The Avenged Sevenfold Thread (merged)

[ariich]

What annoys me about Best Of albums is when. in this case, they're just chronological. Since you're compiling an official release that you will ask people money from, how about do what any kid with Spotify or Winamp can do, and come up with a nice, interesting and cohesive tracklist, balancing songs from all the eras, the hits, the slower songs, pacing the album in a word? more often than not Best Of albums are 3-4 songs from albums slapped together in order and that's it.

On the flip side, chronological order can be a good way to show how a band has developed over time, which can be better than a random selection of songs with different styles and production styles which can be much harder to fit into any kind of flow. I don't have a strong feeling either way, both can work well.

[Train of Naught]

I too think it is a total waste like some of you said, I don't see any reason to release 'best of' albums in this day and age unless they add something unique that the separate songs cannot offer.

The fact that this only includes warner era songs makes it even worse since Waking the Fallen is one of their absolute finest records in my mind, and HttK is one of my least favorites. Also agreeing with the sentiment that this kind of thing should be reserved for bands with HUGE catalogues like Maiden. I cringe any time I see a top A7X list since it always includes songs like Almost Easy and Dear God and this best of lineup is no different.

[Mosh]

Could they not include the live version of Unholy Confessions from Live At the LBC?

[MirrorMask]

What annoys me about Best Of albums is when. in this case, they're just chronological. Since you're compiling an official release that you will ask people money from, how about do what any kid with Spotify or Winamp can do, and come up with a nice, interesting and cohesive tracklist, balancing songs from all the eras, the hits, the slower songs, pacing the album in a word? more often than not Best Of albums are 3-4 songs from albums slapped together in order and that's it.

On the flip side, chronological order can be a good way to show how a band has developed over time, which can be better than a random selection of songs with different styles and production styles which can be much harder to fit into any kind of flow. I don't have a strong feeling either way, both can work well.

Yeah, I didn't really think about this, and the "look at the evolution" angle can work. But in the specific case of Avenged Sevenfold I don't see so many ofputting differences; on an Iron Maiden compilation you put Running Free next to Empire of the Clouds and the uneducated listener goes WTF, with A7X's output, considering how they skipped the screaming years, I don't notice differences so exageated in the sound. I can survive hearing Nightmare right after City of Evil more than I would The Dark Eternal Knight after Another Day.

[Anguyen92]

Uhhh, I'm a little confused now.  So some people can watch the live stream from a VR perspective?

https://loudwire.com/avenged-sevenfold-3d-360-degree-virtual-reality-live-concert-stream/

[ariich]

What annoys me about Best Of albums is when. in this case, they're just chronological. Since you're compiling an official release that you will ask people money from, how about do what any kid with Spotify or Winamp can do, and come up with a nice, interesting and cohesive tracklist, balancing songs from all the eras, the hits, the slower songs, pacing the album in a word? more often than not Best Of albums are 3-4 songs from albums slapped together in order and that's it.

On the flip side, chronological order can be a good way to show how a band has developed over time, which can be better than a random selection of songs with different styles and production styles which can be much harder to fit into any kind of flow. I don't have a strong feeling either way, both can work well.

Yeah, I didn't really think about this, and the "look at the evolution" angle can work. But in the specific case of Avenged Sevenfold I don't see so many ofputting differences; on an Iron Maiden compilation you put Running Free next to Empire of the Clouds and the uneducated listener goes WTF, with A7X's output, considering how they skipped the screaming years, I don't notice differences so exageated in the sound. I can survive hearing Nightmare right after City of Evil more than I would The Dark Eternal Knight after Another Day.

Agreed, and spookily Iron Maiden was exactly the example I was thinking of. Best of the Beast was what got me into them in the first place.

[cramx3]

What annoys me about Best Of albums is when. in this case, they're just chronological. Since you're compiling an official release that you will ask people money from, how about do what any kid with Spotify or Winamp can do, and come up with a nice, interesting and cohesive tracklist, balancing songs from all the eras, the hits, the slower songs, pacing the album in a word? more often than not Best Of albums are 3-4 songs from albums slapped together in order and that's it.

On the flip side, chronological order can be a good way to show how a band has developed over time, which can be better than a random selection of songs with different styles and production styles which can be much harder to fit into any kind of flow. I don't have a strong feeling either way, both can work well.

Yeah, I didn't really think about this, and the "look at the evolution" angle can work. But in the specific case of Avenged Sevenfold I don't see so many ofputting differences; on an Iron Maiden compilation you put Running Free next to Empire of the Clouds and the uneducated listener goes WTF, with A7X's output, considering how they skipped the screaming years, I don't notice differences so exageated in the sound. I can survive hearing Nightmare right after City of Evil more than I would The Dark Eternal Knight after Another Day.

Agreed, and spookily Iron Maiden was exactly the example I was thinking of. Best of the Beast was what got me into them in the first place.

And for me, it was Edward the Great which was also a chronologically ordered Best of CD that included the Blaze Era.  So that was an odd first few listens not really know why there was this other not nearly as good singer, but it did get me sucked into IM.

[devieira73]

It's a brazilian site for the band (not official), but apparently a reliable source and it says the new cd will be released this friday:
https://avengedsevenfoldbr.com/
With cd picture and tracklist with song's lenghts.

[NoseofNicko]

It says December 9 on RateYourMusic.

[countoftuscany42]

Got an invite to the show tomorrow, excited to see what ifs gonna be 

[SchecterShredder]

It's a brazilian site for the band (not official), but apparently a reliable source and it says the new cd will be released this friday:
https://avengedsevenfoldbr.com/
With cd picture and tracklist with song's lenghts.

