Former Dream Theater keyboard player Derek Sherinian believes that drummer Mike Portnoy will return to the band sooner rather than later.

Talking exclusively to British Classic Rock magazine, Sherinian [now with Black Country Communion] said:

“I was more a little surprised, rather than shocked, at his departure. He’s been doing it for 25 years, and I know he wanted to take a break from the constant album-tour-album-tour cycle. He told the other guys that he wanted to take a break, but they told him, ‘We’re going into the studio, so shit or get off the pot’. So he left.

“However, this is Mike’s band. Knowing all the personalities involved, I’d expect them to do one album without him, using an interim drummer, and then he’ll be back. I wish all of them the best. I loved being in Dream Theater [1994-98], and we were such a powerful band.  But clearly Mike wants the time to explore other musical avenues.”