Album review: Avenged Sevenfold's 'Nightmare'

The major labels may continue to wither, but they won't go out without a bang. After all, there's no other way to explain the recent promotional tie-in between the new Avenged Sevenfold track "Welcome to the Family," and its ideological brethren, the ultra-violent video game, "Call of Duty: Black Ops."

Set to a string of explosions, helicopters and assault rifles clutched by solemn young men with shaved heads, the unabashed militarism is frightening and almost pornographic in its zeal. Whether you appreciate the veteran hard rock/metal hybrid depends on your tolerance for spiraling guitars, avalanche drums and satanic screams. Or your inclination to the aesthetic spelled out in the video for lead single "Nightmare," with its bloody and cackling children, experimental surgeries and morbid obsessions. Consider it Edward Gorey as re-conceptualized by Hannibal Lecter and Korn.

Metal doesn't die, it mutates, and sonically, Avenged Sevenfold has cribbed from the usual suspects: Linkin Park and the Nu-Metal school, a little Black Sabbath, and the Orange County punk-thrash that inevitably influenced its formative years. The sincerity is palpable even if the style seems synthetic, particularly on "So Far Away," which presumably addresses the untimely death last year of their drummer, James "The Rev" Sullivan.

With imagery haunted by death and lyrical allusions to alienation and angst, Avenged Sevenfold's fifth full-length is almost impossible to appreciate unless you fit the prime demographic: tormented teenage boys.

— Jeff Weiss 

Avenged Sevenfold
"Nightmare"
(Warner Bros.)
Two stars (Out of four)

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Comments

[Yeufre]

This is the worst album review I've read in my life, official garbage

[Matt Titus]

Satanic Screams? ultra violent video game? morbid obsessions? Thanks for an insightful review Jeff! Did your mom have to sign a permission slip so you could listen to such a x-rated record? next time an open mind would only help.

[Matt Slockbower]

This is the worst review i have ever read. You're bashing extremely talented musicians and one of their most powerful albums to date. Nobody listen to this review because it is absolute garbage.

[Ben]

This is not a review. Its a personal opinion by some raging middle-aged man with a limited mind who's angry at the "youth of today". "Satanic screams"? Please tell me you're kidding. Also, I failed to hear any influence of Linkin Park. Mix of rap and screaming? Nope. Quiet intro, instrumental kicker, quiet verse and heavy chorus in every song? Nope. Use of electro aesthetics? ... Nope.
Perhaps next time the L.A Times will let someone without pent-up anger aimed at anything which differs from his sad close-minded little world write an album review.

[Torrey Burkes]

After listening to the album in its entirety, I decided to look to the net for positive reviews based on actual music knowledge. The fact that you failed to recognize the album as a tribute to their deceased drummer (possibly one of the all-time greats) is the first piece of trash that this review throws at readers. Also, neglecting to mention the depth of the lyrics and mastery of instruments is downright disrespect to the band and its fans. So, go put on something on your i-Pod that's politically correct and G-Rated, because clearly, that's your definition of "good" music.

[Ralph Rotten]

I don't think you even bothered to listen to this album all the way through. This is gonna win a Grammy for best Hard Rock album! Right that down

[maeve!]

wdf? its an awesome album!! not for tormented teenage boys! IDIOT

[Robert Arvai]

I am 46 year old metalhead and I find this CD for the most part very enjoyable. They give tribute to bands such as Iron Maiden, Metallica and other newer bands as well but their own technical style always is audible. Also the comment
" Metal doesn't die, it mutates" could only be written by someone who is not a metalhead. So what are you doing reviewing this, Mr. Weiss. Generally we would like a metalhead to review a metal CD so they could tell us if it is any good in relation to other metal CD's , Not Elvis Costello or Lady GaGa. Perhaps you should have mentioned that James "The Rev" Sullivan's parts were played by the Best Drummer on the Planet Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater. I am pretty sure it's a safe bet that you don't like them either. Stop trying to be like Robert Hilburn and review the CD not the people or the style of music.!

[Anonymous]

Wow, this is a horrible review. You didn't really talk about the album, you just mentioned a whole bunch of unrelated stuff (COD: Black Ops, "Nightmare" music video) that doesn't really have anything to do with the music.

[Corey]

Wow...Biased much? You think that maybe it could have so much to do with death because it is a tribute to their deceased drummer? Maybe you should leave your small comfort zone and open your mind a little bit before writing your reviews. You are the only reviewer that I have come across to have rated this album bad. Did you even listen to the album, because that sure as hell would help when writing reviews. You should be fired!

[DrummerX]

I'm not going to lie, this review seemed like a waste of time to read. Just because it was in the CoD:BO trailer doesn't mean you have to mention it and base half of your review on that. The prime demographic of avenged is not tormented teenage boys. I'm a 20 year old drummer/guitarist and I appreciate Avenged for their musical abilities and their outstanding live performances. Anyone who likes rock, can handle a few swear words in their songs, and has a heart can like this album.

The emotion put into this album is amazing! You can feel the pain the band is going through just by listening to a few tracks. It's in the lyrics, the guitar playing, everything. It hurts to lose a band member and experience the death of a loved one. Right when you lift up the CD after you open it's package, you see the whole band hugging Jimmy. On the front cover, the tombstone reads foREVer. This is a great tribute to the Rev and you can imagine how much sorrow the band is dealing with after Jimmy's death.

