HardDrive Radio have announced that AVENGED SEVENFOLD's forthcoming album title is confirmed to be Nightmare.

According to the report, Nightmare is dedicated to the memory of late drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and although it's not exactly a concept album, it does center around The Rev.

"The eeriest thing about it is there is a song on the album called 'Fiction' (a nickname The Rev gave himself) which started out with the title 'Death'. And the song was the last song The Rev wrote for the album, and when he handed it in, he said, 'that's it, that's the last song for this record'. And then 3 days later, he died."

As previously reported, an audio sample of the new single, 'Nightmare', featuring DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy, is available below:

Nightmare (Preview)byavengedsevenfold

The new single (artwork above, click image to enlarge) will be released digitally on May 18th. The song will be included on the band's new album, due for release on July 27th. Further details to follow.

Mike Portnoy recently issued the following update:

"After having had such an amazing experience recording my drum tracks for the new Avenged Sevenfold album, we all knew it would be awesome if I'd be able to do some touring with the band after its release.

I am happy to say that the timing worked out perfectly that my touring cycle with Dream Theater (and TRANSATLANTIC) was coming to an end just as A7X's was scheduled begin! Well, perfect for everyone except my poor family!

Although I wish I could stay on board with A7X in a more permanent capacity, the reality is that I am committed to Dream Theater as my main priority (that is my baby after all!), and I will need to resume work with DT to start a new album at some point in 2011.

However, I will be able to join my brothers in Avenged Sevenfold for at least the duration of their touring throughout 2010... and hopefully this will give them the time to continue to heal and get comfortable back on the road.

You can look at me like the band's 'rebound drummer' to buy them some time until they are comfortable and ready to make a commitment to somebody new for full-time relationship in their future!

In the meantime, I am real excited to hit the road with the boys... to bring my drumming from their new album to life on stage and to honor The Rev (late drummer Jimmy Sullivan) with all of their older material.

Hey, do I get to have a cool, bad-ass stage name now???"

Stay tuned for further updates.