Avenged Sevenfold Release ‘Runaway’ Cover

By Haley Biermann

The next expansion of The Stage is here!  The latest Avenged Sevenfold album is an evolving piece of work that the band has continually added to over the last couple of months. 

The Stage’s latest addition is a cover of Del Shannon’s “Runaway,” which was first released and made famous in 1961.  The track features guest guitarist and vocalist Warren Fitzgerald of The Vandals.  The new song follows the band’s covers of Mr. Bungle’s “Retrovertigo” and Spanish folk song “Malagueña Salerosa.”

Avenged Sevenfold vocalist M. Shadows said, “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.”

Guitarist Zacky Vegeance took on lead vocals for the new cover.  He commented, “I've always loved 'Runaway' and the dark undertone hidden behind the upbeat doo wop track.  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."

Warren Fitzgerlad is also pumped about the new track.  He stated, “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.”

Check out the “Runaway” official video below and stay tuned for the next expansion of The Stage!
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