Avenged Sevenfold

USA, 1999–now

Band from Huntington Beach, California. Started in metalcore and evolved toward melodic heavy metal with symphonic and progressive elements.

MusicRoots documents 6 artists who influenced Avenged Sevenfold and 0 artists Avenged Sevenfold influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Avenged Sevenfold?

• Metallica — M. Shadows named Metallica the main model that made him want to play metal.
• Iron Maiden — Synyster Gates named Iron Maiden's guitar harmonies the direct model for his playing style.
• Guns N' Roses — M. Shadows named Guns N' Roses the model of rock-and-roll identity and melodic hard rock.
• Slayer — The band named Slayer a direct influence on the aggression and speed of their early metalcore records.
• Rage Against the Machine — The rap-metal rhythmic attack under the thrash — the half of Avenged Sevenfold that swings rather than gallops.
• Deftones — Where the sung melody over a heavy arrangement comes from — the thing that separated Waking the Fallen from the metalcore around it.