“It's unbelievable we survived.” How a gang of OC punks changed the face of metalcore - and ultimately became one of 21st Century metal's true stadium acts

Avenged Sevenfold Kerrang Awards 2004.

Avenged Sevenfold have always been a band with a vision. In 2001, the Californians caused a small buzz with their debut, Sounding The Seventh Trumpet: an ambitious opening statement overflowing with ideas. But when they set about writing its follow-up, they wanted to go further.

“Even when we were at that point when we had very few fans, we never felt like a small band,” guitarist Zacky Vengeance told Billboard in 2014. “We always felt like we had a big purpose.”