The Rev
Encyclopedia
James Owen Sullivan more commonly known by his stage name The Reverend Tholomew Plague, often shortened to The Rev, was an American musician, best known as the drummer for the American heavy metal
band Avenged Sevenfold
. He was also the lead vocalist/pianist in Pinkly Smooth
, a side project where he was known by the name Rat Head, with fellow Avenged Sevenfold member, guitarist Synyster Gates
.
. He got his first pair of drum sticks at the age of four and received his own drum set at the age of eleven. In high school, he started playing in bands. Before leaving to join Avenged Sevenfold as one of the band's founding members, Sullivan was the drummer for the third wave ska band Suburban Legends
. At the age of eighteen he recorded his first album with Avenged Sevenfold titled Sounding the Seventh Trumpet
. His early influences included Frank Zappa
and King Crimson
. The Rev said in a Modern Drummer Magazine interview that "I was raised on that stuff as much as rock and metal."
Later in life he was influenced by drummers Vinnie Paul
, Mike Portnoy
, Dave Lombardo
, Lars Ulrich
, and Terry Bozzio
. He even had a "visual influence", Tommy Lee
, on which he commented that "I never thought I'd have one of those." Sullivan's signature ability which he called "the double-ride thing, just for lack of a better definition, because no one does it," is a technique that can be heard on tracks such as "Almost Easy", "Critical Acclaim", and "Crossroads" in which Sullivan doubles up at a fast tempo between the double bass and ride cymbals.
The Rev was also a vocalist, songwriter, and pianist for Avenged Sevenfold. His piano-playing can be heard on the tracks "Warmness on the Soul
", "Seize the Day
", "Fiction" and "Save Me". His vocals are featured in Avenged Sevenfold's "A Little Piece of Heaven", "Brompton Cocktail", "Critical Acclaim", "Crossroads", "Gunslinger", "Lost", "Scream
", "Afterlife
", "Save Me", "Eternal Rest" and "Fiction". He also wrote the songs "Almost Easy
", "A Little Piece of Heaven", "Afterlife", "Brompton Cocktail", "Save Me", and "Fiction". He also contributed to the making of "Critical Acclaim" and "Lost".
Avenged Sevenfold also announced that they will be releasing a demo version of "Nightmare" including The Rev on an electric drumset and his vocals.
At the second annual Revolver Golden God Awards, The Rev won the award for Best Drummer. His family members and Avenged Sevenfold
received the honor on his behalf.
. The results of the autopsy performed on December 30, 2009, however, were inconclusive. On June 9, 2010, the cause of death was revealed to have been an acute polydrug intoxication due to combined effects of oxycodone (OxyContin), oxymorphone
(a metabolite of oxycodone), diazepam
(Valium), nordiazepam (a metabolite of diazepam) and alcohol
. Cardiomegaly
(enlarged heart) was reported as a "significant condition" that may have played a role in the death.
On January 5, 2010, a private funeral was held for Sullivan, and a day later he was buried in Huntington Beach, California. Avenged Sevenfold dedicated their fifth album, Nightmare
, to Sullivan.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
. He was also the lead vocalist/pianist in Pinkly Smooth
Pinkly Smooth
Pinkly Smooth is an American Heavy metal/Goblin metal band. The band was formed in the summer of 2001 in Huntington Beach, California, with The Rev as vocalist, fellow Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates as guitarist and ex-Ballistico members: Buck Silverspur on bass and Derek Eglit on...
, a side project where he was known by the name Rat Head, with fellow Avenged Sevenfold member, guitarist Synyster Gates
Synyster Gates
Brian Elwin Haner, Jr. , better known by his stage name Synyster Gates or simply Syn, is an American musician, best known for being the lead guitarist of the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold.-Early life:...
.
Career
Sullivan grew up and lived in Huntington Beach, CaliforniaHuntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
. He got his first pair of drum sticks at the age of four and received his own drum set at the age of eleven. In high school, he started playing in bands. Before leaving to join Avenged Sevenfold as one of the band's founding members, Sullivan was the drummer for the third wave ska band Suburban Legends
Suburban Legends
Suburban Legends are a third wave ska/pop band that formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1998, and are currently based out of Santa Ana, California.- History :...
. At the age of eighteen he recorded his first album with Avenged Sevenfold titled Sounding the Seventh Trumpet
Sounding the Seventh Trumpet
-Personnel:Avenged Sevenfold* M. Shadows — lead vocals, keyboard, acoustic guitar* Zacky Vengeance - Lead guitar and rhythm guitar* Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan — drums, backing vocals, piano* Justin Sane - bass guitar, pianoProduction...
. His early influences included Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
and King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
. The Rev said in a Modern Drummer Magazine interview that "I was raised on that stuff as much as rock and metal."
Later in life he was influenced by drummers Vinnie Paul
Vinnie Paul
Vincent Paul Abbott, also known as "Vinnie Paul" is a heavy metal drummer and producer who is currently a member of supergroup Hellyeah, but is best known for being a member, and co-founder, of the heavy metal band Pantera...
