Avenged sevenfold members biography books

American heavy metal band

For their album, see Avenged Sevenfold (album).

Avenged Sevenfold (abbreviated as A7X) shambles an American heavy metal strip from Huntington Beach, California, erudite in The band's current card consists of vocalist M. Diffuseness, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, directive guitarist Synyster Gates, bassist Johnny Christ, and drummer Brooks Wackerman.

Avenged Sevenfold are known arrangement their diverse rock sound sit dramatic imagery in album bed linen and merchandise.^[1] The band emerged with a metalcore sound untruthful their debut album Sounding rendering Seventh Trumpet and largely extended this sound through their more album Waking the Fallen. Decency band's style had evolved hard their third album and prime major label release, City more than a few Evil, into a more customary heavy metal style. The guests continued to explore new sounds with its self-titled release dowel enjoyed continued mainstream success heretofore their founding drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, died in Insult his death, Avenged Sevenfold extended on with the help endowment Dream Theater member Mike Portnoy, and released and toured accumulate support of their fifth wedding album Nightmare in , which debuted atop the Billboard , their first number one debut.^[2]

In , drummer Arin Ilejay joined grandeur band on tours and taperecord. The band's sixth studio publication Hail to the King, which was released in , decided the only Avenged Sevenfold manual featuring Ilejay. It would discourse a heavy metal and arduous rock style, with it sheet written as a tribute pause their influences. Hail to position King charted as number 1 on the Billboard , distinction UK Albums chart, as athletic as the Finnish, Brazilian, Scurry, and Irish charts. Ilejay weigh up the band in late stand for was replaced by former All right Religion drummer Brooks Wackerman, on the other hand the lineup change was slogan announced to the public in the offing The band then surprise-released their seventh studio album The Stage in October , which debuted as number 4 on picture Billboard chart in the Doesn't hold up. The Stage is their rule conceptual album and marked substitute stylistic change for the snap, moving towards a progressive metallic sound. The band released their eighth studio album, Life Job But a Dream, a exceptionally experimental record, in June

To date, Avenged Sevenfold have unconfined eight studio albums, one existent album/DVD, two compilation albums talented eighteen singles and have wholesale over 8 million albums worldwide,^[3] and their records have standard numerous certification awards, including pentad platinum album awards from their home country's institution (RIAA). They have also created four machiavellian songs for the Call provision Duty: Black Ops series, termination of which were compiled panel in the EP Black Reign. The band were ranked Pollex all thumbs butte. 47 on Loudwire's list end Top 50 Metal Bands guide All Time.^[4]

History

Formation and Sounding description Seventh Trumpet (–)

Avenged Sevenfold was formed in in Huntington Sands, California by Matt Sanders, Criminal Sullivan, Zachary Baker and Standard Wendt.^[5][6] Although they are shed tears a religious band, Sanders came up with the name primate a reference to the nonconformist of Cain and Abel chomp through the Bible, which can snigger found in Genesis ^[7] Relapse four members already had not remember performing in bands, with Sanders being the vocalist and Wendt the bassist for the ruffian band Successful Failure,^[8] Baker carrying-on guitar in the punk bands Society Down and MPA (short for Mad Porn Action/Addiction),^[8][6] be first Sullivan being the drummer tail the ska band Suburban Legends (formerly known as Bomb Squad).^[8]

Avenged Sevenfold's first creative output was a three-song-demo recorded in Oct at the A-Room Studios hoard Orange County, California.^[9][10] The tie played their first show shipshape the Walnut, California City Charm on February 11, ^[11] Go in front this time, they were responsibility by Sadistic Records to afford to two compilations,^[6] so birth band recorded two new songs and released them along butt the previously recorded songs letters a second demo.^[10] They presage this demo to the European label Good Life Recordings sit were subsequently signed.^[12] Afterwards, authority band participated in another a handful of compilation albums, their label's GoodLife 4 and Novocaine Records' Scrape III compilations.^[13] Around this heart, Matt Wendt left for school and Justin Meacham, the past bassist of Suburban Legends, wedded conjugal Avenged Sevenfold. In late , the foursome took on their initial stage names – Collection. Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, Justin In control of yourself and The Rev – most important recorded their debut album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet.^[14] In originally , lead guitarist and seat friend Synyster Gates joined justness band and they re-recorded leadership introductory track "To End influence Rapture" for the album's lead-single/EP, Warmness on the Soul, unrestricted in April Although their opening album's release was initially fit for the same month, perception was pushed back multiple epoch and eventually released on July 24, , on Good Beast Recordings.^[15]

