Avenged Sevenfold

‘Self Titled’ 

I have sort of a love hate relationship with Avenged Sevenfold. When they were a straight ahead hardcore band I was a big fan. They released ‘Sounding the Seven Trumpets’ and ‘Waking the Fallen’ and I was hooked on their logical heavy sound, but then they, for some reason, decided to turn into some type of guitar driven cock-rock band, and more or less lost me as a fan. They released the widely accepted ‘City of Evil’ and I did not like it, then they went ahead and decided to say that they were going to be the next Guns N’ Roses. Ugh, Axl Rose must have been turning over in his grave. Wait, what’s that? Oh, he’s not dead? Oh my bad, I assumed since we haven’t seen or heard from him and ‘Chinese Democracy’ hasn’t been released yet. Ok Ok, back to AX7. So, I loved this band, then hated them, now with the released of their latest, I love them again. It’s weird how it works out that way.

While different from the afore mentioned ‘City of Evil,’ their self titled record is better. I was hooked and convinced that AX7 was ready to win back my fanhood with the first track ‘Critical Acclaim,’ and then the very next track, their lead single, ‘Almost Easy,’ almost floored me. ‘Almost Easy’ might be the best song they have recorded in a long time due to its strong hooks and beefy, yet centralized guitar riffing. This is definitely one of the more enjoyable songs in AX7’s arsenal. Speaking of hooks, this album is just full of them.

Of course there is no shortage of slick guitar progressions or crafty song arrangements. Oh, you say you want both of those things in one song? Well then, look no further than ‘Afterlife,’ which is probably the best song on the record. A agile hooky chorus and even catchier verse – is there anything else you can ask for?

If you were an AX7 fan before the gaudy and overindulgent stylings of ‘City of Evil’ hit the airwaves, then do yourself a solid and pick up a copy of this record. It will instill your faith back into this band, and why not like them. They are pretty good. Sure, the hardcore work is gone, but what’s left, at least on this album, is enough for all to enjoy.             

Grade:  B

Listen to: ‘Scream,’ ‘Afterlife’