As musicians, proper comparison is one of our biggest tools. That means simply observing the similarities and differences between two or more players. As I say in the video, "ranking" them as better or worse is NOT a part of comparison. Please look up the definition of the word. So, with that being said, what are your observations of these two world class drummers?
It just cracks me up when internet people talk bad about either one. These guys are among the best drummers on the planet. Neither is way better they’re just different dudes who play differently.
We're simply comparing similarities and differences for educational value. Nothing but good to say for both of these cats from me...but they def have very different styles that it pays to listen and articulate why.
Mangini knows how to break down the noise and articulate the beats like notes. I like Portnoy as a drummer, but I love Mangini in Dream Theater. Sorry to those who don't agree, I just had to put that 2 cents in.
This is totally incorrect. Dream Theater wouldn’t be Dream Theater without Portnoy. Remember, he started the band, wrote most of the music/songs and because of that they got to where they are. Mangini is the better technical player but who knows if he had been the first drummer how the band would end up. But we would not have gotten Images, Metropolis etc for sure. So there’s that.
Mangini is incredible in his machine-like precision. Portnoy is incredible in his ability to arrange and compose memorable parts. Portnoy has a slightly "looser" feel (some might call it his "sense of groove") and is not as machine-like as Mangini, but that's a matter of personal preference as to which one's playing you like better.
Portnoy’s songwriting is a big part of DT, but for accuracy and consistency i prefer MM. Portnoy likes to rush during live performance 😂 for drumming style, i love many of MP’s fills but i find his drumming to be too dominant, MM’s drumming is more supportive for the band for me
@@eternalbliss3487I think the guys in DT were looking to go back to a certain chemistry. At the end of the day, they’re playing with their bro and feel more comfortable with Portnoy. Additionally, they probably prefer Portnoy’s showmanship and composing qualities. It doesn’t take away anything from MM’ s awesome drumming. They are both amazing and very different.
Mangini is more skilled, but I've never felt that super advanced drumming really adds much to rock music, even the progressive stuff like DT. That's why drummers like Bonham and Porcaro were so lauded in their time. They weren't show offs and they didn't need to be, because nobody could hold a band together like they could. Portnoy can still keep up with DT's extremely challenging music, while providing superior groove and cohesion with the rest of the band. That matters more to me than cool polyrhythms and crazy single stroke speed.
My first contact - except JPs Sterling guitar - was the song "breaking all illusion". I was totally flashed by the drums, by this special kind of playing with the melody of the song. So what, two members of the drummers Olymp.
I've been a fan of Mike Portnoy for a long time, but his ideas sound very repetitive. I've heard Peart do a lot of what he does in Rush. As for Mangini's ideas, I've never heard anything like them. Look at what he played in Pale Blue Dot and A View from the Top of the World (song). Portnoy will never be able to play that. Portnoy can't even play Barstool Warrior the way it was recorded. He changed so many things. I know Mangini changed some things too, but Portnoy changed so many things in a single song, because he doesn't have the slightest bit of Mangini's technique.
If you listen, the way Mangini changes the Portnoy material is by getting out of the way of the other musicians. There is a video clip of an entire concert of Images and Words with Mangini on drums and he's so tight and integrated with the band. It was remarkable how he played. It was how I always imagined ot could have been.
@@sockeye007 Like or dislike, this 40th anniversary world tour with MP back is their most successful tour to date and Night Terror is their most successful single release since Pull me under. People have spoken I guess 🤷♂️
When I was starting out on drums playing Portnoy's parts felt attainable (though extremely difficult). Mangini's drum parts feel like I have to be an alien to play them properly.
As a guitarist, I know EXACTLY how you feel as I’ve always said this: Petrucci’s solos feel attainable, yet very difficult. But Guthrie Govan’s songs make me realize I will simply never be at that level. And to make it crazier, Guthrie’s songs are all IMPROVISED
yes, the solo is another level, in musicality and vocabulary, portnoy solo are only liks he learned and invented...., mangini is another level..., but portnoy in the past he made fantastic unforgatable parts..., portnoy have a peart aproah, to create parts and reproduce them perfect live, always the same...mangini like to built like a jazz player, much more musical intencionallity and freedom..., portnoy was good for dt, mangini was better for vai...., he is more like a zappa drummer, and have tons more of hand and feet tecnique...
@@jaimesorli2436portnoy nearly always plays too fast a tempo and improvs his signature fills decade he doesn’t practice and has no discipline. He worse for it and so is the band
@melodic777 he spent his time in make more tattoos instead to practice and learn new staff to show..., he dont like to practice..., he preffer to go to the hairdresser and paint his hair...., 🤣, man, he is playing the same liks almos 2 decades..., he is a great drummer, mangini is another more serious thing..., the last videoclip of dt looks like a avenged sevenfool one..., this people are old for that..., they can don it better..., they just want to make money, not music...
Thought the same, a little clickbait will definitively attract views, more so on a hot topic like this one, Mike vs Mike, they both have lots of fans and haters that will argue in comments to boost the algo...😂😂😂
Portnoy’s playing has become very predictable over the years and perhaps DT should have taken some time off in 2012, as Portnoy requested, as everything to me was sounding the same. What I really like with Mangini is it brought new drumming ideas to the band, which they really needed. As a whole, both drummers are very good, bringing different styles to the table.
I agree completely, and also think that it was good for Portnoy to go off and do his serial sideman thing. Playing slightly less complex but more emotive music with Neal Morse and Transatlantic forced him to tap into a different area creatively where he couldn't just recycle the same stuff, and made him a more musical drummer. At one point, I wondered if his post-DT legacy would become as significant as what he did with his original band. As much as he has good technique and an incredible memory for complex parts, it was great to hear him play more 'normal' music for a change. 😂
DT did lose something when MP left, though not immediately. But it wasn't the drumming so much as his contribution as an arranger, another lyrical voice and a creative counterweight to Petrucci.
For anyone interested, Mike Mangini has an online store and his rhythm knowledge books take drumming to the next level. I have volumes 1-3 and he just came out with volume 4 not too long ago. He also does online lessons as well.
When I was like 13-14 I walked into a drum shop and saw Mike Mangini and Benny Greb browsing the shelves. I practically shit my pants because I'm a huge Benny fan. The owner, Vic came up to me and said do you know who that is? I said "that's Benny greb!!" And he's like yeah what about the other guy?? And I was like "yeahhh, sure I know him" and I had no clue that it was Mike Mangini until I went home and he looked so sad I didn't say hi to him... but I'm still glad I got to meet Benny and talk about music with him.
After Portnoy's comeback I listened again to all of their stuff and realised what I hated about Mangini's playing on their studio records has more to do with production than his actual playing. It seems like they quantized everything perfectly to the grid and replaced most of the kit with samples. It sounds like they programmed it in MIDI. Live records don't have this problem, they have a different problem called James 😄
That's certainly a factor. The albums Mangini plays on simply sound worse, which is not his fault. Production-wise, I think Distance over Time is the closest they came to sounding as good as the older stuff.
