Avenged Sevenfold – Nightmare
If you are not familiar with the term “jump the shark”, please leave the Internet now. Thanks. For the rest of you, I don’t think that term accurately describes when bands can have a great album, an album so good, the band’s members spend the rest of their careers trying to repeat that. Instead, I call this “throwing copper”, named after the über album produced by Live. While always a good band, Live never quite got back to the greatness of Throwing Copper.
I think you know where this is going.
Avenged Sevenfold, once an important band in the heavy music world, has thrown copper. Now before you get all up in my grill about jumping on the Avenged Sevenfold hate wagon, check this out: I consider City of Evil in my list of 100 of rock’s best albums of all time. City of Evil represents a huge achievement for Avenged Sevenfold and a game-changer for heavy music in general.
My love of that album didn’t stop me from mistaking the single, “Afterlife”, from their follow-up self-titled album for a new Tesla song the first time I heard it on the radio. The other songs were much weaker than City of Evil but not terrible. Avenged Sevenfold wasn’t nearly the album City of Evil was. They lost their edge.
Then came the death of drummer James “The Rev” Sullivan last December. Only seven months later Nightmare is shoved out the door.
Unfortunately, Nightmare describes the album perfectly. It’s a disjointed collection of musical fragments, many of which are scary, but not in a cool metal way. The band wrote this material with The Rev but he passed away prior to recording. There are multiple press releases about how this album was made and they all indicate the band was emotionally broken and needed help. Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater came to the studio, helped rewrite lyrics, and played drums in place of the The Rev. Mike Elizondo, pop and hip-hop producer, produced the album. I surmise the studio wanted this album out and used Portnoy and Elizondo to make sure it happened.
The final result is a disappointment for this Avenged Sevenfold fan. I can’t help but feel this album is incomplete, regardless of what their press releases state. All of the songs are roughly the same length and around the two-third mark they turn into a barrage of rhythm, tempo, melody, and key changes. This formulaic production seems as if producer Elizondo only had so much to work with so he had the band invoke changes to extend the songs and make them more epic or serious. Instead the songs become disjointed as if all of the elements were haphazardly pasted together.
Adding to the ambiance of disconnection are strange choices, like the French horn synth in “Danger Line” and the odd piano in “Fiction”. Even worse is the blatant borrowing from other well-known songs. “Buried Alive” is too damn close to Metallica’s “The Unforgiven” for comfort. “Victim” contains the soaring female vocals and tempo of “Brain Damage” from Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. “Tonight the World Dies” sounds almost like a full cover of Stone Temple Pilot’s “Big Empty”. This is the sort of thing a producer is supposed to prevent.
The song “Fiction” is supposed the most personal song for the band but plays as the album’s worst. Aside from the the odd piano loop. The vocals are heavily doctored. There are moments in “Fiction” M. Shadows slurs the lyrics. At one point, the slur is so nasal and so over-the-top, it would be funny if it wasn’t so terribly pathetic.This song is the album’s full on train wreck. Hardly the fitting tribute the band wanted for The Rev.
Now the album does have its moments. “Nightmare”, “Natural Born Killer”, and “God Hates Us” are actually great songs. While these songs don’t have the lyrical depth contained within previous Avenged Sevenfold albums, these three songs are keepers. “God Hates Us” is especially powerful and is what I wanted the whole album to be.
Nightmare is not finished and the band should have sat on it until they were ready to make objective decisions about its content. This album sounds like a studio and producer rescued effort.
Update: It has been pointed out to me that the slurred, nasally voice we sampled here is The Rev rather than M Shadows. It still doesn’t negate how I feel about the song, nor does it invalidate anything else I’ve said about the album, especially the blatant sound-alike songs, “Buried Alive”, “Victim”, and “Tonight the World Dies”. Simply because they have a recording of The Rev doesn’t mean he needed to be immortalized in a song in this way. Come to think of it, it actually makes the song worse because they have a clip of an incoherent man, obviously in a bad place in his life, and put it out there for the whole world to hear. Because The Rev passed doesn’t make that moment any more brilliant or special; similarly the drunken recordings of Jim Morrison or Elvis have as much artistic merit as a circus side-show. Those recordings are best left unpublished in my opinion.
