Mike Portnoy, known for his work with Dream Theater, recently shared his deep appreciation for Lars Ulrich, drummer and co-founder of Metallica, pointing to him not just as a musician he admired, but as someone who shaped his entire approach to music and band dynamics. In an interview, Portnoy described Ulrich as a “role model,” emphasizing that his impact reached far beyond drumming technique.
Mike Portnoy recalled discovering Metallica’s early albums, including Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, and And Justice for All, and how they shaped his teenage years. He wasn’t just drawn to the aggressive beats or the speed; what struck him most was Ulrich’s presence. Instead of obsessing over speed or chops, Portnoy saw that Ulrich understood songs: their structure, their build, their emotional arc. He watched Ulrich balance thunderous fills with moments of space, making each drum hit serve the song’s narrative.
What set Ulrich apart, according to Portnoy, was his dual role as both rhythmic anchor and band architect. Portnoy points out that Ulrich wasn’t content playing drums. He took part in songwriting, shaped album production, guided stage design, and even worked on Metallica’s branding. Portnoy was especially moved by Ulrich’s willingness to take risks and steer a band through uncertainty. To Portnoy, this level of involvement was rare and powerful: Ulrich had a vision for Metallica that went way beyond performance.
“When people talk about drumming, everyone’s hunting for technique,” Portnoy said. “But Lars, he was a leader. He wasn’t the fastest, but he had a vision and he rallied people around it.”
Portnoy acknowledged how this realization shaped his own career. He took cues from Ulrich’s example, learning that drummers can and should play a bigger role creatively. Whether in Dream Theater’s sprawling compositions or his other side projects, Portnoy credits Ulrich for helping him understand that being a drummer doesn’t stop at filling time. It can involve guiding the feel of a record, influencing the flow of a performance, and contributing to a band’s identity.
Despite their different styles, Portnoy and his admiration for Ulrich are unabated. “He showed me that drumming isn’t only about playing fast,” Portnoy explained. “It’s about knowing what the song needs. It’s about tension. It’s about timing your energy so it hits just right.”
In speaking of Ulrich, Portnoy also touched on the drummer’s personality: bold, entrepreneurial, hands-on in everything from the studio to the boardroom. Portnoy admired how Ulrich treated every aspect of the music: performance, production, visuals, and marketing, with equal passion. “He was always out front,” Portnoy noted. “He was pushing forward even when no one noticed.”
Fans and fellow musicians have welcomed Portnoy’s praise as heartening, seeing two generations of drummers forming a chain rather than a competition.