Avenged Sevenfold Recruit New Drummer

February 19th, 2010

Matth

Avenged Sevenfold have announced that they will record their upcoming album with Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. The band were forced to look for a replacement following the unexpected death of James “The Rev” Sullivan in December, and they turned to Sullivan’s “all-time favorite drummer.”

The band released this statement: “Mike [Portnoy] said it would be an honor and without question that’s what Jim would have wanted. It’s comforting to us that someone like Mike, who is undoubtedly revered as one of the best drummers in the world, held such respect and adoration for the Rev’s abilities.”

Portnoy had this to say about filling in: “”Even under normal circumstances, I would’ve been happy to help the guys out in any way I could as I think Avenged Sevenfold are a great band…but under these incredibly sad and tragic circumstances, I must say I am truly honored to have been asked to play with them and I didn’t even have to think twice about saying ‘yes.’

These guys are a true family and it is an incredibly emotional experience to be here with them for the first time without their lost brother. But they have welcomed me into the family with open arms and there’s a real excitement to make the record they had set out to make.

I am treating my participation on this album with the utmost respect for Jimmy’s memory and am remaining as true as possible to the drum parts that he wrote for the songs and the record he wanted to make.

I want their fans to realize that I’m not trying to step into or fill The Rev’s shoes…I’m just merely lacing ’em up for him!”

“Courtesy of Alt. Press”