Orange County, California's AVENGED SEVENFOLD has tapped DREAM THEATER's Mike Portnoy to play on the band's forthcoming album following the recent passing of AVENGED SEVENFOLD drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan.

"[We] want our fans to know that with Jimmy in our hearts, our journey to record has officially began," AVENGED SEVENFOLD said in a statement.

"We asked Jimmy's all-time favorite drummer Mike Portnoy to record on behalf of him. Mike said it would be an honor and without question that's what Jim would have wanted.

Sullivan was found dead at his Huntington Beach home on December 28.

The Orange County coroner's office ordered "toxicology, microscopic and laboratory tests" to help determine why Sullivan died.