Complete List Of Avenged Sevenfold Band Members

Feature Photo: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Orange County, California spawned one of modern metal’s most enduring acts when four teenagers decided to trade their suburban anonymity for stage names and musical ambition in 1999. Avenged Sevenfold was formed in 1999 in Huntington Beach, California by Matt Sanders, James Sullivan, Zachary Baker and Matt Wendt, and this initial quartet would evolve through numerous lineup changes to become one of the most successful heavy metal bands of the 21st century.

The band’s trajectory has been marked by both triumph and tragedy across eight studio albums, selling over 8 million records worldwide while earning multiple platinum certifications. Avenged Sevenfold have released eight studio albums, one live album/DVD, two compilation albums and eighteen singles and have sold over 8 million albums worldwide. Their sound evolved dramatically from the metalcore aggression of their debut “Sounding the Seventh Trumpet” through the traditional heavy metal approach of “City of Evil” to the progressive experimentation of “The Stage” and beyond. Chart success came early and consistently, with multiple albums reaching the top positions on the Billboard 200, including their first number one debut with “Nightmare” in 2010.

The band’s history is forever marked by the devastating loss of founding drummer James “The Rev” Sullivan in December 2009, which forced the remaining members to navigate their grief while continuing their musical mission. On December 28, 2009, Sullivan was found unresponsive in his Huntington Beach home, and was pronounced dead upon arrival to the hospital. This tragedy led to a series of drummer changes as they sought to honor Sullivan’s legacy while moving forward, eventually finding stability with current drummer Brooks Wackerman in 2015. Throughout these challenges, Avenged Sevenfold has maintained their commitment to pushing boundaries and refusing to be confined to a single genre, earning them recognition as one of metal’s most significant modern acts.

M. Shadows

Matthew Charles Sanders (born July 31, 1981), known by his stage name M. Shadows, is an American singer who is the lead vocalist and a founding member of heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. Born in Fountain Valley, California, and raised in Huntington Beach, Shadows became the creative force behind the band’s conception and evolution from their 1999 formation through their current status as metal heavyweights. His journey from a rebellious teenager with “a good heart, but a terrible attitude” to one of modern metal’s most recognizable frontmen represents one of the genre’s most compelling transformations.

In his youth, Shadows was notorious for his disorderly conduct and misbehavior. He was quoted as saying “I was in between a good kid and a terrible kid – I had a good heart, but a terrible attitude.” He attended Huntington Beach High School after being expelled from his middle school in the eighth grade. Before forming Avenged Sevenfold, Shadows fronted a punk band called Successful Failure, where he wrote the song “Streets” that would later appear on Avenged Sevenfold’s debut album. His stage name originated from his perception of himself as “the darker character in the group,” though he shortened his first name to “M” because he felt “Matthew” didn’t sound right with his chosen moniker.

Shadows has appeared on every Avenged Sevenfold album from “Sounding the Seventh Trumpet” (2001) through “Life Is But a Dream…” (2023), serving as primary vocalist and contributing keyboards and occasional guitar work. His vocal evolution from the screaming metalcore approach of early albums to the melodic heavy metal style that defined their breakthrough “City of Evil” album showcased his commitment to artistic growth. He worked extensively with vocal coach Ron Anderson, whose clients included Axl Rose and Chris Cornell, to develop the cleaner vocal style that would become his signature. Beyond Avenged Sevenfold, Shadows has collaborated with numerous artists including Slash on “Nothing to Say,” Steel Panther on “Turn Out the Lights,” and Machine Gun Kelly on “Save Me.” He has also been deeply involved with the Call of Duty video game franchise, contributing four original songs across the Black Ops series and even appearing as a playable character in Black Ops 4’s “Blackout” mode.