Annihilator has an albul called Metal where Mangini is the drummer, and I always hated how the drums sound is this album because of that. It doesn't sound as a human playing, but a programmed MIDI. Maybe Mangini like this robotic sounds, idk
What they did to his drum sound on the self titled album is actually criminal, idk how John signed off on that lol. The last two albums had decent production again though imo.
The end section of Finally Free would also be a good way to judge the both of them. Also might have been better to judge Mangini off a song that he actually wrote drums for to make it more fair.
Remember...we're not judging. We are doing a comparison. That is simply observing similarities and differences. Judging involved something else...a ranking of sorts. And I agree with you...but a lot of times I simply can't find good footage of the things I want for a better comparison. So I go either what I can find. All great points my friend!
Thank you for taking the time to define "comparison" and make the point that you aren't judging them. It's far too common for people in the online music sphere to fall into the "I like this musician so they're the best at their instrument" trap. The truth is, When you're at the level of guys like Portnoy and Mangini, you're going to be an amazing drummer, an amazing musician. It all comes down to individual strengths and styles.
When Mangini sat in with Cory ong band, he's electrifying. That groovy style of music Wong wrote has really made Mangini shine with his style. It was a regular set up though. I've got a feeling Mangini solo based on his technical ability, which is great, but not based on the feeling of the moment, which can be different every night and every time.
Back in probably 1990, I saw Mangini win the Bostons Best Drummer competition at the Channel nightclub, I wasn't even 18 years old, my drum teacher snuck me in to see another local drummer/friend of ours compete, it was magical
I really like Mangini's soloing style because he gives drummers, non-drummers, and non-musicians in the audience something entertaining. Plus, this particular solo had variety and a flow to it. I think Portnoy plays the group's songs really well, and his solo here was the traditional hard rock & metal in-your-face barrage of fast patterns split between hands and feet, plus audience participation. Just different strokes!
I feel that a lot of people who accused Mangini of being to mechanical or having no feel, just don't get it. Of course the feel between the 2.Mike are different, but these two don't write a drum part from the same angle of the music. Mangini uses layers of rhythms, poly rhythms, accents displacement, metric modulation, in the same song, from one part to the other, really complex stuff, but he is able to incorporate it in the music, and sometimes, it barely sticks out, and to me, that's the quality stuff right there. As they say sometimes, still water runs deep.
Mangini does write cool stuff in terms of music theory. Polyrhythms and metric modulations are cool, love them but I disagree when you say Mangini can incorporate them into music. A lot of times when there is some poly or metric stuff happening its sounding more like an exercise from a technical study book than a drum part that fits to the song. Its like shouting ”watch me doing this” 😅 No hate here, just my opinion. Love both of them, the music they have made and I’m genuinely happy for everyone who likes either one or both of them.
@@danlc95 I don’t know what you are refering to but as one can analyze MM plays much more precisely to the grid while MP has a tendency to push and pull when he feels like it. Some may call it robotic, others precision 🤷♂️
@TheGlowWorm - I'm responding exactly to his first sentence. When Portnoy fans say "robotic" they mean so with a negative connotation. I'm saying they present use this phrase to slam Mangini because it's an intangible, and it's all the ammo they have. A subjective take doesn't work.
@TheGlowWorm the same thing can be.say about what portnoy does,, when you are saying the ,look at me , look what I can do, except that what Portnoy does doesn't sound like exercise from a book, it sounds like a lot of stuff he did many, many times before. Portnoy is a great drummer, but to use a figure of speech, Mangini, s well is much deeper and has much more water in it than Portnoy,s.
Hah, this is a great comment as well. It almost feels boring when MM plays it sometimes, which sometimes takes away from enjoying the composition. I also liked the comment that read Mangini is a professor, Portnoy is a rock star. Both great comments.
so much thing happen and you choose to talk about the tone? I thought we gonna talk about HOW Portnoy was amazing at writing Dance of Eternity, and HOW amazing Mangini translated and respect the fill Portnoy wrote.
For me the most important part is the live performance. The musicianship between MP and the band is irreplaceable and you feel that live. Mangini is an eternal world reference in drums, dedication, professionalism. Unfortunately, I always felt like a session player and not a member of the band. There are brutal albums that have their personal touch but the band lost the "rock n roll" that Portnoy has. Both different and so good in each style
I read somewhere that Portnoy plays a tad behind the beat and Mangini plays right on the beat, which didn't make sense to me, but now I can't un-hear it.
@@JazzyJonas Mangini has talked about that in interviews. During his time with Annihilator, Jeff Waters would play it back and show Mangini where he was a hair off of the click and have him do it again.
@ jazzy jonas. You're totally wrong. I know MP drumming for 25 years, he is playing a tad before the beat and that's also the reason he push the band better and has therefor a better feel in DT. Don't spread rumours that ain't true. I call bs, and before you respond; I play drums 🥁 since I was 12 and have a perfect feel in music. MM plays right on the dot which feels sometimes that he slowed down the beat, which isn't the case ofcourse but feeling and reality sometimes ain't the same!
@@gsxracer1977 I don't mean he (MP) drags or anything, just that his "grid" is nudged to the right a little like a natural delay. Lots of rock drummers do that.
I quit listening dt when portnoy left and about 10 years later, I realized Mangini's stick control and diversity of accents are far ahead of Portnoy. Both are monsters but it looks like Mangini can play jazz, fusion or funk better.
Imagino, que você já aceitou a era Mangini, porque os álbuns do DT com ele também são perfeitos, inclusive o melhor álbum deles em minha opinião é o " A view from the top of the world", com Mangini na bateria.
We are comparing the drums for Dream Theater. If I was looking for jazz, fusion, or funk I would choose a drummer like Gergo Borlai, Larnell Lewis, or Will Calhoun over Mike Mangini.
Mangini is a beast.. I kinda lost interest in DT after portnoy left but I feel that had nothing to do mangini and everything to do with what DT became without portnoy.
I like both. but MP always makes me want to play air drums even though i can't play drums. The feeling he brings is very strong, maybe because he is their first drummer and their musical soul was formed over the years. and also when i first listened to their songs, MP was the drummer. so i was already used to his playing. and when he was replaced, the strong feeling when listening to their songs was a little less
I actually enjoy both Mike's for what/who they are. I think they are like different sides tot he same coin IMO. The talk about Portnoy being more musical and Mangini more technical...blah blah it's old to me. I do think that Portnoy left at the right time for the band, and I think he also returned at the right time for the band. At the end of his first term, I felt they were getting a little stale, the band was feeling very predictable to me. And I think now, they hadn't gotten to that point with me, but I think they peaked with him. One thing to note that I don't think many people realize, when Mangini was in the band, he was also cueing video and light changes while playing because the band played to a click with him. Portnoy they don't play to a click. So, imagine playing this piece, AND cueing video/lighting changes. Insanity. The kit difference you're talking about, Mangini's kit is for someone who plays both left and right handed. While Portnoy's kit has the toms descending a traditional way, from left to right. Mangini's alternate. He has 7 toms, and if 1 is the highest pitch and 7 is the lowest his right side has 3 5 and 7 while his left side has 2 4 and 6 with 1 in the middle. He talked about the height of his stuff many times, from a production view point the farther away from the cymbals are the more isolated they can be from the rest of the drum, and his cymbals are not ear level with the singer. Having the octos up there I believe is more an aesthetic choice, but also one that made for a great show. haha.
