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Rating: Avenged Sevenfold is the latest work of the band with the same name, released in the last months of 2007 and presented as a precious piece of contemporary musical publishing. In reality, it is a good CD, but nothing as extraordinary as I've read: it has little metal (as indeed the singer of the band also emphasizes) and quite a lot of commercial elements. I had decided to listen to it after reading that this band was reviving the (dear to me) metal sounds of the '80s with great style and modernity, but in fact, after a few songs, I realized that it was just not the case. The music is good, quite tough, but sometimes, especially in the sung parts, the band falls into melodic, commercial emo-style parts. So, if you are looking for something hard but not metal and not too heavy, this album might suit you: it's enjoyable at first listen, varied especially in the first 4-5 songs; less interesting the second part. A point in favor of the band is the voice of Matthew Shadows, unique and rough but fairly versatile.
The album opens with "Critical Acclaim", which after a solemn start explodes into powerful guitar riffs. Explosive and powerful song, sung with a curious call and response between whispered and regular singing. Good rhythm, nice chorus, a bit less the soft melodic final part. It is followed by "Almost Easy", a good crescendo of initially aggressive and then more emotional sensations. The melodic part is too sweet. Another good track is "Scream", engaging and catchy with an aggressive ending. Introduced by orchestral arrangements, "Afterlife" progresses mysteriously and then opens up, becoming very catchy and quite radio-friendly. Only in a central part does it get more aggressive, with a powerful solo, before returning to more... popular sounds. "Gunslinger" is a nice and sweet ballad, "Unbound (The Wild Ride)" is another very commercial and catchy piece. "Brompton Cocktail" is not very fast and doesn't catch on the first listen. The eighth track is "Lost", which gives a nice energy boost and uses vaguely metalcore riffs. The vocals reach increasingly shameless peaks of melodicity, even being modified by electronic effects; it is followed by "A Little Piece of Heaven", a very strange song... at first, it seems like listening to Good Charlotte, but then it gets even worse by drifting into very trashy, folk-like sounds. I'd describe it as obscene. The whole thing concludes with a very sentimental ballad like "Dear God", pleasant.
In short, a lovely CD, for heaven's sake; it continues along the path opened by "City Of Evil", which was obligatory after the metalcore beginnings that strained Shadows's vocal cords. However, I expected better, especially after what I had read about it: I didn't know the band and expected stronger metal, but I will evidently have to look elsewhere...
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Critical Acclaim (05:14)
quiet, might piss somebody off like me motherfucker, youve been at it for too long while you feed off all this insecurity you stand in front of me and bite the hand that feeds (self-righteousness is wearing thin) lies inside your head your bestfriend (ill bleed but not for fellow man) broken glass, your fake reflection telling them its all for something real dont forsake the words you speak, youve gone too far, acclaim so how does it feel to know that someones kid in the heart of america has blood on their hands, fighting to defend your rights so you can maintain the lifestyle that insults this family's existance well, where I'm from we have a special salute we wave high in the air towards all those pompous asses who spend their days pointing fingers quiet, might piss somebody off like the heartbeat of this country when antagonized too long ill be damned if you count me in as part of your generous hypocracy collected in a maze (tabloid gossip, we want less real) theres no need for us to bury you (selfish agenda, once again) right this way, deter your own grave telling them its all for something real dont forsake the words you speak, youve gone too far, acclaim all the way from the east to the west we've got this high society looking down on this very foundation constantly reminding us that our actions are the cause of all their problems pointing the fingers in every direction blaming their own nation for who wins elections theyve never contributed a fucking thing to the country they love to criticize excuse the unclean, ignore the untrue depictions we see, try and get through and many mistakes cant hurt im not the last but i sure aint the first quiet, might piss somebody off (self-righteousness is wearing thin) lies inside your head your bestfriend (ill bleed but not for fellow man) broken glass, your fake reflection telling them its all for something real dont forsake the words you speak, youve gone too far, acclaim
02 Almost Easy (03:54)
I feel insane
Every single time
I'm asked to compromise
Cause I'm afraid
and stuck in my ways
And that's the way it stays
So how long did I expect love
To out weigh ignorance
By that look on your face I may
Have forced the scale to tip
I'm not insane, I'm not insane
I'm not insane, I'm not, not insane
(Mother)
Come back to me
It's almost easy
(Said it all)
Come back again
It's almost easy
Shame pulses through my heart
From the things I've done to you
It's hard to face
But the fact remains
That this is nothing new
I left you bound and tied
