Avenged Sevenfold
American heavy metal band known for evolving sound and dramatic imagery.
Avenged Sevenfold, also called A7X, is an American heavy metal band founded in 1999 in Huntington Beach, California. They are recognized for their varied rock style and theatrical album art and merchandise. The group has sold over eight million albums worldwide and was placed 47th on Loudwire's ranking of the top 50 metal bands.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Huntington Beach, California, U.S.
- Discography
- Avenged Sevenfold discography
- Genre
- Heavy metal
- progressive metal
- alternative metal
- hard rock
- metalcore (early)
- Years active
- 1999–present
- Label
- Good Life
- Hopeless
- Warner
- Capitol
- Spinoffs
- Pinkly Smooth
- Current members
- M. Shadows
- Zacky Vengeance
- Synyster Gates
- Johnny Christ
- Brooks Wackerman
- Past members
- Matt Wendt
- Justin Sane
- Dameon Ash
- The Rev
- Arin Ilejay
Facts from the source article.
History
Avenged Sevenfold came together in 1999 in Huntington Beach, California. The founding members were Matt Sanders, James Sullivan, Zachary Baker, and Matt Wendt. Sanders picked the band's name, which draws from the biblical story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:24, though the group does not have a religious focus. Before forming the band, all four had played in other groups: Sanders sang and Wendt played bass in the punk band Successful Failure, Baker played guitar in Society Down and MPA, and Sullivan drummed for the ska band Suburban Legends. Their first recording was a three-song demo made in October 1999 at A-Room Studios in Orange County. They played their debut show on February 11, 2000, at Walnut City Hall in California. After being asked by Sadistic Records to appear on two compilations, the band recorded two new songs and combined them with the earlier ones for a second demo. That demo led to a deal with the Belgian label Good Life Recordings. Wendt then left to attend college, and Justin Meacham, who had played bass in Suburban Legends, took his place. In late 2000, the members adopted stage names: M. Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, Justin Sane, and The Rev. They recorded their first album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet. Early in 2001, Synyster Gates joined as lead guitarist, and the band re-recorded the opening track "To End the Rapture" for the EP Warmness on the Soul, released in April 2001. The debut album followed on July 24, 2001, through Good Life Recordings.
Artistry
Avenged Sevenfold's musical style has evolved consistently, leading to categorization under heavy metal, alternative metal, hard rock, and progressive metal. Their early work on Sounding the Seventh Trumpet and Waking the Fallen was primarily metalcore, with the debut incorporating hardcore and metalcore elements alongside a piano ballad, while the second album increased clean singing and leaned more toward heavy metal. According to M. Shadows, the band aimed to be both the heaviest and most melodic band of their time. Producer Andrew Murdock noted that Shadows planned a progression from screaming to half-screaming half-singing to all singing. Zacky Vengeance recalled that during the Waking the Fallen cycle, the band encouraged Shadows to sing melodies instead of screaming, discovering his vocal ability. The band's influences include a wide range of artists such as Hot Water Music, Alice in Chains, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Slayer, Mr. Bungle, Elton John, Leonard Cohen, At the Gates, Dream Theater, Pennywise, NOFX, Pantera, Def Leppard, Guns N' Roses, the Beatles, Anthrax, Testament, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones, among others.
Legacy
Avenged Sevenfold is considered a notable act of the new wave of American heavy metal and part of the "Big Four of 2000s metal" alongside Slipknot, Lamb of God and System of a Down. Loudwire described them as "the archetypal metalcore-turned-dad-rock band" due to their stylistic change on Hail to the King. Despite this classification, some have questioned whether the band is "metal enough." Vocalist M. Shadows responded that they play music for its own sake, not for a label, and dismissed genre debates. Eli Enis of Revolver noted that fans of extreme metal might not consider them metal. Regarding mainstream exposure through MTV's Total Request Live, Zacky Vengeance remarked that having a five-and-a-half-minute song with guitar solos and tattooed band members at No. 1 felt like a joke on mainstream music. M. Shadows recalled that 80 percent of City of Evil buyers were existing fans, while 20 percent were TRL viewers. Zacky Vengeance observed that MTV success did not guarantee respect from Ozzfest audiences, who valued longevity over commercial visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which record labels has Avenged Sevenfold released music on?
Avenged Sevenfold has released music on Good Life, Hopeless, Warner and Capitol.
Who are the current members of Avenged Sevenfold?
The current members of Avenged Sevenfold are listed as M. Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, Synyster Gates, Johnny Christ and Brooks Wackerman.
More in American Alternative Metal Musical Groups
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