City of Evil Drum Setup — The Rev's Pearl Masters MCX on A7X's Breakthrough Album (2005) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drum kit did The Rev use on City of Evil?

The Rev used a Pearl Masters MCX kit on Avenged Sevenfold's City of Evil (2005). The MCX (Master Custom Extra) shell featured a 6-ply maple and mahogany construction with Pearl's ISS (Iso-Mount Shell System) hardware — a free-floating lug design that preserved the shells' natural resonance. His configuration included double 22"x18" bass drums, 10" and 12" rack toms, and 14" and 16" floor toms. He paired the MCX kit with Zildjian A Custom cymbals and Yamaha double bass pedals. The Pearl Masters MCX with Zildjian A Custom cymbals was his signature setup throughout his A7X career.

Who played drums on Avenged Sevenfold's City of Evil?

The Rev — Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan (James Owen Sullivan, 1981–2009) — played drums on Avenged Sevenfold's City of Evil (2005). He was the founding drummer and co-songwriter of Avenged Sevenfold, and City of Evil was his mainstream breakthrough album. The Rev also sang backing and lead vocals throughout the album and contributed to the songwriting on most tracks. He was one of the most technically gifted drummers in mainstream heavy metal — known for jazz-influenced fills, unconventional accent placements, and melodic tom vocabulary unusual for the genre. He died on December 28, 2009, at age 28.

Was City of Evil Grammy-nominated?

Yes. "Beast and the Harlot" from Avenged Sevenfold's City of Evil (2005) received a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 48th Grammy Awards in 2006. It was A7X's first Grammy nomination and confirmed the album's mainstream cultural reach. City of Evil debuted at #30 on the Billboard 200 and achieved Platinum certification in the United States. It peaked at #22 in the UK and drove the band's first significant international audience.

What cymbals did The Rev play on City of Evil?

The Rev played Zildjian A Custom cymbals on City of Evil (2005). His setup included Zildjian A Custom 14" hi-hats, 16", 18", and 19" crashes, a 20" Ping ride (or A Custom equivalent), and an 18" A Custom China. The Zildjian A Custom series — B20 bronze alloy with computer-guided lathing — produces a bright, cutting tone that projects above heavy guitar frequencies. The A Custom was The Rev's signature cymbal choice throughout his A7X career, including on the self-titled Avenged Sevenfold album (2007).

What albums did The Rev record with Avenged Sevenfold?

The Rev (Jimmy Sullivan) recorded four studio albums as the drummer for Avenged Sevenfold: Sounding the Seventh Trumpet (2001), Waking the Fallen (2003), City of Evil (2005), and Avenged Sevenfold (2007). He also composed the drum parts for Nightmare (2010) before his death on December 28, 2009; those parts were performed by Mike Portnoy as a tribute on the posthumously completed album. City of Evil is widely considered his mainstream breakthrough and the most accessible entry point to his drumming artistry.