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792 Comments
July 27th, 2010 at 8:16 am
I like to call this an "unintentional comedy album" because I laughed so hard I cried when I listened to it (especially "Fiction"). One of the worst albums I've heard this year, and I've heard a lot. Nice review!
[Reply to this comment]
Alyssa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
And you are probably not an A7X fan. I would really like to know what you listen to. And this bad review is only part of the minority. And gives the haters an excuse to flock to it and distastefully hate on the band as they please. I just shrug. Like I said, they are in the minority. All I need is to look at all the other dozens of rave reviews and take a glimpse at the iTunes chart. This review doesn’t really change anything…
[Reply to this comment]
Alyssa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
And, to be very honest, from your other comments, you come off as an arrogant bitch to me. Sorry, but I just couldn't hold back from saying that.
[Reply to this comment]
Ryan replied:
May 12th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Obviously he is an a7x fan if he appreciates City Of Evil. This review is head on exactly what has happened to this great band.
[Reply to this comment]
Gabby replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
I understand that you don't like the band at all, but seriously? Bashing a band that just lost their closest friend? You're a disrespectful little bitch. Go burn in a hole.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Let me see if I can make myself clear here. I'm a huge fan of Alice in Chains and if the band ever tried to memorialize Layne in such a tacky, distasteful way, I would be PISSED! It is embarrassing to release the song with him singing like that. Maybe I'd understand if it was a bonus track added on to the album and NOTATED as such. Warner Bros didn't bother telling us about this, and it's not our job to read every piece of media posted about the album.
Furthermore, stop treating "The Rev" like he's some kind of hero. He was a person just like anyone else, except he essentially killed himself by means of an "acute polydrug intoxication due to combined effects of oxycodone (OxyContin), oxymorphone (a metabolite of oxycodone), diazepam (Valium), nordiazepam (a metabolization of diazepam) and alcohol." Maybe that's why he sounded so bad when he was singing. And no, I'm not being insensitive. I love Layne Staley and feel he was an incredible musician, but that doesn't change the fact that he was an addict. Any musician who can't kick a habit in order to realize their full potential only cares about themselves. DO NOT IDOLIZE THOSE PEOPLE.
[Reply to this comment]
UR MOM replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
HEY WELL FUK YOU! THE REV WAS BETTER THAN THAT IDIOTIC STANLEY WATEVER HIS FUKEN NAME WAS!!! THE REV WAS A GREAT PERSON ND NT AN ADDICT! UR BITCH AS LAYE KILLED HIMSELF PERPOSLY CUZ HEY WAS STUPID!!!
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Mom? I thought I killed you.
[Reply to this comment]
Nitrohippie replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Wow, people… you didn't know this guy personally. His death is unfortunate, but it's just another story in a long line of stories about self-indulgent rockstars who are victims of life-destroying habits. This kind of behavior is not worthy of idol status. I agree with Jen. These people should not be put on pedestals. Love their music, by all means, but don't make them out to be more than what they are. They're just people like everyone else.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Finally someone with some sense around here. Welcome, Nitrohippie.
[Reply to this comment]
Nitrohippie replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Oh, thanks, Jen
I just hope I can be a part of a dialogue this big for an album from a band I actually care about. And for the record, when I read the part of Keith's review concerning the vocal travesty in question from 'Fiction', I thought maybe he was exaggerating for review's sake.
I was wrong. My laughter came on so suddenly that it startled me. "Unintentional comedy album" is right, hehe
[Reply to this comment]
Avngd7XGirl replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
he didn't die because he was a drug addict! he died because he took alcohol with his prescription medication pain killers because he had lasik!!!
[Reply to this comment]
Jarrod replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
You, ma'am, are delusional.
Kurt Cobain was cleaning his shot gun and his face got too close and he fell on it.
[Reply to this comment]
Jenna replied:
August 5th, 2010 at 3:53 am
@Jarrod, the lasik comment is referring to a joke The Rev once made in a video… you can see it on YouTube.
[Reply to this comment]
GigiKilgannon replied:
August 19th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
@Jarrod – Best comment ever.
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
you don't get prescription painkillers/drugs for lasik you get eyedrops…. just saying.
