Review 9 of 23

ageller1 writes:

3of 5 Stars

The growth and development of this band has taken a turn for the worst. From its birth in 1999, Avenged Sevenfold has increasingly begun to conform to big bisuness rock. As for the fans, some love it, some dont. Many of the fans most loyal to the talented rock band had their backs turned on them with the release of the breakthrough album City Of Evil, which released in 2005. M Shadows, te bands frontman elegedly claimed that they were a "new" band, and had abandoned their old, more metalcore and hardcore style of music. Withought the piercing screams and earth shaking breakdowns, the band went in a new direction of technicality and focus on melody. Many of the original fans were outraged and felt betrayed. Not to worry, however. The bands new self titled record attemps, but ultimatly fails in bringing back some of their old swaggar and rawness, only to leave us in a daze and wondering, "Why did we ever respect this band?"

-Andy Geller Union College '11

Dec 12, 2007 19:54:40

Review 10 of 23

McMAN71 writes:

3of 5 Stars

Avenged Sevenfold right now is the only relevent band playing my favorite style of music. I am somewhat happy that kids are still embracing the form. but face facts, judging Avenged Sevenfold is kind of like trying to pick a candidate to vote for in the next Presidential election. They may be the best, but only because there really isn't anyone better. The guitar work is derevitive of bands like Maiden and Priest. They can shred, but they break no new ground. M. Shadows thankfully has given up the cookie monster vocals, but Axel Rose he isn't. Personally, I hope that Avenged Sevenfold can be the kind of band that inspires others to do better, or who turn kids on to their influences. If that happens, along with playing a few good shows (they are pretty good live) then the MTV exposure was worth it. My take is that the album is definately worth picking up, and you will enjoy it. That is as long as you don't expect the next "Appetite For Destruction" or 'Screaming For Vengeance".

Dec 10, 2007 09:58:33

Review 11 of 23

karmen7x writes:

4of 5 Stars

okay, so i have been A HUGE A7X FAN FOR EVER, and by far "city of evil" has to be the best album i have heard in my life.
on the other hand "avenged sevenfold" wasnt really the follow-up album i had expected. they had set the bar so high on "city of evil", that the new album just doesnt have the same in your face intensity as the last one. as everybody knows, a7x evolves on every album, and this is quite evident on their new cd. if you go back and listen to anything on "sounding the seventh trumpet" and then listen to "dear god", you can hear how the band has made a 360 degree turn.
anyways, musically the new album is savage. syn's guitar is crazy as usual. i was so glad to hear the rev FINALLY sing on this album. i have heard his work in the past (pinkly smooth, download them on itunes and thank me later! =])
and that was so impressed. i wasnt a big fan of soo many orchestral instruments on so many of the songs, cuz it kinda washed out alot of the guitar, which is the best part of a7x's sound.the little kids singing was kinda lame too, a little bit pink floyd "the wall"-esc, but it was differnt and thats what they wanted. to all you hardcore a7x fas like me who at 1st, were like "wtf is this shit!?", i reccomend listening to the album and give it a chance to grow on you. and if u havent bought the album yet, make sure you get hte one with the MVI dvd. it may cost $2 more but its worht it. they give u an explination for each song, which really gave me some closure. and rolling stone, for the love of music and hte respect of your readers, fire that dumb shit Christian forever! he is terrible excuse for a music critic.

Nov 22, 2007 09:26:34

Review 12 of 23

selftitleda7x writes:

5of 5 Stars

Ok, first of all that fagget thats reviewing this amazing album is a dush man you should actually lisen to the cd before reviewing it, holy shit can u believe people can actually be this retarded. look people this "Self-Titled" album is the most amazing album that avenged sevenfold has created, this album has lots of great music in it, it goes from metal to country to light rock, it has the great instruments, it has guitars,drums,bass,orchestras,organs,piano,voice boxes,and much more great musicaly talented instruments. the other thing the voice has got to be one of the greatest vocalist of all time and also the rev's voice(drummer) is just speechles. the drums are amazingly perfect. the bass is definitely the craziest motherfucker around.and the best of all the guitars, the guitars are just perfect and their dueling solos are just pure perfection.The other thing is they change their sound and influences every cd. also they have great back up vocals lisen to synyster gates(guitar)and zacky vengeance(guitar)and the rev. lisen to a little piece of heaven yo will hear the revs real music talent. so in conclusion RS you need to get new staff please rate good and actually take time to lisen.

