Band of the Week #8- Avenged Sevenfold

History:

The band formed in 1999 in Huntington Beach California by Matt Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, The Rev, and Matt Wendt, who would be later replaced by Justin Sane. Lead guitarist Synyster Gates would join the band at the end of 1999, making the metalcore band a five piece. They recorded their debut album Sounding the Seventh Trumpet in 2001 and toured with it up until Justin Sane attempted suicide via cough syrup. He was placed in a mental ward and was replaced by Johnny Christ. They would go on to release their next record Waking the Fallen in 2003, an album that sounded much more mature and refined than their debut record. Songs such as Chapter Four and Unholy Confessions greatly stood out in this record. The band would soon be signed to Warner Bros. Records.

In 2005, they released City of Evil. This album differed greatly from their other previous two records on a lot of levels. For one, the songs were much longer than before, plus there is no screaming on this record. Instead, Matt decided to obtain a grittier voice, while still maintaining the core 'sound' of the band. The album was a mainstream success and it really put the band on the map. They toured the album for two years, and then use that very same momentum to release their self titled album in 2007. It garnered great reviews and the fans enjoyed the record as well, but the enjoyment would slowly turn into sadness on December 28th, 2009 when Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan died of a drug overdose. The band faltered for a bit thereafter, but released their fifth album dedicated to the Rev, entitled Nightmare. The record was a very emotional one for both the fans and the band since they were all one big family. Mike Portnoy, Ex- Dream Theater drummer played drums on this record, and even toured with them for the subsequent tour. The band did work with Activision and their Call of Duty Series for the next three years. In 2013, they released their most recent effort, Hail To The King, a old school metal album featuring their new drummer Arin Illejay from the metalcore band Confide.

My Thoughts:

I got into Avenged Sevenfold around my sophomore year of high school, which would be around four yers ago. I got hooked onto the band because of their hard hitting tracks like Bat Country, Unholy Confessions, Crossroads, MIA, Brompton Cocktail, and Chapter Four, all stunning tracks in their own right. The band has always kept a fresh sound, thus keeping them moving and advancing musically. Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates are a fantastic guitar duo, and Shadows' vocals are fantastic, very unique and distinct. Johnny Christ is a good bassist, and connected well with The Rev, an insanely talented and energetic drummer in his own right. I can't wait for the band's next album!