Avenged Sevenfold, one of the most revolutionary bands in modern metal, is finally set to meet their Turkish fans. Despite headlining major festivals and touring across Europe for years, they had never made a stop in Turkey—something that had always left fans wondering why. But the wait is finally over: Avenged Sevenfold is coming to Turkey for the first time!

This isn’t just about their on-stage energy; it’s also about the stories behind the music. Instead of going over the usual stuff, let’s dive into some lesser-known details about the band.

THE REV: THE LOST SOUL OF A7X AND HIS LASTING IMPACT

One of the biggest turning points in Avenged Sevenfold’s history was the tragic loss of The Rev in 2009. He wasn’t just the drummer; he was a songwriter, a composer, and even a vocalist. “A Little Piece of Heaven” is perhaps the best example of his artistic vision.

His passing hit the band so hard that they even considered breaking up. But to honor his memory, Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) stepped in to record drums for the Nightmare album. He remained faithful to The Rev’s original demo recordings, ensuring the album was completed as authentically as possible. Portnoy also joined them on tour in 2010.

But The Rev’s presence wasn’t just felt through Portnoy’s drumming. His original demo vocals were actually used in the Nightmare album, especially in the song Fiction. The eerie part? He passed away just three days after recording it, adding an almost haunting depth to the song.

After The Rev, A7X kept going with Arin Ilejay and later Brooks Wackerman taking over drums. But for many fans, The Rev’s spirit is still alive in Avenged Sevenfold’s music.

LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT AVENGED SEVENFOLD

🔹 Synyster Gates was trained in jazz guitar. His unique soloing style comes from his early jazz education. His father, a musician himself, introduced him to classic rock and blues, which explains the fluidity and harmonic richness of his playing.

🔹 Zacky Vengeance started with punk. Before A7X, he played in a punk band called MPA (Mad Porno Action). His punk roots played a big role in shaping A7X’s aggressive rhythm guitar sound.

🔹 Avenged Sevenfold and Call of Duty have a long history. In 2011, they wrote Not Ready to Die for Call of Duty: Black Ops. Later, Carry On appeared in Black Ops II, and the band even appeared as in-game characters. In 2023, they returned to the franchise with Nobody.

🔹 The story behind the “Deathbat” logo. The band’s iconic “Deathbat” isn’t just a cool design—it became a symbol among fans. Over time, it evolved into one of A7X’s most recognizable trademarks.

M. SHADOWS AND PRO WRESTLING: AEW OR WWE?

M. Shadows has always been a huge pro wrestling fan, but here’s something not everyone knows—he prefers AEW over WWE.

A few years ago, he caused a stir by saying, “AEW is better than WWE.” WWE fans weren’t happy, but there might be a reason behind it: Chris Jericho.

Jericho, one of AEW’s biggest stars, is also the frontman of Fozzy, a band that has shared festival stages with Avenged Sevenfold multiple times. He and M. Shadows are close friends, so it wouldn’t be surprising if that influenced Shadows’ loyalty to AEW.

But here’s the twist: M. Shadows was actually featured as a playable character in WWE 2K18. So while he’s had ties to WWE, his heart seems to be with AEW.

Avenged Sevenfold’s long-awaited Turkey debut is finally happening, and it’s bound to be a historic night. For fans who have been waiting for this moment for years, it’s more than just a concert—it’s a milestone.

Are you ready for A7X in Turkey?

Enes Taştan