When larger-than-life metal drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan tragically passed away in 2009, it left the members of Avenged Sevenfold reeling both as a band and as friends grieving an enormous loss. But from this tragedy emerged a new era, thanks to finding lead singer M. Shadows to carry on The Rev‘s legacy. This is the inside story of A7X‘s epic search for a worthy new frontman to usher in the next chapter.
The Early Days: Avenged Sevenfold‘s Formation and Mainstream Success
Before the fame, there were just five friends united by a love of metal. Avenged Sevenfold formed in Huntington Beach, California in 1999, comprised of M. Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, Synyster Gates, Johnny Christ, and The Rev on drums. After releasing their 2001 debut Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, A7X hit their stride with 2003‘s Waking the Fallen, which featured Shadows‘ dynamic vocal range from guttural growls to soaring melodies.
Propelled by this breakthrough, the band reached greater heights with 2005‘s City of Evil, which included radio hits like "Bat Country." Their self-titled 2007 album Avenged Sevenfold debuted at #4 on the Billboard charts, cementing their mainstream success. Their synth-infused 2010 album Nightmare also reached #1, driven by the standout title track paying tribute to The Rev. At this point, A7X were bonafide rock stars selling out arenas worldwide.
But this ride to the top was derailed by tragedy.
Death of a Dear Friend: Losing The Rev
On December 28, 2009, drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan was found dead at age 28 due to an accidental overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol. The loss gutted Avenged Sevenfold, especially M. Shadows, who had been friends with Sullivan since childhood.
Beyond losing their drummer, A7X lost the heart and soul of the band. The Rev was an icon, known for his phenomenal skills behind the kit and his playful, outlandish personality. For fans, his spirited on-stage presence embodied the wild yet endearing essence of Avenged Sevenfold.
The band was shattered, reflecting that “his brain and talent seemed entitled to international fame.” Now left with the agony of moving forward, A7X weren‘t sure if continuing was possible.
The Long Road to Finding a Worthy Successor
After taking time to grieve privately, Avenged Sevenfold knew that eventually, hard decisions needed to be made about the band‘s future. Though no one could ever replace The Rev, they hoped to find a drummer up to the task of filling his enormous shoes. An arduous audition process began.
Over the next two years, A7X auditioned over 20 drummers, searching for that elusive blend of skill and chemistry. Candidates fumbled over The Rev‘s complex parts. It was almost too painful to watch his music be played imperfectly.
In 2011, Arin Ilejay became Avenged Sevenfold‘s touring drummer after impressing them during auditions. Yet they still yearned for the perfect permanent drummer. After Ilejay‘s eventual departure in 2015, Brooks Wackerman of Bad Religion took over drum duties, bringing his phenomenal technique and stage presence.
While they finally found a drummer, Avenged Sevenfold now pondered a difficult question – could they move forward without a lead singer?
To Sing or Not to Sing: Avenged Sevenfold Weighs Their Options
Following The Rev‘s passing, M. Shadows struggled coping with the loss of his childhood best friend. The band considered continuing on instrumentally, with just Shadows‘ intermittent vocal passages.
However, they concluded Avenged Sevenfold‘s complex, emotional music required a lead singer to fully deliver live. As guitarists Zacky Vengeance and Synyster Gates explained: "We came to the realization that we needed a frontman to do our music justice."
Despite fan skepticism, the hunt began for a new singer capable of filling the enormous void. It felt daunting finding someone who could honor A7X‘s legacy while bringing their own style. After a couple years of searching, fate intervened at a Vegas music festival.
A Chance Encounter Leads to the Perfect Match
In 2015, the members of Avenged Sevenfold caught the Las Vegas band Valiance performing at Extreme Thing festival and were floored. Valiance‘s commanding lead singer grabbed their attention with his phenomenal pipes and captivating showmanship. After Valiance‘s set, A7X immediately went to introduce themselves to the singer known as M. Shadows.
They learned Shadows possessed an incredible vocal range able to expertly alternate between aggressive screams and operatic clean vocals. A7X invited Shadows to come jam and write together back in Huntington Beach. The musical chemistry was instantaneous.
Impressed by how naturally he adapted to their sound, Avenged Sevenfold asked Shadows to become their new lead singer. They knew his talent and charisma were perfect to lead A7X into a bold new era. After finalizing the new lineup, it was time to unveil themselves to the world.