With suicidal memories
Selfish beneath the skin but
Deep inside I'm not insane
I'm not insane
I'm not insane
I'm not insane
I'm not, not insane
(Mother)
Come back to me
It's almost easy
(Said it all)
Come back again
It's almost easy
(You'll learn your lesson)
Come back to me
It's almost easy
(But first you fall)
Come back again
It's almost easy
Now that I've lost you
It kills me to say
(Hurts to say)
I've tried to hold on
As you've slowly slipped away
I'm losing the fight
I've treated you so wrong
Now let me make it right
(Make it alright)
I'm not insane
I'm not insane
I'm not insane
I'm not, not insane
(Mother)
Come back to me
It's almost easy
(Said it all)
Come back again
It's almost easy
(You'll learned your lesson)
Come back to me
It's almost easy
(But still you'll fall)
Come back again
It's almost easy
03 Scream (04:48)
Caught up in this madness too blind to see
Woke animal feelings in me
Took over my sense and I lost control
I'll taste your blood tonight
You know I make you wanna scream
You know I make you wanna run from me baby
but know it's too late you've wasted all your time, yeah
Relax while you're closing your eyes to me
So warm as I'm setting you free
With your arms by your side there's no struggling
Pleasure's all mine this time
You know I make you wanna scream
You know I make you wanna run from me baby
but know it's too late you've wasted all your time
Cherishing, those feelings pleasuring
Cover me, unwanted clemency
Scream till there's silence
Scream while there's life left, vanishing
Scream from the pleasure unmask your desire
perishing
We've all had a time where we've lost control
We've all had our time to grow
I'm hoping I'm wrong but I know I'm right
I'll hunt again one night
You know I make you wanna scream
You know I make you wanna run from me baby
but know it's too late you've wasted all your time
Cherishing, those feelings pleasuring
Cover me, unwanted clemency
Scream till there's silence
Scream while there's life left, vanishing
Scream from the pleasure unmask your desire
perishing
Some live repressing their instinctive feelings
Protest the way we're built don't point the blame on me
Scream, Scream, Scream the way you would
if I ravaged your body
Scream, Scream, Scream the way you would
if I ravaged your mind
Cherishing, those feelings pleasuring
Cover me, unwanted clemency
Scream till there's silence
Scream while there's life left, vanishing
Scream from the pleasure unmask your desire
perishing
04 Afterlife (05:53)
Like walking into a dream,
So unlike what you've seen
So unsure but it seems,
’Cause we’ve been waiting for you
Fallen into this place,
just giving you a small taste
Of your afterlife here so stay,
you'll be back here soon anyway
I see a distant light, but girl this can't be right
Such a surreal place to see so how did this come to be
Arrived too early
And when I think of all the places I just don't belong
I've come to grips with life and realize this is going too far
I don't belong here, we gotta move on dear
Escape from this afterlife
’Cause this time I'm right to move on and on
Far away from here
A place of hope but no pain, perfect skies but no rain
Can't leave this place but refrain, ’cause we've been waiting for you
Fallen into this place, just giving you a small taste
Of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway
This peace on earth's not right
(With my back against the wall)
No pain or sign of time
(I’m much too young to fall)
So out of place don't wanna stay,
I feel wrong and that's my sign
I've made up my mind
Gave me your hand but realized I just wanna say goodbye
Please understand I have to leave and carry on my own life
I don't belong here,
I gotta move on dear
Escape from this afterlife
’Cause this time I'm right to move on and on,
Far away from here
Got nothing against you and surely I'll miss you
This place full of peace and light,
And I’d hope you might
Take me back inside
when the time is right
Loved ones back home all crying cause they're already missing me
I pray by the grace of God that there's somebody listening
Give me a chance to be that person I wanna be
(I am unbroken; I’m choking on this ecstasy)
Oh Lord I'll try so hard but you gotta let go of me
(Unbreak me, unchain me, I need another chance to live)
I don't belong here, I gotta move on dear
Escape from this afterlife
’Cause this time I'm right to move on and on,
Far away from here
Got nothing against you and surely I'll miss you
This place full of peace and light,
And I’d hope you might
Take me back inside
When the time is right
05 Gunslinger (04:11)
Yeah, you've been alone
I've been gone for far too long
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
Never let it show
The pain I've grown to know
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes
My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
Letters keep me warm
Helped me through the storm
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes
My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
I've always been true
I've waited so long just to come hold you
I'm making it through
It's been far too long, we've proven our
Love over time's so strong, in all that we do
The stars in the night, they lend me their light
To bring me closer to heaven with you
(Bring me closer)
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes
My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
And with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
07 Brompton Cocktail (04:13)
(Out of time...)