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
and before anyone shoots anything back about how do you know? I have a bunch of friends who have had it done and am looking into getting it myself and when asked about 'post-op' treatment it's drops no meds.
also. considering the man had an enlarged heart (most likely from previous drug use that he himself admitted in various interviews in the past) he probably should have known better than to mix downers with alcohol. This makes him no less of an artist or no less beloved by the fanbase but I'm tired of people saying he wasn't a druggie BECAUSE the pills were for lasik when that is just bullshit. They could have been for something else but it wasn't for that.
[Reply to this comment]
Anthony Gannaio replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Still, he took Oxycontin (Painkiller), Valium (Sedative), Oxycodone (Painkiller), AND Nordiazepam (sedative). Taking two sedatives alone could have killed him, but he took another two extremely powerful painkillers. And because that wasn't enough, he was hammered, which magnifies the strength exponentially.
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Oh I'm totally not disagreeing that what he did was a super dumb thing. I'm just saying that I'm tired of people backing up their defense of 'he wasn't a druggie' with the excuse of the painkillers were for Lasik. Even if they WERE for lasik there is no WAY he'd be given all those. On top of that to then take them with alcohol with an already enlarged heart. Its a bad ending either way. Either he wasn't smart enough to realize what a problem that was or he didn't care. And what does it matter if he WAS a druggie like an out in the open, fully admitted user? Honestly how much would that change the equation? and at the risk of getting hit with negative comments what if he had done it on purpose? not saying he did. But what if he had? How much would that honestly change the mourning of the fans? I seriously doubt it would lessen it at all(and that isn't a bad thing). i think its just interesting how high people get put on pedestals. Almost as if they are above falling from normal human issues/desires.
[Reply to this comment]
Yeap replied:
July 29th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Who gives a fuck about Layne Staley you rotten old cunt, why don't you bag on yourself, what have you accomplished that gives you the right to disrespect someone to blatantly. You joke.
[Reply to this comment]
Justin replied:
August 6th, 2010 at 2:10 am
There is a difference between being respectful and "idolizing." In much the same way, there is a difference between being disrespectful and being critical of someone. It's like someone getting made during a debate and then they just decide to insult them instead of making a valid argument. You may have good points, but they are going to fall on deaf ears when you appear to be callous. Honestly, I will say, i don't think it was a bad album, but it's not one of my favorites from the band. Regardless of the situation, a man has passed away, he is not the first and wont be the last in that type of lifestyle. That does NOT make it any less tragic. So everyone on both sides needs to grow the hell up.
[Reply to this comment]
FUCK U replied:
October 28th, 2010 at 1:35 am
FUCK ALL OF YOU DISRESPECTFUL PIECES OF SHIT!!!! FICTION IS A TRUE MASTERPIECE AND THE REV'S VOICE MAKES IT EVEN MORE SO!! HIS VOICE IS NOT NASALLY OR SLURRED BECAUSE OF ANY DRUGS, HE NATURALLY SOUNDED THAT WAY….HE DID NOT COMMIT SUICIDE!!!! HE KNEW HIS TIME WAS LIMITED…HE TOLD SYN'S FATHER WHEN HE WAS 15, "THERE ARE 2 THINGS I KNOW IN LIFE, 1 I'M GONNA BE IN A FAMOUS ROCK BAND AND 2, I'M NOT GONNA LIVE TO SEE 30… HE WAS AT AN AFTER WEDDING PARTY THE NIGHT HE DIED…..IT WAS THE ALCOHOL IN COMBINATION WITH THE MEDS THAT KILLED HIM… HE SIMPLY PARTY'D A BIT TO HARD AND IN HIS INTOXICATED STATE OF MIND TOOK A COUPLE OF HIS MEDS WHICH ANYONE KNOWS YOU SHOULDN'T TAKE ANYTHING WITH ALCOHOL…!! SO FUCK OFF TO ALLYOU HATERS AND ESPECIALLY THIS DISRESPECTFUL REVIEWER…A7X ROCKS, THIS ALBUM ROCKS, AND JIMMIE ROCKED AND STILL ROCKS!!!!!
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
October 28th, 2010 at 6:35 am
METAL!!! A7X 4 LIFE!
[Reply to this comment]
Mike replied:
October 28th, 2010 at 9:29 am
THANKS SO MUCH FOR CLEARING THAT UP. FUCK U!
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
October 28th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
OMG CAPS LOCK OVERLOAD! No way I'm reading through all of that.
