Avenged Sevenfold’s signature sound is heavily driven by the intricate and often virtuosic guitar work of Synyster Gates. In a recent interview with 93X radio, Synyster Gates, whose real name is Brian Haner Jr., opened up about the guitarists who have most profoundly shaped his playing style. For fans eager to understand the roots of the Avenged Sevenfold guitar sound, Gates’ insights offer a fascinating glimpse into his musical development.
When asked about his biggest guitar influences, Synyster Gates cited a diverse range of iconic musicians, each contributing unique elements to his overall approach to the instrument. He began by highlighting the revolutionary impact of Jimi Hendrix. Gates emphasized Hendrix’s groundbreaking chordal work, noting, “Jimi Hendrix, chordally most especially — what he was doing with his chords at that time. Taking R&B and fusing that with rock was just absolutely legendary.” Hendrix’s innovative chord voicings and his fusion of genres clearly left a lasting impression on Gates, influencing his own expansive harmonic palette within Avenged Sevenfold’s music.
Moving on, Gates paid tribute to the often-underappreciated genius of George Harrison. “George Harrison is super underrated,” Gates stated, adding, “That guy could write as great a melodic solo as any of his actual melodies in his greatest tunes. An absolute freak.” This admiration for Harrison points to an appreciation for melodicism and songwriting within guitar solos, a quality that is evident in many of Synyster Gates’ own carefully constructed and memorable solos for Avenged Sevenfold. Harrison’s ability to blend seamlessly melodic lines with song structure resonates with Gates’ approach to guitar playing as part of a larger musical composition.
For sheer note choice and guitar tone, Slash from Guns N’ Roses stands out as a transformative influence for Synyster Gates. “And I think a lot of people know that Slash [GUNS N’ ROSES] changed my life as far as actual note choices and tone; that’s incredible,” Gates explained. Slash’s raw, blues-infused rock guitar style and his distinctive tone have undoubtedly played a role in shaping the sonic landscape of Avenged Sevenfold’s guitar-driven anthems. The impact of Slash on a generation of guitarists, including Synyster Gates, is undeniable.
A name synonymous with aggressive and innovative guitar playing, Dimebag Darrell of Pantera, is another paramount influence for Synyster Gates. With palpable enthusiasm, Gates exclaimed, “Dimebag Darrell [PANTERA]. If I could play like anybody, it would probably be Dime. That’s just the thrashiest, most fucked up raping and pillaging of an instrument I’ve ever heard. It’s so beautiful how he just mastered this feel. You can’t sound like him, no matter how hard you try; it’s impossible.” This quote reveals Gates’ deep respect for Dimebag’s utterly unique and ferocious approach to the guitar, a style characterized by its chaotic yet controlled energy. The desire to capture even a fraction of Dimebag’s raw power is a testament to his enduring legacy on guitarists across genres.
Reflecting on the late, legendary Eddie Van Halen, Synyster Gates shared a nuanced perspective. “[Eddie] Van Halen, once he passed, unfortunately, it took me a second to kind of revisit some stuff,” Gates admitted. While acknowledging he wasn’t initially a die-hard Van Halen fan in terms of songwriting preference, Gates unequivocally recognized Van Halen’s monumental contribution to guitar playing. “But my good God, that’s the godfather of rock and roll, or certainly metal. The art of guitar was this, and he just fucking skipped 10 lines and went 50 years into the future in a single breath. I’ve never seen anything done like that since Django Reinhardt, the godfather of gypsy jazz. Freaks! What he was doing in the ’30s and what Van Halen was doing in the ’80s? Freak shit.” Gates aptly compares Van Halen’s revolutionary technique to that of Django Reinhardt, highlighting the paradigm-shifting impact both guitarists had on their respective eras. Van Halen’s innovative techniques and boundless energy undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of guitar, influencing countless players, including Synyster Gates.
Further emphasizing his admiration for Dimebag Darrell, Gates recounted a past aspiration: “When I was young, probably Dimebag Darrell. That was my guy. I respected Steve Vai’s playing technique a little bit more, but just to be able to meet Dimebag would have been phenomenal. He could have shown me so much cool stuff. That’s the guy.” This reinforces the profound impact Dimebag Darrell had on Synyster Gates during his formative years as a guitarist.
Beyond individual influences, Synyster Gates also touched upon the collaborative guitar dynamic within Avenged Sevenfold, particularly his partnership with Zacky Vengeance. “I don’t know if that kind of perspective was there, but definitely it was a guitar-driven band,” Gates noted. He highlighted the guitar-centric songwriting process within the band, mentioning, “When Matt [M. Shadows, vocals] writes songs, he’s writing on guitar. When [late drummer] Jimmy [‘The Rev’ Sullivan] was alive, he was writing for AVENGED on guitar, mainly.” This insight underscores the foundational role of the guitar in shaping Avenged Sevenfold’s musical identity, with both Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance contributing to the band’s distinctive twin-guitar sound.
As Avenged Sevenfold gears up for the release of their highly anticipated new album, the diverse influences of Synyster Gates, from Hendrix to Dimebag and beyond, continue to shape his innovative and captivating guitar work. For aspiring guitarists and Avenged Sevenfold fans alike, understanding these influences provides valuable context for appreciating the unique guitar stylings of Synyster Gates and the overall sound of the band.
