Avenged Sevenfold - Avenged Sevenfold
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.01 You Save: $5.97 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.55 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Avenged Sevenfold
Free Music Review: Full of both Establishment and New Ideas
Hit: 5 Stars
Avenged Sevenfold (A7x) have become the titans of metalcore along with acts like All That Remains, Trivium, and lastly Atreyu (as Killswitch Engaged could be considered the pioneers). "Avenged Sevenfold" is the bands 2007 self entitled album, that shifts the group into a more accessible hard rock angle. They even make way for much softer material.
While still heavy they bridged more the melodic qualities of 2005's "City of Evil" to encompass the album, then say their 2001 debut "Sounding The Seventh Trumpet". With "City of Evil" we saw the band attempt a more orchestral layered sound. Sweeping away any thoughts this band was a novelty act cashing in on the hardcore scene. 'True' metalheads may still disagree. We also saw an ever more engrossing use of harmonizing guitar riffs and intricacy of solos. Even when progressing though, we can still tell it's the band we all got into. Atreyu's latest release 2007's "Lead Sails Paper Anchor" departed the band so heavily from past material it was hard to beleive it was the same band. Trivium gave up screaming for a majority of 2006's "Crusade", and rooted them selves into the thrash metal niche.
We now find A7x shooting off a striking militant "Critical Acclaim". Starting off as triumphantly as the later vocals suggest, A7x is back. The dual vocals are just as interesting as the dual symphonic guitar intro. Next in line is the obvious single "Almost Easy". Quick to hit the commercial cues, but relentlessly catchy. Most of the song maintains a hard hitting chug of triplets, while the other side is more built on the
easier going chorus. It finds enough room to fit in a few piano notes (in the intro and bridge), and a fair solo. "Scream" has just become another regularly circulated radio tune. Resonating a scream, and a hair raising guitar that climbs...the track feels much like filler afterwards. Not to say it's a bad track, but becomes a bit too repetitive. Not magnetic enough to hit replay and avoid the next few tracks, yet catchy enough to not skip though.
"Afterlife" and "Lost" may not be side by side (track #4 & track #8 respectively ), but are an amazing combo. The first is a thick thick tune, progressive enough to avoid becoming stagnant catchy enough to be a single. "Lost" sounds like an attempt to pick up the pieces after being beat down, a look back ribboned in regret. Confused, but clairvoyant.
Moving on "Gunslinger" could be considered A7x's swing at country. Similar to Atreyu's swing on well swing, with "Falling Down" (third single off Lead Sails, second for U.S. listeners). The soft intro last for over a minute and a half, and remains very mild there after. Still enough kick to not feel displaced. "Dear God" is very similar and could even be considered more so the country experimental track, as it dilutes much of the rock qualities (in favor of the country manorisms). Again these two tracks don't reach any level of brutality, but manage a mild flavorful variety.
"Unbound (The Wild Ride)" and "Brompton Cocktail" in my opinion range as the filler tracks. Amazingly not bad, but not as potent as the other tracks. Unbound is as the name may prompt, pretty unbound and fast. Brompton features woozy violins, but struggles to maintain fluidity and serves as the midpace track of the album. "A Little Piece of Heaven" think of a corrupt fairytale tune. Now lets add in some vulgarity, splice in some obscenities and dose up the rage. What do you get? INSANITY! This is the longest track of the album docking in at eight minutes. Its epic length helps enable it to be the most intriguing track of the album. The most fun could be a coin toss between "Almost Easy" and "Critical Acclaim".
So while not as powerful as "City of Evil", it's also not as one sided. Not as raw as the bands 2003 milestone "Waking The Fallen", but more dynamic. While not as youthful as "Sounding the Seventh Trumpet", it's more thought out. Songs that only jam sessions can't craft. While many A7x fans are ready to gouge the bands eyes out with this release, many hard rockers will enjoy it. Anyone open to change will hopefully see this as a continuation of a band not ready to paraphrase itself (Though City has accomplished that, I'm referring to another distinct album knock off of previous work). Easily a recommendable album, much replay value can be obtained from this. Congrats A7x, hope to see you guys this December at 'The Next Big Thing'.
