Synyster Gates – The Best Modern Guitarist

Brian Elwin Haner was born on the 7th of July and is better known as Synyster Gates, his stage name; he is the lead guitarist and the backup vocalist of Avenged Sevenfold, an American hard rock band/ heavy metal. After attending 2 different schools in California he later on also attended the Musicians Institute situated in Hollywood. Despite the fact that he did not graduate from this institute, music flowed through his veins. Before joining Musicians Institute he had taught himself the basics of music by viewing music videos and reading books.

Since his father was guitar player and also a songwriter who had played with Frank Zappa, this comes across a surprise. After attending the Institute for roughly six months, Synyster, who prefers to use Bogner amps and Schecter guitars, received a phone call from The Rev of Avenged Sevenfold and was asked if he was willing to join that group as their lead guitarist. Preferring to pursue the career of a studio musician, Synyster forsake his education and joined Avenged Sevenfold.

He had joined this group when he was just 18 years of age towards the end of the year 1999. This was just prior to the recording of Avenged Sevenfold’s 1st album titled `Sounding the Seventh Trumpet’. Synyster featured on the re-release of the first album of Avenged Sevenfold, and also on their EP, `Warmness of the Soul’. At times, Synyster also plays the piano for certain selected songs. The Rev during the course of a drunken drive thought out the name Synyster Gates. Some of the members of his band alleged that Synyster had often thought of himself as too good a player for that type of band, but these thoughts were brushed aside by Synyster.

This famous guitarist, along with The Rev had also played for Pinkly Smooth, a metal band. Both of them finally left this group since they wanted to devote all their time behind Avenged Sevenfold. Synyster Gates has won quite a number of awards like the `Young Shredder’ award in 2006 and also the Total Guitar Magazine’s guitarist of the year award in 2006. He has also appeared in guest appearances in music videos like `The River’ (Good Charlotte), and Dirty Little Girl (Burn Halo). This famous guitarist is also endorsed by Schecter guitars and there are two different versions of his signature model.

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