, Mike Portnoy
Mike Portnoy
Michael Stephen "Mike" Portnoy is an American drummer primarily known as the former drummer, backing vocalist, and a co-founder of the progressive metal band Dream Theater, as well as the temporary drummer for the hard rock band Avenged Sevenfold. Known for his drumming prowess and technical...
, Dave Lombardo
Dave Lombardo
Dave Lombardo is a Cuban American heavy metal drummer best known for his work with American thrash metal band Slayer. He has performed with Slayer on seven albums, including their groundbreaking 1986 release Reign In Blood and their 2006 release Christ Illusion, for which he received critical praise...
, Lars Ulrich
Lars Ulrich
Lars Ulrich is a Danish drummer, and one of the founding members of the American thrash metal band Metallica. He was born in Gentofte, Denmark to an upper-middle class family. A tennis player in his youth, Ulrich moved to Los Angeles, California at age sixteen to pursue his training; though rather...
, and Terry Bozzio
Terry Bozzio
Terry John Bozzio is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa.-Biography:Terry Bozzio was born December 27, 1950 in San Francisco, California. He started at age 6 playing makeshift drum sets. At the age of 13 he saw The Beatles premier performance on The Ed...
. He even had a "visual influence", Tommy Lee
Tommy Lee
Thomas Lee Bass , best known as Tommy Lee, is an American musician and founding member of glam metal band Mötley Crüe. As well as being the band's long-term drummer, Lee founded rap-metal band Methods of Mayhem, and has pursued solo musical projects...
, on which he commented that "I never thought I'd have one of those." Sullivan's signature ability which he called "the double-ride thing, just for lack of a better definition, because no one does it," is a technique that can be heard on tracks such as "Almost Easy", "Critical Acclaim", and "Crossroads" in which Sullivan doubles up at a fast tempo between the double bass and ride cymbals.
The Rev was also a vocalist, songwriter, and pianist for Avenged Sevenfold. His piano-playing can be heard on the tracks "Warmness on the Soul
Warmness on the Soul
Warmness on the Soul is the first EP/single by Avenged Sevenfold. It was released on August 8, 2001 by Good Life Recordings. The release features the video for the title track, "Warmness on the Soul" as an Enhanced CD bonus. The EP was the first release to feature guitarist, Synyster Gates...
", "Seize the Day
Seize the Day (song)
"Seize the Day" is a song by Avenged Sevenfold, the song is released as the fourth single from their third album City of Evil."Seize the Day" has been released on July 27, 2010 as a downloadable track in Rock Band 2 along with "Nightmare" and "Scream"....
", "Fiction" and "Save Me". His vocals are featured in Avenged Sevenfold's "A Little Piece of Heaven", "Brompton Cocktail", "Critical Acclaim", "Crossroads", "Gunslinger", "Lost", "Scream
Scream (Avenged Sevenfold song)
"Scream" is the fifth and final single from Avenged Sevenfold's self-titled album. It has reached number nine on the U.S. Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 26 on the U.S. Alternative Songs chart. It is the second of five singles by Avenged Sevenfold written by M. Shadows...
", "Afterlife
Afterlife (Avenged Sevenfold song)
"Afterlife" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The is released as the third single from their self-titled album. The song itself features a string orchestra and was written by the band's drummer, The Rev. It was voted the best song of the new album on the band's homepage...
", "Save Me", "Eternal Rest" and "Fiction". He also wrote the songs "Almost Easy
Almost Easy
"Almost Easy" is a song by American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold. It is the second song as well as second single from their self-titled album.-Background:...
", "A Little Piece of Heaven", "Afterlife", "Brompton Cocktail", "Save Me", and "Fiction". He also contributed to the making of "Critical Acclaim" and "Lost".
Avenged Sevenfold also announced that they will be releasing a demo version of "Nightmare" including The Rev on an electric drumset and his vocals.
At the second annual Revolver Golden God Awards, The Rev won the award for Best Drummer. His family members and Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
received the honor on his behalf.
Death
Sullivan's body was found in his home on December 28, 2009 at the age of 28. His death was reported as due to natural causesDeath by natural causes
A death by natural causes, as recorded by coroners and on death certificates and associated documents, is one that is primarily attributed to natural agents: usually an illness or an internal malfunction of the body. For example, a person dying from complications from influenza or a heart attack ...
. The results of the autopsy performed on December 30, 2009, however, were inconclusive. On June 9, 2010, the cause of death was revealed to have been an acute polydrug intoxication due to combined effects of oxycodone (OxyContin), oxymorphone
Oxymorphone
Oxymorphone or 14-Hydroxydihydromorphinone is a powerful semi-synthetic opioid analgesic first developed in Germany circa 1914, patented in the USA by Endo Pharmaceuticals in 1955 and introduced to the United States market in January 1959 and other countries around the same time...
(a metabolite of oxycodone), diazepam
Diazepam
Diazepam , first marketed as Valium by Hoffmann-La Roche is a benzodiazepine drug. Diazepam is also marketed in Australia as Antenex. It is commonly used for treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures including status epilepticus, muscle spasms , restless legs syndrome, alcohol withdrawal,...
