Going into Nightmare I felt that Avenged Sevenfold had something to prove. Their last full album was 2007's self-titled release and it was a big let down. It was not completely bereft of decent cuts but it did not live up to the promise of their breakout album City of Evil. Avenged Sevenfold felt like a rush job that was trying way too hard to be another City of Evil. Sure, the band had heavy expectations following the heights reached with City, I understand that. I also understand that their label was likely pressuring them to put out a similar sounding follow up. With all of that said, Nightmare is a big step forward for the group and they may just be moving on to the next level of their creative output.
Now don't get too far ahead. This is a step in the right direction but it is not going to change anyone's world and if you already don't care for them this is not likely to change that. This is, after all, still the same Avenged Sevenfold that you either love or hate. No sooner had they exploded back in 2005 that a backlash built up. The band had changed their style somewhat, most notably with M. Shadows abandoning of his screaming from their first two albums and there were many who did not really care for this. I am sure there was a good reason for the change, much like the change in David Draiman of Disturbed's vocal style. Still, many didn't like this while many did. This album is a natural progression for them in their post-City of Evil career.
Before getting any further there is a personnel change from their last album. Late year drummer The Rev passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind friends and loved ones and a band to pick up the pieces. The band has moved forward but have not yet found a replacement drummer. Sitting in on this album and on their initial tour in support of it is Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, one of the best in the biz. He does an admirable job of filling for the late Rev, who was quite a good drummer in his own right. Portnoy has stepped in and it does not sound like they have missed a beat, he sounds perfectly at home with A7X, while bringing that distinct Portnoy style with him.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Avenged Guy
Hey asshole, the part where you said that M. Shadows was singing through his nose on "Fiction", was actaully The Rev singing, Ya know? Their deceased drummer. Get it right next time before you make yourself sound like a jackass.
2 - Alixx
"At times, mostly towards the end, it sounds like Shadows is singing through his nose. It sounds awful."
Wow I think that is the most disrespectful thing I have ever heard. That was the Rev's masterpiece who died LAST year not this year. It's apparent this guy has no idea what he's talking about.
3 - Laurence
Wow, it's almost as if this reviewer fast-forwarded throughout every song and thought he had the right to actually write this shit review. If you're going to comment on every song, at least give some indication you actually took the time to sit back and feel its vibe.
4 - Jordan Richardson
Careful, Chris, they're coming for you.
5 - foREVer
Dude, you know nothing about music....the avenged sevenfold album in 2007 was great....lots of good songs. And to say that fiction vocals sound awful? THATS the rev you dickhead....learn something about music before you review albums. Fix your fucked up ears
6 - Wow...
Did he listen to the album or put any thought into this review? I mean he's entitled to his opinion and has made it clear that he dislikes earlier a7x stuff but come one, at least make sure your facts are right before you argue for or against something.
7 - wtf?
dude you should not be reviewing music. Your musical knowledge is ZERO. Learn something about A7X and music before u try to write a review
8 - Chris Beaumont
Yeah Jordan, I knew it was coming. Being hated on for an album I actually like. It is terrible to have an opinion.
9 - uhh...
no, this is what happens when you don't bother to read up your facts, hang your head in shame. He obviously wasnt a vocalist, he won't be as good as Shadows, just don't appear to be above it all because obviously you don't put the effort into your job it requires.
10 - Mrs. S. Twiztid
Chris Beaumont should not even be allowed to write about A7X ever again. If he were on my staff and he wrote this garbage he would have been canned ASAP. Chris-don't write any more reviews on A7X because you don't know anything about them and frankly your point of view reeks. It really doesn't matter what you think about their albums because we really don't care. And the Rev sings on Fiction and obviously you have never heard of Pinkly Smooth but Jimmy can sing. You really put your foot in your mouth this time Chris. You best not show your face at any concerts, because A7X fans are the kind that will kick the sh*t out of you. City of Evil was awesome and the 2007 album was even better. A7X has evolved over the past decade and their music has only gotten better over time. I honestly can not point out one song that I dislike. Maybe I should have your job Chris, atleast I would give the artist more credit for their hard work which you obviously do not appreciate. Avenged has talent and you are obviously just another hater. I wish you no ill will but you need to keep A7X out of your articles and out of your mouth. I could keep ranting but I am going to save my breath because there will be other pissed off fans on here that are going to post things way far worse than what I have so by the time we get through you may be cleaning out your office. Under the circumstances I have spoken lightly compaired to what the other fans may have to say. Bottom line-don't F*ck with A7X!
11 - Chuck
Good review, and as a long time fan of the band, I can honestly say these comments are unwarranted and silly.
But... Avenged does seem to attract a younger fan base since they are the heaviest thing on MTV.
12 - Sticks
Mr. Beaumont did appear to like the album but it did not seem he listened to it enough to give his educated opinion. As the other fans stated, Fiction has The Rev's guide vocals as to how Shadows should sing it and A7X decided to keep his vocals in the song. It's actually funny because it was Rev almost kind of impersonating/teasing Shadows. Also Victim does begin with acoustic guitar but the chorus is actually pretty heavy. Personally, I get the feeling of Metallica, Guns N Roses, Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana from this album but still with that distinctive A7X sound. This is their best start-to-finish record to date.
