Avenged Sevenfold: Avenged Sevenfold
Back to basics metal from Avenged Sevenfold.
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Monday, 29, Oct 2007 03:36
Warner Bros Records, out October 29th.
In a nutshell...
Kitsch, axe-wielding, flammable, relentless, loud.
What's it all about?
Avenged Sevenfold, or A7X as they are known to their fans, return with their self-titled fourth studio album, promising a back-to-basics approach to a tried and tested version of metal that tips more than a nod to its own rock lineage.
Who's it by?
There can be no mistaking the heritage of a band that wears its influences so clearly on its sleeve. Two parts Megadeth, one part Guns N' Roses and an Iron Maiden chaser are the ingredients of Avenged Sevenfold's particular brand of Molotov cocktail - and the fruits of their labour are just as explosive.
After two moderately successful albums the band's major breakthrough came with the release of 2005's City Of Evil. The album was their first for Warner Bros and introduced them to a generation of Kerrang! readers too young to have heard of Dave Mustaine (ask your dad).
As an example...
"There's nothing here to take for granted/With each breath that we take/The hands of time strip youth from our bodies/We fade." - Unbound (The Wild Ride)
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
The mascara-clad teenage masses will undoubtedly find a place in their tortured world for this and - if their hollow existence allows it - may even enjoy themselves.
However, beyond the confines of misunderstood youth it seems difficult to imagine Avenged Sevenfold collecting an Ivor Novello any time soon.
What the others say
"These guys excel at the complex, pummelling eighties-metal moves that first came into circulation when they were in diapers," - Christian Hoard - Rolling Stone Magazine
"This self-titled album by A7X is a good record you'll find yourself spinning every now and then when you're in need of some entertaining and fun metal music," - Blog by Vaxis @ Rateyourmusic.com
So is it any good?
This particular reviewer was hand-reared as a child by Satan and had Slash for a babysitter, so it would be easy to pick through each track and list familiarities in style and content.
However, I have no desire to do this as Avenged Sevenfold's new record is so hugely enjoyable on its own terms (and because I did that with their last three albums).
Where previous releases have screamed for attention or disappeared into self-parody, their latest is balanced, well put together and just huge fun.
Highlights such as Unbound (The Wild Ride) and Afterlife show that A7X are capable of much more than gimmicky retro metal. On the other hand A Little Piece Of Heaven, which frankly sounds like it escaped from a Tim Burton movie, is a modern rock opus that perplexes - but for all of its eight-minute duration never fails to amuse.
8/10
Noel Mellor
"I can't wait to get it!" - Jessica Lopez
"This band sucks like an old prostitute. They're trying to copy Metallica but with a bad singer and a f**king emo style." - Mr Shadow
"This is an awesome album, maybe not as explosive as City of Evil, but they've created a new genre of metal... and it f**king rocks." - Ryan West
"Though it's not my favorite album, and it's got a few real stinkers in it... It's still a great album, and they rocked these songs live at Taste of Chaos." - Hardcore A7X Fan