Avenged Sevenfold’s latest album, ‘Life Is But A Dream…,’ recently hit the shelves in the band’s 24th year in the rock scene. Up to this point, the group created seven more albums by fusing hard rock, heavy metal, and melodic elements while getting itself a wide fanbase. Still, there are a few facts about them that fans might have missed through the years. So, here’s a look at seven of those facts that you should know!
7. Their Debut Album Came Out When They Were High Schoolers
The band’s first album, ‘Sounding The Seventh Trumpet,’ came out when M. Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance, and The Rev were around 19 years old, with bassist Johnny Christ (then 15) still to join. The album, selling only 300 copies in its first week, has since reached notable sales figures worldwide with 370,000 copies.
6. There’s A Meaning Behind Their Stage Names
Synyster Gates (Brian Elwin Haner Jr.) and The Rev (James Owen Sullivan) picked their names during a drunken drive through a park when they were teenagers. M. Shadows (Matthew Charles Sanders) chose the moniker to represent his ‘darker character’ in the band, while Zacky Vengeance (Zachary James Baker) wanted to prove himself to the doubters through the stage name. Johnny Christ (Jonathan Lewis Seward) simply took his name from Danzig’s John Christ.
5. They Often Use Literary References
While Avenged Sevenfold took inspiration from a Bible verse for their name, they used other literary works as references while writing some of their songs. For example, the band based the single ‘Bat Country’ on Hunter S. Thompson’s ‘Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas.’ In fact, the track’s name comes from a direct quote from the book: ‘We can’t stop here. This is bat country.’
4. Their Video Game Carries The Rev’s Memory
The action RPG, inspired by the likes of ‘The Legend Of Zelda’ and ‘Diablo,’ came out in 2014. As its story focuses on the mythical origin of the Deathbat, the game includes The Rev as a character guiding the player through the main quest line to honor the late drummer’s memory.
3. The Deathbat Logo Caused Some Talks
Avenged Sevenfold’s Deathbat logo, designed by Micha to be instantly recognizable in the crowd, first appeared in 2016 as a projection in London but caused some controversy in the past. Another band, Overkill, accused the group of stealing the logo from them, as they have been using it since the ’80s. But, in the end, Deathbat became widely known as Avenged’s symbol.
2. The Rev Recorded ‘Fiction’ Three Days Before His Death
The song from Avenged Sevenfold’s ‘Nightmare’ album is notable for being the last recording of the band’s original drummer, Jimmy’ The Rev’ Sullivan, who passed away due to an overdose of oxycodone, diazepam, and alcohol in December 2009. After writing and recording the track days before his death, the drummer reportedly told M. Shadows that it was his ‘final song.’
1. ‘I Won’t See You Tonight’ Might Be A Former Member’s Suicide Note
The band’s former bassist, Justin Sane, attempted suicide in 2001 and had to leave the lineup due to the damage he got. This event had an impact on the band, as expressed by lead singer M. Shadows in an interview about the challenges it brought to the group. That’s why, although it’s not proven, ‘I Won’t See You Tonight’ from ‘Waking The Fallen’ is believed to be a reference to the incident with lyrics from Sane’s suicide note.
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