DREAM THEATER Drummer Interviewed At France's HELLFEST; Video Available

July 1, 2009

Romania's Metalhead TV conducted an interview with drummer Mike Portnoy of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER at this year's Hellfest, which was held on June 19-21, 2009 in Clisson, France. Watch the six-minute chat below.

DREAM THEATER's latest album, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", has taken the band to new heights. The CD debuted at No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales totaling 40,285. Both numbers mark the highest-ever first-week figures for the band, which is enjoying the greatest success of its 25-year career. 12% of the week's sales were digital, putting "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" at No. 21 on the Digital Albums chart.

Commented Portnoy: "This is truly amazing. After almost 25 years together, DREAM THEATER is still growing and progressing and doing bigger and better than ever. I can't think of many bands that can claim that. We are truly thankful to have this incredible support from fans who believe in the band as a musical force."

Such a monumental debut places dream theater, a band known for lengthy epics and the true "album" format, in the cozy Top 10 company of JONAS BROTHERS, BLACK EYED PEAS and REGINA SPEKTOR, a truly remarkable feat. Portnoy continued, "An album with four songs over 12 minutes in the U.S. Top 10? Hell must've frozen over! This is one small leap for DREAM THEATER, and one giant leap for music in general."

"Black Clouds & Silver Linings" is DREAM THEATER's tenth studio album and follow-up to the band's 2007 Roadrunner Records debut, "Systematic Chaos". In addition to the standard version CD, the album is also available on vinyl LP, as well as a three-disc special-edition CD that includes the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs. A limited deluxe collector's edition boxed set is also available.

DREAM THEATER made its debut appearance in Israel last month, rocking a crowd 10,000 strong to their knees. The band's own Progressive Nation tour returns stateside on July 24 in Miami, and will feature DREAM THEATER as headliner, ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA, BIGELF and SCALE THE SUMMIT. The tour — which marks the second incarnation of Progressive Nation — wraps on August 29 in Los Angeles.

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