When I bought this CD, I bought it for just a few of the songs. Afterlife, Almost easy, and A little piece of heaven. I wasn't prepared for all the other great songs they came out with this time around. The CD starts off with Critical Acclaim. The first few times I listened to this song, I skipped to the next one before even giving it a chance. One day I let it play just a little bit longer, and I was blown away by what the song was hiding behind the soft beginning. Theres not much I can say about song number 2, Almost easy, if you're a fan, then you already know this song. Moving on to the third song, being the sick and twisted person I am, it was love at first listen. "Scream" is just one of those songs you have to turn up while driving down the road. Number 4 is that song that we all have got to love no matter how many times they have played it on the radio. "Afterlife" is possibly the best song I've heard on the CD, and the ones still to come don't call far behind. Fifth song is "Gunslinger". The name of the song might throw you off, but this is actually a very nice love song, I'm assuming about a man of war making sure he gets out alive so he can make it home to see the one he loves. Don't let the country twang throw you off, it gets hardcore as it goes on. Now "Unbound (the wild ride)" put up a good fight in almost being my favorite song. It's not so much the sound of the song as it is the concept of it. A song about life and the wild ride it takes you through. Very uplifting song. "Brompton cocktail" is one of the ones I personally don't care for, I haven't listened to it a whole lot, so not much I can say on it. But, if you don't know what a Brompton cocktail is, google it before listening. Edging towards the end of the CD, A7X presents you with the song "Lost". Another song I don't care for, simply because of what they tried to do with it. The lyrics are nice, good concept to the song, sounds like it's about the world just going insane, and there is nothing we can do about it. It would've been an okay song, but they tried to give it a techno song, which I don't think worked very well. Now the song you've been waiting for... "A little piece of heaven". If you only know the songs they play on the radio, then you are missing out. They will NOT play this on the radio. This is an amazing Opera type song, it's 8 whole minutes long, and you are guaranteed to love every bit of it. But don't just listen to it! It comes with a music video just as amazing as the song. Youtube it and be blown away by what seems to be a sick and twisted song, but ends happily ever after...For the couple in the song at least. The last song "Dear God", I can see why they made it last. If you heard this song anywhere in the middle, you would've took the CD out and abandoned the band. Avenged sevenfold goes ALL OUT country with this song. But, if you do decide to give it a chance, be careful, because even once I listened to the full song, it now gets stuck in my head on a regular basis forcing me to listen to it a couple more times. Turns out this song isn't as bad as the twang of a country guitar in the beginning suggests. While this sounds like a trucker song, it is still a great love song for anyone who is miles away from that one person "who can be true to you". Now that I've given the song a chance, I can't help but tearing up while listening to it. That sums it up. Thanks for reading, and I hope I could help your decision in buying this CD. :)Read full review
Enough can not be said about this bands creativity.Tight!Sadly AX7 lost the Rev shortly after this release.He was a very talented percussionist.The driving part of this band for me is the twin guitar assault provided by axe slingers Synyster Gates and his differently abled partner Zacky Vengeance.These guys know their instruments and they both bring something unique to the party.S.G is all business with a shred factor that rivals the guitar gods that came out of the 80's such as Yngwie Malmsteen,Vinnie Moore and Tony MacAlpine.I am speaking of the neo-classical qualities here.Speed alone does not infer any talent.Very tastefully selected notes combined with speed and finesse equal happy ears.Zacky Vengeance is very adept at playing the guitar.His style is different than S.G.s but is also very impressive.I love watching these two shredders interact almost as much as listening to them.Their interaction is quite amazing.Most people listen to the singer first and then "learn" to appreciate the other band members.M.Shadows was the first person in this band that I heard ala "Seize The Day".I was immediately endeared to his vocals but then the rest of the band kicked in and I was hooked.He[M.Shadows}has an incredible range and is awesome.I play guitar and usually singers get compartmentalized in my head so that I can focus on the guitar player{s}.However,Shadows won my vote for the most talented singer in the metal genre.What a band.I havn't said anything about the bass player yet because he is so good and tight