Their fifth studio album, Avenged Sevenfold’s  album Nightmare debuted No° 1 on the Billboard 200 Chart and No° 5 on UK OCC chart. 

Following the unexpected death of drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan, the album is dedicated to his memory and a reflection of death and despair. Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy would step in to finish the recording. 

Metal Hammer rated the album eight out of ten. Billboard rates four out of five and Kerrang! gave the album four K’s out of five. The album won Golden God Awards for Best Drummer, Best Guitarist, and Album of the Year. Nominated for Kerrang! Awards Best Album and Single (Nightmare) & Revolver Magazine’s Song of the Year 2011 for Buried Alive.