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Avenged Sevenfold are (from left to right): M. Shadows (vocals), Johnny Christ (bass), Synyster Gates (guitars, vocals), Zacky Vengeance (guitars/vocals); not pictured: studio/live member Mike Portnoy (drums)
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Latest projects: A new studio album, “Nightmare"
Sounds like: The snarl of early Metallica mixed with the more grandiose vibes of Guns N’ Roses
Biggest claim to fame: “Nightmare” debuted last summer at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart, knocking off Eminem
Official website: http://www.avengedsevenfold.com
Peel away the cartoony image of Avenged Sevenfold—the “evil” sounding band member names, their tales of late-night debauchery, the macho posturing—and it’s easier to recognize the group as the (deserved) leaders of modern heavy metal. The band has a No. 1 album for a reason—the AS guys are smart, musically ambitious (what other metal bands cite avant-garde cult pop act Sparks and composer Danny Elfman as influences?) and, most importantly, resilient. On Dec. 28, 2009, the group’s drummer James “The Rev” Sullivan passed away during the recording of the new Avenged album “Nightmare”—after a brief respite, the band decided to continue on. We spoke with guitarist Synyster Gates about The Rev’s influence, the importance of having a No. 1 album and a few lighter topics (including, yes, a string tribute to Avenged Sevenfold).
"Nightmare" debuted at No. 1 on the album charts. How did that feel?
It’s great. It definitely makes a statement. I think it’s an important album, it’s probably the last work we’ll ever hear from Jimmy. And we’d love for it to be on a bigger stage, because of the circumstances. None of us really ever cared about success, but this time, I do care. It helps out the Rev’s family, and makes us all proud. It’s cool.
With the Rev’s passing, did the music for this album change?
The songs were completely written, save for the lyrics. After he passed, we changed all but two songs lyrically on the record, turning it from a concept record into telling some different stories, all about Jimmy.
Was there a point where you thought you might not continue as a band?
Yeah, definitely, during the first two weeks after he passed. But we realized pretty quickly that we all want to continue.
Your fans attacked the Los Angeles Times for their review of the new album. Do you guys care what the media thinks?
I guess I kind of care—I don’t like malicious reviews. You can tell who’s listened to our albums and who hasn’t, or only heard the songs of ours that are on the radio. I’m glad our fan base is so rabid, though.
Some of those album tracks, like “Danger Line” and “Fiction,” are very Queen-like in terms of being so grand and epic. Do you guys go into a song knowing it’s going to be so complex?
Our songs on the album are pretty much our demos, but better recorded. It’s a pretty collaborative process, but we write everything out in advance.
Your latest producer (Mike Elizondo) is best known for his work Eminem and Fiona Apple. How did you pick him?
He’s actually a metal guy at heart. He knew our band, and he’s totally a walking trivia book when it comes to Iron Maiden, Pantera, Metallica, bands like that. And he’s a brilliant songwriter, bassist, good with orchestration…he’s sonically unreal.
Your dad’s a guitarist (session guitarist Brian Haner, who’s worked with Frank Zappa and comedian Jeff Dunham)…what’s he think of Avenged Sevenfold?
He likes it. He never pushed me to be a guitarist, but he was always supportive…even when I was getting in trouble. [Laughs] He’s actually on a track on the new album.
A few years back an indie label put out an all-string tribute to you guys. Did you hear it?
Yeah. It’s amazing!
Is there an Avenged Sevenfold tribute band? I just saw an all-female Metallica one called Misstallica…it could be cool.
Not that I’m aware of. But yeah, it’d be cool if there was one with all gorgeous females.
