Synyster Gates

Brian Elwin Haner attended Mayfair High School in Lakewood, but he later transferred and graduated from Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, California.

He studied at the Musician Institute in Hollywood as part of the Guitar Institute of Technologyprogram, studying jazz guitar. After six or so months of being there, he got a phone call from The Rev asking him if he wanted to join the band as lead guitarist. Haner joined rather than continuing his education and becoming a studio musician. Up until that time he was primarily self-taught by watching music videos and reading books. His father, Brian Haner, Sr., is a songwriter and guitarist.

Gates joined Avenged Sevenfold when he was 18 at the end of 1999, right before the recording of the band's first album, Sounding The Seventh Trumpet. He was featured on the EP "Warmness on the Soul", and on the reissue of the band's first album.

Gates became the band's official lead guitarist. After Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, the band has released 4 studio albums: Waking The Fallen, City of Evil, Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare and a live DVD/CD Live in The LBC & Diamonds in The Rough.

On the Avenged Sevenfold DVD All Excess, Gates claimed that his name was created on a drunken drive through the park with The Rev.

He has won numerous awards, including the 2006 Metal Hammer "Young Shredder" award and the 2006 Total Guitar Magazine "Guitarist of the Year."