Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 123
 A7X give us their "Black Album" and we love it. November 2, 2007
Bill Allison (Southwest Missouri, United States)
15 out of 17 found this review helpful
Whoa. Where do I start with this one? Okay, I'm just going to say right now that Avenged Sevenfold have created a career-defining album. It may not be their heaviest album to date, but the band ditched the metalcore thing a long time ago. This upset and alienated many of the longtime fans and I'll admit that it kinda rubbed me the wrong way. At first. Then I realized that with "City of Evil", the band I had grown to love with "Sounding the Seventh Trumpet" and "Waking the Fallen" were going for something different altogether. But when you think about it, each record they've done has always been radically different than the one before it, so a big change on this album shouldn't come as such a suprise. Still, as different as this self-titled album is, I think it's their best, most focused (albeit, more polished) yet. It's the sound of a band busting out of a genre and truly discovering themselves. In short, this is their "Sing the Sorrow". This is their "Black Album". It's sure to upset many, but just as many will find something to love.
Despite all the hatred these guys have had to deal with, they know who their true fans are and this masterpiece should please most of them looking to hear something different than what they've come to expect. Still, as different as it may be, it's still distinctly A7X. This is apparent fromt the get-go with the first three tracks. You gotta love the intro to "Critical Acclaim" and although I'm normally not a fan of politically-themed music, it's refreshing to hear a different take other than just how much "the administration sucks". "Almost Easy" didn't do much for me the first time I heard it but it grew on me after a couple of listens and I can now see why it was chosen as their first single. If the album has one weak moment, it would have to be "Scream". While far from bad, it's just kinda mediocre by the band's standards. It does have a pretty cool "Vulgar"-era, Pantera-esque groove to it and it's kinda nice to have in the background when you're having a few.
The album really takes a hard turn with "Afterlife". This is where things start to really get different. We will most certainly be seeing a video for this one soon on Headbanger's Ball because it's sure to be one of the band's biggest hits. Starts off with some strings before diving headfirst into a dual-harmonies and insane drumming before switching into mid-temp then the chorus hits and we're left in awe. Yeah, thsi song alone will probably gain them more fans. I'm not sure yet but this could almost be their "Unforgiven".
"Lost" is one of my favorites right now and it's one of those that they're going to catch a lot of grief about. They took the Auto-tune, which is normally used for pitch-correction, and actually used it to give the Dragonforce-like track a whole new vocal dimension. Almost liked they used it as another instrument. It's laid on so thick that it takes the vocals to a whole new level. Not everybody will dig it, purists are sure to hate it, but I think it was a brilliant move on their part.
If you've read ANY reviews, then you've probably already heard about "A Little Piece of Heaven". The first time I heard this one, I had a vicious hangover so things were moving a little slow for me and I had to give it three consecutive listens just to wrap my mind around what all was going on. I read somewhere that the original title was "Big Bear" (an awesome title that I wish they would've kept) and this is their "Bohemian Rhapsody". There aren't many bands that could pull off a track like this one, and it really should seem kinda out of place, but for some reason it works. "The Nightmare Before Christmas" comparisons are obvious but this plays more like a Tim Burton nightmare mixed with Beetle Juice and a strong dose of sick humor thrown in for good measure. Love it. (Is it just me or is there even a little bit of Mr. Bungle thrown in the mix too?)
The album is nearly flawless in my mind and the production (done by the band) is perfect. (Truth be told, I think Rick Rubin would've have been the only other man for the job.) True enough, it will probably alienate a few fans who were expecting "Waking the Fallen 2" or who're still mad at Metallica for not recycling "Master Of Puppets" for the rest of their career, but it's sure to gain them many more fans. In short, die hards will love it, as will open-minded people who are sick of the same-ole radio schtick. Also, it's ALWAYS a good thing when you can listen to a whole album in one sitting and still be wanting more. 9/10
Avenging Their Name November 17, 2007
John Ranic (Buffalo, New York)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
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.
More than meets the eye October 31, 2007
Jose G. Rivera (Puerto Rico)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Let me make it short and simple because no matter how much I take moment to say my opinion and prove a point, some "fans" will always take my word as something bad and immature... here goes, People grow up, minds open up and words evolve along with the melodies, to Avenged Sevenfold there's more than meets the eye... Yes I know yesterday fans will find a bad review to anyone who thinks avenged keeps getting better since city of evil... This is my case, if not very well appreciated... My advice ... If you like singing more than screaming, Buy it with no hesitation as this album expresses a new sound to this Yet Rock Band, very well crafted album, it really is quality... Such a good album, too bad I'll get many unhelpful votes as these "fans" will click for fun and ignorance instead of finding the real art in music. And really getting to grow up with the bands that have made them rock the heck out of a concert or party. In conclusion, this album is 5 stars hands down with 2 thumbs up!!!!
Avenged Sevenfold December 20, 2007
Taniesa Woods (MD, USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Ok. Thing with this album is, in order to like this album, you have to be a fan of AVENGED SEVENFOLD, or a new listener. Not particularly a fan of Waking the Fallen, or City of Evil, or...eh, Warmness and Sounding something or other. This album is NOT like the others, but no one should be surprised, because thats exactly what the band said before it came out.
This album is awesome. There are songs that will make you raise an eyebrow(if you're one of those people who can) but as you really listen to them, you FEEL it. Gunslinger, for example, is mindblowing to me, but when it started I was thinking...'what the..?'. A Little Piece of Heaven, is the craziest, and longest. If you watch the MVI, The Rev wrote it, and he and Shadows went crazy singing it, so you can only imagine. Brompton Cocktail, could be my favorite, or Scream, or Gunslinger, which has the deepest lyrics, I think. Which is another good thing to this CD. The lyrics.
All in all, if you're one of those people expecting another City of Evil, Waking the Fallen, or Sounding the Seventh Trumpet, you wont get it. This still has the Avenged Sevenfold feel, just with a different sound. So try it. I never spend my sad little amounts of money on music that isnt top notch.
A Different Kind of Awesome! November 19, 2007
S. Hardy (IRAQ)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
If it's one thing this cd made apparent to me is that A7X has range which is a good thing. I must have listen to this cd more than 2 dozen times and every time i keep hearing things that i hadn't heard from the previous listen. I know a lot of people are bashing these guy these days, but that's to be expected when a band tries something new. It just proves that not only do they have range, but they have the ballz to go where no other metal/hard rock acts would even dare to step. Though the entire album was awesome i can't help but think of 'A Little Piece of Heaven's' tim burton style song structure and excellent(dark) story that compliments it. This song to me is by far the most out-landish on the cd, but some how the boys pull it off and with style. 'Dear God' is yet another surprise and proves that even bad boys have a heart. Now i admit i wasn't totally crazy about this one the first go around, but when it picks up somewhere half through with the guitar solos, it again proves just how far the band is willing to go to try something new. M. Shadows shows his maturity as well by demonstrating just how far his vocals have developed since his surgery, and even since Sounding of the Seventh Trumpet. He gives his best vocal performance to date. Overall, A7X lets critics and fans know they're still here and are going to be here for a long time to come.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 123
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![Avenged Sevenfold [Explicit]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41dDXJDNpFL._SL160_.jpg)
![City Of Evil [Explicit]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0011Z7ILM.01._AA75_PU_PU-5_.jpg)
![Nightmare [Explicit]](http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B003VDZK8K.01._AA75_PU_PU-5_.jpg)