Mangini and Rudess are by far the most technical players the band ever had. And while both are great, that's not what I started listening to them in the late 90s. They'll never have Kev Mo or Sherinian in the band again (unfortunately) , but at least I got Mr Portnoy back so it at least "kind of" feels like old DT again.
Mangini played double bass up to Distance over time the double pedal after that, now back to double bass drum on his Solo album Also the Tom set up came from playing in school bands and wanting to melodically follow Nuno Bettencourt when he played with Extreme
We can’t compare them with this song.. portnoy wrote dance of eternity, it’s his composition. Mike mangini learned what portnoy has created and played it. Nothing comes to the original one because the original one is registered in our head. My opinion.
Mangini's compositions in DT are very recognizable. He is "musical" in a way he does the impossible to follow different rythmic patterns (i.e. bass, guitar, keyboard and sometimes vocals as well) at the same time with different pieces of the drum kit. His style is all about independence and less about "flashy". This is why to some older fans his drumming sounds too complicated or not familiar enough.
I got into DT right after Systematic Chaos was released, so I only got to experience one new album release with MP. And out of the 7 times I’ve seen them live only one show was with MP. All the excitement and anticipation for new albums and live shows aside from BC&SL have been with MM on the drums and it was always amazing! To me it’s hard to think that era of DT is over. I am however looking forward to Parasomnia!
My observation was that portnoy is a little more behind the beat than mangini which is typically my preference in general and with this band but not always. A hyper band like Slipknot is perfect for on the beat playing. Mangini is actually one my favorite drum solo players. I typically don't like them, to be honest, but mangini just has something that captivates me there.
Mangini is in another universe on a technical level, but I found his albums with the band to be underwhelming for the most part, including both the drumming and the drum sound. The one exception though is Distance over Time. One of their best albums in the last twenty years. But I've also generally been disappointed with all of the Portnoy albums since Scenes from a Memory. The new songs with him ironically just sound like an extension of the Mangini era. DT has been stale for me since Scenes. Awake is my favorite album. I honestly would have welcomed Kevin Moore back over Portnoy. And it's really time to cut LaBrie loose, but that's a discussion that plenty of people are already having elsewhere.
@@dionysisdaras1289the RUclipsrs also simplify it, the limb independence polyrhythm portions are the main parts I’m talking about, but most of these RUclipsrs are high level drummers who practice more than portnoy does. Actually portnoy admitted he does not practice anymore. But from a drumming perspective Mangini is on another level. I think it would be too late in life for portnoy to gain those technical skills that Mangini has over him. He used to practice 8-10 hours daily. He’s just a maniac
@@dionysisdaras1289 a lot of songs Dream Theater wrote with Mangini, Portnoy literally can’t play note for note. And it’s not a skill issue because of the drum fills and sticking patterns Mike Mangini writes due to the set up of his drum set are near impossible to replicate on a traditional drum set where the drums go from left to right
@@Gnathan96 i don't disagree with anything.There is simply no way Portnoy,who tours extensively for almost 40 years could compete with Mangini,a true scholar of the instrument on a technical level.That's why i said ''if he would seriously commit''.If he would go full on nerd mode and practice,of course he could.But Portnoy ain't doing that,let's be honest.And that's cool with me......the music with DT should come first
You can listen to the whole live scenes from a memory for a good comparison of feel. There are videos of this tour where MP is trying to play some of MM’s parts. They’re different beasts but both very good.
Your comment about a musical seizure...I've always felt the same way about the part at 4:23. Just makes me dizzy, lol. As far as the two drummers, they're both on my list of favorites. With their unique traits, though (notwithstanding small amounts of overlap between them), here are those IMO. -Portnoy - Explosive, powerful, punchy, energetic and extremely lifelike -Mangini - Technical, detailed, analytical, methodical and precise Also, Portnoy has included two Mangini Era songs (Barstool Warrior and This is the Life) on the setlist for their latest tour, so we've begun to get a taste of how he handles Mangini Era tunes. Then again, those songs aren't super technical by DT standards, so maybe once Portnoy writes something like Breaking All Illusions, At Wit's End or The Enemy Inside into a future setlist it would make for a more interesting comparison with how each covers the Mangini Era songs.
@@asabovesobelow2299 I've heard a few others say the same, but I've always felt it's the kind of song he would excel with overall. It's just the intermittent bursts of fast single handed stuff on the verses and bridges that would need to be modified a bit.
I don’t think one is necessarily better or worse than the other - seeing either of them play this live would be a treat. I definitely think Mangini is more of the studious type whereas Portnoy is almost entirely “feel” based… I could be totally wrong, but that’s my impression. Again, both are fun to watch.
I prefer Mangini’s solos over Portnoy’s but I prefer Portnoy’s style in the context of Dream Theater’s music. With that said, both are monster drummers and both are huge influences on me.
Both are amazing drummers, no doubt! But the fact that in the first few days after the first new release with Portnoy there were already drumcovers on RUclips tells you how much more difficult to play Mangini’s parts are. This does not take away that portnoy is an amazing drummer, one of the best there is
Portnoy is Dream Theater trademark and makes fans happy by exciting them like no other drummer can do. Mangini is not a human, he is capable of doing anything demonstrating technical superiority and boundless musical ability. Neither drummer has anything to prove, Portnoy is the essence of Dream. Mangini is magic!
The comparisons have been done for years, but what makes it a little more interesting these days, is watching Portnoy cover drum parts Mangini created ('Barstool Warrior', for example.) Never got into the 'who's better?' debate. Would have loved to see Donati, Minnemann, or Lang have gotten the gig. Just to see what they'd have brought to the table. (Somehow though, I don't think their tenure would have lasted as long as Mangini. And that kind of tells you what I think of that whole "audition" video.)
As lifetime fan of Dream Theater, I always listen back on the early days and those albums have aged gracefully. Portnoy has and will always be the man behind the kit. Mangini just helped keep the band going. He's in a league of his own. The 2 Mike's have always had respect for one another.
In this video, I'll pick Mangini. But overall I like Portnoy's composing and songwriting ability given the material produced during his era. Both are the best.
One of the most ignorant things ever. You’re only as creative as your means avail you to be. Mangini is way more creative because he has way more tools.
One of the things you could also compare them is that Mangini always plays the songs with click track. Something that Portnoy said he dislikes because he wants to feel the energy of the crowd and sometimes plays around with the tempo depending on his mood.
