Avenged Sevenfold’s evolution of new album The Stage continues with their latest release, a blistering cover of Del Shannon’s 1961 #1 hit, “Runaway”, featuring a guest appearance by Vandals’ guitarist Warren Fitzgerald and lead vocals by Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Zacky Vengeance. Listen to the track via Spotify, and check out a music video, directed by Rafa Alcantara and produced by TwentyFourCore, below.

“When we decided to expand the album and add new tracks, everyone in the band chose a song that would be interesting to cover,” says Avenged Sevenfold vocalist M. Shadows. “Zacky came up with the idea of doing a punk rock version of the Del Shannon classic. While in the studio, Synyster brought up our old friend Warren Fitzgerald, saying it'd be great to have him play on the track and give the song the kind of reckless abandon he's known for with The Vandals. With Warren on board, Zacky wanted to have a crack at singing, which really put the song over the top. I do a little talking thing with him in the middle of the track, but that's it. The rest is all him and it came out great."

“I’ve always loved ‘Runaway’ and the dark undertone hidden behind the upbeat doo wop track,” says Zacky. “You can hear sincere anguish in his voice. I raised my hand to add a little punk rock flair to the vocals, have some fun, and give the fans a little something to talk about.”

Adds Fitzgerald, “I’ve known the Avenged Sevenfold guys for years and obviously Brooks [Wackerman, A7X drummer] played with The Vandals, and our bands are both from Huntington Beach, so the ties run deep.  But I was still surprised and honored that they asked me to play on the track. I think it’s a really cool choice for a cover and the guys were very generous in the studio. They’re all incredible musicians and to have them say, ‘do what you do,’ was really flattering. So I did, and we had a blast, and I’m tickled to death with how it all turned out.”

Upcoming Avenged Sevenfold live dates:

August
4 - Phoenix, AZ - University of Phoenix Stadium+
6 - San Diego, CA - Petco Park+
9 - Seattle, WA - CenturyLink Field+
11 - Salt Lake City, UT - USANA Amphitheatre+++
12 - Nampa (Boise), ID - Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater+++
14 - Vancouver, BC - BC Place+
16 - Edmonton, AB - Commonwealth Stadium+

+++ A7X headline show with A Day To Remember opening
+ With Metallica + Gojira

(Photo - Jeff Forney)