[da-bing2007]

I think Mike is a perfect fit for DT. He graduated from Berklee too, so you know he will be a great fit. I am very excited to see what DT comes up with. In some cases, he is better than Mike Portnoy. I have the upmost respect for Mike Portnoy. I think Mike Mangini will push DT to a whole new level.

[butter]

Mike Mangini actually was a professor of music at Berklee. I think he has several honorary degrees as well.

However, (pardon my nit-picky evaluation of your wording) you say he gradutated from Berklee too. Meaning that he, as well as others, did this. I assume you are referring to other members of DT (Petrucci, Myung, and Portnoy), but they did not graduate. All three of them dropped out to pursue the band more fully.

Not that it matters, I just thought it was an interesting thing to comment on

[da-bing2007]

It's a very good comment. I think with Mike Mangini's skills and his playing resume, he was pretty much a shoe-in. Plus, with his personality, it seems like a natural fit. I was lucky enough to see him in a drum clinic. Based on his playing style and ability, I know the next DT album is going to be amazing. I really hope they do an instrumental song. I have a feeling it's going to be killer. i really hope they come to beijing. i will go see them.

[butter]

Thanks.

Did you watch "The Spirit Carries On" on youtube? Mangini had it the best throughout the whole tryout process, but I think Virgil Donati could have been just as good a replacement.
An instrumental would be great. I'm looking forward to the new album as well.

[mattsmith]

Originally Posted by dtxtremeiiispecial

Checked it out. Mangini won the World's Fastest Drummer for Hands eight years in a row including 2010. Don't know about 2011.

That's not correct. Mangini has held five world records and currently holds one...the match grip one minute record, although that indeed qualifies him as the official WFD because at 1247 that is overall highest mark for any grip.

But Mangini has never won an actual world title which is different from a world record. There have been 10 different hands world champions because once you win a world title you are not allowed to defend but may continue to try and set records. See, most records are actually set in prelims then the finals are more about just doing enough to win without taking too many chances.

The traditional grip record was broken by me in 2008 when I took it from Mangini... and at 1132 still stands today. I was also the world champion in 2006. Then when the trad grip record was set, 5 minutes later I announced my retirement from the sport at age 18. I left with 7 worlds records, six of which still stand...including the one I'm most proud of, the endurance record (5132 in five consecutive minutes).

I'm also not sure where you got your info regarding Mangini's fall in the rankings after leg surgery. In fact his surgery did little to slow him down.

Hope that clears it up.