•
Rating: Third studio album for the American band, which leaves behind the dominant metal-core of their previous work to create with "City Of Evil" a more classic album that also features a lighter sound.
This choice apparently stemmed from the frontman's vocal cord issues, as the continuous screaming would have caused him to lose his voice in a short time, so the decision was made to eliminate the growl parts, effectively changing the style as well.
The genre is classic-styled heavy metal, which broadens the potential audience, even appealing to those not generally inclined towards metal, thus satisfying different tastes.
The band also collaborated with the much-despised Good Charlotte on a track from the latest album ("The River") in which a verse is sung by the Avenged singer, which will have sparked the dislike of many.
Sound-wise, you can notice the extensive use of acoustic guitar for accompaniment and at times there’s also the aid of violins and strings. Whether this choice is fitting or not, I leave it up to you to decide. Naturally, given the genre, there's no shortage of a long series of solos and counter-solos.
What surprises, however, is the length: a good 72 minutes of music. It must also be said that the songs have an engaging edge and are quite catchy, although unfortunately, they are often penalized by excessive length. The band shows creativity, but at the expense of, using the genre as a reference, two key elements: sonic power and indeed the excessive dispersion of the songs.
But now let's spend some thoughts on the songs.
As every respectable CD, "City Of Evil" also has its mainstay called "Seize the Day" a song I would call wonderful, a song that has little to do with metal since it is a ballad, but it still manages to capture you with an enticing melody, thanks also to the use of the acoustic guitar and one of the best-executed solos in the entire album.
Decent songs are "Burn it Down" and "Bat Country", but particularly noteworthy is "Blinded in Chains" (featured in the soundtrack of a famous racing video game). This lengthy song, unlike other medium-long tracks, manages not to bore you, and especially highlights the excellent work done by the drummer at the beginning and during the track. Not by chance, a distinguishing feature of the group is indeed the multiple drum intros that open the songs. A track that ends with a nice dark outro, where it really feels like you are descending into the bowels of hell.
Well, at this point, I believe the simply curious can go to the bottom of the page for the conclusions, but for those who are patient and interested in the disc, I will now provide more detailed insights regarding the other songs.
Let's start with "Beast and the Harlot", the opening track, introduced by a guitar intro that will also serve as an outro, characterized by a good melodic line in the refrains and a solo in the first part. It is followed by the faster "Burn It Down", which at 4'58 is the shortest track of the work.
Let's skip the two tracks I previously discussed and analyze "Bat Country", with its contrasting moods, alternating fast parts with very slow and gentle ones, concluding in a calm manner. "Trashered and Scattered" is instead characterized by a rocky riff but turns out to be boring, given the lack of solos.
In the second part of the CD, all the long compositions arrive (who mentioned suites?). Here is "Sidewinder", characterized by a nice melodic acoustic guitar solo closing the piece, and "The Wicked End", composed with the aid of strings and violins and featuring operatic-style singing. It is followed by the melancholic "Strength of the World", perhaps a bit too lengthy, which features a string intro and a significant central part performed with the symphony orchestra but partially redeems itself in the chorus. "City Of Evil" comes to the final beats with the last "Betrayed" full of energy and the long and relaxed "M.I.A." which serves as the ideal conclusion.
In conclusion, as already mentioned, an album that leaves one unsatisfied, burdened by an excessive running time, not managing to engage fully over its entire length, but still containing individually some well-crafted tracks, it will be appreciated by different people, but if you are looking for pure power and more direct sounds without frills, look elsewhere.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Beast and the Harlot (05:42)
This shining city built of gold, a far cry from innocence
There's more than meets the eye
'round here look to the waters of the deep
A city of evil.
There sat a seven-headed beast, ten horns raised from his head
Symbolic woman sits on his throne
but hatred strips her and leaves her naked
The Beast and the Harlot.
She's a dwelling place for demons,
she's a cage for every unclean spirit and every filthy bird
and makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.
