They also played a few live shows in New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and London. Liquid Tension Experiment released two albums, Liquid Tension Experiment (1998) and Liquid Tension Experiment 2 (1999) on Magna Carta Records. Rudess had previously declined to join Dream Theater in 1994 and instead became a member of the Dixie Dregs, known for complex, "Southern fusion" instrumental music. Both Mike and John confirmed on the 5 Years in a Livetime DVD commentary, that Rudess was asked to join Dream Theater largely because of the success of Liquid Tension Experiment, and the chemistry of the three working together. The combo was formed as a side project to Dream Theater in 1997.
Portnoy then turned to fellow Dream Theater member John Petrucci to fill the position (despite initially wanting to keep the project completely separate from Dream Theater ). Two other primary choices, Steve Morse ( Dixie Dregs, Kansas, Deep Purple) and Jim Matheos ( Fates Warning) were also unavailable. In his instructional video "Liquid Drum Theater", Portnoy said that his first choice for the guitar was Dimebag Darrell, but he was unable to join because of conflicting schedules. Portnoy also had bassist Billy Sheehan and keyboardist Jens Johansson on his shortlist. Portnoy first invited keyboardist Jordan Rudess and progressive rock icon Tony Levin (bass, Chapman Stick) of King Crimson and Peter Gabriel's band to join him. Liquid Tension Experiment was formed by former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy after Magna Carta gave him the green light for "whatever he wanted to do". History Formation, studio albums and tours 1.5 Reunion and Liquid Tension Experiment 3.
Three live albums and two videos were released in 2009 by the complete band.Īctive up until 1999, when Jordan Rudess formally joined Dream Theater, the band reunited in 2008 for a series of live shows, and eventually reconvened in 2020 to record a third studio album featuring all members of the band, which was released on April 16, 2021. A live album with the absence of Jordan Rudess (mostly) was released in 2009 under the name "Liquid Trio Experiment 2". A third album, with the absence of John Petrucci was released in 2007 under the name "Liquid Trio Experiment". The band has released two albums through Magna Carta Records. Liquid Tension Experiment ( LTE) is an American instrumental progressive metal supergroup, founded by Mike Portnoy, then Dream Theater's drummer, in 1997. Magna Carta, Lazy Tomato, Inside Out Music
From left: Jordan Rudess, Tony Levin, Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci. Liquid Tension Experiment onstage at Nearfest 2008.