Favorite Singers: M. Shadows

Like Avenged Sevenfold (or A7X, as it's sometimes styled) or hate them, you have to admit they're a pretty unique band in the world of metal and hard rock. Their lyrics deal with deep subjects such as death, hell, and the Bible (their very name comes from God's condemnation of Cain in Genesis). And they have a very unique singer to match: Matthew Sanders, or as he's known onstage, M. Shadows.
Like his band, Shadows can be an acquired taste. In the beginning, Shadows did a lot of scream work, rather than the slightly nasal sound he uses more now. Some may call it an "emo" sound, and maybe it is, but it's definitely powerful (plus, all of the guys in that band look like they could mess you up). He's brought back the old metal screams a little on their new album, Nightmare, with songs such as "God Hates Us," but for the most part, I like his new style better. I remember the first song I ever heard of theirs was when I saw the music video for "Seize the Day," and it's still one of my favorite songs, just because of its lyrical depth. I like a band who can question life and death.

Best tracks: "Bat Country," "Nightmare," "Dear God," "Beast and the Harlot"