The city dressed in jewels and gold, fine linen, Myrrh and pearls
Her plagues will come all at once as her mourners watch her burn
Destroyed in an hour.
Merchants and captains of the world, sailors navigators too
Will weep and mourn this loss with their sins piled to the sky
The Beast and the Harlot.
She's a dwelling place for demons,
she's a cage for every unclean spirit, every filthy bird
and makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.
The day has come for all us sinners,
If you're not a servant you'll be struck to the ground.
Flee the burning, greedy city,
Looking back on her to see there's nothin' around.
I don't believe in fairytales and no one wants to go to Hell,
you've made the wrong decision and it's easy to see.
Now if you wanna serve above or be a king below with us,
You're welcome to the city where your future is set forever.
She's a dwelling place for demons,
she's a cage for every unclean spirit, every filthy bird
and makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.
She's a dwelling place for demons,
she's a cage for every unclean spirit, every filthy bird
and makes us drink the poisoned wine to fornicating with our kings.
Fallen now is Babylon the Great.
04 Bat Country (05:15)
"He who makes a beast out of himself,
gets rid of the pain of being a man".
Caught here in a fiery blaze, won't lose my will to stay.
I tried to drive all through the night,
the heat stroke ridden weather, the barren empty sights.
No oasis here to see, the sand is singing deathless words to me.
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone).
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction.
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone).
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention.
As I adjust to my new sights the rarely tired lights
will take me to new heights.
My hand is on the trigger, I'm ready to ignite.
Tomorrow might not make it but everything's all right.
Mental fiction follows me; show me what it's like to be set free.
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone).
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction.
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone).
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention.
So sorry you're not here
I've been sane too long my vision's so unclear.
Now take a trip with me
but don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem.
Caught here in a fiery blaze, won't lose my will to stay.
These eyes won't see the same, after I flip today.
Sometimes I don't know why we'd rather live than die,
we look up towards the sky for answers to our lives.
We may get some solutions but most just pass us by,
don't want your absolution 'cause I can't make it right.
I'll make a beast out of myself, gets rid of all the pain of being a man.
Can't you help me as I'm startin' to burn (all alone).
Too many doses and I'm starting to get an attraction.
My confidence is leaving me on my own (all alone).
No one can save me and you know I don't want the attention.
So sorry you're not here
I've been sane too long my vision's so unclear.
Now take a trip with me
but don't be surprised when things aren't what they seem.
I've known it from the start
all these good ideas will tear your brain apart.
Scared but you can follow me
I'm too weird to live but much too rare to die.
06 Seize the Day (05:34)
Seize the day or die regretting the time you lost
It's empty and cold without you here, too many people to ache over
I see my vision burn, I feel my memories fade with time
But I'm too young to worry
The streets we traveled on will undergo our same lost past
I found you here, now please just stay for a while
I can move on with you around
I hand you my mortal life, but will it be forever?
I'll do anything for a smile, holding you 'til our time is done
We both know the day will come, but I don't want to leave you
I see my vision burn, I feel my memories fade with time
But I'm too young to worry
(a melody, a memory, or just one picture)
Seize the day or die regretting the time you lost
It's empty and cold without you here, too many people to ache over
Newborn life replacing all of us, changing this fable we live in
No longer needed here so where do we go?
Will you take a journey tonight, follow me past the walls of death?
But girl, what if there is no eternal life?
