Based on the recommendation from the band's longtme studio drum tech, Arin Ilejay of Confide is to join the band and replace stand-in Mike Portnoy and the original drummer The Rev.
- January 21, 2011
AceShowbiz - Rockers Avenged Sevenfold have hired former Confide star Arin Ilejay as their new drummer, after parting ways with Mike Portnoy. Portnoy was drafted in to replace tragic Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan, who died from a drug overdose in December 2009 - but he was never a perfect fit.
The band let the former Dream Theater star go in December after he suggested in press interviews he would be staying in the band for the foreseeable future. The rockers released a statement saying, "We're not ready to add a permanent member - and we don't know if we'll ever be. If we do, it will be someone who;s not only a brilliant drummer but someone we've gotten to know well, and who the fans get to know and hopefully accept. Mike and the band agree it can't be him."
Now the stars have chosen Ilejay as their latest stand-in. A new statement reads, "We recently asked several friends who knew Jimmy (Sullivan) and his style, and also knew our music and each of our personalities to suggest drummers to tour with us starting this year. Our longtime studio drum tech, Mike Fasano, recommended Arin Ilejay."