I don't know about "comparing", you could say Mangini had it harder cause he had to adapt to other player's style in very complex setting, while Portnoy was basically half of Dream Theather alone, cause he was composing a lot of the music (refering this to the melodic part), and also their art and other administrative work.
I find at least on the albums that Mangini seems locked into whatever petrucci is doing far more often than Portnoy ever did. Portnoy would drift off from his kick locking into Petrucci and Myung. Case in point the section before the ragtime part in Dance of Eternity that starts with Portnoy locking into the riff with his floor tom, then shifts whatever he is doing every 4-8 bars into something that is different from the riff. This I feel is the reason some have panned Mangini's time in DT. Ironically it was the first thing I noticed in the new songs. The other thing is Portnoy has unique sounding cymbals that vary in tone which adds a new dimension sonically. He also shifts emphasis from kick/snare to cymbals far more than Mangini has in the Albums. This was the first thing I personally missed from DT's sound in ADTOE.
It’s so unfair to compare 2 drummers playing the same exact song that one of them composed. Of course the “cover” will sound a bit off. If you wanna compare same song but now Portnoy doing the cover go ahead and watch Barstool from this last tour. You will get my point.
It's like comparing the "left brain, right brain" thingy, if that theory is true, both part should work together to fully functional, like "technic" and "enjoy the music", you can't enjoy playing music if you don't know the technic, you'll not interested learn the technic if you don't have the purpose, which is enjoying the music.. We talk about DT right? "Enjoy the music" for them must be technical right?
If you compare The Dance Of Eternity with The Alien, then it will definitely be very different. Mangini could devour Portnoy's game, but don't know if Portnoy could play the technical DT songs of the Mangini era. I don't think he can yet, or it will take a long time to master it. Portnoy is more suited to playing less complex songs like the BCASL era album.
Love both drummers! I will always prefer MP because I was raised on him. But I dearly miss MM too! Drum Sound: MP Technicality: MM Songwriting Ability: MP Creativity: MM Performance/Entertainment: MP Intangibles: MP *Intangibles are a collection of less drum-related things such as personality, leadership, etc
Both great players but very different styles. Mangini is technically superior to most drummers on the planet but his playing is really lacking in any groove or feel. Portnoy may not have the technique of Mangini but he’s got plenty of it to play what he needs to play and frankly more then a lot of players. The difference is Portnoy has so much feel to his playing and even the complex parts groove. Mangini’s playing is incredibly impressive but a little boring at times.
"groove" and "feel", i've been seen those words since 14 years ago on the comments of a lot of DT videos but never know what it's really means. Mind to explain?
I remember watching that Portnoy video when it was fresh. It's been a long time. Look how young he was. I hadn't seen Mangini play since his audition. His setup is really different but gets the job done extremely well. I admit I like MM's solo. His kit is set up like a set of marching tenors and the solo is designed and planned. Much more technique demonstrated but the raw power of MP is excellent.
Where is the comparision? This was more like a reaction video with some comments in between stating the obvious things. Was hoping for more detailed comparision
Comparison is simply looking at their similarities and differences for education. I say so in the beginning of the video. No ranking or competition in it. Look up the definition of comparison
Both M&M are legendary drummers. However...MP is better fit, and that is it. Huge respect to MM, inter-dimensional drummer, real pro and one of the kindest guys in the industry!
Mangini took the progressive aspect of the band to another level, now that Portnoy is back they went back to where they started. It’s not a bad thing just my observation.
I think they are apples and oranges. I'll always believe that Portnoy is perhaps the most overrated player of my lifetime, but I admire his work ethic and staying power. Just not for me. Mangini is more of a composer with his kit and dominates technically.
I've always felt more emotion and personality in Portnoy's drumming. I feel MM is a bit more technical but as a drummer myself I feel Portnoy channels his personality into his playing a bit more. He's also more of a metal drummer IMO.
As musicians, proper comparison is one of our biggest tools. That means simply observing the similarities and differences between two or more players. As I say in the video, "ranking" them as better or worse is NOT a part of comparison. Please look up the definition of the word. So, with that being said, what are your observations of these two world class drummers?
mangini is a professor, portnoy is a rockstar
I think this is probably the best summary I’ve read so far.
Well said
Brilliant!
Correct
@@r.a.fiallos234 Absolutelly.
I love Portnoy but Mangini is another level. He is a Alien 👀👀
It just cracks me up when internet people talk bad about either one. These guys are among the best drummers on the planet. Neither is way better they’re just different dudes who play differently.
That's true but Portnoy is better for Dream Theater at the end of the day.
bunglemania83 why
Best ROCK drummers. That’s all.
@@PabloJ1968 Found the jazz snob lmao
We're simply comparing similarities and differences for educational value. Nothing but good to say for both of these cats from me...but they def have very different styles that it pays to listen and articulate why.
Portnoy got me interested in Dream Theater. Mangini kept me interested in Dream Theater.
Mangini knows how to break down the noise and articulate the beats like notes. I like Portnoy as a drummer, but I love Mangini in Dream Theater. Sorry to those who don't agree, I just had to put that 2 cents in.
Both geniuses, both legend. If Mangini is the first drummer of dream theater people will say he is the perfect fit.
This is totally incorrect. Dream Theater wouldn’t be Dream Theater without Portnoy. Remember, he started the band, wrote most of the music/songs and because of that they got to where they are. Mangini is the better technical player but who knows if he had been the first drummer how the band would end up. But we would not have gotten Images, Metropolis etc for sure. So there’s that.
@@brianholding187 im not remember
Mangini is incredible in his machine-like precision. Portnoy is incredible in his ability to arrange and compose memorable parts. Portnoy has a slightly "looser" feel (some might call it his "sense of groove") and is not as machine-like as Mangini, but that's a matter of personal preference as to which one's playing you like better.
Portnoy’s songwriting is a big part of DT, but for accuracy and consistency i prefer MM. Portnoy likes to rush during live performance 😂 for drumming style, i love many of MP’s fills but i find his drumming to be too dominant, MM’s drumming is more supportive for the band for me
@@eternalbliss3487I think the guys in DT were looking to go back to a certain chemistry. At the end of the day, they’re playing with their bro and feel more comfortable with Portnoy. Additionally, they probably prefer Portnoy’s showmanship and composing qualities. It doesn’t take away anything from MM’ s awesome drumming. They are both amazing and very different.
@@r.a.fiallos234 agreed 👍
Sloppy.
@@eternalbliss3487 Are you trying to compare playing live with click track vs without click track? lol
Mangini is more skilled, but I've never felt that super advanced drumming really adds much to rock music, even the progressive stuff like DT. That's why drummers like Bonham and Porcaro were so lauded in their time. They weren't show offs and they didn't need to be, because nobody could hold a band together like they could. Portnoy can still keep up with DT's extremely challenging music, while providing superior groove and cohesion with the rest of the band. That matters more to me than cool polyrhythms and crazy single stroke speed.
