Artist Showcase: 10 Iconic Tracks by Avenged Sevenfold That Define Their Legacy

India is getting their first taste of metalcore giants A7X. The band is set to tour India this year and today we list their greatest works

Avenged Sevenfold is about to make history as they debut in India at the highly anticipated Bandland festival in Bangalore. For years, fans in India have been waiting for this moment, and the time has finally come for one of metal’s biggest names to storm the stage. Known for their rousing performances and boundary-pushing sound, A7X is ready to bring their signature blend of shredding guitars, powerhouse vocals, and epic stage presence to a whole new audience. Ahead of the show, we’re revisiting 10 of their most iconic tracks—songs that have defined their journey and solidified their place in metal lore. Get ready, because when Avenged Sevenfold hits that stage, it’s going to be a night to remember.

1. Unholy Confessions

Album: Waking The Fallen (2003)

Studio: Third Stone (Hollywood) & Mates Inc (Hollywood)

The riff that launched a thousand headbangs. Sure, metalcore has plenty of riffs, but Synyster Gates’ scorching melody on “Unholy Confessions” wasn’t just another one—it was the one. This was the moment Gates announced himself as the shredding powerhouse that would define Avenged Sevenfold for the next two decades. For the OG fans who were headbanging before City of Evil turned A7X into a household name, “Unholy Confessions” was likely their gateway drug. And what a trip it was! M. Shadows introduced his clean vocals to the world, leaving behind the scream-heavy chaos of Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, and the harmonies?! The song was a seismic shift. No wonder it’s the sole survivor of their early catalog that still earns a spot on the setlist—it’s timeless, and yes, it still shreds.

2. So Far Away

Album: Nightmare (2010)

Studio: The Pass (Los Angeles) & Phantom (Westlake Village)

If there’s one track in Avenged Sevenfold’s catalog that feels like an open wound, it’s the poignant ballad “So Far Away”—a raw, aching response to The Rev’s passing. While Gates originally wrote the song for his grandfather before the tragedy, its tragic timing turned it into something much more personal for fans. It’s the moment in A7X’s live shows where the crowd stands united in remembrance, as Shadows croons its haunting lyrics. To this day, it remains a punch to the gut but an essential remembrance of loss, grief, healing and The Rev’s enduring legacy.

3. A Little Piece of Heaven

Album: Avenged Sevenfold (2007)

Studio: Sunset Sound (Los Angeles), Eldorado (Burbank) & Capitol (Hollywood)

An eight-minute rollercoaster of madness, “A Little Piece of Heaven” is what happens when The Rev’s wild imagination collides with Danny Elfman’s cinematic flair. This felonious fan favorite is a gothic carnival of dueling vocals, all-consuming lovers, and over-the-top sonic grandeur. While Avenged Sevenfold has spent years experimenting with their sound to mixed results, they’ve rarely hit the mark as boldly and brilliantly as they did with this playful, unhinged masterpiece.

4. Nightmare

Album: Nightmare (2010)

Studio: The Pass (Los Angeles) & Phantom (Westlake Village)

After The Rev’s death in ’09, the future of Avenged Sevenfold was a big question mark—but then their first single dropped five months later, and the world got its answer. Those haunting xylophone notes started to ring, and the metal community knew they weren’t pulling any punches. The lead single from Nightmare was a sonic machine gun, a bold statement that the band wasn’t going soft after such a loss. The lyrics? A dark, vivid journey through the underworld, banishing a villain to pay “the price of evil.” With Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) stepping in on drums, the track became a must-be in every heavy metal Halloween playlist. It also helped the eponymous album debut at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, marking a triumphant return that still echoes in the metal scene.

5. Hail to the King

Album: Hail to the King (2013)

Studio: Can-Am (Los Angeles) & Capitol (Hollywood)

The thing about “Hail to the King” is that it’s the kind of anthem that demands to be played loud—like, really loud. That opening riff? It’s a shockwave, making it clear from the get-go that the band was back with a vengeance in 2013. While you can hear traces of Metallica, the track’s colossal hook and the defiant line, “Watch your tongue or have it cut from your head,” are pure A7X.

6. Eternal Rest

Album: Waking The Fallen (2003)

Studio: Third Stone (Hollywood) & Mates Inc (Hollywood)

“Eternal Rest” comes in swinging like a wrecking ball, smashing straight into five chaotic minutes of metal madness. The verse melody gives off serious Pantera “Walk” vibes (fitting, since A7X later covered it), but the opening solo? That’s pure Randy Rhoads-level spectacle, courtesy of Synyster Gates. This leans heavily on groove and instrumental fireworks, letting the band show off their chops, though M. Shadows’ harmonized finale slices through the chaos like a blade. It’s raw, relentless, and impossible to ignore.

7. Welcome to the Family

Album: Nightmare (2010)

Studio: The Pass (Los Angeles) & Phantom (Westlake Village)

Crafted mostly by The Rev before his passing, “Welcome to the Family” is the unexpected burst of fun on Nightmare—even with its heavy themes of numbness and emptiness. Packed with all the A7X essentials—thundering, chugging verses, anthemic hooks, and dueling guitars ripping through the mix—this track blasts through the gloom. And, at just four minutes, it’s practically a breeze by the band’s standards, offering a high-energy punch that stands out amidst the darker, more brooding tracks.

8. Beast and the Harlot

Album: City of Evil (2005)

Studio: The Hobby Shop (Los Angeles) & Ocean Way (Hollywood)

“Beast and the Harlot” was a rite of passage for anyone brave enough to tackle it on Guitar Hero II back in the day. This explosive opener didn’t just shred; it catapulted A7X into the spotlight, redefining their sound for a wider audience. The guitar melody starts as a grandiose curtain-raiser before diving into a deep, addictive groove that’s become one of their most iconic. This track didn’t just rock; it reigned.

9. Chapter Four

Album: Waking The Fallen (2003)

Studio: Third Stone (Hollywood) & Mates Inc (Hollywood)

This track is the Waking the Fallen all-rounder, fusing the fiery metalcore chaos of their early days with a towering heavy metal chorus. Lyrically, it’s pure metal theater: “I’ve come here to kill you, won’t leave until you’ve died / Murder born of vengeance, I closed my brother’s eyes tonight.” Dark, dramatic, and oh-so-deliciously over the top. But don’t get too comfortable—on the back half, the screamed verses kick in, and with them, an old-school riff assault. This is Avenged Sevenfold at their most intense and imaginative, proving they weren’t just here to stay—they were here to dominate.

10. Bat Country

Album: City of Evil (2005)

Studio: The Hobby Shop (Los Angeles) & Ocean Way (Hollywood)

“Bat Country” soared straight into the spotlight, becoming the Avenged Sevenfold track that casual rock fans couldn’t escape. Inspired by Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, this platinum-selling banger was everywhere—video games, rock radio, you name it. Sure, City of Evil has stronger tracks, but none capture the band’s sheer joy quite like this one. With its scream-free, more radio-friendly vibe, “Bat Country” marked Avenged Sevenfold’s pivot to the big leagues—and they clearly had a blast on the ride.

Read More: Apple Strikes Back at Musi App in Ongoing Legal Clash