Zacky Vengeance was born Zachary James Baker on December 11, 1981, in Olympia, Washington, USA, to Maria and James Baker. He has an older sister named Zina and a younger brother named Matthew. During his teenage years, his family relocated to Huntington Beach, California. Zacky is of Italian and German descent and completed his high school education at Huntington Beach High School.
Zacky began playing guitar at the age of 13. He initially formed a crust punk band called Society Down, followed by another group named Mad Porno Action (MPA). Although neither of these early bands achieved commercial success, they were essential stepping stones leading to what would become his defining musical endeavor. During high school, Zacky co-founded Avenged Sevenfold (often abbreviated as A7X), a band that would catapult him to fame. His stage name "Vengeance" represents a personal form of success-driven revenge against those who doubted his potential. Notably, he also coined the nickname "Johnny Christ" for his bandmate, a moniker that has since become iconic within the group.
Avenged Sevenfold quickly gained a loyal fan base through its unique blend of musical styles. Initially categorized under metalcore, the band's debut album, Sounding the Seventh Trumpet (2001), leaned heavily into that genre, albeit with some punk influences as heard in “Streets” and melodic elements like the piano ballad “Warmness on the Soul.” With the release of Waking the Fallen (2003), the group transitioned toward a blend of metalcore and more melodic metal, incorporating cleaner vocals. As producer Andrew Murdock noted in the band’s DVD All Excess, M. Shadows intentionally shifted from screaming to singing-focused vocals to broaden their musical appeal.
Over time, the band's style evolved, incorporating elements of heavy metal, hard rock, and progressive metal. Their genre-defying sound has made them one of the most recognized names in the heavy music scene.
Avenged Sevenfold originally consisted of five core members. Following the tragic death of drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan in 2009, the band continued with the temporary support of Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy. Despite several lineup changes over the years, M. Shadows and Zacky Vengeance remain active members. Contrary to some claims, the band has not been reduced to just these two members; other official members, including Synyster Gates and Johnny Christ, remain part of the group.
The band's discography reflects their musical journey and includes the following albums:
| Date of Birth: | 11-12-1981 |
| Birth Place: | Olympia, Washington, United States |
| Height: | 1.73 m |
| Alma Mater: | Huntington Beach High School |
| Profession: | Guitarist, Musician, Singer |
| Nationality: | United States of America |
| Net Worth: | $18 Million |
| Birth Sign: | Sagittarius |
| Ethnicity: | White |
| T.V. Show(s): | episode of CSI: Miami |
| Ex. Wife: | Gena Paulhus |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Girlfriend: | Brittany Kramer |
| Marriage Date: | 2011 |
| Divorced Date: | 2012 |
| Description: | American metal band |
| Twitter Id: | TheOfficialA7X |
| Net Worth 2021: | 18 million |
