Avenged Sevenfold - City of Evil
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Free Music Notes for City of Evil
Free Music Review: Great metal/hard rock album!
Hit: 5 Stars
(I am 13 yrs old, so I am a teenager, not a kid)
If I could, I would rate this album 6 stars! I love this album, and I listen to it all the time! Although their other two albums before were more hardcore, I thought this album was top-notch. A7X have changed alot since their debut, but I really think this change was an excellent change. M. Shadows' screaming changed into just loud singing, and still sounds good!
1. Beast And The Harlot (10/10) Great way to start this album. I love this song, and it never gets old. Loud song + great catchy lyrics = goood A7X song. For sure.
2. Burn It Down (9.5/10) This song is great, and very fast-paced. Great to sing because it's so fast. The chorus is the best part.
3. Blinded In Chains (10/10) Sweet song. I'd say the beginning is the best part. I like the riff to it, and the verses are very dark. The bridge is just amazing though. Singing about how they put him up on the cross and crucified him and stuff, but I think it's really cool what they did.
4. Bat Country (14/10) This song...I love this song. Nothing more. Maybe my favorite song of all time, besides Chop Suey! This song is just great throughout. Some people say it it overplayed, but I don't think that. I love the guitar in this song, in the verses and chorus, it just sounds so great!
5. Trashed And Scattered (8.5/10) A sick song to listen to when your angry. The part when it says "Trashed and scattered again..." is just so dark, cuz it starts off pretty quiet, and then goes into "...but you goddamn mother f**kers always wasting my TIME!!!" which is really cool.
6. Seize The Day (9.5/10) Excellent. A7X does these balads very well, for a hardcore band. It's not nearly as good as "I Won't See You Tonight Pt.1"
from Waking The Fallen, and it's very similar to "Warmness On the Soul". The piano always adds a good effect on these songs.
7. Sidewinder (9/10) The turning point to the album. The sound changes a little. The mood of this song is great, and the tempo. I like how the title of the song basically describes the song. Very much like "Radiant Eclipse" from Waking The Fallen.
8. The Wicked End (10/10) Great! Very fast paced. I like the intro. The lead into the chorus kind of reminds me of B.Y.O.B by System Of A Down. I like how this song doesn't drag on, like alot of other songs. It's good all the way through.
9. Strength Of The World (8/10) I'd say my least favorite on the album. The intro is just too long. The song kind of drags on the whole way, but still a great song. The guitar is good and exciting in this song.
10. Betrayed (9/10) I like to reflect on this song alot. The riff at the beginning is just great. It could actually qualify for Sidewinder. The whole song kind of is just a typical song you hear. The ending is the best, when he says, "..so one thing left to finish you!"
11. M.I.A. (11/10) Great way to end. Besides Bat Country, this came very close to being my favorite song. I love everything about this song. Starts off kinda boring, and just leads into this great guitar riff, kinda similar to Strength Of The World. If you think the verses are great, just listen to the chorus. It's ten times better!
Overall, I'd have to say, I was really impressed with this album. Every song could qualify as a single. I love albums like that. I'd rate this album 100/100, or more if I could. This album is just great, in any mood you're in. Buy this!
Free Music Review: very good
Hit: 5 Stars
It is very annoying that people are becoming upset with the fact that Avenged Sevenfold's brutal riffs have been replaced by thrashing and melodic solos. Does that mean that solos are no longer as good as those "power riffs" that get repetitive after awhile? Of course not. One reason why I love the new Avenged Sevenfold CD is that Synster Gates (guitarist) and Zacky Vengence work better then ever together, creating overlaying guitar solos and melodies that sound amazing.
1. Beast And The Harlot - This song, I heard when it was leaked. This song was great when it first came out with a blistering solo and some great drum lines, but now, it has kind of worn out on me. 7.5/10
2. Burn It Down - Has a very cool guitar riff at the beginning and then from there, the song does the usual Avenged Sevenfold routine: M. Shadows lets his voice hit high notes, and then right in the middle, the song breaks into a thrash metal solo, and then it goes soft again. 9/10
3. Blinded In Chains - A somewhat average song, but the drum roll about 2:50 into the song is pretty awesome. I didn't really like the song that much at first, but once again, it's Synster Gates and Zacky Vengence's guitars that make me like the song. 8.5/10
4. Bat Country - This song is one that I REALLY didn't like at first, but it grew on me the more I listened to it. The solo in the middle of the song is amazing, has a almost halloweenesque feel to it. However, the lyrics are a bit cheesy. In fact, the lyrics to the whole CD are a bit corny. 9/10
5. Trashed And Scattered - My second favorite song on the CD. It's very brutal, fast, and you can really hear the bass on this song. I personally think this should be their first single, as opposed to Bat Country. 10/10
6. Seize The Day - I think if you liked Guns And Roses nice soft songs, you'll like this one. However, I like Guns And Roses soft songs, but this one REALLY didn't grow on me. The only thing enjoyable about it was the solo in the middle that was reminiscent of Slash. 7/10
7. Sidewinder - A pretty good song, although it's a bit inconsistent. I thought the acoustic solo at the end was very impressive. Not my favorite, but then again, a very strong track. 8.5/10
8. The Wicked End - A very fast and enthralling song. I really liked Shadows voice on this song for some reason, it just seemed more gruff then ever. For people who don't like the fact he doesn't scream anymore, well, I think that its a step in a new direction, and I like the direction they're taking. 9/10
9. Strength Of The World - By far, my favorite track on the CD. The song starts off in a very classical mood and then breaks into a very awesome thrash song. At about 6:40, Synster Gates breaks into his greatest solo to date ( I believe). Overall, this song is just perfect. 10/10
10. Betrayed - I was looking forward to hearing this song, since it was supposedly about the murder of Dimebag Darrell, but I was disappointed with this song. It was kind of boring, and had an awful opening riff to the song. 7/10
11. M.I.A - Probably my third favorite. I love the chorus of the song, and its amazing at the end, when a choir kicks in. Very great closing to a VERY good CD 9.5/10
Overall, I think that this CD even outdoes it's predecessor, Waking The Fallen (I loved Waking The Fallen) and it blows Sounding The Seventh Trumpet out of the water.