[Reply to this comment]
Anon replied:
November 24th, 2010 at 10:29 am
You're incredibly ignorant. Have you ever been addicted to a drug? It's not as easy as you think to just "break the habbit". If you only knew, you would take back everything you've said about addictions and The Rev. He was a great man and drummer. I don't care if he "was just a regular person". Can you drum like he did? Can you inspire millions of people like he did? No, because you're a moron.
This article is absolute bullshit as well, written by a balding old fart who writes bad reviews about amazing bands to help with his mid-life crisis. Here's an idea, get out of your mother's basement and get a real job, instead of bashing epic bands. You should probably hang yourself while you're down there too.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee Rochester replied:
November 24th, 2010 at 10:55 am
I believe someone needs a hug.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
November 24th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Lights are out and this party is over. Aren't you sorry you missed it?
[Reply to this comment]
Gabriel Pio replied:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
There's only one b in habit.
[Reply to this comment]
Mike replied:
November 24th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Epic Bands…Hobbit…talking Lord of the Rings?
[Reply to this comment]
Tim Dorsey replied:
March 17th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Well, I don't know how The Rev isn't a hero. I think honestly he's among the top 5 metal drummers in the past 20 years- maybe even of all time. Now, i'm gonna shoot down that Jen bitch again. Layne Stanley is a very great vocalist. But….. Did he die for a great reason either? Jimmy died on medications he was SUPPOSED TO TAKE. And as I speak for myself and every hardcore A7X fan alive….. Fiction is the greatest song ever made. Don't give a damn about what any of these music review idiots say.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
March 17th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
lol oooooooookay Tim
[Reply to this comment]
Lee Rochester replied:
March 17th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Ha Ha Ha! People are laughing are you……right now. Tim take a deep breath and repeat after me…I am not a smart man. *insert funny speedy Gonzalez voice 'Cause you is so stoooopid.
[Reply to this comment]
Zeed replied:
July 8th, 2011 at 12:16 am
To be fair, It dosnt matter if its just a guy we dont know, we enjoyed him. You can troll all you want, but it wont make a difference, people watched him on his youtube, when he was drunk and everything. Besides ALL musicians use drugs at one point or another “Sex Drugs and Alcohol” as the saying goes. Kicking it, Sometimes never happens, now i could probably dig a shit load of dirt on anyone from the band you like, and it’ll sound just as bad as you made the rev in your previous statements, So please Troll, STFU. Thank you.
[Reply to this comment]
Justin replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Really? You lauged at Fiction. Thats nice. You sat their and laughed at the guy while I cried at how much I missed him and how beautiful the song was. Please, learn to show some respect, instead of dissing the man us actual A7X fans miss so much.
[Reply to this comment]
Matt replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Justin are you fucking serious? Are you related to him or something? You "cried at how much you missed him?" That is the gayest thing I've read on this thread so far. What are you 15? When you get some hair on your balls, then start commenting. Crying over a dude, how damn stupid. lol!
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I have to agree a with Matt only a little more… broadly and maturely. One thing that has always annoyed me in general about the deaths of people in music or film is when people who didn't know them cry like they did. Granted, people are moved in different ways but I feel like if you cry over the death of someone you've never met, spoken to or related to then how should you act when a family member or a friend dies? You can't simply respond the same way. That would be cheapening the memory of the person you truely DID know and love. I don't know. That is my own personal opinion on the subject… Not saying you are wrong but just… trying to understand why people do things like that…
[Reply to this comment]
Julie replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
What if you have met these people? I've met the Rev several times and still am heartbroken that he's gone. I cry when I hear that song. So what does that make me?
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:38 am
It makes you whatever you want to classify yourself as. I'm not even necessarily saying that its wrong to cry, I'm an emotionally reserved person so to cry is a big deal for me. Not something I'd do over someone I've never met or don't know. This isnt' to say that I'm not a fan or don't miss the Rev, heck yeah I do, he was my favorite member. I just can't seem to cry for people I've never met. There is no connection there for me. If you've met the person, specifically the rev, a few times and you've connected then that is awesome. Some people are just more emotionally open like that. But you aren't the person above who has never met them and those are the people I just don't get. It's not that they are wrong for crying its just I don't understand it and the concept kinda leaves me with what I stated before.