My first contact - except JPs Sterling guitar - was the song "breaking all illusion". I was totally flashed by the drums, by this special kind of playing with the melody of the song. So what, two members of the drummers Olymp.
I've been a fan of Mike Portnoy for a long time, but his ideas sound very repetitive. I've heard Peart do a lot of what he does in Rush.
As for Mangini's ideas, I've never heard anything like them. Look at what he played in Pale Blue Dot and A View from the Top of the World (song). Portnoy will never be able to play that.
Portnoy can't even play Barstool Warrior the way it was recorded. He changed so many things. I know Mangini changed some things too, but Portnoy changed so many things in a single song, because he doesn't have the slightest bit of Mangini's technique.
Finally someone mentions a view from the top of the world. My favorite song
If you listen, the way Mangini changes the Portnoy material is by getting out of the way of the other musicians.
There is a video clip of an entire concert of Images and Words with Mangini on drums and he's so tight and integrated with the band. It was remarkable how he played. It was how I always imagined ot could have been.
Absolutely
Mangini is the peak or top music carreer of dream theater.
lol. No. Metropolis is their peak.
Like or dislike, along with Mangini DT achieves the first Grammy.
@@sockeye007 Like or dislike, this 40th anniversary world tour with MP back is their most successful tour to date and Night Terror is their most successful single release since Pull me under. People have spoken I guess 🤷♂️
I dont know if it was missed but the section at 10:41 Mangini is playing those 16th notes single handed and on his feet!
When I was starting out on drums playing Portnoy's parts felt attainable (though extremely difficult). Mangini's drum parts feel like I have to be an alien to play them properly.
Hahah totally
Exactly it
Well, the band DID make a song about an alien so... :P (I'll excuse myself thanks to the bad joke lol)
As a guitarist, I know EXACTLY how you feel as I’ve always said this: Petrucci’s solos feel attainable, yet very difficult. But Guthrie Govan’s songs make me realize I will simply never be at that level. And to make it crazier, Guthrie’s songs are all IMPROVISED
Mangini is so dynamic and musical. I really appreciate those aspects.
100%
yes, the solo is another level, in musicality and vocabulary, portnoy solo are only liks he learned and invented...., mangini is another level..., but portnoy in the past he made fantastic unforgatable parts..., portnoy have a peart aproah, to create parts and reproduce them perfect live, always the same...mangini like to built like a jazz player, much more musical intencionallity and freedom..., portnoy was good for dt, mangini was better for vai...., he is more like a zappa drummer, and have tons more of hand and feet tecnique...
@@jaimesorli2436portnoy nearly always plays too fast a tempo and improvs his signature fills decade he doesn’t practice and has no discipline. He worse for it and so is the band
@@melodic777thats so true
@melodic777 he spent his time in make more tattoos instead to practice and learn new staff to show..., he dont like to practice..., he preffer to go to the hairdresser and paint his hair...., 🤣, man, he is playing the same liks almos 2 decades..., he is a great drummer, mangini is another more serious thing..., the last videoclip of dt looks like a avenged sevenfool one..., this people are old for that..., they can don it better..., they just want to make money, not music...
Stephen Taylor: This isn't about better or worse.😇
Also Stephen Taylor: Let's title this Portnoy vs Mangini. 😈
Thought the same, a little clickbait will definitively attract views, more so on a hot topic like this one, Mike vs Mike, they both have lots of fans and haters that will argue in comments to boost the algo...😂😂😂
Portnoy’s playing has become very predictable over the years and perhaps DT should have taken some time off in 2012, as Portnoy requested, as everything to me was sounding the same. What I really like with Mangini is it brought new drumming ideas to the band, which they really needed. As a whole, both drummers are very good, bringing different styles to the table.
I agree completely, and also think that it was good for Portnoy to go off and do his serial sideman thing. Playing slightly less complex but more emotive music with Neal Morse and Transatlantic forced him to tap into a different area creatively where he couldn't just recycle the same stuff, and made him a more musical drummer. At one point, I wondered if his post-DT legacy would become as significant as what he did with his original band. As much as he has good technique and an incredible memory for complex parts, it was great to hear him play more 'normal' music for a change. 😂
DT did lose something when MP left, though not immediately. But it wasn't the drumming so much as his contribution as an arranger, another lyrical voice and a creative counterweight to Petrucci.
For anyone interested, Mike Mangini has an online store and his rhythm knowledge books take drumming to the next level. I have volumes 1-3 and he just came out with volume 4 not too long ago. He also does online lessons as well.
When I was like 13-14 I walked into a drum shop and saw Mike Mangini and Benny Greb browsing the shelves. I practically shit my pants because I'm a huge Benny fan. The owner, Vic came up to me and said do you know who that is? I said "that's Benny greb!!" And he's like yeah what about the other guy?? And I was like "yeahhh, sure I know him" and I had no clue that it was Mike Mangini until I went home and he looked so sad I didn't say hi to him... but I'm still glad I got to meet Benny and talk about music with him.
vic's drum shop in chicago? or way back in palatine? i used to love going to both!
@@mtndewman1022bingo! Vic's drum shop.
except this never happened :)))
After Portnoy's comeback I listened again to all of their stuff and realised what I hated about Mangini's playing on their studio records has more to do with production than his actual playing. It seems like they quantized everything perfectly to the grid and replaced most of the kit with samples. It sounds like they programmed it in MIDI. Live records don't have this problem, they have a different problem called James 😄
It seems even sabotage what they did to Mangini in the studio. On the twelfth album the drums sound digital.
That's certainly a factor. The albums Mangini plays on simply sound worse, which is not his fault. Production-wise, I think Distance over Time is the closest they came to sounding as good as the older stuff.
Annihilator has an albul called Metal where Mangini is the drummer, and I always hated how the drums sound is this album because of that. It doesn't sound as a human playing, but a programmed MIDI. Maybe Mangini like this robotic sounds, idk
They replaced all the sounds on images and words also.
What they did to his drum sound on the self titled album is actually criminal, idk how John signed off on that lol. The last two albums had decent production again though imo.
MANGINI is the BEST ever.
This is a fact.
Deal with it.
The best at what ?
I like both, but Portnoy’s style is more appealing to me.
The end section of Finally Free would also be a good way to judge the both of them. Also might have been better to judge Mangini off a song that he actually wrote drums for to make it more fair.
Remember...we're not judging. We are doing a comparison. That is simply observing similarities and differences. Judging involved something else...a ranking of sorts.
And I agree with you...but a lot of times I simply can't find good footage of the things I want for a better comparison. So I go either what I can find. All great points my friend!
Thank you for taking the time to define "comparison" and make the point that you aren't judging them. It's far too common for people in the online music sphere to fall into the "I like this musician so they're the best at their instrument" trap. The truth is, When you're at the level of guys like Portnoy and Mangini, you're going to be an amazing drummer, an amazing musician. It all comes down to individual strengths and styles.
100% agree. Well made point.
