Who is Synyster Gates? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Brian Elwin Haner Jr., Synyster Gates, Syn, Gates

Age: 43 Years, 43 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Michelle DiBenedetto (m. 2010)

father: Brian Haner Sr.

mother: Jan Gera

siblings: Brent Haner, McKenna

children: Nicolangelo Saint James Haner

Guitarists American Men

Height: 5'10" (178 cm), 5'10" Males

U.S. State: California

More Facts

education: Mayfair Middle/High School, Musicians Institute, Ocean View High School

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1

What is Synyster Gates known for?

Synyster Gates is best known as the lead guitarist of the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold.
2

How did Synyster Gates develop his unique guitar playing style?

Synyster Gates developed his unique guitar playing style through years of practice, experimentation, and drawing inspiration from various musical genres.
3

What equipment does Synyster Gates use for his guitar playing?

Synyster Gates is known for using signature Schecter guitars, such as the Synyster Gates Custom-S and Hellwin amplifiers designed by Schecter Amplification.
4

How did Synyster Gates contribute to Avenged Sevenfold's songwriting process?

Synyster Gates is involved in the songwriting process of Avenged Sevenfold by contributing guitar riffs, solos, and collaborating with other band members to create their distinctive sound.
5

What are some of Synyster Gates' guitar techniques that fans admire?

Fans of Synyster Gates often admire his mastery of techniques such as sweep picking, tapping, and harmonics that contribute to his dynamic and intricate guitar playing style.

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Career

In 1999, M. Shadows founded Avenged Sevenfold along with Zacky Vengeance, The Rev and Matt Wendt in Huntington Beach, California. According to Shadows, he named the group as a reference to the story of Cain and Abel from the Bible. They released their debut studio album, ‘Sounding the Seventh Trumpet’, in 2001 through their first record label, Good Life Recordings. Soon after, Gates joined the band and the album was re-released in 2002 through Hopeless Records. He was also involved in the making of Avenged Sevenfold’s first extended play, ‘Warmness on the Soul’, in 2001. After its release, the group garnered considerable popularity.

In August 2003, they released their second album, ‘Waking the Fallen’. This time, they had a new bassist in Johnny Christ. The sound on this album is more sophisticated and well-produced. It also attracted media attention, with Billboard and ‘The Boston Globe’ reviewing it positively.

Their album, ‘City of Evil’, released in June 2005 through Warner Bros. label, is one of their best albums to date. It is one of their most successful ones as well, having been certified platinum by RIAA and gold by BPI and MC. Their self-titled fourth album was released in October 2007. After its release in July 2010, their fifth album, ‘Nightmare’, topped the US and Finnish music charts and was certified platinum by MC and gold by BPI and RIAA.

The album ‘Hail to the King’ (2013) was their last one released through Warner Bros. before they signed with Capitol Records. It topped the US, Canadian, UK, Finnish and Irish charts and was certified platinum by MC as well. It was followed by a soundtrack album, titled ‘Hail to the King: Deathbat’ (2015). Their most recent album is ‘The Stage’, which was released in October 2016. It reached the top spot in the Canadian chart.

Besides these, Avenged Sevenfold has put out one live album, ‘Live at the Grammy Museum’ (2017); two compilation albums, ‘Live in the LBC & Diamonds in the Rough’ (2008) and ‘The Best of 2005–2013’ (2016); and one video album, ‘All Excess’ (2007).

Gates had also worked with former Avenged Sevenfold member The Rev in the latter’s experimental metal band Pinkly Smooth between 2001 and 2002. They put out one album, ‘Unfortunate Snort’, in 2001.

According to Kerrang Readers Poll, he was voted the sexiest male of 2008. Guitar World ranked him among the top 30 shredders of all time in 2010. On April 20, 2011, he and his bandmate Zacky Vengeance received the Revolver Golden God award for Best Guitarist. In 2018, Gates and the rest of the members of Avenged Sevenfold were nominated for the Grammy Award for the Best Rock Song for ‘The Stage’.

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Personal Life

Synyster Gates was born on July 7, 1981, in Long Beach, California, to Brian Haner, Sr. and Jan (Smith) Gera. His father is a musician, comedian, and writer, who is famous for touring with American comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham. In the 1970s, Haner, Sr. was part of Sam the Sham's band. Gates is of English Irish, German, and Creek ancestry. He has a brother named Brent, who works for Trinity One Insurance as an agent. Their parents divorced in 1990. Haner, Sr. remarried. Gates’ stepmother’s name is Suzy. He also has a half-sister named McKenna.

As a youth, he drew the initial inspiration from his father and later started listening to Dimebag Darrell, Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, John Petrucci, Slash, Zakk Wylde, Allan Holdsworth, Frank Gambale, Mr Bungle, and Oingo Boingo. He loved heavy metal but his taste in music extended way beyond it to include jazz, gypsy jazz, classical and avant-garde as well. He enrolled at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, California, where he was part of the Guitar Institute of Music program and was educated in jazz and classical guitar.

On May 7, 2010, Gates married California native Michelle DiBenedetto. On May 12, 2017, DiBenedetto gave birth to their son, Nicolangelo "Nicci" Saint James Haner.

Facts About Synyster Gates

Synyster Gates, whose real name is Brian Haner Jr., is not only a talented guitarist but also a skilled pianist and has showcased his piano skills in various Avenged Sevenfold songs.

He is known for his unique sense of style, often sporting flashy clothing and accessories on stage that reflect his personality and musical creativity.

Synyster Gates is a self-taught guitarist who started playing at a young age and has developed his own distinctive shredding style that has become a signature part of Avenged Sevenfold's sound.

In addition to his music career, Synyster Gates is also an avid golfer and has participated in various charity golf tournaments, showcasing his passion for the sport outside of music.

Synyster Gates is a dedicated family man and often shares heartwarming moments with his wife and children on social media, showing a more personal and down-to-earth side to his rockstar persona.

Synyster Gates Biography

You wanted to know

What is Synyster Gates known for?

How did Synyster Gates develop his unique guitar playing style?

What equipment does Synyster Gates use for his guitar playing?

How did Synyster Gates contribute to Avenged Sevenfold's songwriting process?

What are some of Synyster Gates' guitar techniques that fans admire?