Avenged Sevenfold's Drummer, James Owen Sullivan Aka the Rev, Has Passed Away

It was reported yesterday, and confirmed today by Lt. John Domingo of the Huntington Police, CA Police (as well as on the band's official website), that heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold's drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan was found dead in his home on Monday December 28, 2009. James Owen Sullivan, who went by the stage name "The Rev", was the 28 year old drummer and back up vocalist for the "metalcore" band that formed in 1999. The police department has deemed the cause of his death as "natural causes" (much like the recent death of actress Brittany Murphy this seems odd for someone so young?) but the Orange County coroner has stated that he is investigating the cause of death.

The band was first introduced to the masses while touring for both The Warped Tour and Ozzfest, and was the only band in history to headline both festivals while holding the number one sport on MTV's Total Request Live pop charts. Some of their hit songs include "Bat Country" and "Sidewinder" One of their songs even landed a spot on the popular video game Guitar Hero.

The group, known by fans simply as A7X, won the best new artist award at the MTV Video Music awards in 2006 after Avenged Sevenfold's third album release, City of Evil, in 2005 became their first gold selling album. . Their self titled fifth album landed as number 4 on the Billboard 200 charts in 2007. The band consist of guitarist Zacky Vengenace, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, bassist Johny Christ, and lead singer M. Shadows. The band has a U.S. tour with band Buckcherry and toured the UK and Europe in the summer of 2008 with Iron Maiden.

The metal groups sound is said to be heavier and more aggressive than mainstream pop-punk and hard rock. The New York Times called had this to say about the group in a March 14, 2008 review:

"Avenged Sevenfold bridges a gap between emo and metal that no one asked to be bridged, with Metallica-esque, machine-gun rhythms and anthemic guitar solos."

In response to the drummer's death, the group released the following statement on their website:

"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan. Jimmy was not only one of the world's best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy's family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Jimmy you are forever in our hearts.
We love you."

Sources: "Pop". The New York Times. March 14, 2008, Section E; Column O, Page 25.
http://www.avengedsevenfold.com/news/jimmy-rev-sullivan
http://www.ocregister.com/news/sullivan-226142-beach-drummer.html
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/12/james-owen-sullivan-avenged-sevenfold.html