Mike Portnoy, founder and drummer for the legendary progressive metal band Dream Theater, has decided to quit the band that made him famous.  He posted a note to Facebook on September 8th detailing his reasons for leaving and couldn’t believe he was making such a decision.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me out and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.

We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here and there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a “hiatus” to recharge our batteries and “save me from ourselves.”

He stated his need to stay true to himself and if he were to stick with the band he simply wouldn’t be faithful to his own needs.  A sad day for Dream Theater fans the globe over, but hopefully Portnoy will find happiness in whatever he does from here on out.  He’s been working with a number of side-projects, most notably as the newest drummer for Avenged Sevenfold.