The Avenged Sevenfold Thread (merged)

[emtee]

I don't doubt that he's capable or that what you said is correct.  But the question still exists:  Why??  It doesn't sound interesting and doesn't give the song any punch or attitude.

I agree. If it's only 1 song that's OK with me but if the whole album takes this uber basic approach on the drums I won't be interested.

[Shadow2222]

I don't doubt that he's capable or that what you said is correct.  But the question still exists:  Why??  It doesn't sound interesting and doesn't give the song any punch or attitude.

Absolutely. I'm okay with slower, simple drum patterns for the purpose of the song, but this is simple just for the sake of being simple. There might as well have been no drum track, because it added absolutely nothing.

[Mosh]

I don't doubt that he's capable or that what you said is correct.  But the question still exists:  Why??  It doesn't sound interesting and doesn't give the song any punch or attitude.

Either they're really trying hard to simplify their sound or they don't want the new guy to overshadow the Rev.

[chrisbDTM]

i think they are trying to simplify the sound, if you listen to what shadows is saying in this video at 1:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEwxCGq4kMg
no idea about the drums though



i've listened to the new song a bunch of times now. can't get into it. hopefully the album is better

[Mosh]

I figured they would just strip down the production, lay off on the twin guitars and not do vocal harmonies. I didn't expect them to dumb down the music too.

[ZKX-2099]

I was pretty underwhelmed with the first listens. But it has grown on me quite a bit.

Pretty much like Nightmare and Critical Acclaim now that I think about it.

[YtseCullen]

After I've even blasting this song like crazy in my car I've grown to love it! It's so much better when played loud in my opinion. I love it so far, Shadows kills it on this track. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album! I believe we're in for something more technical, not that Hail The King style simplicity is a bad thing. Still sounds like Avenged Sevenfold to me!

[Jaq]

Sounds like a pretty generic mid-tempo metal song to me, to be honest.

The complaints about the drumming, though, leave me to ask this question. I used to play drums, a long time ago admittedly, so I do tend to listen to songs for their drumming, and the question I always ask myself when the drumming is a simple groove is "what else COULD have been played?" This song isn't calling for anything too terribly complex-it does seem to be working an AC/DC thing-so I really don't know what else he could have played. It's not like the song's crying out for a "hit every tom on the kit" fill, after all. Part of the problem might stem from the drum sound itself-Phil Rudd got away with working basic grooves because his drumming sounded HUGE and anchored everything around it. This song needs more, for lack of a better term, WHAP to the drums.

[cramx3]

I finally got a listen and I liked it. A bit different but pretty solid. I don't care that the drums are simple because it seems like it fits that song.

[Heretic]

I don't mind the simple drum beat, there were a few songs on City of Evil that weren't complex drum-wise at all, and it fit the song.

My biggest problem is that the song simply lacks any sort of energy. It doesn't hit me with any sort of impact, it doesn't leave any sort of impression; it begins, goes through the motions, and ends. It's by no means a bad song, but it doesn't exude any semblance of excitement, power, or energy-- rather, it leaves me somewhat cold. The song is certainly catchy, and like I said, in no way is it bad, but it just doesn't convey any sense of life. As a first single, I much prefer Nightmare, which was heavy, engaging, and thrilling from the start.

I think the simplicity of verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo-bridge-chorus repetition really hurts, too-- it doesn't allow for much variation (as with the drumbeat) and thus comes off as a very dull song. Hopefully the rest of the album won't follow suit, but I'm sort of skeptical, which I've never been before with an A7X album, so hopefully I won't be disappointed with the direction.

I wish they'd have gone in a progressive metal direction. Save Me was fantastic on Nightmare, and their more progressive songs (Sidewinder, M.I.A., Strength of the World, I Won't See You Tonight pt. 1) are easily their best. When I listen to Hail to the King, it's like the band who made those songs doesn't even exist anymore, and it's saddening because I know the talent is there. Fingers crossed for a good album, though.

[SomeoneLikeHim]

*Brilliant post*

I agree with every sentence.

[tiagodon]

The new song sounds like Iron Maiden!

[DarkyDan]

I'm going to be honest here.  I cannot listen to any WHOLE album by A7x apart from Nightmare.  Only a few songs off each.

