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Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California, renowned for their musical versatility, intricate compositions, theatrical live shows, and evolution from metalcore roots to a more melodic and progressive heavy metal sound. Formed in 1999 by high school friends M. Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, The Rev, and Matt Wendt. Gained major recognition with the 2005 album 'City of Evil'. Tragically lost drummer The Rev in 2009. Continued successfully with Arin Ilejay and later Brooks Wackerman. Known for hits like 'Bat Country', 'Afterlife', 'Nightmare', and 'Hail to the King'.

• The band faced immense tragedy on December 28, 2009, when founding drummer James 'The Rev' Sullivan was found dead at his home. The official cause was an accidental overdose due to a combination of prescription drugs (oxycodone, oxymorphone, diazepam/nordiazepam) and alcohol, exacerbated by an enlarged heart.
• Avenged Sevenfold's shift from metalcore on their early albums ('Sounding the Seventh Trumpet', 'Waking the Fallen') to a more traditional heavy metal and hard rock sound on 'City of Evil' caused significant debate among their original fanbase, though it vastly increased their mainstream popularity.
• The band courted controversy in 2023 by releasing their album 'Life Is But a Dream...' as an NFT collection first via their Deathbats Club platform, before traditional streaming and physical releases, drawing criticism from fans over accessibility and environmental concerns.
• Known for their elaborate stage shows often featuring pyrotechnics, moving set pieces, and the recurring Deathbat mascot, contributing to their reputation as a premier live act in modern metal.