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Avenged Sevenfold

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Avenged Sevenfold

Avenged Sevenfold, also known as A7X, is a hard rock band from Huntington Beach, California, United States.

The band was formed in 1999 (which is the number on Zacky V's Schecter, but flipped upside down). Avenged Sevenfold's first album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, was recorded when the band members were eighteen years old. It was originally released on their first label, Goodlife Recordings. After lead guitarist Synyster Gates (also known by Brian Haner Jr.) joined the band, the introductory track "To End The Rapture" was re-recorded with Gates playing, and the album was re-released on Hopeless Records. Their follow-up album, entitled Waking the Fallen, was also released on Hopeless Records and was awarded a positive rating in Rolling Stone magazine. Shortly after its release, Avenged Sevenfold were signed to Warner Bros. Records.

City of Evil, the third album which was released on June 7 2005, strayed from metalcore, and instead headed more towards heavy metal and adds a harder rock sound with influences ranging from various bands. During the recording of City of Evil, M. Shadows' vocal styling changed to focus more on melodic singing rather than hardcore screaming. Some cite the change in vocal style as consequence of vocal chord damage (that resulted in subsequent surgery) during a tour supporting Waking the Fallen. Despite obvious obstacles, Shadows denies the injury as being the reason.

The band's name is a reference to the book of Genesis in The Bible where Cain is sentenced to live in exile for the crime of murdering his brother. God marked him so that none would kill him on account of his sin; the man who dared to kill Cain would have "vengeance taken upon him sevenfold." The title of Avenged Sevenfold's song "Chapter Four" references Genesis 4:15, the chapter of the Bible in which the story of Cain and Abel takes place. The song's subject also appears to be this story. "Beast and the Harlot", yet another song derived from the Bible, comes from the book of Revelation only it is written in the first person and refers to the punishment of Babylon the Great, world empire and seat of false religion. Another Bible reference occurs in the song "The Wicked End". In the song, several times it is said "dust the apple off, savor each bite, and deep inside you know Adam was right." making reference to Eve eating the forbidden fruit. Although the band's title and members' stage names make references to religion, Shadows stated in an interview that they are "not really religious at all." "Anyone that read the lyrics and really knew anything about us, they would know we're not promoting either", he said. "That's one thing about this band that I love is that we never really shove any kind of, like, political or religious beliefs on people. We just, the music's there to entertain and maybe thought-provoking on both sides, but we don't try to, like, really shove anything down anyone's throat. There's too many bands that do that nowadays, I think." [1]

The song "Bat Country" is a reference to the book/movie "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". The song is dedicated to the Author of the book, the late Hunter S. Thompson.

Their song "Blinded In Chains" was used in the soundtrack for the video games Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Arena Football. "Bat Country" was used in the soundtracks for SSX on Tour, NHL 06 and Madden 06, following in the footsteps of "Chapter Four" which had also been on the soundtrack for NHL 2004, Madden 2004 and NASCAR Thunder 2004. The song "Beast and the Harlot" was in the soundtrack for Burnout Revenge. All the above games, not coincidentally, are produced by various divisions of Electronic Arts. "Beast and the Harlot" also appears in RedOctane's Guitar Hero II, released in November 7, 2006. The song "Burn it Down" is featured on the October 24th, 2006 release of the Saw III soundtrack.

During recent tours, spring 2006 tour and Ozzfest 2006), Avenged Sevenfold have been performing the song "Walk", originally by Pantera, as part of a tribute to the late "Dimebag" Darrell Lance Abbott.

At the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, Avenged Sevenfold received the award for best new artist. They took the award over several other artists like Angels and Airwaves and James Blunt. After canceling fall and winter 2006 tour dates, the band is planning their unnamed fourth studio album. M. Shadows has stated that it will not be a "City of Evil Part 2" or "Waking the Fallen Part 2", because they want to change their sound once more. They say it will be somewhat of a surprise to their fans.[2]

Warner Bros. Records have confirmed an Avenged Sevenfold DVD will be released on July 15, 2007.

I mean, this band sucks.

Former Band members

  • Dameon Ash - bass (2001-2002)
  • Justin Sane - bass (1999-2001)

Equipment

Synyster Gates

  • Schecter White C-1 FR with Seymour Duncan Invaders
  • Schecter Avenger Models
    • Jim Dunlop Cry Baby From Hell Wah Pedal
    • Digitech Whammy Pedal
    • Visual Sound H20 Chorus/Echo Pedal
    • Boss CS-3 Compressor
    • Boss RV-5 Reverb
    • Boss SD-1 Overdrive (For Leads)
    • Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter
    • Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2
    • GCX Ground Control Pro (Located on floor for Pedal Switching)
    • Bogner Ubershall Head and 4x12 Cab
    • Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Roadster Head
    • Krank revolution amp head and cabinet
    • Ernie Ball 2215 Skinny top Heavy Bottom Strings

Syn has been seen using Schecter Banshee models on special occasions

Zacky Vengeance

  • Schecter S-1 Models
    • Boss NS-2 Noise Suppression
    • Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner
    • Boss RV-5 Reverb
    • Line 6 Constrictor
    • Bogner shall Head and 4x12 Cab
    • Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Head
    • Krank revolution amp head and cabinet
    • Ernie Ball 2215 Skinny Top Heavy Bottom Strings

Johnny Christ

  • Ernie Ball Musicman Sterling Bass
    • Gallien Krueger 412 Neo cab
    • Gallien Krueger 2001 RB Head
    • Ernie Ball 2831 Power Slinky Bass Strings

Uses distortion from Gallien Krueger 2001 RB Head

The Rev.

