Mike Portnoy is a very odd replacement for Pero for this final tour…didn’t see that one coming…
I wouldn’t have expected it, but it’s not a bad strategy, considering. They have a handful of committments left to do and they need to be ready in a short time. So they need an accomplished, talented drummer who can learn (or already knows) the stuff right away and who won’t bring any silly drama or politics.
Dream Theatre is a nerdy nerd band with professional nerdy nerd musicians. Mike is an excellent drummer. But they’re not going to be going out and raising Hell together. And they don’t need someone that needs to be the center of attention or something.
Learn the songs, play them right, and go home.