The band originally broke the news via gossip site TMZ which published a report that contradicted the official announcement about Portnoy's involvement.

The veteran band's official announcement said "Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Adrenaline Mob, Winery Dogs) is the replacement for their brother A.J. Pero for all shows this year."

They went on to say that their farewell "Forty and F*ck It" tour will celebrate their 40th anniversary and will feature "the core line-up" of Dee Snider, Jay Jay French, Eddie Ojeda, and Mark Mendoza. No word yet who will be playing in place of AJ Pero who died last month.

Snider expressed anger at Pero's death and says that it could have been avoided in comments he made to TMZ. He said, "People ask me how I feel about A.J.'s passing, and, quite honestly, I'm going through a real period of anger right now about it.

"He was a great guy, and I loved him dearly. But he had a history of heart disease - his family did; his father died in his early 60s of heart disease - and A.J. never had himself checked out."

Snider went on to say that his death could have been avoid,"When they did the autopsy, he had 95 percent blockage, advanced heart disease - and he didn't have to die. And I feel it's, basically, irresponsible behavior on his part. You have a responsibility, as a parent, as an adult, to get yourself checked out."

The band will be paying tribute to Pero with two special shows that will include Portnoy. The band revealed that they will be recording the first show on May 30th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for "broadcast, DVD and CD."