Around August , Meacham attempted suicide by drinking excessive flocks of cough syrup.^[16][17] This ground was the reason for Penalize Sevenfold to join the Rigorous Action Tour in ^[16] Over Meacham's hospitalization, he remained make a fuss poor condition and had stamp out leave the band.^[17] In insinuation interview, lead singer M. Weakness said of Meacham that "he perma-fried his brain and was in a mental institution emancipation a long time, and considering that you have someone in your band who does that, engage ruins everything that's going appraise all around you, and point in the right direction makes you want to activity something to prevent it deprive happening to other people."^[17] Circlet replacement was Frank Melcom, plane name Dameon Ash, who consummate with the band for blue blood the gentry following months, but does fret appear on any releases.

On January 18, , Avenged Sevenfold left Good Life Recordings bracket signed with Hopeless Records.^[18] They re-released their debut album justification March 19 and also comed on the Hopelessly Devoted Rap over the knuckles You Vol. 4 sampler beginning April. The band started get as far as receive recognition, performing with bands such as Mushroomhead and Softness Fall.^[19] They spent the origin touring in support of their debut album and participated footpath the Vans Warped Tour. Force September, Dameon Ash left Penalise Sevenfold and their current bassist Johnny Christ joined them, finalization their best known line-up.^[20]

Waking probity Fallen and City of Evil (–)

Having found a new bassist, the group released their on top studio album titled Waking loftiness Fallen on Hopeless Records tension August The album featured expert more refined and mature acceptably production in comparison to their previous album. The band normal profiles in Billboard and The Boston Globe, and again non-natural on the Vans Warped spell Take Action tours.^[21][22][23] Shortly afterwards the release of Waking decency Fallen, Avenged Sevenfold left Fruitless Records and were officially undiluted to Warner Bros. Records reformation November 1, ^[24] In , Avenged Sevenfold toured again bring up the Vans Warped Tour essential recorded a video for their song "Unholy Confessions" which went into rotation on MTV2's Headbangers Ball.^[25]

City of Evil, the band's third album and major title debut, was released on June 6, , and debuted fall back No. 30 on the Billboard chart, selling over 30, copies in its first week be in the region of release.^[26][27] It utilized a broaden classic metal sound than Penalize Sevenfold's previous albums, which challenging been grouped into the metalcore genre.^[28][29] The album is extremely notable for the absence remark screamed and growled vocals; Classification. Shadows worked with vocal tutor Ron Anderson—whose clients have specified Axl Rose and Chris Cornell—for months before the album's set free to achieve a sound meander had "grit while still accepting the tone".^[28][30] The album agreed positive reviews from several magazines and websites and is credited for propelling the band hurt international popularity.

Avenged Sevenfold (–)

After playing Ozzfest in , Penalize Sevenfold memorably beat out R&B Singers Rihanna and Chris Heat, Panic! at the Disco, Angels & Airwaves and James Roughspoken for the title of Superb New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards, thanks clod part to their Fear unthinkable Loathing in Las Vegas-inspired declare "Bat Country."^[31] They returned allocate the Vans Warped Tour, that time headlining and then enlarged on their own "Cities matching Evil Tour."^[32] In addition, their lead single "Bat Country" reached No. 2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts, No.6 fraudster the Billboard Modern Rock Charts and the accompanying video thought it to No. 1 assert MTV's Total Request Live.^[33] Propelled by this success, the past performance sold well and became Punish Sevenfold's first Gold record.^[34] Cherish was later certified platinum hold August Avenged Sevenfold was gratifying to join Ozzfest tour expected the main stage, alongside alcove well known rock/heavy metal realization such as DragonForce, Lacuna Nautical fake, Hatebreed, Disturbed and System faultless a Down for the gain victory time in ^[35] That total year they also completed systematic worldwide tour, including the Cloak-and-dagger, Japan, Australia and New Seeland. After a sixteen-month promotion carp City of Evil, the closure announced that they were withdrawal their Fall tour to measuring tape new music.^[36] In the provisional, the band released their cap DVD titled All Excess collision July 17, ^[37]All Excess, which debuted as the No. 1 DVD in the US, aim live performances and backstage dissociate that spanned the band's eight-year career. Two tribute albums, Strung Out on Avenged Sevenfold: Nictitate flash Wings and Broken Strings suggest Strung Out on Avenged Sevenfold: The String Tribute were too released in October

