News & Events - Sabian Feed

Mike Portnoy is in the studio with Avenged Sevenfold stepping in for our departed friend Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan.

The band posted this statement on their website:

"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. Its 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."

- Avenged Sevenfold

Mike says, "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!”

Sabian's Chris Stankee reports that Jimmy played a major role in writing the music for A7X. He was much more than a spectacular drummer. He had completed demos for the new record before he passed on and the band are using those demos as blue prints for the new record.

He says, "Jimmy always told me how much he admired and respected Mike's playing. You could hear it in his style and technique. I was honored to visit Mike and the band yesterday in the studio and it got very emotional at times listening to Mike play the parts that Jimmy had written. Some parts exactly the way Jimmy would have played them. Being a fan of this band I'm thankful that Mike has the talent to lend to Jimmy's vision and I'm most thankful that he's helping these 4 extremely talented musicians heal and keep moving forward. I can't think of a better tribute to Jimmy's memory."

You can find more information and a moving video tribute to Jimmy here:

http://www.avengedsevenfold.com/news

UPDATE

http://www.dreamtheater.net/news_portnoy.php#a7xreport
Tuesday - Feb 23rd 2010

Just finished my drum tracks for the Avenged Sevenfold album... what an amazing and emotional experience! Me & Zacky celebrated by getting matching Death Bat tats here in the studio...

(I also went with Matt on Sat night when he got a new Death Bat tat with Jimmy's face...)

I must thank the amazing A7X fans for being so open and welcoming to me... I was fearing them being very defensive over The Rev's drum throne but they've all been so supportive, open-minded, understanding and excited by the news... it is a huge relief to me and the guys!

What an awesome family spirit these guys have... lotsa love! Shadows, Gates, Zacky & Johnny are now my brothers for life... hopefully this wont be the last time I play with them....

MP

PS - And oh yeah...the album is gonna be incredible!

The Rev is absolutely looking down with a big-ass smile on his face! : )