First reaction song-by-song review:
Nightmare - This has actually grew on me a lot since the singles release. The lyrics are still a bit bothersome, but forgivable. The riffs are rather
Welcome to the Family - Straightforward? Check. Catchy? Check. Pretty cool tune? Check. I like this one, a lot.
Danger Line - Eh, it's alright. As of now, it's definitely a weak point of the album. Though I did like the drum line near the end. Not bad, I can see it being a grower with time.
Buried Alive - I already heard this one when it was released the same way Nightmare had been (a la lyric video on youtube). I did NOT care for it when it was released. It felt very much like, as someone else mentioned, Metallica's The Day That Never Comes. I found it rather boring. Upon this listen, I still don't care for it. The guitar work is rather good however, especially the solo before the heavy part. And speaking of the heavy section, it's alright. M. Shadow's vocal delivery is pretty cool, but still nothing special. This song feels very Metallicay, which isn't necessarily a good thing.
Natural Born Killer - Ah good, the first of the songs I hadn't heard before the release. Okay, first impression from the opening of this song. Bad-fucking-ass. That shit was sweet. *3 minutes later* Okay, this is definitely one of this album's highs. I am very much enjoying this track. And now that it's over, I can safely say that's one of the best so far. Very cool.
So Far Away - I'm not too far into this song and I'm already not caring for it. Sounds like a standard ballad to me with very little replay value. This is easily the weakest part of the album. Not much room for growth either. It also drags for at least a minute too long.
God Hates Us - Okay, here it is. The apparent heaviest track A7X has ever recorded. I really liked that little intro they used, and how it exploded into this monstrous wall of riffs and blastbeats. Fuckin brutal sounding. Now for the screams. The screams worked on Waking the Fallen, but sounded AWFUL on their first album. Now for this song, they sound like a mix of screams with a bit of a growl in there. Not necessarily a death growl, but definitely evil sounding. It works, I can dig it. This song is full of balls. Just how Mike Portnoy likes it.
Victim - Is that Mike Portnoy doing the soul singing in the beginning?
Now in all seriousness, this song is...I don't know how to put it. It's good, but different. I feel like I should enjoy this one. And I can see myself liking it. But at the same time, I'm not sure. M. Shadow's shows off some really cool vocal moments in this one, for sure. The guitar is a nice change of pace and the overall tone is pretty cool. Maybe it's just because I want some more "heavy" Sevenfold. I don't know. I like it. Shut the fuck up, Alex. It's good.
Tonight The World Dies - Really? Two ballad like tracks back to back? That always bothers me. Typically, at least for me, I don't like to hear two "slower" tracks next to eachother when listening to an album which is produced by a band within the "metal" genre. Especially when on my first listen, it's a major turn off. And more especially since this track is significantly weaker than it's predecessor. It's...alright. But weak, definitely weak. Primarily in album placement. But it really doesn't keep me interested.
Fiction - Ah, the infamous "controversy" laced track. I like the piano intro. Very nice touch. But now 3 slower tracks in a row? Come on, really? I'm not trying to be too picky, but that's a tad annoying. Oh well. This song is pretty. And Rev's vocals are tolerable compared to his input on the self titled album. Though I'm not a fan of when he sings higher. That does bother me. This song is good though, very good. And the piano adds both beauty and a slight creepy undertone as well. I love it.
Side note - Oh my god. That part where he sings around 3:30 or so. "HGNGNNNNHHHHHNNNHNNHHHNNNMUMBLEMUMBLEMUMBLE". The hell was that?
Save Me - I really, really, really fucking love this one. Easily the highest point on the album next to the ones previously stated. Love the bass intro, love the riffs, drums, vocals and the slight Dream Theater influence I heard people mention earlier. This song is absolutely fantastic.
Overall, I very much enjoy this album. Avenged Sevenfold have only written one bad album and that was their debut. After that, they have hardly disappointed. Yes, the self-titled was rather underwhelming, but it grew on me over time and I grew to love it. This though, is an instant classic for the band. Not quite better than City of Evil, which is their god tier album. I'd have to say it's at least tied with Waking the Fallen for me. It's good. Very, very good. And I can see it sitting even better with me after future listens. Great job A7X, you did good.
Topic: The Avenged Sevenfold Thread (merged) (Read 163506 times)