(Valium), nordiazepam (a metabolite of diazepam) and alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
. Cardiomegaly
Cardiomegaly
Cardiomegaly is a medical condition wherein the heart is enlarged. It is generally categorized in the following manner:* Cardiomegaly due to dilation* Cardiomegaly due to ventricular hypertrophy** Left ventricular hypertrophy...
(enlarged heart) was reported as a "significant condition" that may have played a role in the death.
On January 5, 2010, a private funeral was held for Sullivan, and a day later he was buried in Huntington Beach, California. Avenged Sevenfold dedicated their fifth album, Nightmare
Nightmare (Avenged Sevenfold album)
Nightmare is the fifth studio album by American rock band Avenged Sevenfold, released on July 27, 2010 through Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by Mike Elizondo and mixed in New York City by noted engineer Andy Wallace...
, to Sullivan.
Drum set and other gear
The Rev had a DW kit with 3 22x18 bass drums (one of which The Rev didn't use), an 8x5 tom, an 8x7 tom, a 10x8 tom, a 12x9 tom, a 14x11 tom, a 16x14 tom, a 18x16 tom (all mounted on a DW Super Rack), two DW 9000 single bass pedals, an AAX X-Celerator 14" Hi-Hat, an AAX 19" Metal Crash, an AA 18" Metal-X Crash, an AAX 19" X-Treme Chinese, an AAX 19" X-Treme Chinese, an AAX 22" Metal Ride, an AAX 22" Metal Ride, an AAX 10" Splash, an 8" Chopper, a Max 11" Splash, an HH 12" Mini Chinese, and Promark drumsticks.With Avenged Sevenfold
- 1999 Demo1999 Demo1999 Demo is a demo album and the debut release from American metal band Avenged Sevenfold. This demo recorded and released on 1999. On the All Excess DVD, on Album Recording's part, M. Shadows claim that Avenged Sevenfold recording three song for demo, with Matt Wendt, his friend and bassist at...
(1999) - 2000 Demo2000 Demo2000 Demo is a demo album from American metal band Avenged Sevenfold. This demo was recorded and released in 2000. Prior to the release of Avenged Sevenfold's debut album Sounding the Seventh Trumpet in 2001, Avenged Sevenfold made two demo recordings. These recordings are rare and occasionally...
(2000) - Sounding the Seventh TrumpetSounding the Seventh Trumpet-Personnel:Avenged Sevenfold* M. Shadows — lead vocals, keyboard, acoustic guitar* Zacky Vengeance - Lead guitar and rhythm guitar* Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan — drums, backing vocals, piano* Justin Sane - bass guitar, pianoProduction...
(2001) - Warmness on the SoulWarmness on the SoulWarmness on the Soul is the first EP/single by Avenged Sevenfold. It was released on August 8, 2001 by Good Life Recordings. The release features the video for the title track, "Warmness on the Soul" as an Enhanced CD bonus. The EP was the first release to feature guitarist, Synyster Gates...
(2001) - Waking the FallenWaking the FallenWaking the Fallen is the second album by Avenged Sevenfold, released on August 26, 2003 through Hopeless Records. It is the last release by the band to feature their metalcore sound, although more clean vocals are featured on the album than their debut album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet. It is...
(2003) - City of EvilCity of EvilCity of Evil is the third studio album and first major label release by American metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The album was released on June 7, 2005 under the Warner Bros. Records label. Co-produced by Andrew Murdock, City of Evil contains a more hard rock and classic heavy metal sound than...
(2005) - All ExcessAll ExcessAll Excess is Avenged Sevenfold's first DVD which was released on July 17, 2007. The DVD includes a documentary with footage dating back to 1999, four live performances, along with four music videos, and several outtakes....
(2007) - Avenged SevenfoldAvenged Sevenfold (album)Avenged Sevenfold is the fourth studio album by American metal band Avenged Sevenfold, released on October 30, 2007 through Warner Bros. Records...
(2007) - Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the RoughLive in the LBC & Diamonds in the RoughDiamonds in the Rough -Personnel:Avenged Sevenfold* M. Shadows – lead vocals* Synyster Gates – lead guitar, backing vocals* Zacky Vengeance – rhythm guitar, backing vocals...
(2008) - NightmareNightmare (Avenged Sevenfold album)Nightmare is the fifth studio album by American rock band Avenged Sevenfold, released on July 27, 2010 through Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by Mike Elizondo and mixed in New York City by noted engineer Andy Wallace...
(2010) (Posthumous) - Welcome to the FamilyWelcome to the Family (EP)Welcome to the Family is the second EP by Avenged Sevenfold. It was released on December 21, 2010 by Warner Bros. The EP includes "Welcome to the Family", "4:00 AM", "Seize the Day " and "Welcome to the Family" of digital booklet. The track "4:00 AM" is an unreleased song from the Nightmare...
(2010) (Posthumous)