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

[Hid]

I am appalled and outraged as well from this poor and disgusting excuse for a "review". I would like to call for the resignation or dismissal of Jeff Weiss. It is clear that Mr. Weiss does not possess any knowledge of how to write an album review. It is disturbing that the L.A times would allow a novice, such as Weiss, to be associated with their establishment, and hope that the L.A times learns from this and doesn't allow him to grace their pages again.

[CJamesW]

haha, i would be insulted by this review, but, this guy's rantings about how much he hates metal pretty much destroy any credibility i'd ever give him to successfully review this album. just for the record, i'm not an angsty, tormented teenage boy, and the stupidity he's demonstrated in making this assumption just makes me laugh even harder at his ignorance. oh well, even the most small minded moron is entitled to his opinion.

[Scott]

Nice "Call of Duty" review, bro.

[paul marino]

instead of the big guy upstairs taking actually meaningful, talented, and loved people like the rev you should be in his place with such a horrible review. i might move out to LA because apparently they high any dumb ass with a mouth and who can type because your obviously not qualified for your job title.

[Jason]

I think the guitar was brilliant. As a journalist and being familiar with reviews, I have to say this is the most bias review I have ever read. I don't think believe Jeff Weiss understand demographics. See, this is what happens when you get rid of actual print journalism. Blogs are a virus plaguing journalism and this guy is proof. I don't know how "The Times" handle their blog but this is not journalism, this is just some guy crying because he doesn't agree. Over all, this was some of the most interesting music I have heard. It toys with your emotions going from a soft feeling to hard and really drives the point of the lyrics. By the way, I am sure that the boys over seas that love Call of Duty would say not having a game like it would be a lie of how the world really is. The world isn't all candy and fairy tales like this guy believes. Bad things happen and some people have to deal with it in different ways and some step up to protect. People need things to relate with or they would go crazy and always feel out of place. Weiss, they aren't inspiring people to actually go kill others or harm innocent animals. You need to just calm down and find another job...shoot, maybe this is the job for you. This review has obviously brought more people to this site. HAHA. Besides, "Bolgging" isn't real journalism. You are a joke. If you can't tell, I am some what of a purist. If you are going to attack anything, attack Lil Wayne. Not only does his music inspire kids to carry guns and kill but it isn't even music. My newborn could write better music. All his music consists of are simple time signatures that hardly change, very little melody, and crappy singing backed with an auto-tuner and no substance. Good day.

[DrummerForHire]

...wow. Way to kill the album. I will admit that it didn't live up to my expectations because it wasn't HEAVY enough. You make it sound like some demonic satan worshiping evil thing. Dude, the only harder songs are Welcome to the Family and God Hates Us. The rest is calm and nice. And tormented teenage boys? Really man? Well I don't really care, you can speak whatever bull you want but when someone you love dies, don't cry me the blues man.

[Steve]

This review is asinine, "the unabashed militarism is frightening and almost pornographic." The fact that Avenged Sevenfold got included with the Call of Duty franchise means nothing. What exactly do you think war is? An ultra-violent environment filled with assault rifle carrying men with shaved heads, although there is more depth to it, you leave it at that. Militarism is frightening, plain and simple but it is also reality. A7X's album sends a message to their fallen brother Jimmy. He was one of if not the best drummer ever, they re-wrote this album for him, in his honor, and you mock it? The video was based off of the movie Jacob's ladder, a favorite of Jimmy Sullivan's and they used that to portray their worst nightmare, the realization of losing a close friend. Also, by saying that only a tormented teenage boy could appreciate the album is an insult to A7X and their entire fan base, I suggest that you rethink and rewrite this review while taking the meaning into perspective rather than denying it the recognition it deserves, Nightmare is a great album that should be listened to beginning to end to appreciate, then you will realize everyone can relate to at least one of the songs, not just a tormented teenage boy.

