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

[Adam Cummings]

I'm a 21 year old united states marine whose been listening to avenged sevenfold for 4 years now. You don't have to be a tormented 19 year old boy to enjoy what this band has to offer. The way the drum beats, guitar rifts and solo's enter your brain like a zealous hurricane and make you go into a state of musical bliss is unlike what many other bands can do. The way the vocals just introduce you to scream them at the top of your lungs because you feel every emotion he feels by how he sings the lyrics. It's pure unadulterated entertainment. Whether I'm in the gym, on the track, or simply trying to go to bed this album puts me in a musical safe haven in which I can fall into.

[Ryan Parton]

Wow...great album review.

Next time maybe read about the band and what they have gone through. This album was going to be dark but with the passing of IMO the best drummer on the planet, it became darker.

The fact that you push this as an album for "tormented teenage boys" sickens me. I would like to see what kind of writing you do when your best friend passes away.

[Shawn]

You obviously do not have a clue, Jeff. What do you listen to? Yanni? Lady Gaga?

Avenged Sevenfold is very easy to appreciate, even if you do not like metal. They are amazing musicians.

Go pound sand, Jeff.

[John R.]

"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."? This is one of the most pretentious statements ever made by someone who is obviously infatuated with the sound of their voice, thoughts and opinions. The fact that you state they were "cribbed" from Linkin Park illuminates your ignorance even more. Also, where is the review? All I read was a critical attack against heavy metal disguised as a review of a great band to garner web hits. "Spiraling guitars, avalanche drums and satanic screams" are the very essence of what makes heavy metal, heavy. Though your presumption of screams being satanic are flawed unless it is truly the devil himself screaming, or the words invoke satan which they do not.

[tim pollard]

this is by far one of the worst reviews ive ever read. Did you even listen to the album or did you just watch the video for nightmare, the call of duty thing for welcome to the family and the 30 second samples from itunes and just write your review off of that? There was nothing on the album that reminded me of linkin park and nu-metal, and alienation and angst? again did you listen to it or just look up the nu-metal on wikipedia this is just sad and you should not be allowed to review anything that has the slightest bit of metal in it.

[Amy]

Yeah, Linkin Park spawned A7X, okay then...
I wouldn't say that to their faces if I were you.

A7X are not nu-metal. They come from a background of Pantera, Slayer, Metallica, Guns N Roses, etc. You only have to look at their shirts to know that, or open your ears, that might help.
Their not for teenage boys, tormented or otherwise. I've seen them live a tonne of times and the audience is always a mixture of old and new rock fans, there's no angry emo's - but thanks for the stereotype.
Give them props for their musical talent at least, even if you're too brainwashed to appreciate decent rock/metal/music that is a little bit different.

[Richard Hansen]

Worst review ever!

[Heidi]

Wow, this review is a total fail. Perhaps, Mr. Weiss, Justin Bieber is more your style.

[Brian]

I understand the album is a tribute to the dead drummer... but I don't like the sound of this album... It's just different; slipping into a genre I really can't stand

But hey I still got their older stuff, so I'm content.

[Ken]

"the ultra-violent video game, "Call of Duty: Black Ops"
"Avenged Sevenfold's fifth full-length is almost impossible to appreciate unless you fit the prime demographic: tormented teenage boys."

Must be the most childish review I have ever read. Although I dislike this album, it's pathetic how desperate some writers are to get page views. An old man who only gives good reviews to music designed for 7 years old, stay classy.

[Rory O'Neill]

Well that had nothing to do with the actual music. Sounded more like a rant about a video game and the genre which is INCORRECT! Where did you get the Linkin Park influence from? Plus how can you give the album 2 out of 4 if you don't even mention the music or probably listen to it? It's a disgrace of a review and no way to treat it.

[CJdrums]

Uhm...wow.

I guarantee you are going to lose lots of respect for musicians, Avenged Sevenfold fans, and ANYONE that listens to music.

This does NOT have screaming in it like some music out there. You guys are just being ridiculous. My dad can't STAND my music, except for Avenged Sevenfold. He's nearing fifty, and he likes Avenged Sevenfold, along with his Johnny Cash, Phil Collins, Journey, and other bands in the classic rock category.

I hope you're happy for how RUDELY you pointed out Jimmy Sullivan's death, I can't see a picture of him without bursting into tears. You people have OBVIOUSLY no respect for the deceased, regardless of how it happened.

I'm going to assume you're all heartless and stuck listening to Electric Light Orchestra if you can't appreciate this amazing musicianship and all the passion that went into creating this album, after The Rev's passing.

They are my heroes, heroes of all of us in the A7X family, and heroes of future generations.

[Emily]

That is such a lame review, seriously.
Tormented teenage boys? Seriously? Were you looking to be proved wrong here?

[...]

Tormented teenage boys?!? You wouldn't know what good music is even if it hit you in the face! Seriously what music do you listen to that makes you credible enough to review this album?

[Scarlett Rose]

You should either be fired or sent to write reviews of Eunich Boy aka Justin Bieber....seeing as you'd more than likely rather listen to that than the epicness of Avenged Sevenfold. You failed to mention that the band continued on to finish this record after the tragic passing of their brother and drummer. You also put some incredibly irrelevant things in this "review". I would hardly consider this a review, seeing as it is merely an opinion based on things that have nothing to do with the album. Call of Duty? Why are you bringing video games into a music review? It's totally unnecessary. The song "So Far Away" was written by one of Jimmy's best friends Brian Haner Jr. AKA: Synyster Gates as a tribute to him after his passing. If you fail to see the beauty in something that came out of something so horrible, you really have a closed mind. The video for "Nightmare" also has nothing to do with the quality of the music. I may have only written for my high school's newspaper and written a few articles for the local one, but I do know that when you're reviewing an album, you are to review the quality of the music. Not the video or how connected it is to a video game. Next time you review an album, please do us all a favor and review something we don't listen to. Like the Pygmy music from Africa.