with the band that you almost don't hear him.I am not saying that he is a pocket player by any means because Johnny Christ delivers the goods in spades.Usually for me bass players are like drummers...that is to say a neccessary evil.With this band every member is an asset and plays a crucial role.I first heard a track off of this cd when I was in Vegas making the biggest mistake of my life.I It was the first time I heard AX7."I'm not insane,I'm not insane,I'm not insane..."Well it sounds good in theory but ,I did marry the woman that this song was trying to warn me about.Anyway,it began my love for Avenged Sevenfold and for that I am greatful for the cheesy radio station that played it repeatedly while I was in Vegas.This disc as well as most AX7 c.d.s kicks some serious ass.Buy it and listen to it loud while embracing the beauty that is metal.Metal changed the world forever and this band showcases this notion with a fervor that rarely gets radio exposure.Times they are a changin'Read full review
Their first mainstream video (at least the first I have seen of them) of this album's single, "Afterlife" (track #4), caught my attention on MTV2, and since the song and video was good, I was compelled to hear and learn more of this group. I couldn't get over the lead singer's retro, Axl Rose bandana and trooper glasses which initially reminded me of the good ol' days- when glam rock was fading out and modern rock was entering into existence. Not only that but the video's dichotomy of black and white panning screens between the chorus of the song had me hooked... After doing some investigating, it seemed that this group has been around for a little while. I believe they now have four or so albums now, and originally debuted sometime in early 2000... Nevertheless, regarding my review: This is what I would consider an eclectic hard rock band. Primarily, the sound is something of a cross between Suicidal Tendencies and Pantera. But also, throw a little Faith No More, Judas Priest, Megadeth, and Guns and Roses in just for good measure. I would call their little flying skull a good marketing tool. It reminds me of Megadeth's mascot Vic Rattlehead. Indeed, open the CD folder/liner and see that there are plenty of skeleton cartoons/drawings which I am sure are engaging for teenage boys...(probably their target audience and biggest fans) Anyway, I have to say track number three is sick!! The guitar licks are original, raw, fresh and edgy. In addition, my former adjectives can also be used regarding the overall dynamics of a large part of this album/bands musical presentation... The singer has a raspy smoker's yell, which actually adds to the character of the sound. In addition, the lead moves into harmonies within the songs and adds an aspect of rock smoothness (Atreyu has definately learned this technique). Unfortunately, the only songs that really grab me are track number three and the single I first saw, track number four. The other songs on the album are alright, but nothing too spectacular. Number nine is (Mr. Bungle) wierd, with some little girl (I think) singing the lyrics at the end... strange. And number ten transforms this band into a country rock group, how fun! - not. After looking up lyrics from other albums, this album seems to be a bit on the lighter side. Although, every song lyric from this band seems to lament about some sort of cultic quasi-biblical internal or external struggle. In my opinion, its just another marketing ploy to draw an audience into believing that it is experiencing something "profound" while listening to the music. However, just because you use Biblical analogies, doesn't make your music any more profound than the next band doing the same thing... Moreover, it seems like old hat to me, since just about every other hard rock band somehow brings religion (or satanic elements) into thier songs. Thus, Avenged Sevenfold is no different. Just look into aspects of thier lyrics, song names, band name, album names, pictures, etc. They are borrowing a lot. Nevertheless, the sound is what grabs the listener. And if you, like me, want to hear that addictive hard rock sound - then you're in for a ride with this edgy and raw group (at least for some of the time!).Read full review
Great album. Equal to City of Evil. here is the track listing... "Critical Acclaim" – 5:15 Great Song with a powerful message "Almost Easy" – 3:54 Hit song for a reason "Scream" – 4:48 tricky riffs and cool harmony "Afterlife" – 5:53 Top 3 Song on Album "Gunslinger" - 4:11 Least fav song but still great "Unbound (The Wild Ride)" – 5:11 My favorite song with childrens choir at the end. Great Song "Brompton Cocktail" – 4:13 Sick/funky song "Lost" – 5:02 Top 3 song on album "A Little Piece of Heaven" – 8:00 Weird song "Dear God" – 6:34 2nd favorite song. A7x goes country. And do it welL!!
arrived early well pachaged actual cd and cace very good sounds great thx
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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