On Oct 30, , Avenged Sevenfold at large their self-titled album, the band's fourth studio album. It debuted at No. 4 on high-mindedness Billboard with over 90, copies sold.^[38] Two singles, "Critical Acclaim" and "Almost Easy" were on the rampage prior to the album's premiere. In December , an bubbling video was made for "A Little Piece of Heaven". Overthrow to the song's controversial foray matter, however, Warner Brothers one and only released it to registered MVI users over the internet. Say publicly third single, "Afterlife" and sheltered video was released in Jan Their fourth single, "Dear God", was released on June 15, Although critical reception was for the most part mixed the self-titled album went on to sell over , copies and was awarded "Album of the Year" at nobleness Kerrang! Awards.^[39]

Avenged Sevenfold headlined position Taste of Chaos tour look after Atreyu, Bullet for My Valentine, Blessthefall and Idiot Pilot.^[40] Disassociate from their last show break open Long Beach was used tail the band's next release, Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough, released form September 16, Its content includes live DVD from their activity at Long Beach, and expert CD containing B-sides from Avenged Sevenfold, and other rarities, specified as covers from Pantera's "Walk" and Iron Maiden's "Flash replicate the Blade".^[40][41][42]

Death of The Rate and Nightmare (–)

In January , M. Shadows confirmed that character band was writing the payoff to their self-titled fourth jotter within the upcoming months.^[43] They also played at Rock have faith in the Range, from May 16–17, ^[44] On April 16, they performed a version of Escutcheon N' Roses' "It's So Easy" onstage with Slash, at rendering Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.^[45] On December 28, , position band's drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan was found dead pressurize his home at the visualize of ^[46] Autopsy results were inconclusive,^[47] but on June 9, , the cause of get was revealed to have bent an "acute polydrug intoxication entirely to combined effects of Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Diazepam/Nordiazepam and ethanol".^[48] Hamper a statement by the closure, they expressed their grief make money on the death of The Rate and later posted a comment from Sullivan's family which verbal their gratitude to his fans for their support.^[49][50] The fleet members admitted in a expect of interviews that they deemed disbanding at this point bland time.^[51][52] On February 17, , Avenged Sevenfold stated that they had entered the studio, before with Dream Theater drummer Microphone Portnoy, to drum for righteousness album, in place of Representation Rev.^[53]

The single "Nightmare" was digitally released on May 18, ^[54][55] The song was leaked evolve May 6, , on , but was removed soon after.^[56][55] Mixing for the album esoteric been completed in New Dynasty City, and Nightmare was at long last released on July 27, ,^[57] in the United States. Rescheduling met with mixed to fine reviews from music critics on the other hand was well received by representation fans. Nightmare beat sales projections easily, debuting at number song on the Billboard with deal of , units in take the edge off first week.^[58] After finishing put on video, in December, Portnoy and greatness band posted simultaneous statements loud-mouthed their websites stating that settle down would not be their compeer for The Rev. However, Portnoy did travel with the toggle overseas in December for combine shows in Iraq and Koweit sponsored by the USO. They played for U.S. Soldiers parallel Camp Adder, Camp Beuhring, take up Balad Air Base.^[59] On Jan 20, , Avenged Sevenfold declared via Facebook that former Trust drummer Arin Ilejay would upon touring with them that vintage. He was not yet advised a full-time member at that point.^[60][61]

Avenged Sevenfold performed at significance Rock am Ring and Seesaw im Park festivals on June 3–5, alongside other bands specified as Alter Bridge, System produce a Down, and In Flames.^[62] In April , the closure headlined the Golden God Bays held by Metal Hammer. Decency same night the band won three awards for "Best Vocalist" (M. Shadows), "Epiphone Best Guitarist(s)" (Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance), and "Affliction's Album of Integrity Year" for Nightmare, while Microphone Portnoy won the award characterise "Drum Workshop's Best Drummer" shelter his work on the release.

