Dream Theater close to announcing new drummer?

According to recent reports, Dream Theater are close to announcing a new drummer, with Mike Mangini hotly tipped to fill the vacated position behind the kit.

Dream Theater, having issued a statement last week about how their new album was progressing also remained coy about the decision of a new drummer, writing the following previously:

"I appreciate everyone's patience regarding the announcement (or lack thereof!) of DT's new drummer. I know it has been very frustrating to have to wait for the news. Believe me, we are busting at the seems to tell everyone and rest assured that our decision will not disappoint on any level!"

However, according to Eddie Trunk (That Metal Show, Q104.3FM), renowned skinsman Mike Mangini is set to assume the role left by long-time drummer Mike Portnoy.

"Eddie’s gone and potentially revealed what Dream Theater’s been trying to keep a secret for a good, long while now — successfully: Who their new drummer is. And he is claiming it’s Mike Mangini, a 47-year-old hired gun who has worked with the likes of Extreme, Steve Vai, Annihilator, and Dream Theater’s James LaBrie; he also teaches at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, a position he’s rumored (sic) to have left recently," Gunshyassassin.com reports.

An official statement is yet to be made.