Avenged Sevenfold have released a new original song titled "Carry On", which is now available for streaming below. The song is already available on iTunes. This new track will also be featured in the soundtrack of the highly-anticipated video game Call of Duty: Black Ops II, to be available on November 13th.
Avenged Sevenfold recently posted this on their website:
We recently asked several friends who knew Jimmy and his style, and also knew our music and each of our personalities to suggest drummers to tour with us starting this year. Our long time studio drum tech, Mike Fasano, recommended Arin Ilejay. We've rehearsed with Arin and have been impressed with his technical skills, attitude and work ethic. We're very excited to tour with Arin and hope all of you will give him the warm welcome to the family we have.
Thanks for your never ending support. It means the world to us.
See you on the Nightmare After Christmas.
Arin Ilejay is also the ex-drummer of the band Confide.
Ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy - who joined Avenged Sevenfold in the studio and on a US tour earlier this year - has issued the following update on his Facebook page:
"Yes, the rumours are true... Sadly my time with Avenged Sevenfold has come to an end...
The band has decided to carry on into 2011 without me... I had a great time with them throughout 2010, but it was their choice to end the relationship at the end of 2010 as was always the initial plan....
I had an awesome time on stage with the guys every night and have so many cool memories from the experience with them... I am proud to always be part of the A7X family and history. I also adore the A7X fans and totally appreciate the way they welcomed me aboard and were so loving and supportive during my time with the band... Thank you!
The new un-edited version of Avenged Sevefold's new video for the song "Nightmare" can be viewed below. The video was directed by Wayne Isham (Metallica, Pantera, Pink Floyd).
The video has several references to the band's deceased drummer The Rev (fe. the last drum kit he ever played with the band). Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy played drums on the new album, but is not featured in this video clip.
The song comes off the band's upcoming album Nightmare scheduled to be released next week (July 27, 2010). Nightmare, the first single off that album, was released digitally on May 18, 2010.
Avenged Sevenfold have announced Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy will join them on a US tour later this year.
"After being so kind and caring to help us in the studio, the rumors are in fact true and Mike Portnoy will indeed be helping us on the upcoming Uproar tour later this year. We hope to see you all out on the road. We are very grateful to Mike for dedicating his time and talent to help us get back on the road so we can be where we need to be the most which is with our fans."
Commented Portnoy: "After having had such an amazing experience recording my drum tracks for the new Avenged Sevenfold album, we all knew it would be awesome if I'd be able to do some touring with the band after its release...
In what seems to be the news of the week seeing the dazzling amount of news reports alone, none other than Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy will be stepping in to help out Avenged Sevenfold in the studio.
The word from the band reads as follows: "I want our fans to know that with Jimmy in our hearts, our journey to record has officially began. Jimmy helped leave this world an amazing gift and now it's our job to make sure to deliver that gift to our fans. We asked Jimmy's all time favorite drummer Mike Portnoy to record on behalf of him. Mike 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. Even though it will never be the same without our brother by our side, his essence lives in our hearts and through the music he helped create. He was a legend before any of the success or any of that bullshit and we are fucking excited to lay this down for our fans, and especially for Jimmy."
James Owen Sullivan, drummer and backup vocalist for Avenged Sevenfold, has been found dead at his home in Southern California, authorities have confirmed.
Police Lt. John Domingo said the 28-year-old Sullivan, who went by the stage name "The Rev", appears to have died of natural causes on Monday in Huntington Beach. Police were notified by firefighters who had responded to Sullivan's home about 1 p.m. The Orange County coroner's office is investigating the death.
Avenged Sevenfold formed in Huntington Beach in 1999 - Sullivan was a member from the beginning - and won Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2006. According to their MySpace page, the five-man metalcore band was working on their fifth album.
Both Avenged Sevenfold and DragonForce have been added to the main stage of this year's Ozzfest. Meanwhile, Ozzy Osbourne will now be headlining the festival's second stage on the following dates:
July 8 - San Bernardino, CA's @ Hyundai Pavilion of Glen Helen
July 11 - San Antonio, TX @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 22 - East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre
The whole line up, all tour dates and more info can be found on http://www.ozzfest.com
