Avenged Sevenfold is probably one of the most important metal bands of this day and age, and, over the years, they managed to release success after success even after the death of The Rev (Drums) and subsequent change of drummers. This album has Brooks Wackerman, let me say right here, he is the perfect match to the band's style.
It feels like a comeback album, taking what they've learned throughout their career and shredding the abortion that Hail to The King(2013) was. Overall third place on my A7X albums ranking, bellow Nightmare and City of Evil.
The album itself
Some points:
- Its the first conceptual album of the band, covering science, artificial intelligence and society.
- The lyrics are deep and thought provoking.
- It has a progressive metal type of sound, but still maintaining the aggressive riffs from heavy metal
- Its a blend of City of Evil (2005) and Nightmare (2010)
- All of the instrumentals are on point, nothing exaggerated or underused, they fir perfectly in the music
Individual song review
The Stage (9/10)
Amazing guitars, vocals... I can even hear Johnny's bass. Great headbanging capabilities. Definitively worth of the Grammy nomination
Paradigm (7/10)
I don't know, its an average A7X song with great drums and a nice solo, nothing really stands out on this one
Sunny Disposition (7.5/10)
At first I really didn't like it, then it grew in me. The French horn is a great addition to the sounding. Still, the vocals feel a bit off.
God Damn (8/10)
Great riffs and outstanding drums, lyrics are nothing to write home about, but still fine
Creating God (7/10)
I really don't like the almost girlish voice that Matt does. Again, an average song.
Angels (5/10)
I can see where they were going with this one, but into the trash it goes. The only redeeming quality are the lyrics, I really enjoyed.
Simulation (8,5/10)
Very underrated, lyrics are top tier as well as the guitars, specially on the fast sections. Solo is one of a kind, jezz is it good...
Higher (6,5/10)
Its this album's tribute to The Rev. Drums and lyrics are great, forget every thing else.
Roman Sky (7,5/10)
This album's ballad. I like the chill/epic sounding that they create, but knowing all the other ballads that they've made I know that they could do so much better...
Fermi Paradox (7,5/10)
Its fast and aggressive. Again, Matt's voice sounds odd, almost tired. I wish they wrote the song based on the 2:05 minute mark...
Exist (9,5/10)
This is it, the crème de la crème, this album's master piece. Basically 15 minutes of a journey through progressive metal, 15 minutes of Synyster Gates ft. Avenged Sevenfold. And the Neil Degrasse Tyson speech just seals the deal.
Conclusion
Just listen to it, in my experience everyone that heard this album got a different feeling. And that's the thing about Avenged Sevenfold, their songs are about what you feel, even tho they have technical qualities too. An album to be remembered.