Without Portnoy I don't have high hopes really.  With Nightmare I thought they took a huge step up to the prime time but their no frills approach to HTTK I'm not sure it will end up memorable enough.

Hopefully I'm proved incorrect when the album drops.

[Tom Bombadil]

I wasn't a huge fan of the single when I listened to it. It sounded kind of plain, and nothing really stood out to me. Hope that changes with the release of the album.

[chrisbDTM]

I'm going to be honest here.  I cannot listen to any WHOLE album by A7x apart from Nightmare.  Only a few songs off each.

Without Portnoy I don't have high hopes really.  With Nightmare I thought they took a huge step up to the prime time but their no frills approach to HTTK I'm not sure it will end up memorable enough.

Hopefully I'm proved incorrect when the album drops.

ehh i actually thought the rev suited them much better. much more creative with his fills and had that punky edge. Nightmare sounds exactly what it is, A7X feat. Mike Portnoy

[DarkyDan]

ehh i actually thought the rev suited them much better. much more creative with his fills and had that punky edge. Nightmare sounds exactly what it is, A7X feat. Mike Portnoy

I see!  Well I am by no means a punk fan.  I guess that's why I liked Nightmare and don't really dig much off of the rest of the albums.

[Dimitrius]

Rev was perfect for them! And MP did a good job of emulating his way of writing drum parts. I'll give this new record a spin just to see what Arin comes up with.

[ZKX-2099]

Alright I love the song now.

So energy... POWER!

[RuRoRul]

*Brilliant post*

I agree with every sentence.

Same here. Lacking energy / impact was exactly what I thought when first listening to this. Even lists my top 5 Avenged Sevenfold songs as their best 

I mean, Hail To The King has some cool parts and is all right to listen to, and it certainly doesn't kill any hopes for a great album, but it just feels really dull compared to a lead single like, say, Nightmare.

[ZKX-2099]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1IvOe8gk2I

Yeah I'm done worrying about album quality. Engaging into hyped fanboy mode.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Going to see these guys for the first time next month in Baltimore. Can't wait!

[chrisbDTM]

jeez anyone could be A7X's drummer on this album so far

[Dark Castle]

The drums are so mind numbingly boring. They could be so much more interesting :l

It feels like they told the new guy to be as simplistic and as non-unique as possible. I don't really know if I'm looking forward to this album anymore.

[Zook]

I heard Hail to the King on the radio today, and was really confused as I thought it was Jorn Lande. The DJ didn't say who the band was afterwards, and I didn't find out until 5 minutes ago while checking out Thiago's newest spit screen cover, just out of curiosity as I'm not a fan of Avenged Sevenfold.

"Jorn on the radio?!"

The song isn't too bad. Sounds like Dio actually. Of course, Jorn is a Dio mark.

[fllnsprrw]

Never cared much for Avenged Sevenfold before, but their new single is pretty good! will check out the album for sure! thanks again DTforums for introducing me to new music...

[FourthHorseman]

Its kind of a bummer that the drum parts are so oversimplified. But I guess we have DT12 to make up for it 

Prediction: Hail to the King is a concept album.

[Mosh]

Would make sense, since Nightmare was supposed to be one until Jimmy died. They've probably been itching to make a concept album.

[ZKX-2099]

Official video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DelhLppPSxY

[Kotowboy]

Not feelin that.

[Dark Castle]

Was kind of shocked to see Shadows have long share. Still the same serviceable yet boring song, all because of the drums. Had the drums been more entertaining, it would have been a killer track.

[Heretic]

Somebody should take the drum track out, record their own more inventive and empowering drum track, and replace the old one. Then I would agree, it'd be a pretty sweet metal song.

Video's pretty cool, I liked the ending. The reviews for the album have so far been mainly 8-10 stars, so I'm hoping that this album will still be good.

[Dark Castle]

I'm hoping just like you Heretic, I just reeeaallly hope that the drums are more challenging than some basic beats being laid down for the album. If they are basic beats, shame on the guys for that.

[Mindflux]

Somebody should take the drum track out whole song out, record their own more inventive and empowering drum track song, and replace the old one. Then I would agree, it'd be a pretty sweet metal song.

FTFY

[Destiny Of Chaos]

This song is really good. And the drums are fine for a straightforward song like this.

[chrisbDTM]

holy hell i hope the rest of the album is nothing like this. they look as bored playing it as i am listening to it.