Nov 21, 2007 21:20:18

Review 13 of 23

Danzigfreak911 writes:

4of 5 Stars

Okay...first let me say that I'm always loved these guys. I don't know if there's any guitar player better than Gates today. Now...if you would have asked me after I first listened to this album, I would have said I didn't like it. But after giving it a second listen, it is an amazing album.

I'm not going to bash anyone else who's given their reviews because we are all entitled to our own opinions, however, how many albums over the last few years have came out and almost every song is different from the last? Seriously, from Critical Acclaim to A Piece of Heaven, this album is so different from top to bottom and shows the true talent and diversity of the band.

Nov 11, 2007 08:54:34

Review 14 of 23

pdob writes:

5of 5 Stars

It would appear that Rolling Stone not only puts tone-deaf
hacks on the payroll, but also doesn't require them to actually
listen to the albums they review (at least not in any sort of
meaningful way).

I was banging my head to the eighties metal that A7X have
breathed new life into, and—let's be honest—they do it better
than anyone ever did. They also bring vitality, innovation, and
eclecticism to a genre whose originators would not, could not,
have ever conceived or dared to. They rock harder than a '68
Charger with crappy shocks driving all night on bad road. All
this, plus they unabashedly love America and righteously
salute our troops and rip those who disparage them on
"Critical Acclaim." Definitely a traumatic departure the trite
sinistral RS pen hand.

No mention in this glib hit-piece of the godlike virtuosity of
these young men... Is there a better rock drummer than the
Rev on record today? I doubt it. The guitars (bass included)
are flawless. M. Shadows "bellowing"? Try listening to the
record all the way through—pull the pompous self-
importance out of your ears first, though. How about the
pedal steel, banjo, and piano? Nu-metal angst indeed.

At the end of the day, A7X have more soul, depth, and
significance farting in their sleep while passed out drunk than
Christian Hoard does at his super-lackluster best.

This album is amazing. Get it and be amazed.

Nov 8, 2007 20:40:46

Review 15 of 23

Tootch writes:

1of 5 Stars

First of all, I'd like to point out that over the past 3 years or so I have been a major A7X fan. With that said I have to admit that when I first heard this album i was BITTERLY disappointed.

Yes M. Shadows can sing, and continues to do so well on this album; but that does not mean its a good album. The fact that the lyrics, well, they sound like theyve just been thrown together, coulped with the boring, repetativeness of the drumming, and the way that the guitar sounds are nowhere near as close to the standards of that in City of Evil, put this album across to me as being a "listen to once and never again" album.

Ok, There's one, maybe two songs i can bear. But "Lost" is an abomination, repetative, boring, and the vocals in the chorus sound like theyve been done purely by a computer.

It may shock some of you who have already rated this album, as you seem to believe its the greatest thing since sliced bread. But as far as I'm concerned this album could not possibly get more than 1 star.

Sorry guys.

Nov 8, 2007 13:29:06

Review 16 of 23

inarai writes:

5of 5 Stars

Avenged Sevenfold is AAMAZING!!! What the fuck are you
thinking Christian dumbass!!! Not only is the whole album worth
listening to over and over again... but Matt's vocal ability is
amazin. Inc the Rev!! Great album..and as 4 you mcbain342 if
you liked A7X and now you dont why talk shit and waste your
time if you think its all crap! Obviously you still have a small
interest in them you DUMB FUCK!!

Nov 7, 2007 21:44:59