Free Music Review: "He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man!"
Hit: 5 Stars
Considering this is Avenged Sevenfold's breakthrough album, there must be a good reason for it. In a decade where so-called metal bands compose four-minute songs of formulaic, downtuned and overly-melodic riffs, harsh yelling and repetitive breakdowns, Avenged Sevenfold brings something new to the table with "City of Evil".
This album shows them progressing with their sound. "Sounding The Seventh Trumpet" was their fastest and rawest, but their least-professional sounding and you could tell they were younger when they wrote it. "Waking The Fallen" showed much better songwriting and a bigger, more epic sound, bringing guitar solos into the mix (including great ones such as in "Eternal Rest" or "Second Heartbeat").
Now comes "City of Evil". What sound is presented here, you may ask? Well, "City of Evil" sounds pretty similar to "Waking The Fallen", however, on this album that is far less screaming, the tempos are slowed down a little, there are more intricate riffs, an even more epic sound and many more guitar solos. So the speed and screaming of some of the stuff on "Waking The Fallen" HAS vanished, but with "City of Evil", Avenged Sevenfold added some amazing, new elements to their sound. Here are the highlights of the album:
"Beast and the Harlot": A modern classic that starts off slow, featuring a piano and a complex 9/8 time signature. The song picks up with a great guitar riff, then explodes with the same riff played one octave lower, so it gets much heavier. A melodic, sing-a-long chorus and an amazing guitar solo, one of the greatest around, are also featured, along with an intense bridge towards the end that goes back into the chorus. What a classic!
"Burn It Down": A faster, even more intense song with heavier, rawer riffs and a blistering, dual-guitar melody in the beginning. Another melodic, sing-a-long chorus is featured here.
"Bat Country": Fast, punk-ish riffs, a blazing guitar solo, amazing guitar duals and a catchy chorus are featured here. The verses are also intense, and a soft section kicks in every now and again, making for some great tension and release. That makes the song even more interesting, AND even more professional. By the way, this song was also written about the Johnny Depp cult film "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". I highly recommend you watch that movie!
"Trashed and Scattered": One of my favorite guitar intros on the album kicks this song off, before going into blazing speeds, blistering shred solos and a catchy, shout-a-long chorus. Just an overall incredible song!
"Seize The Day": A beautiful, piano-driven ballad with some jaw-dropping guitar work, not to mention some heart-melting verses and choruses. One of the best, metal ballads of recent years.
"Strength of the World": The longest song on the album, this is a Middle-Eastern tinged headbanger with heavy riffs and an awesome, shout-a-long chorus.
So while much of the screaming and metronome-pushing tempos of "Waking The Fallen" have vanished, the scales are evenly balanced with all that was gained with this album. It's a modern classic that can be listened to over and over again, I know I've done that. But for those that still haven't heard this, check it out NOW!!! Thanks for the time, and peace.
Free Music Review: Metal Isn't Selling Out
Hit: 5 Stars
First off, I'd like to address the claim that Avenged Sevenfold "sold out," since it seems to be on the minds of everybody who reviewed it negatively. I own "Sounding the Seventh Trumpet," as well as "Waking the Fallen," so I think I'm in the right area to address this claim.
The basic arguement is that it's selling out because M. Shadows doesn't scream anymore, preferring melodic singing over the hardcore screams of the previous albums. He literally can't scream like that anymore due to his throat surgery, so it's hardly selling out.
Obviously, next they would say that A7X should have replaced him. Sure, they could have done this, but instead they decided to be loyal to their close life long friend and keep him in the band. Loyalty is not selling out in this situation.
