Too many doses: The Rev’s cause of death is revealed

The world of modern metal was rocked at the end of last year when Avenged Sevenfold drummer Jimmy Sullivan, aka ‘The Rev’, was found dead at his home in Huntington Beach, California. It was my birthday when I heard and I, for one, was heartbroken.

It has been reported that on Wednesday June 9^th 2010 – 199 days since his death was announced – the band’s manager Larry Jacobson spoke to US magazine Rolling Stone following the publishing of the Orange County Coroner’s Office report.

The cause of his death on December 28th 2009 was labelled as ‘by natural causes,’ which remained a conclusion that many fans wouldn’t accept due to his painfully young age.

However according to toxicology tests released this week, the 28-year-old actually died of an accidental drug overdose, outlined as "acute polydrug intoxication due to combined effects of Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Diazepam / Nordiazepam and ethanol." Oxycodone and Oxymorphone are both morphine-like drugs used to relieve severe pain and Diazepam – also known as Valium – is a tranquiliser used for anxiety and as a muscle relaxant. Ethanol is, as we all know from GCSE Science and fresher’s week, alcohol.

"To all of us who loved Jimmy, the only thing relevant about December 28 is that is the night we lost, too soon, a son, brother, friend and one of the most talented artists in the world," Jacobson told the magazine. "Every day, his parents and sisters, and his brothers in Avenged Sevenfold smile at the many memories they have of Jimmy and his fans around the world revel in the musical legacy he left them."

Jimmy had been playing drums since he was just five, and was known across his home state for being a ‘machine’ behind the kit. The five-piece had been best friends since early days of school. In a heart-wrenching finale to his tribute on the band’s website, Shadows said: “I love you Jimmy and I feel like the luckiest man in the world to have known you and spent 18

years of my life with you. Rest in Peace my friend.”

The organisers of this weekend's Download festival will be paying tribute to seven rock icons who have fallen in recent months. The Rev will be featured among them alongside Slipknot bassist Paul Gray who died suddenly last month and universal metal legend Ronnie James Dio who lost his battle with cancer, also last month.

Personally I believe Satan is worried Dimebag was getting bored. That’s some super group he formed down there now.

Avenged Sevenfold are set to play the US Uproar Tour this summer with Dream Theatre’s Mike Portnoy. The band has openly said it’ll be the hardest thing they’ll ever do and are making no decisions as to what comes next. For the fans, ‘Nightmare’ is next. July 27^th.