Avenged Sevenfold surprised fans at the Grammy Museum in October when lead vocalist M. Shadows announced they’d start with a song “by a band you may have heard of—the Rolling Stones?” The song, “As Tears Go By,” is famously the first song that Keith Richards and Mick Jagger ever wrote. The Stones released it as a single in 1964 after having mostly recorded blues covers, and it peaked at number nine on the charts.
Avenged Sevenfold, a metal group, brings more grit and steadiness to the wistfully nostalgic tone of Jagger’s sad voice and Richards’ mean guitar. The Stones opted for sparse instrumentation; Avenged Sevenfold’s cover includes two guitars, bass, backing vocals, drums and a sitar. The group creates a thick sound that trails closely behind Shadow’s voice.
Avenged Sevenfold formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1999. Shadow is accompanied by backing vocalist Zacky Vengeance, guitarist Synyster Gates, bassist aJohnny Christ and drummer Brooks Wackerman. All of the musicians barring Wackerman assist on vocals. The group is chiefly known for its innovative approach to metal music and the way it stretches the meaning of the genre. They’re merchandising and album covers are a cut above the rest.
The group has released seven studio albums, one live album and two compilations. With eighteen singles, they’ve sold over eight million albums worldwide. They just make Loudwire’s Top 50 Metal Bands of All Time at number forty-seven. The band’s cover of “As Tears Go By” took place on October 19th of this year. Audio of the set was released as an EP titled “Live at the Grammy Museum.” Watch the video below.
Photography Credit: Mauricio Alvarado
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