I see my vision burn, I feel my memories fade with time
But I'm too young to worry
(a melody, a memory, or just one picture)
Seize the day or die regretting the time you lost
It's empty and cold without you here, too many people to ache over
Trials in life, questions of us existing here
Don't wanna die alone without you here
Please tell me what we have is real
(guitar solo)
So what if I never hold you, yeah, or kiss your lips again? Whooooah
So I never want to leave you and the memories of us to see
I beg don't leave me
Seize the day or die regretting the time You lost
It's empty and cold without you here, too many people to ache over
Trials in life, questions of us existing here
Don't wanna die alone without you here
Please tell me what we have is real
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
I stand here alone
Falling away from you, no chance to get back home
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
(Silence, you lost me-- no chance for one more day)
07 Sidewinder (07:03)
I slide through the wasteland that's my world
My hunger takes your life, preyed on to keep me alive, yeah
Mercy's all that you need, mercy's empty in me
Can't you feel the poison rising out of the morning and clear through the night
You can feel my strength destroy you straight to the heart from the venomous bite
That's right and I shed my skin tonight but my fangs are hard to hide
And you know that you're going to die, yeah
Mercy's all that you need, mercy's empty to me
Can't you feel the poison rising out of the morning and clear through the night
You can feel my strength destroy you straight to the heart from the venomous bite
I can't regret, can't escape decisions made for me, no control
Fire that burns but never dies, wrapped around I'll bury my fangs inside
Making my way through the night you're still in my sight
You're runnin' away cause you know you can't hide
My instincts are cold blooded hate; to you I'm the bearer of fate
Wrong place and now the wrong time, now terror is all that you'll find
Can't you feel the poison rising, straight to the heart from the venomous bite
Can't you feel the poison rising out of the morning and clear through the night
You can feel my strength destroy you straight to the heart from the venomous bite
I can't regret, can't escape decisions made for me, no control
Fire that burns but never dies, wrapped around I'll bury my fangs inside
Stay inside tonight - you're out there all alone
Vanish from my sites - venomous control
You won't make it right - my appetite has grown
Lost your final fight - no love will be shown
Stay inside tonight - you're out there all alone
Vanish from my sites - venomous control
You can't make it right - my appetite has grown
Lost your final fight - no love will be shown
09 Strength of the World (09:16)
My story starts the day they said "she can't be found"
the news so dark, heart stopped, stood silent without a sound
It's over, she's finished, mother lies with my father and sister too
Cold-blooded, they suffered, shot down by the outlaws after you
Sorrow swallows my screams
Strength of the world! - is on my shoulders
Strength of the world! - is on my side
Strength of the world! - the one true beholder
Ice in my veins! - for those who've died
I've seen my family fade away, you've taken my whole life
There's nothing left to say
Avenged the dead killed all who cross me in my path
Suicidal, I've never planned on coming back
I want it, I need it, revenge is dripping from my teeth
Need nothin', to feel power, and bring the killers to their knees
Nothin' to lose vengeance to gain (you know I'll never be the same)
So taste my breath I'm close behind you (so desperate on your final day)
Sorrow swallows my screams
Strength of the world! - is on my shoulders
Strength of the world! - is on my side
Strength of the world! - the one true beholder
Ice in my veins! - for those who've died
I've seen my family fade away, you've taken my whole life
There's nothing left to say
Sitting in silence with heaven above me I prayed every night by their graves
While I search for closure I feel it no longer
I can't turn my cheek away
I stand before you , I'll sin when I have to
But now I leave your side, to avenge my family's pride
I've seen my family fade away, you've taken my whole life
There's nothing left to say
Strength of the world! - is on my shoulders
Strength of the world! - is on my side
Strength of the world! - the one true beholder
Ice in my veins! - for those who've died
So far forever now alone, a greater punishment on me has been imposed
A killer falling from the light, I miss my family, I'll never be alright
Strength of the world! - is on my shoulders
Strength of the world! - is on my side
Strength of the world! - the one true beholder
Ice in my veins! - for those who've died
I've seen my family fade away, you've taken my whole life
There's nothing left to say
(whisper)...and thats all she wrote...
10 Betrayed (06:49)
Passion in my eyes, I lived it everyday, but how could you go throw it all away?
In my dreams it's me and you, it's there I saw it all come true
As time went by faith in you grew, so one thing's left for me to do
I feel it burn inside, burning me like the rising sun
Lifted into the sky, took away the only thing I loved
I know after tonight all your power crumbles in my arms
So don't worry, I'll be fine, when my life ends, I'll leave this scar
and I felt down I need you there every note and every word seems so hard to take Finally, were destined.
