Mike Portnoy, who recently rejoined Dream Theater, confirmed that the band already has plans to record a new studio album and will begin working on it in early 2024 .
We’re gonna start work on a new album right after the new year. I have some remaining commitments this year still on the calendar. I’m about to leave for Japan with The Winery Dogs, I have a gig with Metal Allegiance in January, and I have some gigs with Flying Colors in March. So these are things that have been on the calendar for a while. I have a gig with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, another gig with Umphrey’s McGee for New Year’s Eve. So I’m gonna finish out those commitments, but pretty much after the new year, the focus for me is gonna be Dream Theater, and we’re gonna move into the studio and start working on a new album. And it remains to be seen where and when the first gig or gigs will be. But that’s what I’m most excited for. I cannot wait to be on the stage again in front of the most devoted fanbase in the world.
I mean, the energy and the excitement that that first gig is… I’m getting goosebumps right now just thinking about it. I’ve dreamt about it. I’m telling you, the last 13 years or so, I can’t tell you, I’ve probably dreamt about 100 times about what it would be like to be back in Dream Theater or to play that first show back. So it’s gonna be amazing to finally actually do it.
Dream Theater most recent studio album, A View from the Top of the World was released in 2021.