It's unknown how much of the original lyrics вЂ“ extensively modified after James' passing вЂ“ was finished at this point. The more unusual instruments featured on the album вЂ“ such as the xylophone/glockenspiel on 'Nightmare' вЂ“ were apparently recorded in advance and are present on the available demos. The gear used was simplified, with James playing his parts using an electronic drum kit. to his deceased grandfather вЂ“ had multiple private demos recorded on the road, while 'Death' was solely recorded by Sullivan. 'So Far Away' вЂ“ originally conceived as a tribute by guitarist Brian 'Synyster Gates' Haner Jr.

The various 'finished demos' were recorded by the band at M. The band was inspired by severe events surrounding them at the time, which led the group to, initially, follow the route of writing a concept album that would be, according to guitarist Zachary 'Zacky Vengeance' Baker, their вЂњmost personal and epic Avenged Sevenfold album.вЂќ By the end of 2009, songwriting was finished and the set of demos was recorded to aid on the studio tracking of the songs, set to start in January 2010 вЂ“ a plan that was postponed after Sullivan's death. Work on Nightmare commenced right after the touring cycle for the promotion of the 2007 album Avenged Sevenfold. James 'The Rev' Sullivan died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol.

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