Synyster Gates joined Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) in 2001, after the release 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, only playing on one song, “To End The Rapture.” He also plays piano for the band on songs such as Seize the Day and Beast and the Harlot. His father, Brian Haner Sr. is a musician and is often called Avenged Sevenfold’s official acoustic guitar player for his appearances on their albums, such as the acoustic solo on City of Evil’s “Sidewinder”. Synyster Gates attended Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, California as a child, and then the Musicians Institute in Hollywood as part of the GIT program, studying jazz guitar. Django Reinhardt, Adam Aparicio and Roddy are cited as his favorites and as major influences. Synyster 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. He has filmed numerous guitar tutorial lessons for Total guitar magazine. In the Avenged Sevenfold DVD “All Excess,” to emphasize the seemingly random placing of names, Synyster stated that his name was thought of on a drunken drive through the park with The Rev. He usually sports his trademark fedora hats at concerts. Synyster was also a member of the band Pinkly Smooth, a side project with The Rev (Avenged Sevenfold’s drummer), alongside former bassist of Avenged Sevenfold, Justin Meacham. Pinkly Smooth was disbanded because Synyster and The Rev wished to focus full-time on Avenged Sevenfold, although when asked recently, they both revealed there is a new side project being planned, featuring the two playing older Pinkly Smooth songs. Synyster also has newly released a clothing line called Syn Gates Clothing. He has been sponsored by Schecter Guitar Research since 2004, and has signature Avenger models. He uses the guitars listed below. |
