'The Rev' with fans. Image courtesy of "Oliver Walsh" & "Phillip Katamidze"

The UK’s media seems to be dominated by the same old recession stories, news on how another celebrity couple have split up, and how we’ve been told for the past 5 years a certain food product has been good for us and how now it’s suddenly detrimental to our health?

Yet normally our Media seems to be quick in announcing the death of a famous icon who has inspired many people throughout their daily lives; Michael Jackson, Brittany Murphy just to name a few. So what happened in the case of ‘The ‘Rev’ (James Sullivan)? Why did mainstream UK Media channels fail to report his death aside from the obvious music devoted institutions such as Kerrang?

I understand that they can’t report every famous death that happens, yet for a band that sold 500,000 copies of their 2007 self-titled album; reaching  no. 4 in the US pop charts, I believe that it should have been reported as well as having some of the many tributes that have been flooding in mentioned. In fact an Avenged Sevenfold fan called Laithan Morisco-Tarr also thought this, so he decided to do something about it…

If you’re an avid FaceBook fan, I’m sure you will have noticed “The Official “Afterlife” For UK Number 1 In Memory Of The Rev.” We had a chat with Laithan to see exactly what inspired him to create the group:

Jamie: “Obviously the recent RATM campaign must of inspired you to create the group to try and get ‘Afterlife’ to number 1, but what actually made you think ‘I’m actually going to do this’?”

Laithan: “The RATM campaign was no doubt a prime example of how powerful social networking sites can be, which I found to be quite scary, but it showed me how a community of like minded people can come together with strength in numbers, and affect something as important as the Christmas number 1. I have been a dedicated fan of Avenged Sevenfold for many years now and to hear the death of James ‘The Rev’ Sullivan was a huge shock for me, as it was for many other fans. His death was barely reported in the mainstream media in the UK, so I thought it would be a great idea to get an Avenged Sevenfold song to number 1 in the UK to raise awareness of the band in the same way that the profile of RATM had been raised.”

A vast amount of Avenged fans seem to be agreeing with Laithan. “I totally agree with Afterlife for No.1 If rage can get there A7X can and what better tribute to Jimmy” said Rosie on Kerrang.com

We then asked Laithan:

Jamie: “How have ‘The Rev’ and ‘Avenged’ themselves impacted your life through their music?”

Laithan: “Being a die-hard rock & metal fan and an avid guitarist, the band had appealed to me from the moment I listened to their music (the first song being Beast and the Harlot in 2005). I bought their City of Evil album and I instantly fell in love with the music! I worked with one of the admins of the group (Christian Venables) in 2007 where we found out our common adoration for the band. I was lent the All Excess DVD which was the moment where I warmed to each person in the band, particularly the Rev who was a quirky and eccentric character, but also a complete genius. Every time I listen to an Avenged Sevenfold song, his technical genius stuns me – the way he alters the beat to change the atmosphere in a song is incredible (Unbound (The Wild Ride) is brilliant for atmosphere).

Sadly I fear that he is irreplaceable; he was a carefree character, an awesome singer, a talented drummer, and a brilliant songwriter. The Rev was a unique musician and the impact of his death has sent shock-waves through the music world. He will be sorely missed and my condolences go to his family and friends.”

RockStopScene shall update you when anymore news on this tragic and devastating death are released. Until then please leave us your comments on how Avenged Sevenfold & The Rev have changed your life below.

Article by: Jamie