Matt Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold has confirmed the band are looking to start work on their follow up to 2010’s ‘Nightmare’ as early as this summer in a brief interview with Kerrang! Magazine. This admission allows a sense of relief for fans who feared the band may choose not to continue musically without their late drummer, Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan.
When asked about any new year’s resolutions, Shadows said, “We’ll start thinking about the next record pretty soon. I get this need for us to prove ourselves again. I get anxious and excited about it, so I’m looking forward to starting on that next summer. So we’ll write in the summer, which will be a big, important thing, but I’ve got no idea when we’ll release it.”
Last year’s offering was a poignant release for the band as it marked the legacy of childhood friend Jimmy Sullivan who passed away on December 28th 2009. While the album’s completion followed his death, the band made a conscious effort to keep as much of him visible throughout, even featuring his vocals on ‘Fiction’.
Although the band toured extensively, bearing various backdrops in tribute to their friend, it wasn’t certain as to whether they would continue following the ‘Nightmare’ run. With the two year anniversary of the Rev’s passing recently occurring, Matt was also asked how they’re finding continuing on the road without him.
“It was harder in the beginning but we’re happy to be onstage again now,” explained Matt. “It’s been nearly two years, so we have a better perspective on life. We still miss Jimmy so much, but we’re happy to remember him with the fans by playing his and our songs every night. It’s not as sad as it used to be, it’s more joyous now. If we hadn’t gone back out there, we’d still be in a dark hole, so I’m really proud of the guys for getting up and getting out there.”
As far as the musical direction of the album, nothing has been suggested as of yet. Needless to say Avenged Sevenfold’s return to the studio will mark the beginning of a new chapter in their careers. Although the band are yet to work on any new material for themselves, Matt is currently working on some songs with Tony Lovato for the new Mest album.
Not only will this mark the first album without the Rev’s input, it will also be the first record with ex-Confide drummer Arin Ilejay in the works.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