New Frontman, New Sound: How M. Shadows Impacted A7X‘s Evolution
Hiring M. Shadows to front Avenged Sevenfold was a risky move, but one that paid off tremendously. With his electrifying stage presence and jaw-dropping vocals, he brought a fiery new energy to their live shows that electrified both diehard and newer fans.
Shadows demonstrated his versatility by breathing new life into A7X‘s back catalog on tour. His soaring rendition of power ballad "I Won‘t See You Tonight" and the screaming passion he brought to "Unholy Confessions" indicated he could honor their roots while taking them in fresh directions.
This evolution continued in the studio. On A7X‘s 2016 release The Stage, Shadows revealed even greater vocal diversity, from brooding melodic passages to guttural growls. His incredible range enabled their progressive, experimental new sound which led to the album earning a Grammy nomination.
Now four albums deep into A7X‘s "Shadows Era," he has revitalized their music and stage presence. With his songwriting input and willingness to explore new genres like punk and synth-pop, Avenged Sevenfold continues to feel fresh and relevant. He is The Rev‘s successor in spirit, if not in sound.
Winning Over the Fans with a Commanding Stage Presence
Replacing a beloved original member is always daunting, and M. Shadows faced high expectations from Avenged Sevenfold‘s intensely devoted fanbase. A7X had cultivated an intimate connection to their fans, known as the Deathbats, through constant touring and
Many Deathbats were understandably skeptical about Shadows filling the enormous void left by M. Shadows. But his riveting stage presence quickly won them over. Fans marveled at how Shadows commanded crowds for entire shows, never letting the energy lag.
He demonstrated his vocal expertise and versatility by breathing new life into A7X classics on tour. His powerful delivery of fan favorites like "Bat Country," "Almost Easy" and "Hail to the King" indicated he could honor their back catalog while evolving their sound.
Within a few tours, M. Shadows had proven to Deathbats he was a worthy successor. His chemistry with the other members was obvious, and his vocal talents were undeniable. While no one could replace The Rev, Shadows earned fans‘ acceptance as the exhilarating new voice of Avenged Sevenfold.
How Avenged Sevenfold Created Their Most Ambitious Music Yet
With nine albums and over 25 million records sold worldwide, Avenged Sevenfold‘s music has progressively evolved since forming in 1999. But many fans and critics feel the band‘s most ambitious, unexpected albums have been created following M. Shadows joining as lead singer in late 2015.
On 2016‘s conceptual, complex opus The Stage, Shadows revealed his immense vocal range and penchant for genre exploration, from heavy metal to classic rock to prog. His otherworldly high notes and aggressive growls perfectly suited the space odyssey theme. This stylistic shift led to The Stage receiving widespread acclaim as A7X‘s best album, followed by their similarly daring 2018 EP Black Reign.
Shadows has pushed the band‘s songwriting into darker directions, as heard on ominous tracks like "Creating God" and "Angels." Hisinterest in punk and 1980‘s synth-pop has also expanded their musical palette dramatically. With his urging, A7X has crafted their most daring, intricate albums yet, keeping their catalog feeling fresh.
Avenged Sevenfold 2.0: The Rev‘s Legacy Lives On
Losing Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan could have spelled the end for Avenged Sevenfold. But more than a decade later, his creative spirit still drives their music. Finding M. Shadows to front the next chapter let A7X heal while forging a bold new identity.
Fans initially doubted whether Avenged Sevenfold could recover from The Rev‘s absence. Yet their two eras now feel complementary – The Rev represents their raw, rebellious early years, while Shadows fronts a more mature, progressive incarnation.
Having achieved worldwide fame, Avenged Sevenfold still maintains an underdog spirit and willingness to take risks. Each album traverses new terrain as Shadows pushes his voice and the band in wild new directions. It‘s a fitting tribute to The Rev‘s daring, boundary-breaking legacy.
A7X will continue evolving their sound in ways no one can predict. But now fans can rest assured knowing Avenged Sevenfold‘s future is secure with Shadows as its leader. His beastly vocals and eccentric personality evoke The Rev‘s fearless spirit. And Shadows now stands alongside The Rev in Avenged Sevenfold lore forevermore as an iconic frontman who defined an era.
