Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold, often shortened to A7X, is an American metal band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1999 and active since then. Its core line-up includes vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ and drummer Brooks Wackerman, who joins in 2016. Former members and touring drummers include James “The Rev” Sullivan, Mike Portnoy and Arin Ilejay. The band name refers to the Book of Genesis, and several of its song titles and lyrics draw on biblical imagery.

Style and background

The group is associated with metalcore, hard rock, heavy metal and alternative metal, and its material also spans melodic metalcore and avant-garde metal. It forms in Huntington Beach in 1999 and begins with a heavier metalcore sound. On its third album, City of Evil, the band moves away from metalcore towards heavy metal and hard rock, with M. Shadows shifting from harsh screaming to a more melodic vocal style. The band says the change in approach is part of its artistic direction rather than the result of injury.

Albums and releases

Avenged Sevenfold releases eight studio albums: Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, Waking the Fallen, City of Evil, the self-titled Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare, Hail to the King, The Stage and Life Is But a Dream…. Its first album is recorded when the members are eighteen and originally appears on Good Life Recordings before being reissued on Hopeless Records after Synyster Gates joins and “To End The Rapture” is re-recorded with his guitar part. Waking the Fallen also appears on Hopeless Records and receives a positive review in Rolling Stone, after which the band signs to Warner Bros. Records.

City of Evil leads the band towards a more polished heavy metal and hard rock sound. The self-titled album reaches No. 4 on the Billboard 200, sells more than 500,000 copies and wins Album of the Year at the Kerrang! Awards. Nightmare reaches No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Hail to the King also reaches No. 1 in the US, UK, Finland, Brazil, Canada and Ireland. The Stage is a concept album about artificial intelligence and is released via Capitol Records.

Members and line-up changes

James “The Rev” Sullivan is the original drummer and close friend of the band, and his death in 2009 leads to changes in the line-up. Mike Portnoy records drums for Nightmare and tours with the band briefly, while Arin Ilejay later tours with the group and is confirmed as a member before leaving in 2015. Brooks Wackerman becomes drummer in 2015 and performs live with the band from 2016. Synyster Gates is also known by Brian Haner Jr.

Recognition, touring and media use

Avenged Sevenfold wins Best New Artist at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. It also receives Album of the Year at the Kerrang! Awards for the self-titled album, and later wins awards at the Golden God Awards and Revolver Golden Gods, including Best Vocalist, Best Guitarist(s), Best Live Band and Most Dedicated Fans. The band headlines major tours and festivals including Taste of Chaos, Rock on the Range, Rock am Ring, Rock im Park, Uproar Festival, Orion Music + More, Welcome to Rockville, Mayhem Festival and Knotfest Mexico.

Several songs appear in films, games and soundtracks. “Blinded in Chains” features in Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Arena Football; “Bat Country” appears in SSX on Tour, NHL 06 and Madden 06; “Chapter Four” appears in NHL 2004, Madden 2004 and NASCAR Thunder 2004; “Beast and the Harlot” appears in Burnout Revenge and Guitar Hero II; “Burn It Down” appears on the Saw III soundtrack; and “Not Ready to Die” and “Carry On” are used in Call of Duty releases. The band also records covers of Pantera, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath songs, and performs Pantera’s “Walk” in tribute to Dimebag Darrell.

DVDs and documentaries

The band releases the DVD All Excess and the live package Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough, which combines a live performance from Long Beach with a B-sides collection. A second live DVD and documentary, This Is Bat Country, is announced but not released because of a dispute with Warner Bros.