Yeah that does look pretty damn authentic. That'll be quite the surprise if they announce that tonight.

[cramx3]

If they were able to keep a physical release a surprise, I'd be truly shocked.  Maybe they physical album gets released in December and they allow digital downloads tomorrow?  I do wonder now if there will be some announcement tonight at the big show.

Got an invite to the show tomorrow, excited to see what ifs gonna be 

 

[SchecterShredder]

If that track listing is correct, they end with a 15 minute song. That would be awesome!

[Anguyen92]

This is going to be a long album here.  Clocks at over 73 minutes.

01. ‘The Stage’ (8:32)
02. ‘Paradigm’ (4:19)
03. ‘Sunny Disposition’ (6:41)
04. ‘God Damn’ (3:42)
05. ‘Creating God’ (5:35)
06. ‘Angels’ (5:41)
07. ‘Simulation’ (5:31)
08. ‘Higher’ (6:29)
09. ‘Roman Sky’ (5:00)
10. ‘Fermi Paradox’ (6:31)
11. ‘Exist’ (15:39)

https://loudwire.com/avenged-sevenfold-new-album-the-stage-oct-28-release-cover-art-track-listing-revealed/?trackback=tsmclip

[Train of Naught]

I feel like a complete tool listening to it right now but I couldn't hold back the urge, too hyped. And since I won't be home for most of tomorrow and Saturday + tonight it would be hard to hold off.

I hate myself for doing it since they have put so much effort into promoting the live event but I wouldn't be able to make it to that one anyway. *spoilers after having listened to just 1 new song* seems like harsh vocals are back!

[cramx3]

That's really interesting and I'm guessing it has leaked then which pretty much confirms the release IMO.

 

Now if only I can manage to stay up late tonight...

[Train of Naught]

Yeah the release has to be tomorrow, I've seen lots of hints towards it and it makes sense that they planned this huge event in anticipation for it as well. I bet they are playing the album in full tonight

[twosuitsluke]

So the countdown on the website is to the live event or the album release?

[Train of Naught]

So the countdown on the website is to the live event or the album release?

That's for the live event. So you and me would have to sacrifice quite some sleep were we to attend it, that's 5 AM for me

[twosuitsluke]

So the countdown on the website is to the live event or the album release?

That's for the live event. So you and me would have to sacrifice quite some sleep were we to attend it, that's 5 AM for me

Yea, that means it'll be 4am for me. Bit of a shame.

I saw your spoilers bit and I'm hyped. Hoping for a huge return to form. Looking forward to this way more than I ever thought I would.

[twosuitsluke]

So I'm listening to all the Avenged I have on repeat now 

I still don't have HTTK but I wasn't impressed after one listen so never went back. I've got all the good stuff  maybe I'll give HTTK another go if this new album gets me excited to listen to this band again.

[ZKX-2099]

 

[Anguyen92]

All righty, then.  This live stream will be on their Facebook page in a few minutes or through VR on their main website.

[cramx3]

So they are performing on top of the Capitol Records Building.  Pretty cool setting, I wonder what it's like in VR cause it looks like there are some digital effects

the setlist so far

https://www.setlist.fm/search?query=avenged+sevenfold

[Anguyen92]

^^ Yeah, when they started playing Planets and Acid Rain, they got some effects going that looks like well, a planet and raining acid.

[cramx3]

And a 30 minute set followed by the announcement of the album being out NOW

[SchecterShredder]

So that was the album release announcement. Not bad, but Shadows' singing was a little off.

[Anguyen92]

Album is out now on Spotify.  I'm listening to it now.

[pogoowner]

So that was the album release announcement. Not bad, but Shadows' singing was a little off.

Just watched. He wasn't spot on, but it wasn't bad. I have NO IDEA how that dude can sing in that style over the course of a whole concert to start with.

Time to listen to the new album!

[SystematicThought]

I really thought Voltaic Oceans sounded like a cool album title, but hey, we get a new album now instead.

Gonna listen to it soon

[pogoowner]

Oh hey there, Neil deGrasse Tyson.

[Anguyen92]

This is weird.  I don't know what to think about this album.  Usually, I would easily cherry-pick like five songs that I claim are in my fave five, but that's not the case here.  However, I don't think this is a bad album.  This is definitely an album that requires more listens and more focus on certain details of it.

Also, Exist is quite an odd song and that it was not until about 7:30 minutes in where M. Shadows sang.  In terms of rating the album compared to the discography, right now, I'm indecisive, but I still rate the self-titled to be my favorite A7X album.

[me7]

Interesting album, not at all what I expected. I get sort of a Guns'n'Roses-Use-your-Illusion vibe. Less angry and more mature, but I miss the anger a bit.

[Train of Naught]

Okay. The events leading up to this is seriously the coolest pre-release promotion I've ever seen, that's so original and a fantastic way to announce the album's release, hats off!

Album has really good moments, the songs took a few listens to sink in but it's really solid. Not sure about Exist though.. that's probably my least favorite despite the awesome first half.

EDIT: Oh and Brooks Wackerman is fucking awesome. Definitely my favorite drummer since Rev, and his style on this album reminds me a lot of the drums on Diamonds in the Rough.

Double EDIT: Sorry for the wall of edits but the following picture may indicate a nice surprise:


https://www.reddit.com/r/avengedsevenfold/comments/59sku4/possible_double_album_voltaic_oceans_album_cover/

Suggesting that the left eye contains the first disc 'The Stage' and the left eye contains the second disc "Voltaic Oceans". This is very plausible if you ask me, the name Voltaic Oceans has been played with before the release of The Stage, and I think we may just be in for a double album.

[me7]

The song "Pass the Gravy" isn't on the "The Stage"...