A smoking gun in hand, now don't you realize what you've done
Put a bullet in his back, your hero since you were so young
How could you kill the man who brought salvation through your pain
He must mean everything to end it all this shameful way
Passion in my eyes, I lived it everyday, but how could you go throw it all away?
In my dreams it's me and you, it's there I saw it all come true
As time went by faith in you grew, so one thing's left for me to do (finish you)
I started here so young and helped you get along
Just did it for the love, and people healed through us
Don't live your life in vain, don't take it out on me
You're cracked, so just remember, I'm not your enemy
I don't deserve to fall this way, by a man who felt betrayed
I felt so down now you're around to rescue me
Every note and every word i'm listening
Sometimes problems seem too deep to take(too hard to take)
Sometimes I cry thinking my future looks so bleak
Finally, together we were destined, I know what's best for us in the end
Someone hear me, someone stop me, someone listen, why aren't you listening?
Passion in my eyes, I lived it everyday, but how could you go throw it all away?
In my dreams it's me and you, it's there I saw it all come true
As time went by faith in you grew, so one thing's left for me to do
In my dreams it's me and you, it's there I saw it all come true
As time went by faith in you grew, so one thing's left to finish you
11 M.I.A. (08:45)
Staring at the carnage, praying that the sun would never rise
Living another day in disguise
These feelings can't be right, lend me your courage to stand up and fight, on tonight
Ohhh... tonight
Stand up and fight
The fighting rages on and on, to challenge me you must be strong.
I walk your land but don't belong, two million soldiers can't be wrong
It's no fun but I've been here before
I'm far from home and I'm fighting your war
(Not the way I pictured this, I wanted better things)
Some are scared others killing for fun, I shot a mother right in front of her son
(Take this from my consciousness and please erase my dreams)
Fight for honor, fight for your life
Pray to God that our side is right
Although we won I still may lose, until I make it home to you
I see our mothers filled with tears, grew up so fast where did those years go?
Memories won't let you cry, unless I don't return tonight
So many soldiers on the other side, I take their lives so they can't take mine
(Scared to make it out alive now, murder's all I know)
Nobody tells me all the reasons we're here, I have my weapon so there's nothing to fear
(Another day, another life, but nothing real to show for)
Fight for honor, fight for your life
Pray to god that our side is right
Although we won I still may lose, until I make it home to you
I see our mothers filled with tears, grew up so fast where did those years go?
Memories won't let you cry, unless I don't return tonight
Staring at the carnage, praying that the sun would never rise
Living another day in disguise
These feelings can't be right, lend me your courage to stand up and fight
Watching the death toll rise wondering how I'm alive
Stranger's blood on my hands, shot all I can
There were no silent nights watching your brothers all die
To destroy all their plans with no thought of me (No thought of me)
No thought of me
Ohhhh...
Walk the city lonely, memories that haunt are passing by
A murderer walks your streets tonight
Forgive me for my crimes
Don't forget that I was so young, but so scared
In the name of God and the Country
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By Divodark
So away with the screams, away with originality, away with heavy music and well-pounded drums, we’re left with a sort of blink 182 of metal.
The remaining tracks are difficult to listen to, quite ugly, and overly long... yes, the biggest flaw of this album is the duration: 11 tracks for over 70 minutes, really too much.
By him7x
What you will find inside City of Evil will leave you stunned, confused, and in love with this band that is destined to become the greatest band in the WORLD!!!
At about 2min. 50sec, there’s an impressive drum passage (I still don’t understand how he manages to do it).
By IcnarF
City of Evil is neither a masterpiece nor a 'cheap commercial ploy.' It is an engaging and well-produced album, but with its strengths and weaknesses.
The true strong point of City of Evil: the guitars, earning it a spot in Guitar World's top 100 guitar albums of all time.
