With Metal Hammer‘s announcement of a tribute to Avenged Sevenfold, entitled Hail to the Kings, and the fact that front man M. Shadows is in the new Ghost video, I decided to post a blog about the band that stole my heart in 2005.

My introduction to Avenged Sevenfold came during a difficult time in my life. At seventeen, I lost my boyfriend. I had some really great people helping me get through it, and one of those individuals played me Waking the Fallen. I was immediately in love. Over the years, I have met some of my best friends through a shared love of these guys.

So, in honor of my forever band crush, here are some photos of and my favorite videos from Avenged Sevenfold.

“Bat Country”

“Afterlife”

“Unholy Confessions”

“Hail to the King”

“Save Me”

“Exist”

“Acid Rain”