Free Music Review: A little piece of Avenged Sevenfold heaven
Hit: 5 Stars
Avenged Sevenfold's self-titled 2007 release is much like Metallica's 1991 classic "The Black Album" because it shows the band changing their sound, appealing to the masses and dividing the fans right down the middle. Well, most of them at least, because I happen to like both A7X's older and newer stuff.
If you haven't heard your friends' opinions on this album, "Avenged Sevenfold" is an album that will divide the fans into two preferences: the older, more underground-based sound, or their more recent, accessible sound. Most people will either love this album to death or frown upon it for not retaining the thrashy, epic sounds of "Waking The Fallen".
However, if you look beyond the change in the band's sound, you'll realize that this album actually has a lot to offer. Keep in mind I own all of their albums, from "Sounding The Seventh Trumpet" to this one, so I come from a well-rounded opinion if I do say so myself.
"Avenged Sevenfold" is an album that, while drawing commercial success, somehow manages to expand the band's sound. I find this astounding, because it's not often a band's most experimental work will be their most successful, but low and behold, "Avenged Sevenfold" is probably the band's most experimental album, and as I said before, their most commercially successful.
This album not only goes from screaming punk-metal to Broadway to country, (yes I said Broadway and country), it showcases some of the band's biggest-sounding, most epic songs yet. And I don't mean epic in the way you beat your friends in a Super Smash Bros. Brawl tournament, I mean epic in the sense of huge-sounding, larger-than-life melodies.
"Critical Acclaim": The band kicks the album off quite epically, with a church-like organ and a slow, passionate guitar solo, before erupting into a blast of heavy riffs, politically- and socially-driven lyrics, and some awesome shout-a-long chants. A killer way to start the album.
"Almost Easy": One of the biggest hits off the album shows the band starting right away, with Synyster Gates ripping out a beautiful, energetic solo in C# minor, before the band goes into heavy riffs over a fast drumbeat, an energetic pre-chorus, and a massive-sounding chorus that seems to echo from the metal valleys (wow, why did I say that?)
"Scream": A snakelike riff in the diminished scale and some primal, dirty vocals and lyrics bring this song to life, with an even more primal, dirtier chorus and chorus riff. More great, larger-than-life melodies in the second half of the chorus, making the songs 3 out of 3 on the epic scale.
"Afterlife": Probably the second most famous song off the album, this six-minute masterpiece starts off with a strings section before erupting into an awesome, punk-metal riff and guitar solo, some great verses and a chorus that will ring out in your head for days. Truly one of the band's greatest songs.
"A Little Piece of Heaven": An eight-minute epic that combines A7X's brand of punk-metal with Broadway music, a lot of humor and some hilariously graphic lyrics. One of the most entertaining songs they've ever written, bar none.
"Dear God": A sweet, acoustic country song that clocks in at six and a half minutes closes the album out. Both fans and newcomers would probably never see this song coming, I know I didn't, but it's still an amazing way to end the album.
So what this album lacks for in the hardcore screaming vocals or underground-styled breakdowns, it gained something massive. If my descriptions of the highlights of the album got you interested, then run down to the store right now, get this album and blast it. If you're into Avenged Sevenfold, then hopefully you'll dig this album. Even if you're a newcomer, you should too. The important thing to remember is to keep an open mind with this album. You might just love it. Thanks for the time, and peace.
Free Music Review: Avenging Their Name
Hit: 5 Stars
Since the release of City of Evil, Avenged Sevenfold has been crucified for knocking off the kings of 80's metal. With their latest self-titled effort, they haven't mimicked their idols; they just may have become them for their generation.
Avenged Sevenfold is bigger than its categorical brethren in every way. The ungodly solos, the intricate measure for measure harmonizing, the heart-attack drum licks and huge chorus' all make for a career defining performance.
