Mike Portnoy records with Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold have recruited Mike Portnoy to play on their new album.

The Dream Theater drummer will step in following the unexpected passing of Jimmy ‘The Rev´ Sullivan last December.

In a post on his website forum, Portnoy was quick to stress that he is not trying to fill The Rev´s shoes, instead he is “merely lacing em up for him”.

He added: “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 honoured to have been asked to play with them...and I didn't even have to think twice about saying yes.”

Check out the video below to see exactly why The Rev will be so sorely missed by the drumming world.

Chris Barnes

I'm MusicRadar's eCommerce Editor. It's my job to manage the buyer's guides on MusicRadar and help musicians find the right gear and the best prices. I'm a guitarist and a drummer and I've worked in the music gear industry for 18 years, including 7 years as Editor of the UK's best-selling drum magazine Rhythm, and 5 years as a freelance writer working with many of the world's biggest musical instrument brands including the likes of Roland, Boss, MusicRadar and Natal.