sound with extreme vocals and heavier instrumentation on "God Hates Us". The band's sixth studio album Hail to the King shows more of a classic metal sound and a riff-oriented approach. On their newest album The Stage, the band explores further into progressive metal, blending it with elements of thrash metal. In the past, Avenged Sevenfold has also been described as screamo and pop punk metal. Avenged Sevenfold has been criticized for "not being metal enough". In response to this, vocalist M. Shadows said: "we play music for the sake of music, not so that we can be labeled a metal band. That's like telling us we aren't punk enough. Who cares?" Avenged Sevenfold is one of the notable acts of the new wave of American heavy metal. Band members Current members M. Shadows – lead vocals, piano (1999–present) Zacky Vengeance – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1999–present); lead guitar (1999–2001) Synyster Gates – lead guitar, piano, backing vocals (2001–present) Johnny Christ – bass, backing vocals (2002–present) Brooks Wackerman – drums (2015–present) Former members Matt Wendt – bass (1999–2000) Justin Sane – bass, piano (2000–2001) Dameon Ash – bass (2001–2002) The Rev – drums, piano (1999–2009; died 2009); co-lead vocals (2007–2009); backing vocals (1999–2007) Arin Ilejay – drums (2011–2015) Session and touring musicians Mike Portnoy – drums (2010) Timeline Discography Studio albums Sounding the Seventh Trumpet (2001) Waking the Fallen (2003) City of Evil (2005) Avenged Sevenfold (2007) Nightmare (2010) Hail to the King (2013) The Stage (2016) Accolades References External links American alternative metal musical groups Metalcore musical groups from California Articles which contain graphical timelines Capitol Records artists Hard rock musical groups from California Heavy metal musical groups from California Hopeless Records artists Kerrang! Awards winners Musical groups established in 1999 Musical groups from Orange County, California Musical quintets Warner Records artists 1999 establishments in California Good Life Recordings artists