going to need an mp3 player.  You can download Winamp for free by going

to Winamp.com.  If you already have an mp3 player, why are you reading this?!.

For netscape users: Netscape does not properly understand mp3 file links. Because of that, in order to

download the mp3 files, right-click on the mp3 link and choose to save the file to disk.  

1928.mp3

This is a nice 3/4 riff with a cool double bass pattern.

1928b.mp3

Doesn't this beat sound familiar?

Dejavu.mp3

Check out this drum pattern.  He's got the ride bell going and then adding some open hi-hat at the end.

Dejavu2.mp3

Mike changes it up a bit here.  Listen for the tambourine and china-stack.  They alternate every section.

Fatal.mp3

This is the section that leads into the heavy double bass part.

Fatal2.mp3

Here is that double bass part.  Sounds like this pattern is influenced by the one and only Raymond Herrera.

Fatal3.mp3

Starting to get the double kick going here. Notice the ride bell on this clip.

Fatal4.mp3

Here's the section leading in the "Shrink and Grow" solo section.  Gotta love the snare pattern here.

Fatal5.mp3

After the solos, Mike gets to have fun.  The snare stays steady throughout but listen to the china-stack.  Aha!

Beyond.mp3

Can't write a cd without including some of this.  Slow down man!!

Beyond2.mp3

This whole thing is in 5/4.  Listen to the double bass along with all the embellishments.

Home.mp3

Same drum fill from Metro Pt1 but slowed down a tad.

Home2.mp3

Here, the bass and snare stay steady but listen to the 5 pattern on top between the ride and china-stack.

Home3.mp3

What's better, the triplet double bass fill or the 16th note fill.  I like the faster one.

Home4.mp3

Mike joins John with this crazy drum fill halfway through the guitar solo.

Home5.mp3

Another fill picked from "Mike's Toolbox of Drum Patterns."

Home6.mp3

19/16, what a wonderful time signature!  Go on, count it.  Or just buy Mike's video, he explains it all.

Dance.mp3

There are no words to describe this section of  "The Dance of Eternity"  NONE!

Dance2.mp3

5/8,5/8,5/8,6/8-5/8,5/8,5/8,5/8-5/8,7/8,5/8,6/8-5/8,5/8,5/8,7/8   Get all that? :-)

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Seatbelt.mp3

Mike yells, "Fasten your seatbelts Paris!" and then takes the crowd on a rollercoaster ride!

Solo1.mp3

The first part in Mike's drum solo.  Don't kill yourself moshing to this.

Solo2.mp3

Part 2 to the solo.  Can you put a little more space between those hits? I don't think so.

Solo3.mp3

On this part, Mike says hello to his gong bass drum and china cymbals.

Solo4.mp3

Part 4.  Still going!

Solo5.mp3

Here Mike does a little jam on his timbales.

Solo6.mp3

Here's the ever famous 6:00 beat!

Solo7.mp3

Back to Ytsejam.  He has to let the other guys play sometime, I guess.

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Newmil.mp3

This clip is from New Millennium.  Another example of how tight Dream Theater is.

Lines.mp3

This is the section of Lines in the Sand leading up the first verse. (Nice)

Trial.mp3

Here's the drum solo from Trial of Tears!!

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Acos1.mp3

This is a nice little 7/8 beat in the beginning sections of this masterpiece.

Acos2.mp3

This little odd-time section is classic Dream Theater.

Acos3.mp3

Check this section out. An unexpected, but much loved, signature change on the drums.

Acos4.mp3

Here's the famous jam section in the middle!  Gotta love the cymbal disk!

Acos5.mp3

This is a nice groove section with Mike switching from straight to triplet feel.

Acos6.mp3

This is a neat section for Mike.  Listen to the mini china cymbal in this one.

Acos7.mp3

The most powerful ending to any song ever written.

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Clock.mp3

Here's Mike's famous 6:00 beat.  Thank you, Mike, for making this beat!

Eroto1.mp3

This is a nice time signature, 11/8 10/8.  Go on count it!  Another "what the?" beat.

Eroto2.mp3

Here's where Mike gets to strut his stuff on Erotomania. Listen to John, too!

Lie1.mp3

Have you heard a better drummer?  I don't think so.  

Lie2.mp3

Double bass is one of Mike's many attributes.  Here he shows it all off!

Scarred.mp3

This is one Mike's more complicated patterns.  Where is that ride bell?!

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Tttjam.mp3

This is by far the best jam section Mike does.

Metro1.mp3

Here is Mike's trademark song.  This is the middle instrumental section that is all in 13/8.

Metro2.mp3

Mike adds the double bass in this section, but still keeps the 13/8 that the band is playing.

Metro3.mp3

Here he gets to show off a little!

Metro4.mp3

Another example of the tightness of Dream Theater.  Listen to the attacks on this part.

Metro5.mp3

Remember, don't try this at home.  This is a trained professional.

Ltl1.mp3

These next few are from Learning to Live.  

Ltl2.mp3

Mike is not all power and speed.  This section shows just this.

Ltl3.mp3

Here is one the best transition fills Mike does.  It's the climax of Learning to Live.

Ltl4.mp3

Mike gets to show his high level of technique in this clip.

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Ytse.mp3

Here is the drum solo from Ytsejam.  It's a little shorter than his live versions, though!

Sun.mp3

This is a nice clip here.  Odd time with double bass.

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Lte1.mp3

This clip is the beginning section of Paradigm Shift.  Watch out, it hits you pretty hard!

Lte2.mp3

Here, Mike leads the way to the end of Paradigm Shift.  Once again, don't try this at home!

Lte3.mp3

The end of Universal Mind is sure to give you a smile.  This also shows Mike's versatility.

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Wmsolo1.mp3

Here is Mike's drum solo on Working Man: Rush Tribute.  

Wmsolo2.mp3

Classic Mike Portnoy!

Wmsolo3.mp3

Oooops!  Watch those sticks!  Don't get him wrong he'll still nail your butt to the wall.

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© Ken Hunter January-February 1999.