When Mangini sat in with Cory ong band, he's electrifying. That groovy style of music Wong wrote has really made Mangini shine with his style. It was a regular set up though. I've got a feeling Mangini solo based on his technical ability, which is great, but not based on the feeling of the moment, which can be different every night and every time.
Back in probably 1990, I saw Mangini win the Bostons Best Drummer competition at the Channel nightclub, I wasn't even 18 years old, my drum teacher snuck me in to see another local drummer/friend of ours compete, it was magical
I really like Mangini's soloing style because he gives drummers, non-drummers, and non-musicians in the audience something entertaining. Plus, this particular solo had variety and a flow to it. I think Portnoy plays the group's songs really well, and his solo here was the traditional hard rock & metal in-your-face barrage of fast patterns split between hands and feet, plus audience participation. Just different strokes!
I feel that a lot of people who accused Mangini of being to mechanical or having no feel, just don't get it. Of course the feel between the 2.Mike are different, but these two don't write a drum part from the same angle of the music. Mangini uses layers of rhythms, poly rhythms, accents displacement, metric modulation, in the same song, from one part to the other, really complex stuff, but he is able to incorporate it in the music, and sometimes, it barely sticks out, and to me, that's the quality stuff right there. As they say sometimes, still water runs deep.
Mangini does write cool stuff in terms of music theory. Polyrhythms and metric modulations are cool, love them but I disagree when you say Mangini can incorporate them into music. A lot of times when there is some poly or metric stuff happening its sounding more like an exercise from a technical study book than a drum part that fits to the song. Its like shouting ”watch me doing this” 😅
No hate here, just my opinion. Love both of them, the music they have made and I’m genuinely happy for everyone who likes either one or both of them.
It's an intangible Portny fans use to knock Mangini. The "robot" phrase doesn't make sense because it's an opinion stated as fact.
@@danlc95 I don’t know what you are refering to but as one can analyze MM plays much more precisely to the grid while MP has a tendency to push and pull when he feels like it.
Some may call it robotic, others precision 🤷♂️
@TheGlowWorm - I'm responding exactly to his first sentence.
When Portnoy fans say "robotic" they mean so with a negative connotation.
I'm saying they present use this phrase to slam Mangini because it's an intangible, and it's all the ammo they have. A subjective take doesn't work.
@TheGlowWorm the same thing can be.say about what portnoy does,, when you are saying the ,look at me , look what I can do, except that what Portnoy does doesn't sound like exercise from a book, it sounds like a lot of stuff he did many, many times before. Portnoy is a great drummer, but to use a figure of speech, Mangini, s well is much deeper and has much more water in it than Portnoy,s.
10 years ago i read a quote under one of these compare-videos:
portnoy makes me wanna play drums
mangini makes me wanna quit playing drums.
I agree
Hah, this is a great comment as well. It almost feels boring when MM plays it sometimes, which sometimes takes away from enjoying the composition. I also liked the comment that read Mangini is a professor, Portnoy is a rock star. Both great comments.
If I had to choose between them..., I'd say that Mike is the best.
so much thing happen and you choose to talk about the tone?
I thought we gonna talk about HOW Portnoy was amazing at writing Dance of Eternity, and HOW amazing Mangini translated and respect the fill Portnoy wrote.
Mangini is 1,000 times better the portnoy. Not even close
Mangini always has fresh drumparts. Portnoy is great but brings nothing new.
😂 sadly that’s the truth
agree
Bro, u have the audacity to say that listening dance of the etenity 🤣
For me the most important part is the live performance. The musicianship between MP and the band is irreplaceable and you feel that live.
Mangini is an eternal world reference in drums, dedication, professionalism. Unfortunately, I always felt like a session player and not a member of the band. There are brutal albums that have their personal touch but the band lost the "rock n roll" that Portnoy has. Both different and so good in each style
This. Mangini doesn’t have the same feel and punch live. Can’t change my mind
I like Mangini, Portnoy for me is boring in 2025.
@@1ThaiSurfer agree
Yes agree.portny monoton
agree
But mangini sounds is suck
@@muhammadesa1589 because you can't enjoy mangini's skill
I read somewhere that Portnoy plays a tad behind the beat and Mangini plays right on the beat, which didn't make sense to me, but now I can't un-hear it.
@@JazzyJonas Mangini has talked about that in interviews. During his time with Annihilator, Jeff Waters would play it back and show Mangini where he was a hair off of the click and have him do it again.
@ jazzy jonas. You're totally wrong. I know MP drumming for 25 years, he is playing a tad before the beat and that's also the reason he push the band better and has therefor a better feel in DT. Don't spread rumours that ain't true. I call bs, and before you respond; I play drums 🥁 since I was 12 and have a perfect feel in music. MM plays right on the dot which feels sometimes that he slowed down the beat, which isn't the case ofcourse but feeling and reality sometimes ain't the same!
@@gsxracer1977 I don't mean he (MP) drags or anything, just that his "grid" is nudged to the right a little like a natural delay. Lots of rock drummers do that.
I quit listening dt when portnoy left and about 10 years later, I realized Mangini's stick control and diversity of accents are far ahead of Portnoy. Both are monsters but it looks like Mangini can play jazz, fusion or funk better.
Imagino, que você já aceitou a era Mangini, porque os álbuns do DT com ele também são perfeitos, inclusive o melhor álbum deles em minha opinião é o " A view from the top of the world", com Mangini na bateria.
@@misaellemos6640 aynen
We are comparing the drums for Dream Theater. If I was looking for jazz, fusion, or funk I would choose a drummer like Gergo Borlai, Larnell Lewis, or Will Calhoun over Mike Mangini.
@@mplsfalls1 i didn't say Mangini is the best jazz or fusion drummer, i just sad Mangini is better at stick control and accented strokes.
Nice Idea 😁
Awesome! No need for comparison. They’re both best in class! No need to get any better than that!
They both Master❤ I love them both. I prefer Mike Portnoy more musical and Mike Mangini for the incredible technique.
Mangini is a beast.. I kinda lost interest in DT after portnoy left but I feel that had nothing to do mangini and everything to do with what DT became without portnoy.
I like both. but MP always makes me want to play air drums even though i can't play drums. The feeling he brings is very strong, maybe because he is their first drummer and their musical soul was formed over the years.
and also when i first listened to their songs, MP was the drummer. so i was already used to his playing. and when he was replaced, the strong feeling when listening to their songs was a little less
I actually enjoy both Mike's for what/who they are. I think they are like different sides tot he same coin IMO. The talk about Portnoy being more musical and Mangini more technical...blah blah it's old to me. I do think that Portnoy left at the right time for the band, and I think he also returned at the right time for the band. At the end of his first term, I felt they were getting a little stale, the band was feeling very predictable to me. And I think now, they hadn't gotten to that point with me, but I think they peaked with him.