13 - Jordan Richardson
These comments are ridiculous, as they usually are among obsessed fans.
The accusations that Chris "didn't listen to the album" are idiotic. It's actually valuable to, you know, hear different perspectives on a record. Hearing something else, another angle perhaps, doesn't mean that someone didn't "listen." It means someone listened in a different way. Perhaps if the A7X fans here weren't so narrow-minded they'd realize value in other perspectives. How boring it must be to exist like that!
As for the factual issue, it's a mistake but so what? Who among you has never made a mistake? Is that reason enough to not be "allowed" to express your thoughts on something? Are you advocating censorship based on one line in this review? I surely hope not.
14 - Jordan Richardson
Mrs. S. Twiztid,
What staff are you talking about? Do you operate a particular publication? You seem to rule with an iron fist if you do indeed have a staff, so I fear for those individuals who have to work for/with you as they must never be allowed to disagree with you or make basic mistakes.
The fact that you think ANY publication should can a writer or critic after making a mistake is just juvenile and you're letting your silly fandom of a rock band (a BORING rock band) cloud your judgment.
More to the point, suggesting that "we" don't really care is not only presumptuous but silly given the fact that you, y'know, COMMENTED on this article. Obviously you care enough to do that.
More to the point, the fact that you advocate violence over something that you claim "we" don't care about is just idiotic. Is that really the type of world you want to live in? Are you that angry about this review that you'd advocate physical harm?
What else? Do you have your staff routinely beaten and flogged for taking too many bathroom breaks?
15 - ARE YOU KIDDING ME
ARE YOU SERIOUS, LA GUNS, YOUR COMPARING LA GUNS TO A7X. THERE IS NOTHING THAT EVEN COMPARES THEM TO LA GUNS. WHO ARE YOU, HOW HELL DO YOU HAVE THIS JOB. YOU SHOULD BE AT MCDONALDS FLIPPIN SOME FAT ASSES BURGER.
16 - jerm
Don't fuck with A7X what do you think they are gods? NOT. This album is mediocre at best, i don't care if it was written about ten dead people that were in the band. Its sad yes that The Rev died, but was he sacred, no, people can have an opinion, lay off! I'm so sick of people thinking this band is some sort of metal messiah, and people are afraid you'll show up at the door with a shotgun if you say something bad about them. I liked a few of there songs during there career but frankly i hate most of there stuff, there i said it. Am i a sinner now destined to burn in hell? Idiots. Dio died and you don't see a bunch of people wining about being disrespectful because he sung about wizards and warriors. He was great, but also flawed.
17 - WOW
this may be the worst review ever written im serious. the Rev was amazing and I think he has a great so stop witing reviews on this band
18 - Greg
This is ridiculous!1 People make mistakes, way to make us other A7X fans look like a bunch of juvenile idiots. How disrespectful of you all to get angry over one persons opinion over an album. So he compared an album to LA Guns who the hell cares!? ITS HIS OPINION!! Grow up, all of you. I loved the self-titled A7X album but I am not about to rip off this reviewers head over something he feels was not great. Calm down kids its just an opinion.
19 - Geez
These kids want totalitarian rule over what people say...this is incredible the horrible remarks..
20 - Glen Boyd
For those of you writers who think an articles merit is measured by the number of comments it gets...well, here's what you've been missing.
-Glen
21 - mark
the review was well written. just because he doesnt think the album is a masterpiece doesnt make it bad.
however he should have researched the rev singing in fiction
22 - Puckingham
I have to agree with most of this review. I have to say one thing that bothers me with this album is the pacing. I really think they should have spread the longer songs more evenly among the others. Its like the album is divided in half, between the fast and slow songs.
Also, no mention of welcome to the family??? C'mon, you know that lead guitar is the catchiest thing since they invented the baseball mitt.
23 - Cory
I'm somewhere in between on this review. While I think it's one of the worst Nightmare reviews I've read, it's not because he gave it a lower score than most. This album is about pure emotion, and the writer barely even touches on it. It's a shame people went as far as they did on some of these comments, but at the same time, I'm sure this reviewer can do a much better job than he did.
24 - Sam
Not necessarily idiocracy, I would say on the reviewers part on getting his facts wrong. I guess it's a minor mistake considering his conciseness on the rest of the review. Besides, the Rev did record these vocals for a demo. It sounds like the rev sang like how he thought Matt would sing it so Matt had an idea of what to do.
That being said, I do disagree with a lot of things in this review. I feel like this album is far more genuine than most any music nowadays. I'm no Avenged Sevenfold fan, but I heard a lot of buzz about this Record. So I checked it out and did some research before I listened and I was completely wowed. Hard Rock doesn't give me goosebumps, but this album certainly did. So much so that I could not sleep that night.
25 - teejay
To quote Jay-z, "Do you listen to music or do you just skim through it?"