Earlier today, Billboard.com reported that after releasing four studio albums for Warner Bros. Records since 2005, California rockers Avenged Sevenfold are trying to get out of their as-yet-unfulfilled recording contract, citing the state’s famous "seven-year rule”. In turn, the label has filed a breach-of-contract suit against the hard rock act, seeking compensatory damages.

Avenged Sevenfold have now issued the following:

“We recently exercised our rights under California law and notified Warner Bros. Records we would no longer record for them. Few of the executives who have been integral to our continued success are still at the label, and we love and are grateful to them for their hard work. However, since we signed with the label, Warner Bros. has had three different regimes, multiple heads of marketing, and none of the senior management or A&R executives who were at the company and responsible for signing us are still there.

“Whatever the activity, it takes a full team to compete, and we no longer know most of our teammates. In the coming days, you may read about the lawsuit our label filed against us for exercising our legal rights, rights the State of California granted specifically to protect artists. You may see mistaken facts or worse.

“One such error we want to make sure you know about: Avenged Sevenfold has never renegotiated its original recording agreement with Warner Bros. Records. Billboard has now corrected its story to reflect the real facts.

“Most importantly, we want our fans to know this: we are in the middle of writing a record we cannot wait for you to hear. We expect to go into the studio very soon, and look forward to releasing our new album later this year.

“Until then, we wish all of you a happy, healthy 2016.”

Schecter Guitar Research has announced the release of new Signature Models from Avenged Sevenfold’s guitar duo of Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance.

The new SYN CUSTOM-S will retain his demanding features including the Sustainiac Infinite Sustain Systemand his Signature Seymour Duncan Invader humbucker.  New appointments include Schecter’s exclusive Floyd Rose 1500 locking tremolo and side Glow-In-the-Dark position markers.

These guitars follow Syn’s renowned ‘pinstripe’ graphic pattern, but with a burst added to the edges along with a thin satin finish for increased acoustic resonance and response. Available finishes: Satin Gold Burst (shown) and Satin Dark Earth Burst. Street Price $1259.00

The 2016 Zacky Vengeance ZV-6661(Street $999) will be armed with Seymour Duncan JB humbuckers and outfitted with ‘distressed’ chrome hardware including the TonePros TOM System.  Finished in a new Aged Natural Satin Black Burst, each guitar will have Zacky’s ‘6661’ insignia hand engraved into the body.

Zacky and Syn will be taking these new models into the studio next month as the band begins to record the follow-up to their chart topping Hail To The King.

For additional specs and left-handed availability visit Schecter Guitars.