{"id":53524,"date":"2026-06-03T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/?p=53524"},"modified":"2026-06-03T09:29:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T16:29:25","slug":"j-rod-sabian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/j-rod-sabian\/","title":{"rendered":"J-Rod Sullivan Heard Dream Theater For The First Time\u2026 While Playing Cymbals Nobody Had Ever Seen Before"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>What happens when a drummer known for groove and feel takes on Mike Portnoy\u2019s progressive metal masterpiece with a brand-new lineup of SABIAN cymbals?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>J-Rod Sullivan has built his career around pocket, feel, and musicality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the drummer for Janet Jackson, Jeffrey Osborne, and 4 Korners, J-Rod is known for bringing energy, precision, and personality to every performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there was one world he hadn\u2019t stepped into yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So naturally, we gave him a nearly 10-minute Dream Theatre song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Watch J-Rod Sullivan take on Dream Theater\u2019s \u201cNight Terror\u201d here.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"385\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2HRDl1sBnZU\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"1\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Surprise Before The Surprise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before J-Rod could hear the track, there was something else waiting for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A fully covered drum kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou won\u2019t have me play the cymbals with the cloth on them, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No, we weren\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hidden underneath was the complete lineup of SABIAN\u2019s brand-new <strong>STRATUS Dry cymbals<\/strong>, fresh from SABIAN headquarters in Meductic, New Brunswick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And J-Rod was about to become the first drummer to play them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWow, man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introducing The New SABIAN STRATUS Dry Collection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The STRATUS Dry lineup was created for drummers looking for a different kind of voice behind the kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sabian.com\/stratus-dry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Explore SABIAN STRATUS Dry cymbals here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03085741\/introducing-stratus-dry-1024x480.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53542\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03085741\/introducing-stratus-dry-1024x480.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03085741\/introducing-stratus-dry-300x141.jpg 300w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03085741\/introducing-stratus-dry-768x360.jpg 768w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03085741\/introducing-stratus-dry-1536x720.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03085741\/introducing-stratus-dry-2048x960.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Fast response. Controlled sustain. Focused attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These cymbals aren\u2019t designed to disappear into a mix. They\u2019re designed to add another color to your sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For J-Rod, who spends most of his time in the world of R&amp;B, pop, and fusion, the Dream Theater challenge became the ultimate test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Could these cymbals handle a completely different musical environment?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There was only one way to find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SABIAN 15\u201d STRATUS Dry Hi-Hats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After experimenting with the full STRATUS Dry lineup, J-Rod started making the kit his own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He brought in some familiar cymbals from his usual setup, but there was one STRATUS piece he decided to keep exactly where it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll leave this one from the STRATUS line. Leave the hats. I like what\u2019s going on right here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>With their crisp response and controlled sustain, the STRATUS Dry Hats gave J-Rod another texture to work with as he tackled the complex grooves and constant changes of Dream Theater\u2019s \u201cNight Terror.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01153021\/DRY-15-HATS-731x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53533\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01153021\/DRY-15-HATS-731x1024.png 731w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01153021\/DRY-15-HATS-214x300.png 214w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01153021\/DRY-15-HATS.png 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learning Dream Theater Without Knowing It Was Dream Theater<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The rules were simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>J-Rod would hear a drumless track with no information about the artist, drummer, or song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then he had to create his own part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The song? <strong>Dream Theater\u2019s \u201cNight Terror.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The drummer? <strong>Mike Portnoy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But J-Rod didn\u2019t know that yet. After hearing the song for the first time, he immediately noticed one thing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of changes. It\u2019s fun. It\u2019ll be fun as a drummer to play, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of jumping behind the kit right away, J-Rod spent nearly an hour doing what professional touring drummers do. He charted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen I chart the music while I\u2019m listening, it gives me a visual image of what the song looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen I\u2019m playing the song, I can see the chart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Considering \u201cNight Terror\u201d is packed with odd-time sections, transitions, and classic Dream Theater complexity, that chart was about to become very important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SABIAN 19\u201d STRATUS Dry Crash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The STRATUS Dry crashes bring a focused attack and quick response that creates a different type of accent around the kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a song like \u201cNight Terror,\u201d where every transition matters, cymbal choices become part of the arrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not just something you hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Something you use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01153010\/DRY-19-CRASH-731x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53532\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01153010\/DRY-19-CRASH-731x1024.png 731w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01153010\/DRY-19-CRASH-214x300.png 214w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01153010\/DRY-19-CRASH.png 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding The Right Cymbal Voice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After the first take, J-Rod started experimenting. Rather than choosing between his usual setup and the STRATUS Dry lineup, he blended both worlds together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I would probably mix in and blend them with my normal setup.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSome songs may require a drier sound regarding the cymbals. So in addition to my normal setup, I would have those set up just in case.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s exactly where the STRATUS Dry series fits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes you need power. Sometimes you need brightness. And sometimes you need a completely different character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Reveal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After multiple takes, it was finally time for J-Rod to learn what he had been playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;This is Dream Theater. This is Mike Portnoy on drums.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His reaction?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;You motherf*****s.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fair enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After hearing Portnoy\u2019s original part, J-Rod immediately noticed the differences between their approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Amazing. It\u2019s very different from what I played.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But that\u2019s the point. Two world-class drummers can hear the same piece of music and create something completely different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SABIAN 22\u201d STRATUS Dry Ride<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After playing through the entire STRATUS Dry lineup, J-Rod was asked a simple question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you could take one of these cymbals to your next gig, which one would it be?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His answer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>22\u201d STRATUS Dry Ride.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>&#8220;It sounds nice to crash on. And the bell is big enough to where I can play a ride on it as well&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>With clear stick definition, controlled wash, and enough versatility to move between roles, the 22\u201d STRATUS Dry Ride became the standout voice for J-Rod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"731\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01152957\/DRY-22-RIDE-731x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53531\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01152957\/DRY-22-RIDE-731x1024.png 731w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01152957\/DRY-22-RIDE-214x300.png 214w, https:\/\/drumeoblog.s3.amazonaws.com\/beat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01152957\/DRY-22-RIDE.png 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It\u2019s Never Too Late To Start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After surviving Dream Theater, J-Rod left drummers with a reminder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I didn\u2019t start out playing like I play now. I had to practice and I had to go through that process.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Don\u2019t try to compare yourself to someone else\u2019s journey. Just focus on you.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Great advice from someone who just jumped into a completely unfamiliar genre, learned a Dream Theater song, and tested cymbals the world had never heard before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to learn more about the SABIAN STRATUS Dry lineup?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sabian.com\/stratus-dry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Explore SABIAN STRATUS Dry cymbals here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What happens when a drummer known for groove and feel takes on Mike Portnoy\u2019s progressive metal masterpiece with a brand-new lineup of SABIAN cymbals? J-Rod Sullivan has built his career around pocket, feel, and musicality. As the drummer for Janet Jackson, Jeffrey Osborne, and 4 Korners, J-Rod is known for bringing energy, precision, and personality [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":174,"featured_media":53530,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4019,4020],"tags":[4117,4084,4197,4198,4126,4196],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53524"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/174"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53524"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53554,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53524\/revisions\/53554"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53530"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drumeo.com\/beat\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}