[Reply to this comment]
Jenna replied:
August 5th, 2010 at 3:57 am
Crying over a musician's death is not stupid. When you enjoy one's music and they pass you are upset that you will not ever get to hear anything new and will not be able to see them grow musically, at least that's how I feel. Were all those fans stupid for crying about Lennon. Now I'm not comparing The Rev to Lennon in any way but he was a good musician and his passing is sad.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
I laughed before I knew who it was singing. Now I'm just appalled and disgusted by it.
[Reply to this comment]
Emmanuel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Your picture makes me laugh.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Really? Enlighten me.
[Reply to this comment]
Alyssa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Just because the people you listed were addicts doesn't mean that they weren't talented musically. You can idolize someone for their talent, yes, but you don't have to idolize them for their habits. Fine, I idolzed The Rev for his drumming capabilities, and Staley for his singing capabilities. Does that make me a stupid fuck for idolizing addicts? Same with Kobain. Hell, pretty much all of these bands have addicts in them. So does that mean that they aren't worth looking up to? Please shine light on the subject.
[Reply to this comment]
Nitrohippie replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Alyssa, respecting and supporting a musician for their talents is one thing, but idolizing these people falls under the umbrella of fanaticism in my opinion. The guys in Avenged Sevenfold are just imperfect people that decided that they wanted to be in a band rather than sit behind a desk or drive a garbage truck. Nothing more. No amount of money, popularity, or the "perfect" album will change that. So, my point is that idolizing anyone is not a good idea, regardless of whether they are addicts or not. Think about it…
[Reply to this comment]
Alyssa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
So what, I have "idolized" these two druggies and then some. Do you have an issue with that?
[Reply to this comment]
Nitrohippie replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I'm sticking with my statements, but, nah, I don't have an issue with that. I probably should, but I'm not gonna argue with you about it. I'm a huge music fan and it sounds like you are, too. I can agree to disagree and be totally alright with that.
[Reply to this comment]
Rossy replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
I agree with you Justin. These people dont even understand.
Why couldn' you haters die instead of the Rev.
[Reply to this comment]
Alan replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
jen, you really should learn to have some respect for the dead. I don't think the band, friends, or the family wants to know that people laughed at last ever recording of his voice. Imagine how you would feel if you were any of those people. I understand you not liking it, but at least do it in a classy way. I'm a huge fan of A7X and I'm not one of those little arrogant little punks who say, "F**k you! A7X rules, you don't know real music! And don't make fun of The Rev, I LOVE HIM!" I understand both sides, the haters, and the obsessed. You and the reviewer just happen to be a hater (even though he loves 'City of Evil' which is what most people like, because that's the first exposure to the mainstream) and I don't blame you guys, Just be classy, stay classy, and show respect.
P.S. Don't be so quickly to react to songs, it takes some time to like the songs (I know this because I didn't like A7X until I really listened.) And don't laugh at anything and call it 'unintentionally funny' without knowing the facts. This goes for you too Mr. Anderson. Btw, I'm 14, so you know some teenagers have some sense and can be mature.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
I don't lack respect for the dead, Alan. If you read what I said above, I said "I laughed before I knew who it was singing. Now I’m just appalled and disgusted by it." I think it's incredible distasteful for the band to put that horrible demo recording on the album. I does nothing to honor the band mate they lost, in my opinion. It is more embarrassing for him than anything I would think. For two lines you cannot understand a word of what he is saying. I think it is in poor taste, and kinda turns my stomach honestly.
And I've listened to the full album several times. Why do people insist others like music they like? Do you like 36 Crazyfists? Well, you should because I do.
I don't mean to disrespect the memory of Jimmy Sullivan. But laughing at something is an instant reaction. You shouldn't have to refrain from doing it until you've researched further. That's silly.
[Reply to this comment]
Steven replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:37 am
All you little kids typing in all caps trying to defend Avenged Sevenfold need to leave the internet too.
As for the rest of you, the alleged reason why the Rev's Cause of Death was released so late is that the dosage was so low they couldn't determine what killed him, suggesting that he wasn't really having fun with it. Additionally, members of his family strongly assert he was no longer a drug-addict, that he had went to rehab. They do say he was an alcoholic though. I'm not saying this is true or not, it's just something to consider.
