Avenged Sevenfold
Shadows
Matthew Charles Sanders, (born July 31, 1981) better known by his stage name M. Shadows, is the vocalist and founding member for the American heavy metal/hard rock band Avenged Sevenfold. His sister is former Detroit Shock player, Amy Sanders. Shadows has stated that he strongly supports the troops serving the United States, having very close friends who are currently in service in Iraq. The song "M.I.A." ("Missing In Action") was reportedly written in tribute to these friends.[citation needed] The song "Gunslinger" from Avenged Sevenfold's self-titled album further expresses these feelings (though it was stated in the album's extra MVI that it is not just about troops - "It can be about anyone away from home, missing their families.")
Synyster Gates
Brian Elwin Haner, Jr. (July 7, 1981), better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn or "Gates", is an American musician. He is the lead guitarist for the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. His father is Brian Haner. Gates has been ranked as one of the top 50 fastest guitarists in the world and has the title "Young Shredder". Synyster joined Avenged Sevenfold when he was 18 at the end of 1999, right before the recording of the band's first album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet. He was featured on their EP, "Warmness on the Soul", and on the reissue of their first album. He has since been the lead guitarist of Avenged Sevenfold. In the Avenged Sevenfold DVD All Excess, to emphasize the seemingly random placing of names, Brian stated that his name was thought of on a drunken drive through the park with The Rev. He has won numerous awards, including the "Young Shredder" award of the year in the Metal Hammer awards in 2006 and the "Guitarist of the Year" Award for Total Guitar Magazine in 2006.
