DT's Portnoy recording with Avenged Sevenfold
 

Yesterday, Avenged Sevenfold -- whose drummer James 'the Rev' Sullivan tragically passed away in December 2009 -- announced on their website that they are recording their new album with Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy.

Avenged Sevenfold said in part: "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."

In reply, Mike Portnoy issued this statement today:

"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!"


http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/new...old-20977.aspx

Very cool and all class by Mike Portnoy. As most know, I love Dream Theater. I also like Avenged Sevenfold. Can't wait to hear the new album.

That's ****ing awesome.

looking forward to it

Lame. Nice gesture, I guess, but still pretty lame.

He already has recorded. They laid down the tracks this week.

:shake:

It'd be like getting Steve Vai to play guitar for Limp Bizkit if Wes Borland died. A nice gesture but pretty ****ing stupid and a waste of talent on a bad band.

ROFL

Just because you don't like them...

dropped on head much?

It would be just like that if Avenged was a completely different band that sucked liked Limp Nicklebizkit.

True ****ing story: I was at this concert at the Beaumont Club back in late 2002 (the band was part of a 4-band bill but I was there to see High on Fire). The band hadn't yet released Waking the Fallen and the guitar players were not as good as they are today (and they are pretty darn good now). Anyway, they were terrible. I mean the band plays uninspired dreck and has been for years but at this stage in Avenged Sevenfold's career they were an atrocious live act. The buddy I was at the concert with began to heckle vocalist M. Shadows because he was not good (his harsh vocals were awful and he did almost no singing at this point in the band's career). The tame heckling got to be too much for M. Shadows who, after a song, began to tear up and said "Just... ****ing shut up, ok?" to the crowd. About half of the crowd responded by adding their own heckles to the mix. And M. Shadows cried. To his credit he finished the set. But he still cried on stage.

Just a funny anecdote.

I stopped reading here.

I think that's a little over-board. Portnoy is a great drummer but is over-rated. I even predict that Mike's drum parts will be easier to play than the original drummers.

Of course you did. You have an Avenged Sevenfold avatar. You should stick up for the band, terrible though they (and your music tastes) are.