Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold, often abbreviated as A7X, is an American heavy metal band formed in 1999 in Huntington Beach, California. The band is known for their diverse musical style, blending elements of heavy metal, hard rock, and metalcore. The original line-up consisted of vocalist M. Shadows, guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Matt Wendt, and drummer The Rev (James Sullivan), with lead guitarist Synyster Gates joining shortly after.

Avenged Sevenfold gained early recognition with their debut album "Sounding the Seventh Trumpet" (2001), but it was their third album, "City of Evil" (2005), that propelled them to mainstream success. This album featured a more polished, hard rock-oriented sound, highlighted by the hit singles "Bat Country" and "Beast and the Harlot."

The band's fourth album, the self-titled "Avenged Sevenfold" (2007), continued their ascent with tracks like "Almost Easy" and "Afterlife." However, the band faced a major setback with the untimely death of The Rev in 2009. Despite this tragedy, Avenged Sevenfold persevered, recruiting drummer Mike Portnoy (formerly of Dream Theater) to complete their fifth album, "Nightmare" (2010). This album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and included the successful singles "Nightmare" and "So Far Away."

In the following years, Avenged Sevenfold released "Hail to the King" (2013), which showcased a more classic metal sound and included the popular title track. They continued to experiment with their sound on subsequent albums, such as "The Stage" (2016), which incorporated progressive and conceptual elements.

Known for their elaborate live performances and intricate musicianship, Avenged Sevenfold has built a dedicated fan base worldwide. Their ability to evolve and blend various metal and rock styles has kept them relevant in the ever-changing music landscape. The band's line-up has seen some changes over the years, with Brooks Wackerman currently serving as the drummer.

Avenged Sevenfold's impact on modern metal is significant, with their extensive discography, technical prowess, and dynamic performances ensuring their place as one of the leading bands in the genre.