Claim: The Rev composed the song Afterlife.

James Owen Sullivan -LRB- February 9 , 1981 -- December 28 , 2009 -RRB- , professionally known by his stage name The Rev -LRB- shortened version of The Reverend Tholomew Plague -RRB- , was an American musician , composer and songwriter , best known as the drummer , composer , songwriter , backing -LRB- occasional co-leading -RRB- vocalist and founding member for the American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold . The Rev was widely regarded and critically acclaimed for his work on Avenged Sevenfold albums , and contributed entire songs composed by himself , such as `` Chapter Four '' , `` Afterlife '' , `` A Little Piece of Heaven '' , and `` Almost Easy '' . He was also the lead vocalist/pianist in Pinkly Smooth , a side project where he was known by the name Rathead , with fellow Avenged Sevenfold member , guitarist Synyster Gates -LRB- Brian Elwin Haner Jr. -RRB- , and he was the drummer for Suburban Legends from 1998 to 1999 .