Avenged Sevenfold frontman M Shadows spoke about the progress on the band's forthcoming follow-up to their 2016 album, "The Stage", and revealed an unexpected influence.
As we reported earlier this week, Shadows said that the band is focused on finishing the new record. He reiterated that in a new interview with Metal Hammer.
He shared, "In January, we're going in to finish the strings on the record. The record's been recorded for a year, but we haven't been able to put the real strings on it, because we couldn't fly out to Prague.
"When an orchestra have to social distance and they aren't sitting next to each other, they can get out of tune, and we have just finally got to a place where we can use this 70-piece orchestra as we intended. We finish the record in February, mix it in March."
Shadows was asked for "any little pointers of where the sound of the record is taking you", and he explained that "there are so many influences", and revealed, "We're very influenced by Kanye West.
"The thing about Kanye is that he is pulling from such great soul music. I didn't grow up with that stuff - my dad listened to Boston and Alice Cooper, I didn't get that taste of black music and old soul.
"So, diving deep into jazz musicians... we're not trying to do a jazz record, but the chord changes and progressions are so eye-opening to us."
Avenged Sevenfold Get Animated For 'Cosmic'
Avenged Sevenfold Kick Off Life Is But a Dream... North American Tour
Why Avenged Sevenfold Originally Turned Down Metallica Tour - 2023 In Review
Avenged Sevenfold Announce 2024 Life is But A Dream North American Tour Leg
Avenged Sevenfold Team With Pussy Riot For 'We Love You Moar'
Watch David Gilmour's 'The Piper's Call' Video
Check Out Powerman 5000 'Dancing Like We're Dead'
The String Cheese Incident Take Fans On Epic 'Roll Around The Sun'
Watch Motley Crue's 'Dogs Of War' Video
Richie Sambora Returns With 'I Pray', The First Of Four New Songs
The Smashing Pumpkins Reveal New Guitarist
Linkin Park Top Hard Rock And Vinyl Albums Charts With Papercuts
Kandace Springs - Run Your Race
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Day 1: Marbin Gets the Fun Started
Hot In The City: Prog Band Tu-Ner Coming to Phoenix