Mike Portnoy Working With Symphony X’s Russell Allen

Ex-Dream Theater drummer and former Avenged Sevenfold fill-in Mike Portnoy is working on the debut album of a new project between Symphony X vocalist Russell Allen and guitarist Mike Orlando, reports Blabbermouth. "Slammin'" was how Portnoy described the material.

Given that Portnoy temporarily filled in for for A7X when their skinsman Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan passed away -- and that he was rebuffed when he attempted to rejoin the prog metal institution for which he sat behind the kit for for much of his life -- it's exciting news to hear that he's working steadly and psyched to be doing so.

The Allen/Orlando project was originally dubbed Undaunted, but that plan has changed. Portnoy updated Blabbermouth on this news, saying, "Russ and Mike started working on stuff as Undaunted and since I've joined up, we've changed the name and are adding a bass player and

second guitarist."

Portnoy is also working on another project with Steve Morse (Deep Purple), Neal Morse (Spock's Beard), Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs) and Casey McPherson (Endochine). This project's album is due out sometime this year.