Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold (often abbreviated A7X) is a band formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1999. It is hard to generalize the band's sound and pigeonhole them into one specific genre, as their style is constantly changing and evolving. Some label them a metal band, others label them a hard rock band. There is no right or wrong answer.

The band is made up of M. Shadows on vocals, Synyster Gates on lead guitar, Zacky Vengeance on rhythm guitar and Johnny Christ on bass. They currently have Arin Ilejay playing drums for them, and he has been with the band as their touring drummer since the start of 2011. The band have all stated that they love him and hope to make him a permanent member of the band following the death of their original drummer -The Rev - in 2009, if he proves to be able to write well in the studio with them when it comes to working on their sixth album.

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Avenged Sevenfold's sound has changed drastically over the years. When they first started out, they were a part of the Orange County hardcore/metalcore scene. With heavy riffs and screaming vocals, their debut album - Sounding the Seventh Trumpet - is a million miles away from the more melodic, rocky sound of their latest release - Nightmare.

The band have stated many times that they write music for themselves and nobody else. They don't write to please anybody, and they write the music that they want to write - music that they'd want to hear. Unlike many other bands, they don't write with the intention of pleasing their fans. They know that the majority of their fanbase is used to expecting change, and adapts with them as their music and style evolves.

Recently, the band's frontman - M. Shadows - has revealed that their sixth studio album, that they are currently in the process of writing, will have a more Black Sabbath/Led Zeppelin feel.

On December 28th, 2009, the lives of the Avenged Sevenfold band members and their millions of fans around the world changed forever when the band's drummer - Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan - tragically passed away unexpectedly at the age of 29.

For months following The Rev's untimely death, it was unclear whether the band would continue on or not. They stated that they knew they had to finish off the album they were currently working on (Nightmare), in honor of Jimmy, as it would contain the last piece of music that he worked on. For the recording of the record, they enlisted the help of Jimmy's favorite drummer, Mike Portnoy, to play his parts and help them complete the album. Portnoy also offered his services to the band and played with them on tour throughout 2010.

One of the most touching inclusions on 2010's Nightmare was the song "Fiction", which featured The Rev's original vocals from the demo he had handed to M. Shadows just three days before his passing. He'd eerily titled the song "Death", and the lyrics to the song are almost like a farewell from Jimmy, telling his band mates and fans world wide that they would find their way without him. The band changed the name of the song to "Fiction" in Jimmy's memory, due to the "FICTION" tattoo the drummer had down his chest and stomach. The meaning behind the tattoo was because Jimmy had said that his life was like fiction, and if he was to tell his story to people they wouldn't believe him.

So Far Away is the first song that guitarist, Synyster Gates, has written lyrically entirely on his own. The song is his goodbye to his best friend of 18 years, and the accompanying music video is as touching as they come.

It has been widely said that when it comes to Avenged Sevenfold, people either absolutely love them, or absolutely hate them. There's rarely a middle ground. Which side do you stand on?

Do you love or hate Avenged Sevenfold?

Image credited to myself.

One of the things that Avenged Sevenfold is well known for is the amazing live show that they deliver to their fans. Filled with lights and pyro, the band have entertained fans all over the world with incredibly energetic live displays. In 2012, they received the award for "Best Live Band" at the Revolver Golden God awards in Los Angeles, California.

Throughout their shows in 2012, Avenged Sevenfold recorded footage to be included on their second live DVD, which as of the time of writing doesn't yet have a release date.

Avenged Sevenfold have talked recently about a second live DVD. While we don't know when to expect the release of this new concert footage, here are two DVDs to keep you occupied until the wait is over!

The fans of Avenged Sevenfold are widely known as some of the most dedicated in the world. Known as the Avenged Sevenfold Family, the fans are passionate and loyal, and there are thousands worldwide with tattoos honoring their heroes. In 2012, Avenged Sevenfold picked up the award for "Most Dedicated Fans" at the Revolver Golden God awards and guitarist, Zacky Vengeance, tweeted that it was the most important award he had ever won, and that he was prouder than ever.

The Avenged Sevenfold Family is not just a moniker that somebody came up with... it is as real as anything. The band themselves recognize their fans as family and M. Shadows has stated more than once that it was the fans that made them continue on as a band following the loss of The Rev. The band received letters, emails, presents, poems, scrapbooks and many other gifts in an outpouring of love and support to them.