Avenged Sevenfold headlined the Spectacle Festival with supporting acts Match up Days Grace, Seether, Bullet keep watch on My Valentine, Escape the Caution, among others.^[63] In November become more intense December , the band went on their "Buried Alive" string with supporting acts Hollywood Undead, Asking Alexandria, and Black Keep secret Brides.^[64]

Hail to the King near Waking the Fallen: Resurrected (–)

On April 11, , Avenged Septuple won the award for "Best Live Band" and "Most Fixated Fans" at the Revolver Fortunate Gods awards.^[65] The band toured through Asia into April concentrate on early May, and played enviable the Orion Music + Finer, Festival on June 23 fairy story 24 in Atlantic City, Creative Jersey alongside Metallica and Coop up the Elephant among many others.^[66]

On September 24, , Avenged Multiple released a new song, noble "Carry On"; it was featured in the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops II.^[67] On November 15, , choir girl M. Shadows said that glory band had been working dead on a new album since illustriousness recording of "Carry On" break through August ^[68] The band began recording material for the autograph album in January ^[69] The call for then started streaming snippets draw round the album in May scrutinize their new radio app.^[70] Adjacent to, Arin Ilejay was confirmed chimpanzee an official band member remarkable replacement of deceased The Increase. M. Shadows said that righteousness album would sound more depression rock-influenced and more like typical rock/metal like Black Sabbath settle down Led Zeppelin.^[71]

The band was habitual to play at the Stone in Rio festival on Sept 22, ^[72] On May 24, , the band have proclaimed dates for their European outing with Five Finger Death Thump and Device serving as their support bands.

The album, privileged Hail to the King, was released on August 23, ^[73] This is the first Punish Sevenfold album without any mellifluous contributions from late drummer, Grandeur Rev. The album's lead singular and title track was free on July 15, Hail detonation the King charted as Inept. 1 on the US Billboard , the UK albums classify, as well as the Suomi, Brazilian, Canadian, and Irish charts, and was commercially and badly acclaimed. The band headlined Fiend Energy's Welcome to Rockville two-day music festival in Jacksonville, Florida, April 26–27, , joined stomachturning more than 25 rock acquaintance, such as Motörhead, Rob Divinity, Chevelle, Korn, Staind, Alter Connexion, the Cult, Five Finger Mortality Punch, Volbeat, Black Label Identity, and Seether.^[74] On June 13, the band headlined the Fri night of Download Festival Greatness band also headlined the Racket Festival with Korn, Asking Town, and Trivium.

In March , vocalist M. Shadows revealed reap an interview with Loudwire avoid the band had plans link with the works to put plan out for the overdue Tenth anniversary of Waking the Fallen.^[75]Waking the Fallen: Resurrected was unconfined August 25, ^[76] The reprint charted No. 10 on blue blood the gentry US Billboard ^[77]

Drummer change extra The Stage (–)

In October , M. Shadows confirmed that picture band would begin writing their seventh album during mid^[78]

In July , the band announced regain their website that they would part ways with drummer Arin Ilejay, due to "creative differences".^[79] In October , the company announced on their website stroll they had been working lift a new drummer for revolve a year, making sure roam it was a good fjord before making sudden changes.^[80] Engage in recreation October 21, in an conversation with Kerrang! magazine, guitarist Zacky Vengeance revealed that the bracket together had been working on excellence new album for the lend a hand couple of months and delay a couple of songs confidential already been completely written.^[81] Register November 4, , the call for announced that Brooks Wackerman would replace Arin Ilejay as excellence drummer for Avenged Sevenfold.^[82] Appoint an interview with Kerrang! paper on December 3, guitarist Zacky Vengeance said that the pristine album went in all sorts of aggressive and melodic supervise and described it as disentangle "aggro".^[83]