Such a poor review should not have been be posted.

A7X foREVer!

[Jeff]

You say that you must "fit the prime demographic: tormented teenage boys." in order to enjoy the album at all.. That is just a major slap in the face to one of the better albums Avenged Sevenfold has released. Diamonds in the rough was a hit or miss album but they blew me away personally with how amazing of an album they released. The songs are full of emotion and are awe inspiring.

So to sum it up, I agree with everyone else saying this is a terrible review. I give you two out of four stars for a sub par review.

[Nick]

Well I agree with everyone's posts here, not much more to say. Terrible, inconsiderate review of A7X'S new album.

[Josh]

Wow this review was the worst ever..totally disrespectful to the band. The writer seems very closed minded and shouldn't be the one reviewing, this album is one of the greatest to date and the work and talent that the band brings is amazing. Obviously the reviewer either hasn't really listened to the album or is just not appriciative of good music.

[Luis]

Yes, this is the worst review i've read in my entire life, and i've read a lot of bad reviews...........

[Andrew Ford]

Why LA times is someone who knows nothing about heavy music writing a review of this CD!! Are you gonna start sending food critics to movies too!!?

[T. Green]

Very unimpressive article. Poorly written, close-minded, and most importantly incorrect. I was disgusted by the rudeness and tone of this article. As a fan of musical review generally one would approach any album with a clean slate but apparently this man was not only biased in his view but portrayed that bias with terribly nonsensical analogies. I am a fan of this band, a fan of metal, and better yet a musical connoisseur and I can honestly say that this album is a work of art. Impressive and varied from start to finish, you can tell that this band worked hard to create an album that is creative and a tribute to their lost brother. Have some respect; enjoy this music and see it for what it really stands for. We have all had or will have some hard times in our lives, been angry, or lost loved ones and that is something that we all share with deepest respect. Now the only question left is, what does this album mean to you? Is it reminiscent of a dream or of a nightmare? Enjoy.

[appaloosafire]

Don't listen to this review. "Nightmare" is one of the most beautiful albums I've listened to to date, and some songs send a shiver down my spine, such as "Fiction" which features actual vocal recordings from The Rev, just days before he passed away. It is an eerie, chilling, powerful album that does so much to honor Jimmy. This is the ONLY negative review I've seen of the album.

Rest in Peace, Jimmy, I love you. You'll be missed foREVer.

[Daniel]

" Welcome to the Family " was written by Jimmy Sullivan before he died. Good job playing detective and thinking it was actually meant for Call of Duty. You are an embarrassment to music critics.

[Tommy]

Don't you have to listen to the album in order to review it? It appears as if you've only watched the video for Nightmare and watched the COD/Welcome video. Your "demographic" is very off as well. Avenged Sevenfold obviously appealed to Mike Portnoy in order for him to drum for them. Is he a "tormented teenage boy?" I don't know how the guitar solos in Danger Line, Victim, Save Me and pretty much any other song could not win a single compliment in this review (probably because you didn't listen to them). How about the brave, adventurous songwriting displayed in every song on the album? You're a narrow minded idiot. Please, stop reviewing good albums until you know what you're talking about.

[Jamie]

Why are you reviewing a metal album? Do you know anything about metal? Did you even listen to this album? Or did you just confuse your personal taste in music with your job to write an unbiased review of a new album? I'm 47 years old, have a very wide taste in music and love this album. Maybe you would be more suited to check out the new Tom Jones record. It was released today, too.

[Talco]

Satanic...really? Did you even try to pay attention to the lyrics?

Did you even attempt to unravel the symbology of the last scene of

the 'Nightmare' video?

"Whats with the violent aggression?"-Welcome to the Family

I DIG seeing the established mouth breathers bashing this album......as they say you take the most flak when over your target.

[Jae Hwang]

You should consider removing this review because you will be embarrassed in a few days when you hear everyone disagree with you. For instance, I disagree with you, and I'm not even an Avenged Sevenfold fan. The album was in memoriam Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan--it wasn't about ultra-violence or alienation. I think it's quite absurd to prejudge Nightmare as an album for "tormented teenage boys" when teenagers and adults alike have already appreciated this album. You probably listened to the track list once (that is IF you listened to the whole thing). Listen to the album with a heart; acknowledge the fact that one of history's greatest drummers have passed to the next world and people dearly miss him. And taking some music appreciation classes wouldn't hurt either, because you obviously need education in that area.

[Blake Tull]

I sure hope you didn't receive payment for writing this. Why is it necessary for people to bash things they don't understand or like? Just because you can't see the amazing musicianship this band oozes doesn't mean it doesn't exist. This is one of the greatest albums I've ever listened to and will most likely go #1 this week and be up for some records. Might be time to discreetly retract your "review" if one could even could it that.

[moshredder]

the worst review I've ever read!!! why talking about Call Of Duty??!!! Just do a review about the album next time, if you think the album deserves a bad review okay but explain us why, but I don't see how it can be possible!! the music, the lyrics, the drum, the guitar solos are all perfect!!! personally I think it's one of their best album and I saw them live at the Heavy Montreal, when they played one of their new songs dedicated to The Rev, there was so much emotion involved!!!! best show, best album!!!