Nightmare’ commemorates fallen band member

Iliana Deanda

Hailing from Orange County California, Avenged Sevenfold recently released their fifth studio album “Nightmare.” While many consider this album their darkest yet, there is a story behind the inspiration of making this album.

On Dec. 28, 2009 drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan unexpectedly died during the early production of the album.

This suspended any future musical production, to mourn the loss of Avenged Sevenfold’s fallen comrade and long time drummer.

The certainty of the band was unclear, leaving fans upset and nervous, until former Dream Theatre drummer Mike Portnoy offered to fill in for The Rev on the rest of the album.

“Nightmare” since then has become one of Avenged Sevenfold’s biggest chart topping records to date.

This album incorporates a lot of raw emotion allowing fans to connect with Avenged Sevenfold in the mourning of The Rev.

The album opens up with “Nightmare,” the first single of the self-titled album.

The song beings with a chime sequence that leads into a flurry of drum beats.

As most fans would say, the drumming isn’t the same, although Portnoy does a great job of imitating The Rev’s drumming style.

“Fiction,” was written by The Rev, days before he died. Ironically, the song was originally titled “Death.”

In the song, he talks about death and being able to move on. He sings, “I know you’ll find your own way when I’m not with you.”

The song features a duet between singer M Shadows and The Rev.

This song was the last song that The Rev wrote and recorded.

His vocals are used in the song, along with some of the piano chords played on this track.

Overall the effort and emotion on this album made it a strong one.

It allowed fans to relate locally and internationaly.

Only time will tell if the band will continue to record new material and tour.

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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