One thing to note that I don't think many people realize, when Mangini was in the band, he was also cueing video and light changes while playing because the band played to a click with him. Portnoy they don't play to a click. So, imagine playing this piece, AND cueing video/lighting changes. Insanity.
The kit difference you're talking about, Mangini's kit is for someone who plays both left and right handed. While Portnoy's kit has the toms descending a traditional way, from left to right. Mangini's alternate. He has 7 toms, and if 1 is the highest pitch and 7 is the lowest his right side has 3 5 and 7 while his left side has 2 4 and 6 with 1 in the middle.
He talked about the height of his stuff many times, from a production view point the farther away from the cymbals are the more isolated they can be from the rest of the drum, and his cymbals are not ear level with the singer. Having the octos up there I believe is more an aesthetic choice, but also one that made for a great show. haha.
Mangini and Rudess are by far the most technical players the band ever had. And while both are great, that's not what I started listening to them in the late 90s. They'll never have Kev Mo or Sherinian in the band again (unfortunately) , but at least I got Mr Portnoy back so it at least "kind of" feels like old DT again.
I have had both of them give clinics at the shop. No comparison…. Mangini is total insanity
As DT fans we've been blessed with these amazing musicians and how awesomeness can express itself in such different ways.
100% agree
Mangini played double bass up to Distance over time the double pedal after that, now back to double bass drum on his Solo album
Also the Tom set up came from playing in school bands and wanting to melodically follow Nuno Bettencourt when he played with Extreme
We can’t compare them with this song.. portnoy wrote dance of eternity, it’s his composition. Mike mangini learned what portnoy has created and played it. Nothing comes to the original one because the original one is registered in our head. My opinion.
Mangini can play right or left hand set up.
And this open handed style gives him more opportunities.
I think they each had their thing with dream theater, i think that Mangine had a bit more technique then Portnoy, but both crazy players
Mangini's compositions in DT are very recognizable. He is "musical" in a way he does the impossible to follow different rythmic patterns (i.e. bass, guitar, keyboard and sometimes vocals as well) at the same time with different pieces of the drum kit. His style is all about independence and less about "flashy". This is why to some older fans his drumming sounds too complicated or not familiar enough.
His work on the James LaBrie solo stuff was awesome too.
He's on most of MullMuzzler - Keep It To Yourself and Mullmuzzler 2.
Very very good Interpretation 👍
Very very good Interpretation 👍
I got into DT right after Systematic Chaos was released, so I only got to experience one new album release with MP. And out of the 7 times I’ve seen them live only one show was with MP. All the excitement and anticipation for new albums and live shows aside from BC&SL have been with MM on the drums and it was always amazing! To me it’s hard to think that era of DT is over. I am however looking forward to Parasomnia!
My observation was that portnoy is a little more behind the beat than mangini which is typically my preference in general and with this band but not always. A hyper band like Slipknot is perfect for on the beat playing. Mangini is actually one my favorite drum solo players. I typically don't like them, to be honest, but mangini just has something that captivates me there.
Mangini!!!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Mangini is in another universe on a technical level, but I found his albums with the band to be underwhelming for the most part, including both the drumming and the drum sound. The one exception though is Distance over Time. One of their best albums in the last twenty years.
But I've also generally been disappointed with all of the Portnoy albums since Scenes from a Memory. The new songs with him ironically just sound like an extension of the Mangini era. DT has been stale for me since Scenes. Awake is my favorite album. I honestly would have welcomed Kevin Moore back over Portnoy. And it's really time to cut LaBrie loose, but that's a discussion that plenty of people are already having elsewhere.
I'd like to watch them both play The Alien back to back.
Lol portnoy wouldn’t be able to without dumbing it down
@@Gnathan96 if he commits seriously,of course he can do it man.A dozen youtubers pull it off
@@dionysisdaras1289the RUclipsrs also simplify it, the limb independence polyrhythm portions are the main parts I’m talking about, but most of these RUclipsrs are high level drummers who practice more than portnoy does. Actually portnoy admitted he does not practice anymore. But from a drumming perspective Mangini is on another level. I think it would be too late in life for portnoy to gain those technical skills that Mangini has over him. He used to practice 8-10 hours daily. He’s just a maniac
@@dionysisdaras1289 a lot of songs Dream Theater wrote with Mangini, Portnoy literally can’t play note for note. And it’s not a skill issue because of the drum fills and sticking patterns Mike Mangini writes due to the set up of his drum set are near impossible to replicate on a traditional drum set where the drums go from left to right
@@Gnathan96 i don't disagree with anything.There is simply no way Portnoy,who tours extensively for almost 40 years could compete with Mangini,a true scholar of the instrument on a technical level.That's why i said ''if he would seriously commit''.If he would go full on nerd mode and practice,of course he could.But Portnoy ain't doing that,let's be honest.And that's cool with me......the music with DT should come first
Yeayyy, another MP vs MM topic 🍿
Portnoy is a legend!!! And a Beast!!!
You can listen to the whole live scenes from a memory for a good comparison of feel. There are videos of this tour where MP is trying to play some of MM’s parts. They’re different beasts but both very good.
Your comment about a musical seizure...I've always felt the same way about the part at 4:23. Just makes me dizzy, lol.
As far as the two drummers, they're both on my list of favorites. With their unique traits, though (notwithstanding small amounts of overlap between them), here are those IMO.
-Portnoy - Explosive, powerful, punchy, energetic and extremely lifelike
-Mangini - Technical, detailed, analytical, methodical and precise
Also, Portnoy has included two Mangini Era songs (Barstool Warrior and This is the Life) on the setlist for their latest tour, so we've begun to get a taste of how he handles Mangini Era tunes. Then again, those songs aren't super technical by DT standards, so maybe once Portnoy writes something like Breaking All Illusions, At Wit's End or The Enemy Inside into a future setlist it would make for a more interesting comparison with how each covers the Mangini Era songs.
I dont think Portnoy is capable to play the enemy inside
@@asabovesobelow2299 I've heard a few others say the same, but I've always felt it's the kind of song he would excel with overall. It's just the intermittent bursts of fast single handed stuff on the verses and bridges that would need to be modified a bit.
I don’t think one is necessarily better or worse than the other - seeing either of them play this live would be a treat.
I definitely think Mangini is more of the studious type whereas Portnoy is almost entirely “feel” based… I could be totally wrong, but that’s my impression. Again, both are fun to watch.
I prefer Mangini’s solos over Portnoy’s but I prefer Portnoy’s style in the context of Dream Theater’s music. With that said, both are monster drummers and both are huge influences on me.
❤
Both are amazing drummers, no doubt! But the fact that in the first few days after the first new release with Portnoy there were already drumcovers on RUclips tells you how much more difficult to play Mangini’s parts are. This does not take away that portnoy is an amazing drummer, one of the best there is
Bring back Mangini, please!!!!
❤
Portnoy is Dream Theater trademark and makes fans happy by exciting them like no other drummer can do. Mangini is not a human, he is capable of doing anything demonstrating technical superiority and boundless musical ability. Neither drummer has anything to prove, Portnoy is the essence of Dream. Mangini is magic!
