AVENGED SEVENFOLD guitarist Zacky Vengeance spoke with Metal Zone host Nikki Blakk for San Francisco radio station 107.7 The Bone prior to the band's free show at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, California. The clip is available below, and includes some insight into the band's relationship with former DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy, who filled in behind the kit in 2010 and believed he would become a permanent A7X member:

Vengeance. "He'd been talking about quitting Dream Theater, that he wasn't necessarily happy, and he was excited to be playing with us. We were playing huge shows and stuff; I think he got caught up in the moment, got excited. We begged him to consider what he did, because we were in no position to find a permanent replacement, because in all honesty you can't replace Jimmy (Sullivan), who was our best friend — first and foremost — besides beng an amazing drummer. So it just wasn't the right time and the place. And he told us, 'Hey, I've got good news and bad news. I quit Dream Theater.' We were like, 'Oh, no. Well, if you're happy, then that's good.' And he was saying: 'Now I can be with you guys.' And we were like, 'That's not necessarily what we decided upon. And you should take your time and reconsider.' And he was like, 'Well, I put out my press release.' We were like, 'Dude, that's not how we do business. You should have talked to us before.'"

Portnoy filled in temporarily following the passing of Avenged Sevenfold drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan, who died on December 28th, 2009 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol. He performed on the band's 2010 album, Nightmare, and toured with the band for the record.