[Reptar]

I hate to have to qualify myself to address such a putrid display of journalism, but I feel there is no other way to to demonstrate how incorrect and ignorant your review of this CD was. I am law student at the University of Wisconsin. I have played guitar and listened to metal since eighth grade. In high school, I shopped at Abercrombie & Fitch and played guitar for my high school Jazz Band. Do you see where I am going with this? The idea that only "tormented teen boys" can appreciate this album can only be promulgated by someone who made up his mind about the band and CD before even listening to it. You needlessly flaunt your super awesome English degree with your penmanship without displaying a single iota of musical intelligence. I prefer rock and metal music, but I am smart enough to appreciate good music. This album is incredible. A7X managed to blend superb technical playing with genuinely good song composition. All of these people, including the tormented teenage boys, are right to be insulted.

[karen]

Really? You obviously have not lost someone dear to your heart to know what these guys are going through. What did you do, just do a google search and listen to the tracks that you mentioned in your review? The video for this song is their style, if you had watched any of their other videos you would know that. This album for me feels like I know a little more about the individuals in the band and what they are feeling and going through. Furthermore where does Linkin Park come into this review? a7x doesn't have a DJ, there guitar work is far superior, and there is no rap anywhere. Clearly you have no idea what you are talking about and should not be allowed to review any album if this is how you critique.

[Cody Bancroft]

Directed at Jeff Weiss of the LA Times- You are no music critic, if you were you would know how hard it is to produce a sound in the studio everyone will like, including your fans, especially when you lose a brother of your band, like Jimmy. Avenged did an amazing job on the album, mixed almost slayer metal to contemporary rock, and unlike most bands, they actually pull it off... i think you should go buy the album and listen to it without your boss redirecting your influence on the review just to upset fans. This review is the worst garbage i have read since... ever... I have honestly never heard someone bash the best album to date by any artist in my life, Jeff Weiss, You are a sorry person. And should be fired for the absolute most rediculously insane review i, and the rest of the world has ever read

[THE A7X KING]

oh my god you can't even call this a review! this is totally biased and reflective of a person who probably never listened to the album. In fact, i bet he just looked at the cover of the album, saw skulls, and assumed it was trash. Well im sorry but sir you've passed up one of the most indisputable gems of modern music. This album is so good, and deserves a listen from people remotely interested in rock music. It's not just an album for "tormented teenage boys" and judging from the comments and feedback I've read already on this page, I'm sure many fans and non-fans of avenged sevenfold would agree with me

[karen]

To Graeme Lunn,
Now that was what a review is supposed to look like! Maybe they should hire you to replace Jeff! That was probably the best review i have ever read for anything! seriously. You have a serious talent for that.

[Guadalupe DeLeon]

@JEFF WEISS......Y DNT U JUST GO WRITE REVIEWS ON LADY GAGA THEN THAT YOU HEAR ON YOUR IPAD N LEAVE REAL MUSIC TO REAL WRITERS AND MUSIC LOVERS

[Mykel]

This review must have been written by someone that has been trapped in a cellar somewhere and is so withdrawn that he can't give an educated review of an emotionally charged master piece.

I think that this album has encompassed not only the skilled song writing of an amazing group of guys but also the anguish and pain of unexpectedly losing their brother/drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan last year. The music was a collaboration of all five guys before the passing of Jimmy and the lyrics were reworked by Matt to reflect the intense pain and loneliness they have felt since Jimmy's passing. The album also has a track called “Friction” which Jimmy wrote and included a vocal track for the demo which was used for the final production and also included Matt singing with him. This album is a true testament to the legacy that Jimmy has left behind.

Maybe the reviewer has never gone through a traumatic experience such as these guys recently have. Maybe the reviewer doesn’t know how to do his research or taken the time to learn about the blood, sweat, and tears that has gone into this album. Not to mention, that one of the industry’s top drummers, Mike Portnoy the drummer for Dream Theater, has filled in for Jimmy for the studio drum tracks that Jimmy had wrote and demoed on an electric set prior to his passing. But, also Mike Portnoy has signed up to fill in as the group’s drummer through the band’s 2010 tour dates. Do you really think that a person of Mike Portnoy’s talent and admiration would agree to not only perform on the studio album but also help support the album by volunteering to tour with the band if the album was not an amazing piece of work? I think not.

On a side note this is the only review for "Nightmare" that I have seen that has been negative. I think that the LA Times might want to take another look at who they have writing their music reviews. If they did their research they would see that 99% of the reviews out there are positive and the numbers do not lie.