The comparisons have been done for years, but what makes it a little more interesting these days, is watching Portnoy cover drum parts Mangini created ('Barstool Warrior', for example.)
Never got into the 'who's better?' debate. Would have loved to see Donati, Minnemann, or Lang have gotten the gig. Just to see what they'd have brought to the table. (Somehow though, I don't think their tenure would have lasted as long as Mangini. And that kind of tells you what I think of that whole "audition" video.)
As lifetime fan of Dream Theater, I always listen back on the early days and those albums have aged gracefully. Portnoy has and will always be the man behind the kit. Mangini just helped keep the band going. He's in a league of his own. The 2 Mike's have always had respect for one another.
They're both insane players
In this video, I'll pick Mangini. But overall I like Portnoy's composing and songwriting ability given the material produced during his era. Both are the best.
I've always seen Mangini as more technical, and Portnoy as more creative
One of the most ignorant things ever. You’re only as creative as your means avail you to be. Mangini is way more creative because he has way more tools.
@@melodic777- And he does so without stepping all over the other musicians.
One of the things you could also compare them is that Mangini always plays the songs with click track. Something that Portnoy said he dislikes because he wants to feel the energy of the crowd and sometimes plays around with the tempo depending on his mood.
I don't know about "comparing", you could say Mangini had it harder cause he had to adapt to other player's style in very complex setting, while Portnoy was basically half of Dream Theather alone, cause he was composing a lot of the music (refering this to the melodic part), and also their art and other administrative work.
a while ago I read what I think is the best assessment: Portnoy makes you want to play drums; Mangini makes you want to quit drums.
The title should be more like " listening to their own articulations and how it proves them they're still the best Drummer"😊
I find at least on the albums that Mangini seems locked into whatever petrucci is doing far more often than Portnoy ever did. Portnoy would drift off from his kick locking into Petrucci and Myung. Case in point the section before the ragtime part in Dance of Eternity that starts with Portnoy locking into the riff with his floor tom, then shifts whatever he is doing every 4-8 bars into something that is different from the riff. This I feel is the reason some have panned Mangini's time in DT. Ironically it was the first thing I noticed in the new songs. The other thing is Portnoy has unique sounding cymbals that vary in tone which adds a new dimension sonically. He also shifts emphasis from kick/snare to cymbals far more than Mangini has in the Albums. This was the first thing I personally missed from DT's sound in ADTOE.
It’s so unfair to compare 2 drummers playing the same exact song that one of them composed. Of course the “cover” will sound a bit off.
If you wanna compare same song but now Portnoy doing the cover go ahead and watch Barstool from this last tour. You will get my point.
magnini : full technic. Portnoy : Enjoy The Music
It's like comparing the "left brain, right brain" thingy, if that theory is true, both part should work together to fully functional, like "technic" and "enjoy the music", you can't enjoy playing music if you don't know the technic, you'll not interested learn the technic if you don't have the purpose, which is enjoying the music..
We talk about DT right? "Enjoy the music" for them must be technical right?
If you compare The Dance Of Eternity with The Alien, then it will definitely be very different.
Mangini could devour Portnoy's game, but don't know if Portnoy could play the technical DT songs of the Mangini era. I don't think he can yet, or it will take a long time to master it.
Portnoy is more suited to playing less complex songs like the BCASL era album.
Love both drummers! I will always prefer MP because I was raised on him. But I dearly miss MM too!
Drum Sound: MP
Technicality: MM
Songwriting Ability: MP
Creativity: MM
Performance/Entertainment: MP
Intangibles: MP
*Intangibles are a collection of less drum-related things such as personality, leadership, etc
Both great players but very different styles. Mangini is technically superior to most drummers on the planet but his playing is really lacking in any groove or feel. Portnoy may not have the technique of Mangini but he’s got plenty of it to play what he needs to play and frankly more then a lot of players. The difference is Portnoy has so much feel to his playing and even the complex parts groove. Mangini’s playing is incredibly impressive but a little boring at times.
"groove" and "feel", i've been seen those words since 14 years ago on the comments of a lot of DT videos but never know what it's really means. Mind to explain?
Mangini: insane drummer, robotic!
Portnoy: insane drummer, melodic and composer.
Mangini's solo ❤️❤️🤟🤟
Let's see a 'The Alien', comparison :)
MIKE MANGINI ❤❤❤
Both were at Berklee. One was a student the other a professor. Both are great in their own way.
I remember watching that Portnoy video when it was fresh. It's been a long time. Look how young he was. I hadn't seen Mangini play since his audition. His setup is really different but gets the job done extremely well. I admit I like MM's solo. His kit is set up like a set of marching tenors and the solo is designed and planned. Much more technique demonstrated but the raw power of MP is excellent.
All great points
Where is the comparision? This was more like a reaction video with some comments in between stating the obvious things. Was hoping for more detailed comparision
Happy New Year to you, your family and all your subscribers, Stephen! ❤
You as well my friend!
Somebody wanted some clicks today!
"This kind of video doesn't make sense. MP has returned."
Mike "Machine" Mangini 👍👍
Still comparing Portnoy and Mangini ?? Even Portnoy already on tour with them ?? Now i Wanna compare , Portnoy, Mangini, and You. 🔥🔥
Comparison is simply looking at their similarities and differences for education. I say so in the beginning of the video. No ranking or competition in it. Look up the definition of comparison
Both M&M are legendary drummers. However...MP is better fit, and that is it. Huge respect to MM, inter-dimensional drummer, real pro and one of the kindest guys in the industry!
MM is an unstoppable machine.
MP is rythm creator, organic drumming himself... Another level
🤣
a fight between two people, who graduated from school and dropped out 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
4:51 “learning this song must’ve been a nightmare.”
Learning might not of been, but it must be a nightmare to remember…… huh? No? Drat….
well said!
Prog dad joke for the win!
Mangini took the progressive aspect of the band to another level, now that Portnoy is back they went back to where they started. It’s not a bad thing just my observation.
Learn 2-3 songs of MP and MG.
Sure you will comment 100% it's Mangini.
They would have found the perfect drummer if they had a mix of the best of both :
Mangini's timing and skills
Portnoy's drum tone and looseness
I think they are apples and oranges. I'll always believe that Portnoy is perhaps the most overrated player of my lifetime, but I admire his work ethic and staying power. Just not for me. Mangini is more of a composer with his kit and dominates technically.
You’re entitled to your opinion, thankfully that’s all it is…..
Feels very mechanical with mangini… very good, so good. I feel like the band breathes better with Portnoy. My 2¢
I've always felt more emotion and personality in Portnoy's drumming. I feel MM is a bit more technical but as a drummer myself I feel Portnoy channels his personality into his playing a bit more. He's also more of a metal drummer IMO.
Both theire are Amazing but so diferencie mangini is more mathematihcal, Portnoy he has more feeling when playing drums