Avenged Sevenfold Research Paper

Avenged Sevenfold

Edward Holly

Professor Pellegrino

Music 125

December 10 2014

Avenged Sevenfold an all American hard metal rock band, the band originally started in

Huntington Beach California their first album was released in 2001(Sounding the Seventh

Trumpets). The band’s original members were Matthew Sanders also known as M Shadows

(vocals), Zachary Baker aka Zacky Vengeance (rhythm guitar) and James Sullivan aka The Rev

(drummer), short for The Reverend Tholomew Plaque. The original bassist Dameon Ash and

Justin Sane were later replaced by Johnny Seward aka Johnny Christ. James Sullivan had a side

project as a lead singer in a band named Pinkley Smooth, lead guitarist was Brian Haner,

Jr. aka

Synyster Gates, son of Brian Haner Sr. also a musician and song writer. It wasn’t until later that

both bands would merge to become one, consisting of M Shadows, The Rev, Synyster Gates,

Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ. Still being young the original sound was very raw and

leaning towards punk consisting of a lot of screaming and fast pace rhythms, with M Shadows

adding soulful singing in between all of the screaming. Their first album, Sounding the

Seventh Trumpet was followed by Waking the Fallen also known as the Black album. Waking

the Fallen was the album that made the first big splash in the underground scene, it’s where as a

band they started creating their identity, becoming more technical and more complex on their

music. The next Album (City of Evil) is noticeably more mature and disciplined, staying true to

their sound with lots of background vocals, that every band member was a part of. With lengthy

songs and lots of guitar solos along with energizing drumming, City of Evil touched mainstream

with the hit song Bat Country along with The Beast and the Harlot, Seize the day, sidewinder

and M.I.A. Other albums included self-titled album also known as the white album, followed by

Diamonds in the rough, Nightmare and more recently Hail to the King which is also a tribute to

80s and 90s rock. Soundtracks, theme songs, singles, compilations and cover songs were also

other projects worked on by the band along with guest appearances with other bands. Some

achievements by the band range from, “Bat Country” in 2006 being number one on MTV and

TRL most requested song, 2007 Avenged Sevenfold number one on Billboard Album “Rock

Album,”2010 “So Far Away” number one on US Billboard Hot Mainstream rock, 2012

Nightmare number one on Billboard Album for top rock albums, Revolver Golden Gods award

for best live bands along with best album of the year 2011 Nightmare, 2011 Bandit Rock Awards

for best international group and the list goes on.

41 nominations and 30 Awards ranging from

number one songs to number one albums, best live performers, best drummer to best guitar solos

along with best guitarist duo (Synyster Gates, Zachy Vengeance). Unfortunately on December

28, 2009 at the age of 28, the “Rev” James Owen Sullivan died from a combination of heart

condition and oxycodone overdose. The last album he worked on was Nightmare; the last song

he wrote was fiction from the Nightmare album, shortly after his death Mike Portnoy joined the

band as a temporary replacement, ex drummer of Dream Theater. Eventually Mike Portnoy left

the band and was replaced by Arin Ilejay, a member that had traveled with the band since 2011.

Mike Portnoy only was temporary to finish the drum production of Nightmare and to tour for the

album, but the band was in agreement it was only temporary, the band did not want to disrupt

the

chemistry nor wanted one band members name bigger than the band itself like “Avenged

Sevenfold and Mike Portnoy”.Arin Ilejay has proven to be a great addition to the band and seems

to have good chemistry, he is young but brings energy and looks to be a great drummer for the future.

Avenged Sevenfold takes me back to 1999, were I first heard them at the warped Tour in

California, I thought they were a good punk band with a twist of emo. It wasn’t until I heard

Unholy Confession from the album “Waking the Fallen,” where I knew I got hooked as a fan.

Being a Metallica fan, Guns and Roses, Led Zeppelin, Pantera and Pink Floyd, it reminded me of

good guitar solos and songs that were longer than three minutes. Every album they have maid

has kept their signature sound, but in addition has added new elements like, strings, pianos lots

of percussion and classic combination of acoustic mixed with metal guitars. It’s what intrigued

me to continue listening to the band; even today I’m always anticipating a new release. Their

music reminds me of being younger and hanging out with friends going to concerts and parties

having a good time. Of course during the years their music has been around at different times of

my life, meaning different situations occurring in my life. Their music has always been there

through good and bad, it’s probably what keeps me being a fan of their music, it touches on a lot

of subjects and with the great music it adds more emotion and emphasis to the lyrics. I would say one of my emotional connections to the band is that I’ve shared their music with friends and

family, particularly with one of my younger brother who is no longer with us. My brother passed

away at the age of 19, we had gone to see Avenged Sevenfold in concert more than one time and

always had a blast. There are many songs that remind me of those moments like, Seize the Day,

Bat Country and Dear God, every time I hear those songs, it’s like being their all over. It also

reminds me of my wife, when we first started dating it was a band we both enjoyed, we also used

one of their songs in our wedding, “Warmness of the Soul” from the album “Sounding of the

Seven Trumpets”. The band has been a part of my life for the last 15 years, and they only seem

to get better and more experienced.

There have been many critics of the band from musicians to the general public, over the

course of their career. In the beginning many criticized that the band was trying to be like Guns

and Roses, in the context of the singing and the guitar playing. Avenged Sevenfold when they

started they looked up to bands like Iron Maiden, Pantera and Led Zeppelin so naturally their

style had to consist of some of the elements. Other issues by bands was the technics the Rev

had on producing the drum parts, he would first use a combination of drum machines and

different systems to produce the sound, and then he would bring them to life. They have also

been criticized for their style of dressing; the thought was their style of dressing does not fit the

direction of their music. They have been compared to many different bands like, Bullet for My

Valentine, Senses Fail and Good Charlotte. During the self-titled album, the lead singer (M

Shadows) had an operation on his throat from his singing, most critics including fans felt he

would not be able to sing again, lead alone scream. The most recent remark has been on their

new Album “Hail to the King”, that it did not live up to the expectations, in comparison to the

last album Nightmare. Of course the biggest criticism they received was after the passing of the

Rev, many believed the band would not be able to survive. In my opinion the band has shown to

be resilient, they have gone through different stages of their life and in their careers. In time they

have shown to grow as persons and musicians, by listening to their albums from the beginning to

the present you will see the diverse sound, but will also hear their signature sound. Every album

is different in its own way, they show lots of respect to all the bands before them that lead the

way, and in return these same bands have shown respect back for their work. They have a great

stage presents along with their live sound, it’s always a big anticipation from their fans on a new

release or even a new song. Love them or hate them critics are always waiting for a new release

just to critic, from professional critics to non-professionals. If I had to say where I see this band

in 15 to 20 years, I would say still performing, probably even bigger. Most bands can’t sustain

after their first or second album, and get lost in time or become one hit wonders, but Avenged

Sevenfold has 15 years in counting. The sound is becoming more classic sounding, in time most

people will probably remember them as a classic band, they have become well recognized

around the world and have been touring for years now, and have still managed to sustain their

fan base here in the states.in conclusion I enjoy this band, so regards of opinions, I suppose

mines the only one that matters.

References

Epstein, Dan. "Interview With Avenged Sevenfold Front Man M. Shadows." Revolver 30 May 2014. Print.

Flory, Andrew, and John Covach. Whats That Sound: An Introduction To Rock And Its History. 3rd ed. New York,New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2012. Print.

Nusca, Andrew. "Jimmy Sullivan: His Last Cover Story." Drum 16 Sept. 2011: 1-4. Print.