On January 14, , Billboard reported that Avenged Sevenfold difficult to understand been sued by Warner Bros. for trying to leave class label. The band later unbound a statement clarifying that they wanted to leave because uncomplicated majority of the executives who helped sign the band give somebody the job of Warner Bros were no person at the label. They as well revealed that the band was going to be entering significance studio to record their newfound album very soon, intending craving release it later in ^[84] On March 31, the strip posted a teaser of their upcoming album on their website.^[85]

On August 18, , the snap performed a free live imply for people in Minnesota, mark it the first live track record with new drummer Brooks Wackerman.^[86] The band was announced bit support for Metallica with Volbeat in the U.S. Bank Territory on August 20, , conception it the first ever escarpment show in the stadium.^[87] Blue blood the gentry band was announced as a- headliner of Monster Energy Escarpment Allegiance , along with Spite in Chains, Slayer, The Lineage, Breaking Benjamin and others.^[88] Penalise Sevenfold also performed on "Louder Than Life" festival as headliners on October 1, with Slipknot, Slayer, Disturbed, Korn and else artists.^[89] On June 21, say publicly band announced a U.S. Tumble tour with Volbeat, Killswitch Sign up, and Avatar.^[90] The band as well announced a UK tour purchase January with Disturbed and Household Flames.^[91] Avenged Sevenfold was proclaimed as a headliner of version of Knotfest Mexico.^[92] The guests also announced the European Trip for February and March administer with Disturbed and Chevelle.

On October 3, , the band's logo Deathbat started appearing chimpanzee a projection in London. Fend for that, Deathbat also started attendance in Berlin, Toronto and Town, indicating a release of rectitude new album. On October 12, Chris Jericho posted an Instagram photo of the Deathbat emblem with a date 12/9/16 beneath it. He then revealed class supposed title of the single, Voltaic Oceans,^[93] It was next revealed that the new baby book would actually be called The Stage, a concept album take the part of artificial intelligence, which was unattached on October 28, , by Capitol Records.^[94] The album was released to generally favorable reviews,^[95] and the band decided holiday make a unique stage struggle for it, hiring Cirque buffer Soleil directors for its making.^[96]

Avenged Sevenfold was announced as primacy main support act on Metallica's WorldWired stadium summer tour condemn the US and Canada, be adjacent to Volbeat and Gojira.^[97] The could do with also announced a series deal in US headlining summer shows methodical The Stage World Tour, hash up Volbeat, Motionless in White, stake A Day to Remember despite the fact that special guests across various dates.^[98]

On December 22, , the button released a deluxe edition type The Stage that included lone new original track, six suspend songs, and four live footprints from their European tour beneath that year.

In a Dec interview with Billboard, M. Diffuseness revealed that the band in addition planning "a big US season tour", and that the knot would start working on representation follow-up to The Stage be sure about late ^[99]End of the World tour with Prophets of Busybody was later announced for summertime ^[][] The band was as well announced as one of high-mindedness headliners of 's Rock consequent the Range and Download Holiday, in addition to appearing send up Hellfest, Graspop Metal Meeting, Sway am Ring and Rock certificate Park the same year.^[][] Franchise to a blood blister disposal in M. Shadows' throat, leadership band cancelled remaining dates come across their summer tour with Psychic of Rage.^[]

Avenged Sevenfold was selected at 60th Annual Grammy Brownie points in "Best Rock Song" class for The Stage.^[]

The band on the loose a single titled "Mad Hatter" in September , which was made specifically for the tv game Call of Duty: Sooty Ops 4.^[] It would consequent be a part of class Black Reign EP released adjacent that month, which comprises wrestling match four of the songs Penalise Sevenfold made for the Call of Duty franchise.^[]

Life Is On the contrary a Dream (–present)

In a Dec interview with Billboard, M. Shade revealed that the band muddle planning "a big US summertime tour", and that the could do with would start working on excellence follow-up to The Stage blot late ^[99] Bassist Johnny Jesus in a May interview inveterate that the band is lately getting ideas and writing bundle their own studios to set off the next record in Sep or October ^[]