Synyster Gates

Brian Elwin Haner, Jr., aka Synyster Gates, is an American guitarist best known for his work with the band Avenged Sevenfold. Synyster Gates is best known for being the lead guitarist for the band Avenged Sevenfold. He was born Brian Haner Jr. on July 7, 1981 in Long Beach, California. The son of accomplished session musician Brian Haner Sr. (known as Papa Gates), Synyster Gates brought technical virtuosity and classical training to Avenged Sevenfold when he joined as lead guitarist in 2001. His arrival marked a significant evolution in the band’s sound, contributing the intricate guitar work and harmonic sophistication that would define their most successful albums.

Brian went to Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California and also Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, California. He graduated from the Musicians Institute in Hollywood as part of the GIT program, studying jazz guitar. Initially self-taught through music videos and guitar magazines, Gates later pursued formal education at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, where he studied jazz guitar theory and technique. However, his academic pursuits were cut short when The Rev recruited him to join Avenged Sevenfold, leading him to drop out and commit fully to the band. His classical and jazz background would prove invaluable in crafting the complex arrangements that became Avenged Sevenfold’s trademark.

Gates has been the lead guitarist on every Avenged Sevenfold album since “Sounding the Seventh Trumpet” (re-release, 2002), contributing significantly to their evolution from metalcore to progressive metal. His guitar work is featured prominently on breakthrough albums “Waking the Fallen” (2003), “City of Evil” (2005), and the self-titled album (2007), where his technical prowess and melodic sensibilities helped establish the band’s signature sound. Gates was voted as Best Metal Guitarist in the World by Total Guitar in 2016 and once again in 2017. Beyond his primary band, Gates was involved in the avant-garde project Pinkly Smooth with The Rev, where he explored more experimental musical territories. He has also collaborated with various artists, including his father Papa Gates on multiple projects, and maintains his own guitar school online, sharing his knowledge with aspiring guitarists worldwide.

Zacky Vengeance

Zachary James Baker (born December 11, 1981), better known by his stage name Zacky Vengeance, is the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for the American metal/rock band Avenged Sevenfold. Born in Olympia, Washington, and later moving to Huntington Beach, California, Zacky Vengeance stands as one of Avenged Sevenfold’s founding members and has remained a constant presence throughout their entire career. His dedication to rhythm guitar work and backing vocals has provided the foundation upon which the band’s more elaborate musical arrangements are built.

Baker came up with his stage name “Zacky Vengeance” because he wanted to get back at all the people whom doubted his success. He also came up with Johnny’s stage name “Johnny Christ” because he said it was suiting for him. Before forming Avenged Sevenfold, Baker played in a punk band called MPA (Mad Porn Action), though he has admitted they were not successful. Self-taught from age thirteen, Baker learned guitar by playing upside-down on a right-handed instrument despite being naturally left-handed, demonstrating the determination that would characterize his entire musical journey. He supplemented his learning by reading Guitar World magazine cover to cover and studying professional performances until he could replicate them.

Baker has appeared on every Avenged Sevenfold album as rhythm guitarist, from “Sounding the Seventh Trumpet” (2001) through “Life Is But a Dream…” (2023). While his role might seem secondary to Synyster Gates’ lead guitar pyrotechnics, Baker’s rhythm work provides the crucial foundation that allows the band’s complex arrangements to flourish. He was responsible for creating the band’s “A7X” acronym and has contributed backing vocals throughout their discography. His influences include punk acts like Rancid, Bad Religion, and the Misfits, as well as metal giants like Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. Outside of music, Baker has launched his own clothing line called “Vengeance University” and has been involved in various charitable endeavors. His personal life includes two sons, Tennessee James Baker and Ozzy Baker, from his previous marriage to Gena Paulhus.

Johnny Christ

Jonathan Lewis Seward (born November 18, 1984), better known professionally as Johnny Christ, is the bassist of the band Avenged Sevenfold. Johnny Christ was the fourth bassist to join Avenged Sevenfold in 2002, replacing former members Matt Wendt, Dameon Ash, and Justin Sane. Growing up in Huntington Beach, California, and attending Marina High School, Christ brought stability to the bass position after the band had cycled through three previous bassists in their early years. His arrival in 2002 completed what many consider the classic Avenged Sevenfold lineup that would achieve their greatest commercial success.

