Since bursting onto the scene back in the early 2000s, Synyster Gates has been one of the most exciting and inventive guitar players in contemporary rock music, combining sophisticated chord voicings and harmonies that help to evoke cinematic and even orchestral infused flavours to Avenged’s music, not to mention his face-melting solos. Syn manages to achieve what so many players strive for yet few accomplish in emotively painting a picture for the listener through his use of note choice and passionate phrasing. This along with his technical abilities are what sets him apart and have helped build his reputation as well as the bands.
Besides metal music, Gates is a big fan of jazz, gypsy jazz, classical, and avant-garde. He cites Dimebag Darrell, Django Reinhardt, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Slash, Marty Friedman, ZakkWylde, Allan Holdsworth, Mr. Bungle, Frank Gambale, OingoBoingo, and Danny Elfman as his artistic influences.