[Arsalan Nazir]

Terrible review. Mind me actually, its too terrible to qualify as a review. Please try to be more profession next time when you "review" an album. Well atleast just try to review the music, not the promotion or music video.

[Brian ~Murphy]

this is seriously just a terrible review. labels? call of duty? you mention THREE songs.

youre focusing on videos, and only the nightmare video is an actual official released video by avenged sevenfold, youre meant to be reviewing the MUSIC of avenged sevenfold. not what a music director interpretates.

satanic?! never mind the many many references to the Lord and god in this album and previous albums, all screaming must be satanic, of course (!)

also, the nightmare video, its an homage to Jacob's Ladder, Jimmy's favourite movie. next time, know a little bit about what youre talking about before you publish such i-wont-even-say-what.

[Katie-Peyton Baker]

Were you reviewing the album or the video because it seems to me you were gunning for the video in this one.
The album nor the band sound nothing from Linkin Park or Black Sabbath, I was thinking abit more Metallica and Pantera but hey you're supposed to know more about music than we do.
It's Jimmy not James and I can't beleive you didn't even review 'Fiction' seriously how did you get your job?
How dare you slip the word 'tolerance' in there as if fans 'tolerate' the music that Avenged Sevenfold produce.
I think enough people appreciate this album even if you don't.
Next time I think you need to actually listen to the album before you review it, that tends to help.

[Phil]

Seriously? You barely wrote anything on the actual album.
Half of this review is actually about Call Of Duty.

[Lisa X]

I'm a 43 yr old housewife (with excellent taste in music), and I love the album. I like many genres of music, and some metal. These are extremely talented musicians. This is an incredible album, and a tribute to their best friend and drummer. They are dealing with a tremendous amount of pain, and you can feel it in the album. I agree, open your mind and LISTEN. This is a must buy!

[Vernon Howard]

"Tormented teenage boys???" WOW, this is by far the worst review ever. Maybe you should take the time to sit down and listen to the whole record, and read through the lyrics to each song while you're at it.

[Graeme Lunn]

I am actually wondering whether the reviewer actually listened to this album at all? The tone and structure seems leveled as a casual annoyance at the fact that metal/rock music exists in the first place rather than a structured review of an artist's piece of work.

In fact, a question for the reviewer - do you understand the concept of metaphor? The video for Nightmare, crucified in your review was quite simply a metaphor for the nightmarish struggle that the band went through in deciding to release this material, that they felt trapped in a realm of impossibility and that the ultimate release from this would be releasing the album in memoriam of their fallen friend - revealed symbolically as The Rev's drum kit being revealed at the climax to the video.

Allow me to project an alternative view to the album (which seems to be echoed along with the other posted comments):

This album is certainly dark and varied, with music influences stretching as far as Metallica, Maiden, and even Pink Floyd in some of the intros and outros (Fiction and Victim spring to mind). The dark brooding apects of the record were indicative of the time period the band has come through in the past seven months. Fans of Avenged Sevenfold may actually find some of the lyrics quite chilling - especially those within Fiction which was completed by Jimmy Sullivan just three days before his passing.

Musically, the album is rather varied, from the haunting lyricism of Fiction, the melancholic musings within So Far Away through to the pure anger and vitriol of God Hates Us. Even though the music may be varied, there seems to almost be a sense some kind of storytelling "glue" that holds it together.

Fans of their earlier work circa Waking The Fallen will certainly appreciate God Hates Us, fans of their most recent Self Titled album most likely to enjoy the sing-along rock anthems Welcome to the Family and Victim, whereas fans of their City Of Evil album should generally enjoy most of the album as the variance in tracks and tempo is rather similar.

Most of the tracks are healthy in length with some taking twists similar to an episode of 24 in which the track you began with is entirely different sounding from the one you finished listening to - an outstanding example of this is the track Buried Alive from the opening gentle, melodic guitar intro, twisting through it's duration to the pounding and more angry climax.

Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater has done an excellent job in replicating the drum style of Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan and his work in itself is both impressive and selfless in staying true to the style of The Rev whilst also offering his insight and experience to the band. I am sure they and their fans are eternally grateful for him to allow this, arguably Avenged Sevenfold's finest album, to come to life.

The fact that this is backed up with some of the most varied and impressive guitar work to date by guitarist trio Zacky Vengeance, Johnny Christ and Synyster Gates completes what can be only described as "THE" Avenged Sevenfold sound as there are few bands whom could pull off their unique arrangements.

Hammering this home with some vocals ranging from melodic to pure spitting venom is frontman M Shadows who conveys such emotion into the word he is singing that even the most casual Avenged Sevenfold fan can feel a sense of what the band has gone though and continue to go through in the days since losing their band mate and friend.

All in all, an emotional tour de force of a rock/metal album which will no doubt go down as one of this year's finest. The question on the lips of the fans, however, is - will it be their last?

[Charley Letham]

This is the worst review of an album ever...And Los Angeles Times its a serious enterprise????? Bah...

[Tracey Roy]

I'm sorry, but I think this is a terrible review and you have done little research. I'm a forty-five year old woman and this band and album is incredible. I agree that it is hard rock grammy material. I think you need to open your mind - there's a much better world outside of pop music and this is much more fun.

[Rory O'Neill]

The reviewer should be ashamed of himself. No attention and I would say effort was made to even listen to the music by the way it was written. In fact it insults the band, the fans, and the metal community is general. It is your job to write a review with an open mind which you clearly don't have. Maybe you should be moved to doing game reviews rather than this.