Synyster Gates
The virtuosic lead guitarist of Avenged Sevenfold, whose blistering solos and sophisticated harmonies helped redefine modern heavy metal guitar playing.
Born 1981 (age 45)·American guitarist·Birthday: July 7·Millennials
Biography
Synyster Gates, born Brian Haner Jr., didn't just join Avenged Sevenfold; he helped architect their sonic evolution. The son of a professional guitarist, he brought a formal education from the Musicians Institute into a band known for punk-infused metalcore. His arrival coincided with their breakthrough album 'City of Evil,' where his technically staggering, harmonized dual-guitar work with Zacky Vengeance became a signature. Gates blends the raw aggression of metal with the melodic sensibility of hard rock and the intricate theory of jazz, creating solos that are both emotionally charged and musically complex. Offstage, he is a thoughtful advocate for music education and a meticulous craftsman, involved in everything from guitar design to album production. He represents a new generation of guitar hero, one who respects the shredders of the '80s but operates with a contemporary, genre-blending precision.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Synyster was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Synyster Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Synyster's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Ranked No. 9 on Guitar World's list of the 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time.
- Won the 'Best Metal Guitarist' award from Total Guitar magazine in both 2016 and 2017.
- Co-wrote and performed on Avenged Sevenfold's 2005 album 'City of Evil,' which was certified platinum.
- Helped design his own signature guitar model with Schecter Guitar Research, the Synyster Custom.
Did You Know?
His father, Brian Haner Sr., is also a guitarist known as 'Papa Gates' and has toured and recorded with the band.
He was originally studying at the Musicians Institute on a scholarship when he was asked to join Avenged Sevenfold.
His stage name is a portmanteau of 'sinister' and his childhood nickname, 'Syn.'
He is a left-handed person who plays guitar right-handed.
“I think the best guitar players are the best listeners.”
