Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy recently shared an emotional post explaining why the band had to pull their live album on the day of the September 11 attacks, addressing the situation on Instagram.
The post focused on Portnoy’s memories of that day and the eerie coincidence surrounding the release of the band’s live album, Live Scenes From New York.
“September 11th 2001…one of the worst days in American history…a day that still seems completely unfathomable to me even 25 years later…I remember it like it was yesterday,” Portnoy wrote.
“It was an absolutely gorgeous day and I was due to be going to NYC where we were mixing the Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence album,” the drummer continued. “Suffice to say, I never made it to the studio that day and spent the remainder of the week glued to the TV in complete disbelief over what was unfolding in our beloved NYC merely miles away…”
“I hate posting about ANYTHING else on this day, but I would be remiss to not point out the incredible coincidence of DT releasing our live album ‘Live Scenes From New York’ that same very day…which on the cover was the Twin Towers in flames!” he added. “It was one of the most eerie coincidences in the history of music. Suffice to say, we were horrified and immediately recalled all physical copies of the CD and changed the front cover artwork…”
The album’s release history and artwork provide more context for the unusual incident. Live Scenes From New York was released through Elektra Records on September 11, 2001. The triple live album documented Dream Theater’s 2000 performance at New York’s Roseland Ballroom.
The original cover was built around the band’s burning-heart “Majesty” design, which was reworked into a flaming apple as a reference to New York City. The Manhattan skyline appeared behind the apple, with the World Trade Center towers visible in flames. The release credits list art direction and design by JMatic.
The artwork had been prepared before the attacks and was intended as a New York-themed concept. In a retrospective interview, guitarist John Petrucci explained that the design was connected to the band’s earlier visual imagery and was not created in response to the tragedy.
Dream Theater and Elektra quickly removed the original version from stores and prepared replacement packaging without the New York skyline and burning-tower imagery. Elektra said it was “pulling the CD from the shelves” and would manufacture a new cover as soon as possible.
The original copies became sought-after collector’s items, while later editions carried the replacement artwork. The coincidence has continued to receive attention in retrospective coverage, which revisited Portnoy’s account of the album’s release and recall.
Portnoy concluded his message by paying tribute to the victims of the tragedy.
“In any case, let’s Never Forget that horrible day…one that I hope we never see the likes of again in our lifetime,” Portnoy added.
For Dream Theater, Live Scenes From New York remains both a document of the band’s live performance and a lasting reminder of how an unforeseen event can radically change the meaning of an album’s artwork.
