Former DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy revealed in a new Twitter message that he is currently working on a new project with SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen. He writes, "VERY excited about a new project I'm working on [with] one my [favorite] singers in the world: my bro, Sir Russell Allen." He adds, "Wait 'till you hear this shit!!!"

Portnoy recently began work on a new project with guitarist Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE, DIXIE DREGS), multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse (TRANSATLANTIC, SPOCK'S BEARD), bassist Dave LaRue (DIXIE DREGS) and vocalist Casey McPherson (ALPHA REV, ENDOCHINE). The group's debut album is tentatively due later in the year.

Just days after it was announced that he'd been dismissed as the touring drummer for AVENGED SEVENFOLD, Portnoy revealed that he tried to rejoin DREAM THEATER, and was rebuffed.

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 20 years ago, abruptly quit the band this summer while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD.

He played on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's latest album, "Nightmare", following the death of that band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and has toured with them since early summer.