It's a bit unfair to compare at this time as MM didn't have much input and he's settling in.
I wad sad to see Portnoy go, he is a massive part of DT, not just musically, he wad the spokesman and a real character.
Would loved to have seen Minneman or Donati get the gig. Mangini has the skills though so, I expect him to takenit up a notch on the next album.
I find although Portnoy overplayed at times and was sometimes a bit tastless he also had the balls to play parts that i wouldn't dare, and he'd pull it off too. Did fit alot of colours into the songs even though at times he'd sound like a parody of himself, is there anything wrong with sounding like yourself?
I was never a fan of Portnoys double pedal work. Always seemed a bit flumpy and off. and the biggest downside to DT is listening to them try to play heavy music while the guitars are a little small and the drums are doing double bass while riding a splash, tamborine or closed hats!
it's like old men trying to be down with the kids.
Apart from that I love them, love their OTT arrangements and ideas, they really don't care they just do what they like and that's cool.
I'm constantly picking my jaw off the floor listening to these guys. Man petrucci is a machine!
So while I don't think it's fair to say who's best, they are different and his first album isn't enough to judge by it's still goibg to be hard for me to wacth/hear Portnoy being replaced
Think he'll ever come back?