Christ’s path to joining Avenged Sevenfold was somewhat unconventional. Seward initially took a few weeks off from high school during his senior year to fill in for Avenged Sevenfold’s previous bassist, Dameon Ash, during one of their tours. These few weeks would become permanent as Seward dropped out of high school to join the band on a full-time basis. His natural ability to quickly learn bass lines impressed the band members, with The Rev reportedly saying that no one could pick up a bass line as quickly as Johnny. His stage name was suggested by Zacky Vengeance, who felt “Johnny Christ” had the right rebellious edge the band was seeking.

Christ made his recording debut on Avenged Sevenfold’s second album “Waking the Fallen” (2003) and has appeared on every subsequent release, including “City of Evil” (2005), the self-titled album (2007), “Nightmare” (2010), “Hail to the King” (2013), “The Stage” (2016), and “Life Is But a Dream…” (2023). His bass work provided the rhythmic foundation for the band’s evolution from metalcore to progressive metal, adapting his playing style to complement their increasingly complex arrangements. Over time, Christ has expanded his role to include more prominent backing vocals, particularly on live performances of songs like “Nightmare,” “Seize the Day,” and “Shepherd of Fire.” His primary influences include Cliff Burton of Metallica and Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, and he primarily uses a pick in his playing style, favoring Music Man StingRay basses in his setup.

Brooks Wackerman

Brooks Wackerman (born February 15, 1977) is an American musician. He is the current drummer of heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold, which he joined in 2015. His first album with Avenged Sevenfold was The Stage (2016). Coming from a musical family that includes drummer brothers Chad and John Wackerman, Brooks brought an impressive resume spanning punk, metal, and alternative rock to Avenged Sevenfold. His father Chuck Wackerman, also a drummer and educator, began teaching Brooks at age five, providing the foundation for what would become one of the most diverse careers in modern drumming.

Wackerman was a member of Suicidal Tendencies from 1996 to 2001, playing drums on Six the Hard Way in 1998, Freedumb in 1999, and Free Your Soul and Save My Mind in 2000. He left the band to join Bad Religion in 2001. His fourteen-year tenure with Bad Religion established him as one of punk rock’s premier drummers, appearing on five albums including “The Process of Belief,” “The Empire Strikes First,” “New Maps of Hell,” “The Dissent of Man,” and “True North.” During this period, he also worked with numerous other acts including Tenacious D, Blink-182 (as a touring substitute), Korn, and The Vandals, showcasing his versatility across multiple genres.

Wackerman’s transition to Avenged Sevenfold began in 2014, though it wasn’t publicly announced until November 2015. AVENGED SEVENFOLD had been working with Brooks for over a year already following the departure of Arin Ilejay before Wackerman was announced as the band’s new drummer. His first album with the band, “The Stage” (2016), demonstrated his progressive metal capabilities, incorporating complex time signatures, blast beats, and technical precision while respecting the legacy of The Rev’s innovative drumming style. He has since contributed to “Life Is But a Dream…” (2023), helping the band explore even more experimental territories. Wackerman’s approach honors The Rev’s signature techniques, including the famous “double-ride thing,” while bringing his own progressive and punk influences to create a unique hybrid style. His work with Avenged Sevenfold represents the culmination of a career spent mastering diverse musical styles, making him ideally suited to handle the band’s complex and ever-evolving sound.

The Rev

James Owen Sullivan (February 9, 1981 – December 28, 2009), more commonly known by his stage name The Reverend Tholomew Plague, often shortened to The Rev, was an American musician, best known as the drummer for the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. Born and raised in Huntington Beach, California, The Rev was far more than just a drummer – he was a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, vocalist, and creative visionary whose influence shaped Avenged Sevenfold’s sound and identity throughout their most formative years. His tragic death at age 28 cut short one of modern metal’s most promising careers and left an irreplaceable void in both the band and the broader metal community.

