According to Blabbermouth.net, guitarist Rich Ward (Stuck Mojo, Fozzy) and bassist Paul DiLeo (Fozzy) have left Adrenaline Mob, the new band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold), Symphony X frontman Russell Allen and guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (Sonic Stomp).
Ward has released the following statement to Blabbermouth.net regarding his departure from Adrenaline Mob:
"When I was first asked about coming on board as the second guitarist for the ADRENALINE MOB project, it was understood that every member of the band had other band commitments, most of us having multiple active music projects. We all acknowledged that it would be a challenge to make it work, but we all agreed that the lineup's potential was worth making the necessary compromises in each of our schedules.
"In recent months, it was made clear that after the release of the band's album, scheduling around my previous commitments wasn't going to be possible, and that it would be necessary to make Adrenaline Mob my sole priority. This basically meant that if I was to move forward with the Adrenaline Mob guys, I would only be available to continue on recording and touring with Fozzy, Stuck Mojo and Walking With Kings when the Adrenaline Mob wasn't working. That's a commitment I just couldn't make. So I contacted Mike Portnoy and told him that I would need to step down and allow the band to find a guy who has the ability to fully commit to the project the way they need him to. His response was gracious and completely understanding.
"The experience of playing in a band with Portnoy was amazing. I've never met a more passionate, committed musician all my years, and always a complete gentleman towards me. Playing with musicians of that caliber was an honor and a privilege. I hope they go on to the great things they deserve."
The remaining members of Adrenaline Mob have released the following statement regarding Ward and Dileo's departures from the band:
"The core of this band has always been the three of us. The album was written and recorded that way. We later added Rich and Paul as part of the original touring lineup and we had a blast touring with them. However, they both had other projects and priorities and could not give a full-time commitment to Adrenaline Mob. We're all still friends and we wish them all the best in their other bands, but for now, our focus is entirely on Adrenaline Mob, the release of 'Omertà' on 3/13/12, and hitting the road hard and playing for you all soon!"
Adrenaline Mob will release its full-length debut, "Omertá", on March 13 via the newly formed Elm City Music in conjunction with EMI Label Services. The 11-song CD - which was produced by Adrenaline Mob and mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked on Anthrax's "Worship Music" and Steel Panther's "Balls Out" - includes a blistering reinterpretation of Duran Duran's classic "Come Undone" featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of Halestorm.
"Omertá" track listing:
01. Undaunted 02. Psychosane 03. Indifferent 04. All On The Line 05. Hit The Wall 06. Feelin' Me 07. Come Undone (feat. Lzzy Hale) 08. Believe Me 09. Down To The Floor 10. Angel Sky 11. Freight Train
The self-titled debut EP from Adrenaline Mob, which was released last summer, is available via iTunes and is being sold in physical form at the group's shows and online store. Self-produced by the band, the effort features four original tracks as well as a cover of the Ronnie James Dio-era Black Sabbath classic "The Mob Rules".
The EP is now available for streaming in its entirety using the player below.
Adrenaline Mob's first-ever headline tour made stops in various markets, including Chicago, Denver and San Francisco. Adrenaline Mob also opened for Godsmack on select dates of the Massachusetts act's headlining tour.
Adrenaline Mob formed in early 2011 when Orlando approached Allen with some material the guitarist had written. Allen and Orlando refined those ideas, at which time Allen reached out to longtime friend Portnoy to see if he had any interest in playing with them. Portnoy jumped on board and soon thereafter DiLeo and Ward were recruited to join the family. From the very first note, the chemistry was apparent and the beast that is known as Adrenaline Mob was born.
Dream Theatre will be reading this and pissing themselves. Its a shame that Mike made such poor career moves but to be honest the DT sound hasn't exactly changed at all since his departure.
I can't be the only one thinking that Russell Allen's talent is wasted with this weird attempt at post-grunge, can I? One of the best singers and showmen in metal, imho.
And if only Portnoy could've been this mature when it came to that possible song copying thing a few months back in DT's forums...
featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold)
Ok, I hate to be 'that guy,' but I'm starting to get frustrated by seeing this. By this, I'm referring to Portnoy's credit to A7X. He was never an official member, albeit, he was hopeful, but he was only ever a stand in drummer. He wrote some fills and added eccentricities to the drumming on Nightmare, but for the most part, he just went off of what The Rev had already written.
You don't see people like Phil Labonte being listed as "Phil Labonte (ATR, KSE), even though he filled in for a tour (ahem...) and even auditioned for the band years ago.
