M Shadows spoke with Metal Hammer magazine about “Carry On,” being in Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2, the new Avenged Sevenfold album and wwhere they’re likely to head on tour first.
We also asked him whether he felt Carry On reflected where the band are musically at the moment.
“I would look at it as a one-off, and to tell the truth it sounds nothing like the album,” he admits. “This song had to be done quick, and it couldn’t be a long song, and we wanted to make it fun. The new album has a lot more of a Sabbath/Zeppelin feel to it than Carry On. There’s definitely more Sabbath in what we’re writing, and we’re proud of Carry On, but this album is going to be on a whole new level.
We’re halfway through [writing the new album],” he continues. “We’re shooting for late January-early February [to head into the studio] and to have the album out in the Summer. I’m pretty sure, with what I’ve been told already, we’re looking to go overseas first, so you guys will be seeing it before everyone else!”
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Deathbat News 
Glad it’s gonna be different than Carry On!! I was a little bit disappointed in that one.
Comment by kpp November 20, 2012 @ 8:02 amHave they disappoined us yet? Allow me to answer…fuck no they haven’t!!!
Comment by rit November 20, 2012 @ 2:56 pmThat’s a matter of opinion… xD.
Comment by Astrid November 21, 2012 @ 10:07 amI agree. I love Avenged Sevenfold with all of my heart, but that song was definitely not their best, and I was a bit disappointed. I’m SO glad their album is going to be different.
Comment by Astrid November 21, 2012 @ 10:06 ami agree…carry on just didn’t have it’s usual sevenfoldness feel to it. and, to be brutally honest, the drum solo was lackluster at best. it took me less than 5 minutes to learn it wheres the rev’s solo from darkness surrounding is driving me up a wall. and beast and the harlot solo still gives me issues every now and then. im not a zeppelin fan but i’m sure the album will still be awesome! just miss the fact that i won’t be able to listen to one of the rev’s crazy genius songs
Comment by TwinkieReincarnate November 23, 2012 @ 12:52 pmCarry On didn’t have it’s usual Sevenfoldness feel to it? If you have been listening to Nightmare on repeat for the last 2 years then maybe. And it took you all of 5 minutes to learn that solo? I could do it with one arm behind my back the first time I heard it.
Comment by Revenant November 26, 2012 @ 7:01 pmIt’s an amazing song. The riff is so unique and the solo (guitar) is incredible. The drums dont have to copy the revs style!!! He’s his own drummer with his own damn style. The next album is gonna have some drum solos you might get suprised by. Arin is a fucking beast.
Comment by J-Russ November 27, 2012 @ 6:42 pmWell Led Zeppelin is one of my favorite bands ever so that’s good news.
Comment by Mattie Deathbat November 20, 2012 @ 8:03 amAs long as you head to the east coast after you’re overseas I’m ok with them seeing you guys first. :)
Comment by Lish M November 20, 2012 @ 8:23 amI think that Avenged Sevenfold has came a long way, I’ve been a fan for four years now. There songs has helped me out alot in my life. Im so glad that even though the Rev died Avenged still like there song ” Carry on ” haha see what I did there :P But Im sure that the rev wouldn’ve wanted them to stop he would have wanted them to move foward. I love this site, thank you for the people who keep me updated. Cant wait to hear the new Album. I also loved the cartoon music video for Call of Duty 2/ there song Carry On. It was very good, and completely funny. x3 I love Avenged <333
Comment by Ashley Kidd November 20, 2012 @ 8:33 am‘to go overseas first’ sounds pretty damn good to me. Hopefully they’ll make a few stops in Germany.
Comment by Tess November 20, 2012 @ 8:43 amWow they are already halfway through the writing process, that was quick :D
Comment by RuiA7X November 20, 2012 @ 11:02 amI hope they come to Portugal!
Darn…I’m not big into Zeppelin or Sabbath. Should still be great though.
Comment by pinkyandthesheep November 20, 2012 @ 11:16 amI wish they’d come to Alaska :'((((
Mmm, Sabbath/Zepplin, now I am Twice as excited to hear this. :D *doing somersaults*
Comment by Harley Quinn November 20, 2012 @ 12:59 pmnow that’s what i want to hear. Sabbath it up boys. I like that classic heavy metal. Can’t wait.
Comment by Kaylee November 20, 2012 @ 1:23 pmhmmm zeppelin and sabbath. interesting.
and i don’t care if you guys go oversees first, but PLEASE do orion fest. again if you are so inclined (and metallica invites you back.) PLEASE.