Sullivan grew up and lived in Huntington Beach, California. He got his first pair of drum sticks at the age of four and received his own drum set at the age of eleven. In high school, he started playing in bands. Before leaving to join Avenged Sevenfold as one of the band’s founding members, Sullivan was the drummer for the third wave ska band Suburban Legends. His musical foundation was broader than most metal drummers, incorporating jazz, classical, and progressive influences from artists like Frank Zappa and King Crimson. At age eighteen, he recorded his first album with Avenged Sevenfold, “Sounding the Seventh Trumpet,” establishing the rhythmic complexity that would become the band’s signature.

The Rev appeared on the first four Avenged Sevenfold albums: “Sounding the Seventh Trumpet” (2001), “Waking the Fallen” (2003), “City of Evil” (2005), and the self-titled album (2007). His contributions extended far beyond drumming – he provided vocals on tracks like “A Little Piece of Heaven,” “Afterlife,” and “Critical Acclaim,” composed and wrote songs including “Almost Easy,” “A Little Piece of Heaven,” and “Afterlife,” and played piano on ballads like “Warmness on the Soul” and “Seize the Day.” Sullivan had a signature drum fill called “the double-ride thing” or “the Double Octopus”, as the Rev called it, “just for lack of a better definition”: it is a short fill consisting a full bar of sixteenth single notes played unison on double bass drums and two ride cymbals. Beyond Avenged Sevenfold, The Rev fronted the avant-garde metal band Pinkly Smooth with Synyster Gates, showcasing his vocal abilities and experimental musical vision. His final composition, “Fiction,” was completed just three days before his death and served as a haunting farewell to his bandmates and fans. The Rev’s legacy continues to influence the band’s creative direction, and he remains one of metal’s most beloved and innovative drummers.

Former Members

Matt Wendt served as Avenged Sevenfold’s original bassist from 1999 to 2000, appearing only on early demos before the band’s first official album release. He had previously played with M. Shadows in the punk band Successful Failure. His brief tenure ended as the band sought a more committed bassist for their evolving sound.

Justin Sane (Justin Meacham) replaced Matt Wendt as bassist and also contributed piano work from 2000 to 2001. Despite his multi-instrumental abilities, his time with the band was short-lived as they continued searching for the right fit for their rhythm section during their early developmental period.

Dameon Ash served as bassist from 2001 to 2002, bridging the gap between Justin Sane’s departure and Johnny Christ’s arrival. His departure came as the band was preparing for more serious touring commitments, leading to Johnny Christ initially filling in before becoming the permanent bassist.

Arin Ilejay represented the band’s longest-serving drummer after The Rev, serving from 2013 to 2015 with prior session and touring work from 2011 to 2013. He appeared on the “Hail to the King” (2013) album, which marked the band’s tribute to their classic metal influences. Although Ilejay left the group in 2014, his departure was only announced in July 2015. Ilejay was AVENGED SEVENFOLD’s drummer for four years, playing on 2013’s “Hail To The King” album. His departure came as the band sought to “move in a different direction” and ultimately led to Brooks Wackerman joining the group.

Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater fame served as a session drummer in 2010, helping complete the “Nightmare” album following The Rev’s death. Shortly after his death, Avenged Sevenfold dedicated their fifth studio album Nightmare to him, as well as several songs, including “So Far Away”, which had been written by bandmate (and childhood friend) Synyster Gates, and “Fiction”, which the Rev had written three days before his death. Portnoy’s involvement was particularly meaningful as he had been one of The Rev’s drumming heroes, and his respectful approach to completing The Rev’s unfinished work helped the band through their most difficult period while maintaining the integrity of their fallen friend’s vision.