I don't know why UG has this dying urge to link Portnoy to A7X. Spite?
Dream Theatre will be reading this and pissing themselves. Its a shame that Mike made such poor career moves but to be honest the DT sound hasn't exactly changed at all since his departure.
Actually their sound has changed quite a bit. For the worse, me thinks.
featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold)
Ok, I hate to be 'that guy,' but I'm starting to get frustrated by seeing this. By this, I'm referring to Portnoy's credit to A7X. He was never an official member, albeit, he was hopeful, but he was only ever a stand in drummer. He wrote some fills and added eccentricities to the drumming on Nightmare, but for the most part, he just went off of what The Rev had already written.
You don't see people like Phil Labonte being listed as "Phil Labonte (ATR, KSE), even though he filled in for a tour (ahem...) and even auditioned for the band years ago.
I don't know why UG has this dying urge to link Portnoy to A7X. Spite?
They get their news from other places most of the time. This article came from Blabbermouth, which IIRC is run by Roadrunner, DT, A7X, and Adrenaline Mob, so they'll put whatever band names on there they can if it'll get attention for the bands.
And Portnoy's whole A7X thing is why he is where he is now. He probably liked touring with a band that played for bigger audiences than DT tends to (plus, there's probably more than 4 girls at any given A7X concert) and wanted more of that, but both bands brushed him off, so now he's trying post-grunge since that's the most commercially successful form of rock right now.
Dream Theatre will be reading this and pissing themselves. Its a shame that Mike made such poor career moves but to be honest the DT sound hasn't exactly changed at all since his departure.
Actually their sound has changed quite a bit. For the worse, me thinks.
Disagreed, ADTOE is a collection of the same old prog cliches which have been a staple of Dream Theater's sound for a long time. It's got some good moments on it, but nothing amazing. I don't think it's any better or worse than SC and BC&SL.
Dream Theatre will be reading this and pissing themselves. Its a shame that Mike made such poor career moves but to be honest the DT sound hasn't exactly changed at all since his departure.
Actually their sound has changed quite a bit. For the worse, me thinks.
Disagreed, ADTOE is a collection of the same old prog cliches which have been a staple of Dream Theater's sound for a long time. It's got some good moments on it, but nothing amazing. I don't think it's any better or worse than SC and BC&SL.
To each their own, I guess. No point in trying to prove anything to anyone.
New DT is just as boring and "playing safe" as every other DT album, they just ripped off a few bits from their golden work to trick quick listeners. Adrenaline Mob will be an atrocity on both Russel Allen and Portnoys(albeit his already downward spiriling) careers.
I listened to some Adrenaline Mob stuff on Spotify and I gotta say I think it's pretty weak. I'll take DT or Symphony X any day over Adrenaline Mob... plus the name Adrenaline Mob is pretty stupid.
Dream Theatre will be reading this and pissing themselves. Its a shame that Mike made such poor career moves but to be honest the DT sound hasn't exactly changed at all since his departure.
Why would the sound change? Also, why would they care about MP's new band? DT still has one of the best guitarists, one of the best bass players, and one of the best keyboard players in the world. Wtf would they care that MP's band is coming out with a new album?
Finally, Adrenaline Mob (unless they changed since last I heard them) are pretty shitty. MP's the only guy who can play anything worth it.
featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold)
Ok, I hate to be 'that guy,' but I'm starting to get frustrated by seeing this. By this, I'm referring to Portnoy's credit to A7X. He was never an official member, albeit, he was hopeful, but he was only ever a stand in drummer. He wrote some fills and added eccentricities to the drumming on Nightmare, but for the most part, he just went off of what The Rev had already written.
You don't see people like Phil Labonte being listed as "Phil Labonte (ATR, KSE), even though he filled in for a tour (ahem...) and even auditioned for the band years ago.
I don't know why UG has this dying urge to link Portnoy to A7X. Spite?
They get their news from other places most of the time. This article came from Blabbermouth, which IIRC is run by Roadrunner, DT, A7X, and Adrenaline Mob, so they'll put whatever band names on there they can if it'll get attention for the bands.
And Portnoy's whole A7X thing is why he is where he is now. He probably liked touring with a band that played for bigger audiences than DT tends to (plus, there's probably more than 4 girls at any given A7X concert) and wanted more of that, but both bands brushed him off, so now he's trying post-grunge since that's the most commercially successful form of rock right now.
