The new Avenged Sevenfold drummer is…

Brooks Wackerman. Yes the former Bad Religion/Tenacious D kit-man and most recently Travis Barker‘s fill in drummer when Blink-182 toured Australia in 2013 has been announced as the guy taking over Arin Illejay who the band decided to move forward without back in July this year. The announcement was made on Chris Jericho‘s podcast “Talk is Jericho” where M. Shadows and Brooks Wackerman  spoke about how his name was mentioned, the reason Arin didn’t fit and what they went through to make sure Brooks was the right for the band.

M. Shadows revealed:

“Brooks‘ name was always in the mix, it was one of the names we were throwing around when Jimmy (The Rev) passed away in terms of who was gonna step up for “Nightmare“. We felt Mike [Portnoy – Dream Theatre] was the right choice and I still feel that way, he was perfect. But at the time Brooks was busy with Bad Religion.

We made a change in the middle of touring when we brought Arin in, I have nothing bad to say about the guy. In terms of just throwing somebody from a completely different generation, with different influences and styles of what you like to listen to, we were kind of able to get him on board with the touring lifestyle and then it became increasingly difficult to be on the same page, not only touring but with writing and where we want to take things.

We’re a band with so many different influences and we need somebody that can understand why we’re gonna go here and why we’re doing do that and after Mayhem Festival we decided [if we wanted] to fire on all cylinders like we wanted to, we need to make a change. And I said I really want to talk to Brooks and see where he’s at in his life right now. I wasn’t trying to poach him, just see what he’s up to.

So we all got together to see [if we] can we play the old songs, have some rehearsals, write together and throw some riffs at him and see what he would play and can he give us 10 different drum beats around this riff.

And it instantly clicked and this is what Avenged Sevenfold needs to do to be back where we want to be”

And it makes perfect sense having someone a bit older with more experience and influences than 21 year old Illejay. The diverse range of bands that Brooks has been in or helped out in over the years is pure indication of his talent and how he will be a much fitting member of the group.

Now this announcement has been made, we should be expecting to hear some new music real soon with the guys stating earlier this year they’ve been working on an album they hope will be released next year.

Until next time, rock the fuck out

Browny (@brownypaul)