The band has progressed from a Hardcore band, to a Metalcore band, and now to just a pure Metal band over the course of three albums. Changing your style isn't necessarily selling out. It's hardly selling out if you decide to go from Hardcore to Metal. If you're Sugar Ray and went from Hardcore to Top 40 Pop, however, it is selling out.
Getting past the fact that their names are laughable, their lyrics are corny (as are all Metal), and that M. Shadows' voice has changed... on with the review.
M. Shadows' voice is unique. While at first it may sound bad, and you may not want to go on, listen. It's melodic, and it sounds good. The greatest vocalists in Rock and Metal music have had unique voices. You can tell he draws a lot of influence from not only Axl Rose, but from Mike Patton of Faith No More fame as well. His voice is unique, and that's what I like about it.
The rest of A7X are amazing as well. Synyster Gates is a simply phenominal Metal guitarist, as well as Zacky Vengence. I think this is best exemplified in "Sidewinder" (in my personal opinion, the strongest track on the album). Interesting note is that Synyster Gate's father did the left Spanish guitar in the outro.
The drums are strong, and the bass... gets overpowered. But that's all Rock music, so that's not really a knock.
As I stated before, "Sidewinder" is probably the best track on the album. In the end they have a short, latin Spanish guitar section. This may also be attributed to "selling out," but I'd have to disagree. It's more of expressing their influences, as M. Shadows has said himself, that "Use Your Illusions I & II" (Guns n' Roses) are his favorite albums of all time. It seems to me like they're trying to flex their creative muscles.
"The Beast and the Harlot" is another strong track. A great opener for the album. One of my favorites, even though other people tend to look over it, is "Trashed and Scattered," probably due to it's pace and high Maiden-esque guitars.
The whole album is hit after hit, if you ask me. I literally have a hard time removing it from my stereo, it's that good. It's catchy, melodic Metal in the vain Iron Maiden, and it's damn good. I guess if you want to say leaving the three chord Punk Rock realm and actually playing something that takes talent is selling out, then yes, A7X sold out.
Awesome album, I'd highly recommend it to any fan of True Metal.
Free Music Review: City Of Evil is wicked tight!!!!! - by Willis
Hit: 5 Stars
Avenged Sevenfold has definitely stepped up a notch or two from their last album, "Waking The Fallen". "Fallen" was a great album. Songs such as "Unholy Confessions", "Chapter Four", "Reminissions", and "Radiant Eclipse" were my favorites. But in City Of Evil, every song in my opinion is fantastic. Below are my ratings of every song.
"Beast And The Harlot": 10/10 : The best on the album. Has a loud slow intro but then kicks into an extremely fast beat and wicked guitar riff. One of the best choruses of any song I've ever heard.
"Burn It Down": 7/10 : Decent. Has a hard, fast, and dicordant intro which then kicks into a crazy guitar solo. Not the best, but has spectacular singing.
"Blinded In Chains": 9/10 : Awesome. Has a beginning similar to "Burn It Down". It has some of the best verses on the album. The breaks in the singing are great. Has a pretty sweet outro.
"Bat Country": 10/10 : Another ten. The hit single from the album proves to be what everyone says it is and more. It has excellent verses, choruses, and guitar riffs. Everything about this track is exceptional.
"Trashed And Scattered": 6/10 : Good but not exzactly on par with the other songs. Has a good intro and decent chorus but that's about it. Nothin really stands out.
"Sieze The Day": 8/10 : The slow track on the album is one of the best. The piano in the background gets you pumped up while M. Shadow's singing makes you want to be a lead singer in a metal band. Another exceptional chorus and Guns N' Roses type solo.
"Sidewinder": 8/10 : Has an awesome main riff while still having another great bunch of verses. Slow but still loaded with guitar solos. Fanstastic musical breaks. Has one of the best outros on the album.
"The Wicked End": 10/10 : Wicked. Literally. Number two on my list of great tracks on this album. A total pump song. Has the best solo breaks on the album. Exceptional chorus. Fast verses and singing not to mention that it's played with an orchestra at the end. My "punk fanatic" friend hates metal, but after listening to this song, he has become overly obsessed with it.
"Strength Of The World": 9/10 : Another fantastic track. Has a cool acoustic guitar and violin intro. It then kicks into an awesome riff that both guitars do the same solo at the same time. Orchetra again. Crazy. Ranked in the top somwhere.
"Betrayed": 6/10 : Good, but somehow I never caught on to why people liked it so much. It has pretty good musical breaks and an alright intro but It's pretty low in my list of top picks.
"M.I.A.": 7/10 : Great ending track. Not one of the best songs, but it has another orchestra playing. The longest song on the album so there is a lot of rockin' music able to played. Medium tempo with melodic verses and choruses.
I owe my taste for headbangin' metal rock when I heard "Beast And The Harlot". My favorite metal band of all time. All of you headbangers and punk kids out there, get this CD. You'll get hooked and change your religion instantly.
Thank You for reading this review.
Enjoy! - Willis