Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we explore the artists shaping the sound of modern guitar. Today, we’re diving into the chaotic yet melodic guitar world of one of the most distinctive and influential metal guitarists of the 21st century: the one and only Synyster Gates. As the lead guitarist for the powerhouse band Avenged Sevenfold, Gates has carved out a unique sonic identity, blending crushing riffs, intricate harmonies, and breathtaking solos into a sound that is instantly recognizable and utterly compelling.
The Avenged Sound
Synyster Gates’ musical style, as the co-architect of Avenged Sevenfold’s sound, is a complex tapestry woven from diverse influences. At its core, it’s a powerful blend of classic heavy metal and hard rock, infused with the aggression of thrash, the melodicism of power metal, and the occasional progressive flourish. What truly sets him apart is his ability to craft both incredibly heavy, driving riffs and soaring, highly melodic lead lines.
His playing is characterized by a sophisticated understanding of harmony, often employing intricate, harmonized guitar parts (both clean and distorted) that give Avenged Sevenfold’s music its epic, almost orchestral feel. His solos are not just fast; they are brilliantly constructed, often telling a story within the song, moving from blistering technicality to moments of profound melody and emotion.
Anatomy of a Shredding Gentleman
Synyster Gates possesses a comprehensive and powerful guitar technique that allows him to execute his diverse musical ideas with precision and flair.
The Technical Arsenal: He is a master of rapid-fire alternate picking, executing complex runs with incredible clarity and speed. He seamlessly incorporates sweep picking for arpeggiated bursts and employs fluid legato for smoother, vocal-like phrases. His pinch harmonics are sharp and well-placed, adding an aggressive edge.
Melodic & Harmonic Focus: Despite his technical prowess, Gates always prioritizes melody and harmony. He often composes intricate twin-guitar harmonies with rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, creating a signature depth to Avenged Sevenfold’s sound. His solos, even at their fastest, contain memorable melodic hooks.
Signature Schecter Guitars: Gates is famously associated with Schecter Guitars, with whom he has an extensive line of signature models. These guitars are instantly recognizable by their custom finishes (often black and white stripes or a unique “Syn” logo) and aggressive body shapes. They typically feature powerful humbucking pickups, often his own signature Seymour Duncan Invaders, designed for high output, crushing riffs, and singing leads.
Amplification & Effects: His tone is a massive, highly saturated, and articulate high-gain sound. He has used various high-wattage tube amplifiers throughout his career, often favoring Mesa/Boogie (Dual Rectifier) and Marshall (JVM series) for their powerful crunch and ample headroom for solos. For effects, he’s known to use a Dunlop Cry Baby Wah for expressive lead work and various modulation and delay pedals to add texture and depth.
Essential Gates: The Avenged Anthems
Avenged Sevenfold’s discography is packed with hard-hitting tracks showcasing Synyster Gates’ incredible talent. Here are three essential listens that highlight his impact.
“Bat Country”
One of Avenged Sevenfold’s breakout hits, “Bat Country” features an iconic, galloping main riff and a furious, yet melodic, solo that perfectly captures Gates’ early signature style. The solo is a whirlwind of intricate alternate picking and sweep arpeggios, showcasing his technical might while still delivering a memorable musical statement.
“Afterlife”
A fan-favorite power ballad, “Afterlife” highlights Gates’ ability to craft beautiful, emotionally resonant melodies. The song features stunning harmonized guitar lines and a soaring, intensely melodic solo that builds with dramatic flair, showcasing his versatility beyond pure aggression. It’s a masterclass in modern metal balladry.
“Nightmare”
The title track from their critically acclaimed 2010 album, “Nightmare” is a brutal, riff-driven anthem. Gates delivers a crushing main riff and an absolutely ferocious solo filled with his signature dive bombs, pinch harmonics, and lightning-fast runs. It encapsulates the heavier, more aggressive side of his playing while retaining his melodic sensibility.
Synyster Gates is undeniably one of the most important and exciting metal guitarists of his generation. He has helped define the sound of modern heavy music, proving that technical virtuosity, powerful riffs, and emotional melody can coexist in perfect harmony. With his distinctive style and commanding presence, he continues to inspire a new wave of guitarists to push the boundaries of what’s possible in metal.
Cover Photo Credit “Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold)” by Víctor Roces (volga) is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Who knew crafting epic riffs and soaring solos could be so… complicated? This article makes playing guitar sound like a Ph.D. in chaos theory with Synyster Gates as the valedictorian. Calling him a shredding gentleman is like calling a lightning strike a really impressive spark. The man practically *breathes* high-gain saturation and twin-guitar harmonies. I especially love that his solos tell a story, because I suspect the story is mostly him yelling Faster! at his Schecter. Kudos to him for making technicality *sound* like melody instead of just noise. This piece is the perfect antidote to thinking music is simple – its clearly a universe of intricate beauty and aggressive power, mostly wielded by people with way too many guitar pedals.đếm ngược ngày thi