•
Rating: I am about to re-review this second LP by the young Californian quintet because, in my opinion, the two previous reviews did not describe the real parameters of the album in question. In short, this "City of Evil" is neither a masterpiece nor a “cheap commercial ploy.” It is, in my opinion, an engaging and well-produced album, but with its strengths and weaknesses.
“Let's start by saying that the group changed labels by signing with a major such as Warner, and upon hearing the news, many fans turned up their noses at the time”.
Said one of the two previous reviews. In my opinion, it seems like the usual senseless attack against artists who, by switching from an independent label to a major, are considered “commercial” and “sellouts.” In fact, if we think about it, good things have also come out (…Alright! There are more negative ones, but let's overlook them for a moment) from labels like Warner (the first example that comes to mind: "Blood Mountain" by Mastodon). Furthermore, Avenged Sevenfold, moving away from a genre as popular and trendy as emocore and abandoning the pseudo-scream/pseudo-growl that greatly impresses teenagers, show the courage to choose a more sophisticated and personal genre.
The five from Huntington Beach indeed propose in this third work of theirs a particular genre, an amalgam of various stylistic influences, ranging from hard rock choruses to “Maiden-like” gallops and Helloween-style accelerations. In this way, breaking away from the proposed, re-proposed, and re-re-proposed canons of emocore/metalcore (which, as I see, has bored many), Matthew Shadows can adopt a very personal nasal voice -sorry for the rhyme-, Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance can display their chemistry with the guitars, Johnny Christ on bass gains more importance while “The Rev” can offer us a more varied drumming.
The album represents a step forward compared to the previous one (which may be worth 5* only for an emocore enthusiast) also due to the variety of the songs offered. The secret to capturing the (?) beauty of the CD is to listen to the album in its entirety, thus not making a hasty judgment based on the commercial single seen in video rotation. In fact, the most unfortunate episodes of this "City of Evil" are the hits "Beast and the Harlot" and "Bat Country" which are catchy for their irresistible chorus but after the fourth/fifth listen have already become unbearable. In a crescendo of song quality, we move on to the trio "Sidewinder-Burn it Down-The Wicked End" which perhaps spoilwith distracting and overly sweet choruses, respectively a Spanish-style guitar finale, a guitar intro, and a thrilling initial bass line. Rising another notch, there’s the ballad -in pure "Use Your Illusion" style- "Seize the Day" which, although featuring sufficiently deep and tear-jerking lyrics, never falls into banality.
The best tracks are the remaining five. The wild "Trashed and Scattered" and "Blinded in Chains", which satisfy even the speed-hungry, without however neglecting the melody (which is the core of the album in question); the melancholic "Betrayed", dedicated to the lamented Dimebag, where very fitting guitar lines fully capture the song’s atmosphere; the more serious (for the themes addressed) "M.I.A." and the complete "Strength of the World", which has it all: an orchestral intro, choruses in the refrain, and an incredible final solo that showcases, besides the already mentioned chemistry between the two guitarists, the skill of the soloist in particular, Brian Haner Jr. (stage name Synyster Gates), an artist’s son (Brian Haner Sr. is a moderately famous acoustic guitarist) and endowed, despite his young age, with a complete and enviable technique, thanks to his jazz training.
Thus, it’s reckless to define Avenged Sevenfold as the “Blink 182” of metal given the complexity of some of the proposed tracks and for the true strong point of "City of Evil": the guitars (the album in question has been included in the list of the top 100 guitar albums of all time by Guitar World).
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 Taurus
Seize the Day is a wonderful ballad that captures you with an enticing melody.
An album that leaves one unsatisfied, burdened by an excessive running time, not managing to engage fully over its entire length.