Doc, I'm dying, I'm feeling compromised (feeling compromised)
and so dehumanized (and so dehumanized)
I lost my final fight to disease, I feel that this is where it ends
I need that shot to enter my vein
My Brompton Cocktail blend
Cause I can't feel my face
I won't struggle on
In a world so cold
In a world so wrong
I'm not running away, been fighting this so long (so long)
Such a price that we pay, we gotta be so strong
in a lie...
I'm tired, induced euphoria (induced euphoria)
to help me move along (help me move along)
I wanna meet my maker in peace, i want to feel alive again
So put that smile back on my face and mix it strong my friend
Cause I can't feel my face
I won't struggle on
In a world so cold
In a world so wrong
I'm not running away, been fighting this so long (so long)
Such a price that we pay, we gotta be so strong
And I take my life tonight cause I have the right to die how I wanna
and leave how I arrived, so alive
I believe my sins have been forgiven
and I believe my choice will save me from this life
please don't question why
my sins have been forgotten
I believe I'll find peace in afterlife
please don't question why
I left this way
Cause I can't feel my face
I won't struggle on
In a world so cold
In a world so wrong
I'm not running away, been fighting this so long (so long)
Such a price that we pay, we gotta be so strong
And I take my life tonight cause I have the right to die how I wanna
and leave how I arrived, so alive
(Alive)
08 Lost (05:02)
Centuries passed and still the same
War in our blood, some things never change
Fighting for land and personal gain
Better your life, justify your pain
The end is knocking
The end is knocking
We've all been lost for most of this life
(Lost for most of this life)
Everywhere we turn more hatred surrounds us
And I know that most of us just ain't right
(Most of us just ain't right)
Following the wrong steps, being led by pride
How many lives will we take
How many hearts destined to break
Nowhere to run, can't escape
Full of ourselves, tied to our fate
The end is knocking
The end is knocking, yeah
We've all been lost for most of this life
(Lost for most of this life)
Everywhere we turn more hatred surrounds us
And I know that most of us just ain't right
(Most of us just ain't right)
Following the wrong steps, being led by pride
With peace of mind so hard to find
We're dwelling on the drastic signs
Another way to numb our mind
And as you close your eyes tonight
And pray for a better life
You'll see it flying helplessly away
We've all been lost for most of this life
(Lost for most of this life)
Everywhere we turn more hatred surrounds us
And I know that most of us just ain't right
(Most of us just ain't right)
Following the wrong steps, being led by pride
(We've all been lost for most of this life
Everywhere we turn more hatred surrounds us
And I know that most of us just ain't right
Following the wrong steps, being led by pride
We've all been lost for most of this life
Everywhere we turn more hatred surrounds us
And I know that most of us just ain't right
Following the wrong steps, being led by pride)
09 A Little Piece of Heaven (08:00)
Before the story begins, is it such a sin,
For me to take what's mine, until the end of time
We were more than friends, before the story ends,
And I will take what's mine, create what God would never design
Our love had been so strong for far too long,
I was weak with fear that something would go wrong,
Before the possibilities came true,
I took all possibility from you
Almost laughed myself to tears,
(Ha hahahahaha)
Conjuring her deepest fears
(Come here you fucking bitch)
Must have stabbed her fifty fucking times,
I can't believe it,
Ripped her heart out right before her eyes,
Eyes over easy, eat it, eat it, eat it
She was never this good in bed even when she was sleeping
Now she's just so perfect I've never been quite so fucking deep in
It goes on and on and on,
I can keep you looking young and preserved forever,
With a fountain spray on your youth whenever
'Cause I really always knew that my little crime
Would be cold that's why I got a heater for your thighs
And I know, I know it's not your time
But bye, bye
And a word to the wise when the fire dies
You think it's over but it's just begun
But baby don't cry
You had my heart, at least for the most part
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime,