  • DW w/ maple shells (White lacquer finish/ Black Hardware)
    • 18x22" Bass (x2)
    • 8"x7", 10"x9", 12x10" Rack Toms
    • 14"x12" 16x14" Floor Toms (set at extreme angles)
    • 4x14" Maple Snare
  • Hardware:
    • DW 9000 series with all boom stands and 9000 series pedals
  • Cymbals:
    • Sabian
    • 14"AAX Metal Hi-Hats, 8" Max-Stax Splash, 10" AAX Metal Splash, 18" AAX Metal Crash(x2), 22" AAX Metal Ride, 19" AAX Metal China

Discography

Demo Recordings

For information, see Early Avenged Sevenfold releases.

Albums

Singles

Date of release Title Label Other Info
2001 Warmness on the Soul Goodlife Recordings
August 30 2003 Unholy Confessions Hopeless Records
September 19 2005 Bat Country Warner Bros.
February 6 2006 Beast and the Harlot Warner Bros.
June 12 2005 Burn It Down Warner Bros. CD/Vinyl Release only.
July 10 2006 Seize the Day Warner Bros. Currently not available as a CD or vinyl.

Charting Positions

Year Title Chart Positions Album
US Hot 100 US Mainstream Rock US Modern Rock UK Singles Chart
2001 "Warmness on the Soul" - - - - Warmness on the Soul
2003 "Unholy Confessions" - - - - Waking the Fallen
2005 "Bat Country" #60 #2 #6 #84 City Of Evil
2006 "Beast and the Harlot" - #19 #40 #44 City Of Evil
2006 "Seize the Day" - #17 - - City Of Evil

Videography

Compilations

Date Title Notes Link
March 2001 Warmness on the Soul Professional video (Video)
March 6, 2004 Unholy Confessions Live video with dubbed music (Video)
June 2005 Burn it Down Live video with dubbed music
July 28, 2005 Bat Country Professional video directed by Marc Klasfeld (video from Bedlam Society)
February 6, 2006 Beast and the Harlot Professional video directed by Tony Petrossian
June 30, 2006 Seize the Day Professional video directed by Wayne Isham
Date Title Label Song/s
2002 Plea for Peace/Take Action! Vol. 2 Subcity Records "Turn the Other Way"
2003 Take Action! Vol. 3 Subcity Records "Chapter Four"
2003 Warped Tour 2003 CD SideOne Dummy Records Darkness Surrounding
2003 Metal=Life CD/DVD Subcity Records "Unholy Confessions" & Video
2003 Operation: Punk Rock Freedom Hopeless Records / Subcity Records "Chapter Four" & "Darkness Surrounding"
2004 Hopelessly Devoted to You Vol. 4 Hopeless Records / Subcity Records "Second Heartbeat" & "Darkness Surrounding"
2005 Hopelessly Devoted to You Vol. 5 Hopeless Records / Subcity Records "Chapter Four" & "Eternal Rest (Live)" (feat. "Unholy Confessions" video on Enhanced CD)
2005 Masters of Horror Soundtrack "Beast and the Harlot" (live)
2006 Kerrang! - High Voltage: A Brief History of Rock[3] "Walk" (Pantera cover)
2006 Hopelessly Devoted to You Vol. 6 Hopeless Records / Subcity Records "Darkness Surrounding" & "Unholy Confessions" (feat. "Unholy Confessions" video and "We Come Out at Night" live at Warped Tour 2003 video on included DVD)
2006 Kerrang! - Kerrang! Awards 2006 "Beast And The Harlot"

Trivia

  • Zacky Vengeance owns his own clothing line, called "Zacky V. Presents..." It features the popular "Vengeance University" line, featuring shirts, belt buckles and hoodies. Each of his items are labled with 6661 which is upside down for the year that the band Avenged Sevenfold started. [4].
  • Synyster Gates also has a clothing line, titled "Syn Gates Clothing."
  • The Rev and Synyster were both members of the band Pinkly Smooth, formed with members of the now-extinct band Ballistico. The Rev sang and also recorded drums. Former Avenged Sevenfold bassist, Justin Sane, was also in the band.
  • The Rev and former bassist Justin Sane also used to be in the Ska/Pop/Rock band Suburban Legends, also from Orange County.
  • The group won "Best New Artist" at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, despite not truly being a new band. The band themselves gave an incentive to those who voted for them (live, unreleased videos for "Seize the Day" and "Bat Country")
  • Synyster Gates' father, Brian Haner plays some of the acoustic guitars on City of Evil, including the first acoustic solo on the song Sidewinder and Strength of the World. He is often referred to as the band's official acoustic guitarist.
  • The song "Beast and the Harlot" was featured in 2006 PlayStation2's Guitar Hero II under the setlist Face-Melters. It also appears in the Xbox 360 port of the game.
  • The idea from the song Beast and the Harlot, and many of the lyrics, were taken from the Book of Revelation, the final book of the Bible. Much of the song appears in chapters 20-25.
  • Zacky V came up with 6661 which represents the year the band was formed, inverted; Zacky can be seen sporting on stage his 6661 belt buckles.
  • In an episode of "Bones" you can hear the song "Bat Country" in the background of a party.
  • In the movie "Big Mommas House II" you can hear part of the song "Bat Country" in the back ground at a night club.
  • In The Playstation 2 Game "Burnout Revenge" , an edited version of "Beast and The Harlot" is a Soundtrack Song
  • In an episode of Always Sunny in Philadelphia, You can see an avenged sticker in the bathroom at their bar.
  • In the music video for "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood you can see a woman in the background wearing an A7X tank top.
  • Avenged Sevenfold's vocalist M. Shadows will be appearing on country rapper Cowboy Troy's new CD.
  • The Song "Bat Country" Heavily influenced by Hunter S Thompson's Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas. The Begining of the Music Video Starts off like the actual movie, quoting " He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ [2]


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