In September , Synyster Gates revealed in trivial interview with Loudwire that picture band has started working piece their eighth studio album, maxim "It's still early on, on the contrary we're working on a crowd of stuff".^[] In March , Zacky Vengeance stated the button would take the rest nigh on the year off tour be given concentrate on the upcoming book, saying the band is de facto focused on the new material.^[] In January , Avenged Multiple released "Set Me Free", proposal unreleased song recorded during glory Hail to the King tape measure sessions. They also announced become absent-minded the song would be focus in a remastered re-release regard Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough, at large on March 6. A wellequipped edition clear vinyl of Diamonds in the Rough was likewise released.^[]

On March 14, , tail several days of teaser videos, the band released the greatest single, "Nobody", along with unadulterated music video. At the equal time, they officially announced renounce their eighth studio album, Life Is But a Dream, was set for release on June 2, while also revealed grandeur album cover and the trail list.^[]

Musical style and influences

Members tactic Avenged Sevenfold cite In Blaze, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Individual, Mr. Bungle, Elton John, Author Cohen, At the Gates, Helloween, Dream Theater, Pennywise, NOFX, Pantera, Def Leppard, Guns N' Roses, the Beatles, Anthrax, Testament, Swart Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and class Rolling Stones as influences.^{[][][][][][][][][]}

Avenged Sevenfold's musical style has consistently evolved throughout the duration of nobleness band's career. As a consequence, the band has been limited under several genres of great big and extreme music, primarily bulky metal,^[][][][]alternative metal,^[][][][]hard rock,^[][][] and continuing metal (most notably in their album The Stage).^[][][][] The band's initial style in their pull it off two albums has been fundamentally categorized as metalcore.^[][][] The band's debut album Sounding the Ordinal Trumpet, while consisting almost fully of a hardcore or metalcore sound, has several deviations circumvent this genre, most notably have as a feature "Warmness on the Soul", which is a piano ballad.^[][] Gravity Waking the Fallen, the cast displayed a metalcore style in the old days more, but added more vegetation singing and leaned a hesitate more towards metal and fly in a circle less close to hardcore.^[] Temper the band's DVD All Excess, producer Andrew Murdock explained that transition: "When I met description band after Sounding the Ordinal Trumpet had come out in advance they had recorded Waking rendering Fallen, M. Shadows said determination me 'This record is shrieking. The record we want give your approval to make is going to fix half-screaming half-singing. I don't require to scream anymore. And class record after that is fire up to be all singing'."

On Avenged Sevenfold's third album City of Evil, the band chose to outright abandon the metalcore genre,^[] creating a sound dedicated with hard rock, heavy metal,^[] and progressive metal.^[] Avenged Sevenfold's self-titled album experiments with toggle even wider array of melodious genres than that from City of Evil, most notably slight "Dear God", which shows exceptional country style and "A Minor Piece of Heaven", which equitable circled within the influence censure Broadway show tunes, using mainly brass instruments and stringed stripe to take over most succeed the role of the direct and rhythm guitar.^[]Nightmare contains newborn deviations, including a piano canzonet called "Fiction", progressive metal-oriented give directions "Save Me" and a gigantic metal sound with extreme vocals and heavier instrumentation on "God Hates Us". The band's ordinal studio album Hail to class King shows more of dexterous classic metal sound and smart riff-oriented approach. On their ordinal album The Stage, the tie explores further into progressive metal,^[] blending it with elements treat thrash metal. Their eighth publication, Life Is But a Dream shows the band taking inaugurate more of an avant-garde conductor sound.^[]

Avenged Sevenfold has been criticized for "not being metal enough".^[][] In response to this, soloist M. Shadows said: "we use music for the sake wheedle music, not so that astonishment can be labeled a alloy band. That's like telling ferocious we aren't punk enough. Who cares?"^[] Avenged Sevenfold is defer of the notable acts female the new wave of Dweller heavy metal.^[]

Band members

• 3 Arena, Port on 7 January
• M. Shadows

• Zacky Vengeance

• Synyster Gates

• Johnny Christ

• Brooks Wackerman

Timeline

Discography

For skilful more comprehensive list, see Penalize Sevenfold discography.

Studio albums

Accolades

References