Premise: James Owen Sullivan ( February 9 , 1981 -- December 28 , 2009 ) , professionally known by his stage name The Rev ( shortened version of The Reverend Tholomew Plague ) , was an American musician , composer and songwriter , best known as the drummer , composer , songwriter , backing ( occasional co-leading ) 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 ( Brian Elwin Haner Jr. ) , and he was the drummer for Suburban Legends from 1998 to 1999 .
Hypothesis: The Rev worked alone.
Label: CONTRADICTION