"Now I’m just appalled and disgusted by it"… good job Jen. That was said as a true generic, impressionist pseudo-intellectual. It happens that everyone else who likes the band thought that it was a fitting tribute to the band member. For me, it was good to hear Jimmy's voice again in a song for the last time in a Pinkly Smooth type of song.
If there is something that truly makes me sick is people making ridiculous, arbitrary claims like that. It is worse when it comes from the archetype of the vacuous, pseudo-intellectual broad.
As for the reviewer, I love the 'throwing copper' expression and I find it very true. Waking the Fallen, to me, was their magnum opus. City of Evil did not try to measure of to Waking the Fallen, and instead they did something completely different, yet still excellent. Ever since then, it all went downhill from there. I thought Nightmare was definitely better than their Self-Titled though, but this is not my review.
Here is something you may also want to know. "God Hates Us" riff during the verse is identical to the riff from "Stockholm Syndrome" by Muse. The song also borrows one or two things from "I Won't See You Tonight part 2".
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:43 am
Okay, so if I say onions are disgusting and you disagree, are you going to basically tell me I'm wrong? It is an opinion. Why can't you people get that? I think it's in bad taste. You don't have to agree.
[Reply to this comment]
Steven replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:57 am
It's also a trademark pseudo-intellectual thing to pull 'the opinion card' red herring. Your response is an oversimplified statement, essentially a straw man.
You didn't just 'give your opinion'. What you did do is come here and made some vacuous and completely arbitrary statement with this horrible, pretentious attitude. I'm trying my hardest to not say "pseudo-intellectual", but it just describes your perfectly.
Don't ask for me to spoon feed it to you because I have so many things to say, and I can't be bothered.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 1:06 am
I find it funny you're using the word pretentious.
[Reply to this comment]
joe replied:
March 1st, 2011 at 8:55 am
i reckon that photo is not even you jen your probably a fat uguly cow who still lives with her parents and as nevver had a boyfriend and going on bout a7x im not that much of a fan i just thing your very disrespectful and would love to punch you
[Reply to this comment]
Gabriel Pio replied:
March 1st, 2011 at 9:12 am
OMG that was soooooo offensive çause, I mean, you totally dissed her! Everything you say is probably true because you're extremely qualified! I mean, not only do you have a picture, but you also have your facebook page linked to your name! And OMG, even your phone number and address.
Thing is, that was a lame response. And I'm pretty sure plenty of people would love to punch you too.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee Rochester replied:
March 1st, 2011 at 9:25 am
You “reckon”? Well hot damn paw, let's go down to the cement pond, get neked and go fer a swim. Yeeee-haw! Dude, you just totally wasted your life typing out that dumbass comment. Ha Ha Ha! Wow!
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
March 1st, 2011 at 12:23 pm
Well, we can't all be as good looking as you, Joe. http://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/186625_100000143834556_3899958_n.jpg
[Reply to this comment]
Steven replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 1:45 am
"I find it funny you’re using the word pretentious.
"
Saw it coming a mile away. Sweet mother of christ, why am I always right?
Just for the kicks, let me guess, you're christian and an English major/graduate? lol
[Reply to this comment]
MIKE replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
So you like 36 Crazyfists, huh? That explains it all. Now go swallow these capsules of semen, you musical retard.
[Reply to this comment]
Alan replied:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Understood. You damn reviewers have some fucking great rebuttles….I'll look into 36 Crazyfists, although I surely belive I won't like them. But hey, anything can happen.
[Reply to this comment]
Taylor replied:
July 31st, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Hey bitch Jen. Don't talk shit on the Rev. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion but your taking it too far. The Rev was one of the best metal drummers out there. And if you think sharing one of the last moments they had with the Rev with their fans is "disgusted" then I should shove a 15 foot drumstick up your ass and see how disgusted you are then. The band was a close family and they are sharing one of the last moments they had with the Rev, with us. So fuck you. When you die, I hope you are known as an arrogant whore.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 31st, 2010 at 8:13 pm
I quit commenting on this thread because it has become nothing short of ridiculous. Seriously, YOU among many OTHERS call my Jennifer (my wife) name after name and it's actually become a running joke. The more this band's "fanbase" talk trash the more we sit back and scoff at you. It takes a REAL man/woman to stand up, say what you have to say and do so with class. Name calling is for children…
Everybody is 10 foot tall on the internet….