The deluxe version of "Nightmare" is currently No.1 on the iTunes album chart, and No.3 on Amazon.com. The special edition direct to consumer piece has sold out all 7,000 copies of its limited run. The album's first single and title track "Nightmare" is No. 2 at BDS Active Rock, and in the top 15 at Alternative Radio. The official video for "Nightmare" premiered on MTV2, MTV.com, and MTV2.com on July 17th and became the second most popular video on YouTube, racking up more than 1,280,865 views last week. (Marketwatch.com - http://www.marketwatch.com/story/avenged-sevenfold-to-chat-with-fans-who-have-purchased-nightmare-on-ustreamtv-this-thursday-july-29th-2010-07-28?reflink=MW_news_stmp )

Open your eyes Jeff there is a whole world out there and I think that you’re missing the big picture.

[Clarissa]

Oh, and maybe for your next review you can actually listen to the album you're "reviewing". Linkin Park sounds like Avenged? Satanic screams? Who knows what the hell you thought you were listening to. I assure you it was not a7x.

And since when do you have to be a "tormented teenage boy" to mourn the loss of a loved one? Everyone grieves in their own way. These men wrote songs, made music, reached out to their grieving fans. If you don't understand their music (which obviously, you don't) that's fine, but to belittle them, as well as their fans in the article as you did is an insult, not only to the music, but to your job. Maybe you should replace yourself with someone who appreciates all genres of music.

[mcra7xbfmv]

"tormented teenage boys"? Firstly, I'm a girl. Secondly, do you consider James Hetfield, lead songer and rhythm guitarist for metallica who is a fan of Avenged Sevenfold a tormented teenage boy? This review is filled with PC its enough to make me sick. Go and review somewhere else where they will actually appreciate you insulting music and being a close minded idiot.

[adamavenge]

Mr Weiss it seems to me you've been on youtube found the two new song videos and made a awful, petty, inconsiderate review based on these great tracks. [nightmare and welcome to the family] also how does calling C.O.D a 'ultra-violent videogame' have anything to do with Avenged Sevenfold's new album??

I'm a 24 year old drummer and take my inspiration from The Great Reverend Tholomew Plague! I just find it insulting how you've failed to recognise how the whole album is dedicated to one of the best drummers possibly today! To say one song is 'presumably' about The Rev is a slap in the face to the band themselves. It hurts the band, me and the rest of the sevenfold fans and most importantly the family of James to know he's gone...its still unbelieveable in my eyes. You just need to hear the album to know what its all about and try reading the lyrics as well Jeff before announcing 'satanic screams and morbid obsessions'.

Along the way A7X have added extra or a different style of playing to each album most notably for instance the change between 'City Of Evil' and the self-titled 'Avenged Sevenfold' these changes are a element of suprise something different unlike most generic metal bands who continue to make the same stuff..this is why we love Sevenfold as a whole. You seem to be a person not even interested in the rock/metal genre by saying 'Metal doesn't die, it mutates' to me that's saying you know nothing...influenced by Linkin Park?? Nu-metal?? laughable. The MOST insulting thing of all to me, the rest of the fans and the band themselves is you need to fit the 'prime demographic: tormented teenage boys'. Thats like labelling the whole of the fans along these lines across the world it's quite a disgrace.

Words of advice Jeff trying listening to the album and understanding how deep these lyrics go emotionally before putting such a brilliant review up you narrow-minded idiot.

[Amber]

Wow. That's a really bad review, or maybe you're a really bad reviewer. It'd help if you listened to the whole album instead of 3 songs, that's how many you mentioned, detail would help as well. Also, it'd be good if you actually reviewed the actual thing instead of watching the video of "Nightmare" and the COD footage, it's the ALBUM review we want, not the VIDEO review. You clearly don't like metal, therefore you don't have an open mind to the music so you slate it, what an easy thing to do, how about you listen to the album (I won't say again because I really don't think you've listened to it once already) and go in with an open mind. Who knows, you might find you like it, all their fans do, including me.
I personally am not a "tormented teenage boy" and I happen to think this is one of their best albums to date, you stereotype all their fans and you get it wrong. There are tons of people that listen to their music and I assure you they're not all teenage boys.

