Waking the Fallen

Waking the Fallen is the second album, on which Avenged Sevenfold sharpened its identity, released on Hopeless. It is the first full album with lead guitarist Synyster Gates and bassist Johnny Christ together, completing the core lineup that would last for years. The weight of singing increases from the debut, and dramatic melody and development are carefully layered onto fierce metalcore. Mudrock produced. The lead single "Unholy Confessions" is an early signature song combining sharp riffs, screams and a striking chorus. On the seven-minute "Second Heartbeat," The Rev's virtuoso drumming and Gates' solo shine, and the two-part "I Won't See You Tonight" shows lyricism. Binding aggression, melody and skillful construction, it lifted the band up from the underground and earned gold certification. It is still highly regarded as the peak of their metalcore era.