Kicking off the album with their heaviest track to date is "Critical Acclaim." After an organ intro that sounds as if listeners are passing through cemetery's gates and some sleek guitar work that paints the path to come, the track explodes into metal mayhem with double bass and give and take guitar chugging not heard since a certain Vulgar Display of Power. Vocalist M. Shadows' lyrical rant is easily the most delicious liberal call-out heard in years.
"Critical Acclaim" also unleashes A7X's newest vocal talent - The Rev. His "Sebastian Bach on heroine" vocal styling is interesting to say the least and plays an important role throughout the album.
The classic thrash of "Almost Easy" continues the upbeat journey, complete with trip-licks courtesy of The Rev and a monster chorus. Following suit is "Scream," which possesses an extremely dark vibe, complimented with one of the most interesting ascensions and dissensions of scale heard to date.
"Afterlife" proves to be the first explicit differentiation, as it opens with mournful strings and paints a heavy picture of the young dying and trying to escape the afterlife in hopes of resurrecting what was lost. This fascinating display of self-examination and self-regret ends with the most impressive Synyster Gates solo yet.
"Gunslinger" is yet another dissension, as it starts off with M. Shadows delivering smooth vocals, only accompanied by a plucky, acoustic Gates riff. The Southern Rock vibe is strangely welcome and the moment in which the strings go electric is the kind of thing that raises goose bumps.
Shadows' vocals throughout the album are smoother and more melodic than ever before. He has truly come into his own, developing a sound similar to that of Phil Anselmo of the now defunct Pantera.
"A Little Piece of Heaven" is an absolute triumph. With the help of Danny Elfman's go-to guys Oingo Boingo, it sounds as if it's the center-piece of a yet-to-come Tim Burton epic. The dark, yet circusy vibe, complete with full orchestration, vocal give-and-take between Shadows and The Rev. and A7X's darkest lyrics to date add up to undoubtedly the biggest accomplishment of their career.
Concluding the ride is "Dear God," an outright country track. Somehow Avenged manage to pull this off, creating their most heartfelt song to date. It obviously wouldn't be an Avenged track without a solo, which is provided over the last minute of this monster country ballad.
"Dear God/ the only thing I ask of you is to hold her when I'm not around/ when I'm much too far away/ we all need that person who can be true to you/ I left her when I found her/ And now I wish I'd stayed," sings Shadows.
Avenged Sevenfold is a career-defining album. This self-produced masterpiece reaches heights not even remotely envisioned within the parameters of today's metal genre. This is a musical journey that will not soon be forgotten.
Free Music Review: Amazingly Better Than I Expected
Hit: 5 Stars
Where can I possibly start? I love heavy metal and hard rock. What I don't love is stupid loud screaming in agony. That's why I love Kamelot (check em out!) That's also why I like this album. I'm not a diehard A7X fan - I'd only listened to City of Evil before listening to this. I like the coupling of hard, fast music and, while loud and potentially yelling, somewhat "clean" vocals. It's obvious that Shadows is no Josh Groban, yet his voice is so engulfing that it draws you in. He treads the line between singing and screaming, which is a very fine line indeed. That's why I love this album. The songs are catchy, sing-along-ish, and smart (save for a couple...). Other reviewers are looking at this album through their old-school fan eyes (which isn't bad-it's the only way they can). I view this CD from the vantage of a relative newcomer. As such, I am probably more inclined to enjoy this than others. Maybe that was A7X's point. They probably want to draw new fans in. They just have to be careful not to alienate their old ones.