Comment by Lindsey November 20, 2012 @ 1:38 pmWhatever the guys produce is going to be pure MAGIC. Cannot wait. They are amazing!
Comment by Kasey November 20, 2012 @ 2:02 pm“This album is going to be on a whole new level” My favorite part.
Comment by robert9424@facebook.com November 20, 2012 @ 2:48 pmSo fucking stoked, seems like every album they grow with me. On Nightmare they had an Alice in Chains influence and now I’ve been more into Zeppelin, and Sabbath, lo and behold…very exciting, sounds like it will be classic, and cool to not hear them playing fast paced metal like usual for them.
Comment by a7xfreakdrummer November 20, 2012 @ 2:55 pmAlice in Chains… Nightmare?? :S
Comment by Anonymous November 20, 2012 @ 7:31 pmtbh, I think of alice in chains when I listen to tonight the world dies. I wonder if that’s the song he’s talking about. None of the other ones remind me of alice in chains though
Comment by Anonymous November 20, 2012 @ 10:55 pmYeah I mean Tonight the World Dies mainly, although if you watch the Headbangers Ball from 2010 that they hosted, they mentioned AIC as an influence
Comment by a7xfreakdrummer November 21, 2012 @ 2:10 pmI think what Matt means by sabbath is the album will be more stripped down and really atmospheric and have a black sabbath type vibe I think that’s b really fucking cool if that is the direction of the new album
Comment by Vince November 20, 2012 @ 5:29 pmAnd hopefully really riffy!
Comment by SynVanSambora November 21, 2012 @ 9:59 amGood they are taking inspiration from classical rock bands like Zeppelin and Sabbath, I was looking for something like that. Just rock n’ roll how it is. I expect something very different, too. I know they have been trough a lot when they realised Nightmare, but I thought the album was a little different, I didn’t came as I wanted and did not suprised me in a good way, I don’t know, I thought it would be better. Not that I didn’t liked Nightmare, but the songs still are not “remarkable” to me as some songs from Waking the Fallen, COE and self-titled, just “Fiction” and “Save Me”, and “God Hates Us” because it was the best part of their shows, the energy was incredible. My favorite album still is self-titled. Hope this changes with the new album. Way to, a7x!
Comment by Anita November 20, 2012 @ 6:27 pmplease be australia as one of the overseas places!!!
Comment by Anonymous November 20, 2012 @ 8:02 pmSounds like a cool path they’re taking. I’ve liked everything they’ve done. Shows they have the ability to do different things and that they want to challenge themselves. Can’t wait to hear the next single and of course the new album. Keep rockin’ guys!
Comment by Carmen Feuling November 20, 2012 @ 8:56 pmYes, Australia please,we wait so long between seeing them!
Comment by juice November 20, 2012 @ 9:22 pmFantastic! Come to Canada :D We miss you !
Comment by Anonymous November 21, 2012 @ 6:33 amYeah, your the best
Comment by jonny November 21, 2012 @ 7:59 amMan, i’m so happy with this guys!
Comment by Giorgia Rangel November 22, 2012 @ 2:02 pmI can’t even express how i’m feeling i want to wear their shirt to go anywhere, because of this feeling, i’m so proud! hahahahaha
And.. GUYS, COME TO BRAZIL!
you tell em shads, A7X wouldn’t be the same if you added dubstep.YEAH!!!This record is going to kick some butt.
Comment by Puppy Bluewood November 22, 2012 @ 3:03 pmThats sounds interesting…. Black Sabbath is one of my favourite groups, and mix of old heavy metal and A7X will be nice experience :D
Comment by RESET_PL November 23, 2012 @ 8:18 amPS COME TO POLAND
I guess what he might mean is maybe a Mastodon/The Hunter or Opeth/Heritage kind of vibe?
Comment by a7xfreakdrummer November 24, 2012 @ 1:20 amI think they’re getting at a heavy riff-driven dark sound (Sabbath) with scope and ambitious arrangements (Zeppelin). They’ve already gotten to those a bit, but maybe they’ll be less Metallica/Dream Theater about it this time around (ie more contrast between simplicity and complex elements).
Comment by Dante Phoenix November 25, 2012 @ 3:28 pmI’m sure that the new Avenged Sevenfold album will still contain the band’s signature flavour, just that it’ll be infused with blues-rock chords and such. This is something that I’m looking forward to hearing.
Comment by A7X Zeppelin December 1, 2012 @ 5:57 pm