We fell apart, let's make a new start
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime, yeah yeah
But baby don't cry
Now possibilities I'd never considered,
Are occurring the likes of which I'd never heard,
Now an angry soul comes back from beyond the grave,
To repossess a body with which I'd misbehaved
Smiling right from ear to ear
Almost laughed herself to tears
Must have stabbed him fifty fucking times
I can't believe it
Ripped his heart out right before his eyes
Eyes over easy, eat it, eat it, eat it
(Eat the shit out of it)
Now that it's done I realize the error of my ways
I must venture back to apologize from somewhere far beyond the grave
I gotta make up for what I've done
'Cause I was all up in a piece of heaven
While you burned in hell, no peace forever
'Cause I really always knew that my little crime
Would be cold that's why I got a heater for your thighs
And I know, I know it's not your time
But bye, bye
And a word to the wise when the fire dies
You think it's over but it's just begun
But baby don't cry
You had my heart, at least for the most part
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime,
We fell apart, let's make a new start
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime, yeah yeah
But baby don't cry
[Maniacal laughter]
I will suffer for so long
(What will you do, not long enough)
To make it up to you
(I pray to God that you do)
I'll do whatever you want me to do
(Well then I'll grant you one chance)
And if it's not enough
(If it's not enough, If it's not enough)
If it's not enough
(Not enough)
Try again
(Try again)
And again
(And again)
Over and over again
We're coming back, coming back
We'll live forever, live forever
Let's have wedding, have a wedding
Let's start the killing, start the killing
(You fucking bitch)
[Maniacal laughter]
"Do you take this man in death for the rest of your unnatural life?"
"Yes, I do"
"Do you take this woman in death for the rest of your unnatural life?"
"I do"
"I now pronounce you..."
'Cause I really always knew that my little crime
Would be cold that's why I got a heater for your thighs
And I know, I know it's not your time
But bye, bye
And a word to the wise when the fire dies
You think it's over but it's just begun
But baby don't cry
You had my heart, at least for the most part
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime,
We fell apart, let's make a new start, oh,
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime, yeah yeah
But baby don't cry
10 Dear God (06:33)
A lonely road, crossed another
Cold state line
Miles away from those I love
Purpose hard to find
While I recall all the words
You spoke to me
Can't help but wish
That I was there
Back where I'd love
To be, oh yeah
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
But I left her when I found her
And now I wish I'd stayed
'Cause I'm lonely and I'm tired
I'm missing you again oh no
Once again
There's nothing here for me
On this barren road
There's no one here
While the city sleeps
And all the shops are closed
Can't help but think of
The times I've had with you
Pictures and some memories
Will have to help me through
Oh yeah
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
But I left her when I found her
And now I wish I'd stayed
'Cause I'm lonely and I'm tired
I'm missing you again oh no
Once again
Some search, never finding a way
Before long, they waste away
I found you, something told me to stay
I gave in, to selfish ways
And how I miss someone to hold
When hope begins to fade.
A lonely road, crossed another
Cold state line
Miles away from those I love
Purpose hard to find
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
But I left her when I found her
And now I wish I'd stayed
'Cause I'm lonely and I'm tired
I'm missing you again oh no
Once again
-Solos-
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Other reviews
By franci18
This album is more mature than the previous ones, the band’s technique has further evolved, and the production by Warner Bros is, as always, perfect.
If you hadn’t realized it, this band has rightfully entered the music firmament.
By gurzogurzo
They are like Metallica for their time, definitely not death or black, but they play very fast and aggressive thrash death.
Emo has nothing to do with the music, only with their clothes, they play death.