[DisturbedA7X666]

So Jeff, is this your first time writing a review, or do you just suck that bad. Let me make some points. 1) Listen to the album first before writing a review. 2) Know what you are talking about before you start 3) Take out your personal feelings for the metal genre. 4) Open mouth, insert foot. Thanks for pissin' off a fan base of at least 2mil, congrats. You suck. Hope you don't loose your job over it... oh wait, yes I do. :)

[One]

Well, to be honest. To react agressive to this article ain't bring us nowhere. An old man wise says, "as you get higher the harder the wind blows". This article was simply written by a guy who doesn't know anything about music, or better yet J.E.A.L.O.U.S.

[Keen]

You actually get paid to do these?

When I imagine you sitting there writing this garbage, all I can picture is some mouth breathing, inbred retard sitting at a plastic Playskool table, with a green crayon in his hand scribbling this garbage on a piece of construction paper. Then you hand this to a 6 year old to proof read it and correct your grammar, and someone eventually accepted it as a legitimate article.

Based on the ridiculous stereotypes and general "sissiness" of the article, i'm going to assume that you're either:

1- Mentally handicapped and unable to process more than 2 combined sounds at once
2- Just an idiot

Please, don't mistake this as an angry fan retaliating for dissing a band I like either. You could have written this about Miley Cyrus, or Rihanna (who are both pretty satanic themselves I bet) and i'd still say the same thing, because this article reminds me of a bowel movement either way.

Both the writer, and the person responsible for releasing this filth to the public should be shot with a ball of their own feces.

[Aneta]

Seriously, I don't even know if I were this sick of someone before. I can't even find proper words for you (and I am pretty sure that it's not because I'm not an English native speaker). I hope that none of the band members or Jimmy's relatives will ever come across this BS, since this "which presumably addresses the untimely death last year of their drummer" sentence makes me wanna hit you, which is not my usual attitude to things.
I would like to know what do you take your money for if you don't do more research than listening to 3 out of 11 songs on the album (if you ever did that because it's hardly believable).

I don't say you have to like metal, I don't say you have to like Avenged Sevenfold to write review on their album and I don't even say that you have to like this album (even if my heart would say it's absolutely impossible not to), but I swear I've never read anything more off-topic, meaningless and - worst of all - abusive to all the people who contributed to this piece of artwork.

You, Jeff, are a disgrace.

[Michael]

My question is this...How can someone write so negative on a piece of work that not only reflects personal feelings...But has enough power and overall genius to make EVERYONE that listens to it cry, feel like they share part of the music, and give a sense of union with everything around them? Now if something is so BAD that it can do that...I really don't understand what GOOD is then. This CD is one of the bests I've EVER heard and i listen from Country/Classic to Heavy Metal. Not only does it have something for everyone....It has the power to move people....You sir are a @%#!ing Idiot and should apologize for insulting such a great piece of work.

[Dustin]

I think you made a real untimely comment at the expense of others. "Tormented teenage boys"? I think you have a very small brain if you call this a music review. I'm 22, and I have been a fan for 6 years now, and I've never been tormented. I'm a musician myself (a drummer, in fact) and my heart is tied to this band and it's family. Th death of The Rev hit me like a ton of bricks, but you wouldn't know what it's like to have that type of musical influence and what it means to be moved by music. This is the worst article I've ever read.This might be a tolerable piece if I fit into your prime demographic: blind, senile, senior citizens. ROAST. YOU SUCK.

[Tim]

I'm going to leave out the fact that you were clearly biased in this review and just point out the facts.

1.) Half of your review has nothing to do with music at all, you elecetd to bring up Call of Duty and Hannibal Lecter to try and emphasize your bashing.

2.) You draw musical comparisons between this band and Linkin Park.

I should have just stopped reading after you compared Avenged Sevefold to Linkin Park because it was painfully obvious at that point that you have no idea what you are talking about. Upon further review, read this one for laughs and imagine the angry, self-righteous person reading this while listening to Kenny G.