AVENGED SEVENFOLD — Avenged Sevenfold (review)

AVENGED SEVENFOLD — Avenged Sevenfold album cover Album · 2007 · Alternative Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Avenged Sevenfold" is the self-titled 4th full-length studio album by US heavy rock/metal act Avenged Sevenfold. The album was released through Warner Bros. Records in October 2007. The band´s preceeding album "City of Evil (2005)" provided Avenged Sevenfold with both commercial success and artistic praise. But with success comes high expectations from fans and critics alike, and it was always going to be interesting if Avenged Sevenfold would continue the more adventurous heavy metal style of "City of Evil (2005)", or if they would try and pursue a more mainstream sound.

As it turns out "Avenged Sevenfold" is not quite as adventurous in style as "City of Evil (2005)", and it certainly features more mainstream appeal than it´s more bold predecessor. That doesn´t mean that this self-titled release is completely devoid of adventurous moments ("A Little Piece of Heaven" is semi-progressive to these ears), but overall it´s a pretty mainstream oriented heavy metal release. Mainstream oriented or not the music on the album is still unmistakably the sound of Avenged Sevenfold with M. Shadows emotional delivery and distinct sounding vocals in front. Sure he can at times be put in the catagory of generic emo vocalists, but he is extremely skilled and masters many different singing styles, going from raw to emotional/sensitive. Fortunately the aggressive distorted metalcore type vocals were left behind already before "City of Evil (2005)", and they thankfully don´t return here.

Avenged Sevenfold are generally very skilled musicians and they generally play some really impressive parts on this album. The two guitarists churn out powerful riffs and melodic leads and themes while the rhythm section are tight playing and powerful. The songwriting is generally professional and the tracks are memorable. Strong verses and melodic/memorable choruses. Take a listen to the strong chorus in "Almost Easy" for an example of the latter. This is not subtle in any way. You get a full on attack of the senses throughout the album. The closing power ballad track "Dear God" is probably the closest you´ll get to subtle on this album and that one is still pretty bombastic.

The fat and powerful sound production suits the music well and provide the album with a heavy edge. And that´s it! "Avenged Sevenfold" is another high quality album by Avenged Sevenfold. It´s professional, well produced, well written and well performed, but if you compare it to it´s more adventurous predecessor, it´s also a bit formulaic and the more mainstream oriented sound is also bound to make it more predictable, less original, and less interesting after a couple of spins. It´s still a great album though and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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