When they formed at the tail end of the '90s, Avenged Sevenfold were still in high school, which got us thinking—how did they go from the demon-spawn delivery of 2001's Sounding the Seventh Trumpet to such welcome detours like country-fried Americana, ravaged alt-rock, and the Top 40-bound thrash? Easy—Avenged Sevenfold are one of hard rock's most successful crossover bands. With influences ranging from Guns N' Roses to Pantera to Motörhead and Misfits, the Southern California outfit has carved out a melodic and metallic, punk-influenced sound all their own.