I'm going to give a quick review of the song list below:
"Critical Acclaim" - It is so refreshing to hear a conservative viewpoint about the war in popular music today. No, I don't support the war effort. But I still appreciate and respect what those brave men are doing over there. This song merely gives a shout-out (quite literally!) to those soldiers. Oh, and by the way, it's a good song. (4/5)
"Almost Easy" - Like others have stated, the first time I heard this, I was about the opposite of blown away. But after listening to it over and over again, it really does grow on you. Any song about insanity is good, right? (3.5/5)
"Scream" - A pretty weak offering to be sure, but nonetheless catchy. Lyrics are nothing to go crazy over, but I do like the lines "Scream, scream, scream, the way you would if I ravaged your body/your mind!" He he he. (3/5)
"Afterlife" - Another ultimately forgettable song. Nice, catchy, not without its good points...but still forgettable. (3/5)
"Gunslinger" - This one I love. It's got the same old western feel as the opening to "Strength Of The World" did on City Of Evil. Starts out slow, picks up into full metal mode later on. A smart offering on their part. (4/5)
"Unbound (The Wild Ride)" - Very nice mic-straining yelling on this one. One of my favorites. (5/5)
"Brompton Cocktail" - Again, a very nice job on the vocals. I always love when they go for the loud, bombastic style of singing, instead of barking out nonsense. (5/5)
"Lost" - I know everyone is putting this song down for it's super-pop attitude and use of strange digital synth vocals. I love it for these aspects. It's unique, it's different, it's unexpected. (4/5)
"A Little Piece Of Heaven" - Yes, we all know it's weird. It's also a very good step in Broadway's direction. Very stagey and carnival-esque. Neat. (3.75/5)
"Dear God" - A country outing that is surprisingly good in my mind. Again, unique and inspiring. (4/5)
Overall, this album is a great step for A7X's new melodic style. It's rare to find a CD where every single song is good and you can listen to the whole thing without skipping anything. Thankfully, Avenged Sevenfold have done it.
Free Music Review: A7X continued the creativity in their latest offering
Hit: 5 Stars
Read this first:
"For this self-titled release, the act returned to the garage at M. Shadows' parents' home where these high-school friends had penned every other song in their discography. The band sought to delve into genres and recording techniques they had discovered on the road. For instance, they wanted to incorporate the narrative lyrics and biting guitar tones they'd admired in country music, as well as the powerful bottom end of hip-hop they felt would only add to the power of their music and message.
"All those months on the bus we really weren't finding new rock that was moving us," says frontman M. Shadows. "Instead, we were listening to everything from Toby Keith to T.I., and finding elements we could incorporate into what we were doing to make our next record more interesting to us."'
This is a sign that A7x is more interested in playing music with a meaning plus new ideas rather than KanNiBU11 C0Rp3SseeE who keep churning in the same music with no plans other than learning how to kill old ladies. Anyway, listen up as I talk about A7x (who I classify as "real music") because not only do they continue most of what City of Evil offered, but continued the intensity with things that don't normally seem possible in metal (Bongos, a child's singing voice, a Danny Elfman inspired song similar to a Tim Burton flick, violins, organ, etc.) Trust me, if you are an A7x fan, you should listen to it and get to know s/t a little bit (for those sleeping under a rock, s/t means self-titled.) You are probably getting tired of hearing about whats in the album, so I should get on with the songs, which are all awesome.
S/t starts off with "Critical Acclaim", a rant pointed at self-rightious people and those who don't support the war in Iraq. At least not all rock is a bunch of liberal punks :P The mood of the album gets a lot tamer (the profanity has been seriously dropped but even a few songs are worthy of a sticker) with the upbeat "Almost Easy." From there, its full of energy that doesn't seem to slow down, at least until you get to Gunslinger, which has a Western intro. It may sound country-like, but there are a few tricks to that song, trust me. For the time being, you get metal, but it sorta stops with "A Little Piece of Heaven," but even without guitar solos or grinding guitars, its still fierce (its about forgiveness in a very weird sense but even I can't tell you what happens.) The mood slows down with the final but awesome conclusion, "Dear God". That song somehow touches me considering its from an angry metal band and how it was after a gripping Piece of Heaven.
Whether you like experimental albums or just want something other than your average melodic metal, pick this up. Seriously, you won't regret this unless you can't take bongos, a child's voice, violins, etc. In which case stop reading.