Synyster Gates (born Brian Elwin Haner, Jr. on July 7, 1981) is the lead guitarist for Avenged Sevenfold. Synyster Gates joined Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) in 2001, after the release of the band's first album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet. He was featured on their EP, Warmness on the Soul, and on the reissue of their first album, only playing on one song, "To End The Rapture." He also plays piano for the band on songs such as Seize the Day and Beast and the Harlot.