Thanks and have a FANTASTIC day
[Reply to this comment]
nameless replied:
October 28th, 2010 at 1:47 am
Julie you are either deaf, or a real dumb blond. I find all the lyrics in Fiction are very easy to understand…What lyrics do you not understand? "Now i think I understand, how this world can overcome a man"? or maybe " I hope its worth it, here on the highway, yeah. I know you'll find your own way, when i'm not with you…" ? Cause i find these lyrics are perfectly done and easy to understand…
[Reply to this comment]
nameless replied:
October 28th, 2010 at 1:52 am
lol….DId i say Julie? I mean Jen… my bad
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
October 28th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
When the song gets to the 3:33 mark, they are unintelligible. The "I hope its worth it, here on the highway, yeah" lyrics are a mess. I just listened again and I cannot understand what he is saying. Sorry.
[Reply to this comment]
MIKE replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
You people have no business critiquing any one’s music! You are what’s wrong with the music industry! It’s one thing to dislike something, but to show as much disrespect as you do makes you nothing but a lowlife! Go back to watching idol rewind where you can’t bother anybody! SCUMBAG! Oh, I almost forgot you're a female. CUM DUMPSTER SCUMBAG!
[Reply to this comment]
Phil replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:51 am
Hi, Jen, I'm a hard-core A7X fan, and I know others can be quite stupid at times by purely bashing you with insults ALL IN CAPS, without anything to back it up. I'm going to tell you what's on my mind, in a normal fashion, because I'm not brain dead.
Ok, I can understand if you don't like Fiction, it's very different, it's something you don't hear everyday.
And in my opinion, I thought adding his vocals in was a nice to way to remember him, as for me, I had goosebumps when I heard his voice, because he was my biggest influence in drumming. And he was an incredible person, I've met him twice and he was extremely down to earth and really funny.
And as for "FUCK U, UR A STUPID BITCH, HE WAS NOT AN ADDICT!!!!"
As much as how special he was, there wasn't a time where I didn't think that he was on drugs. I mean, he was a unique person, perhaps drugs was the reason. Just because he was a drug user, it won't sully the image I have of him.
A7X fans can be very critical and darn right rude.
So that's my 2 cents.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:01 am
Well said Phil, thanks for taking the time to comment. Take a look around…you might find more things that you will enjoy.
[Reply to this comment]
Jenna replied:
August 5th, 2010 at 4:08 am
I agree, well said Phil. Not everyone is going to agree and that's the beauty of music and art in general. So stop hating on those who don't like the band. Yeah I hate it when people bash a band I'm passionate about but we're all guilty of it. I know you just want others to understand because you feel they are special in some way but why do you sped so much caring what others think? If you like them and their music moves you then that's all that mattes because at the end of the day it's you with the music alone.
[Reply to this comment]
Walker replied:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:06 am
Personally I liked it. But you got your opinions.
Although, I am a huge A7X fan and one thing I have learned is that if you don't like it, you should either keep your mouth shut or at least say it nicely that you didnt like it, or else people WILL get mad. And you didn't say it nicely by the way.
[Reply to this comment]
B replied:
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:21 pm
not saying he was or wasn't an addict, but it is okay to idolize this man, shit its better than the people who idolize the jersey shore d-bags, if u don't like the album don't listen to it, don't buy it, and don't acknowledge it further more i doubt your trolling the a7x nightmare album is going to affect anything. Also look at the charts your outnumbered (by a lot) see this band live they put on a hell of a show. Another thing whats wrong with putting your best friends voice on the album i'm sure they asked the rev's family for permission to do so. Wtf do you think the rev didnt want his voice on the album???!?! Go find something worth trolling over or better yet crawl out from under your bridge and get a life?
[Reply to this comment]
nick replied:
August 29th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
so you're laughing at a suicide note? you are one sick fuck. when you can write music like the rev then you can make fun. oh wait, that's right, you're a 20-30 year old bagging on a dead man.
[Reply to this comment]
DeusExMachina replied:
December 7th, 2010 at 12:53 am
Lol. I love reading A7X superfans comments. They're just like Pantera superfans. Complete ignorant and full of total dumbassery.
This album is crap. I completely agree with this article.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Never liked this band, I checked this album only couse Mike Portnoy… and yeah the drums were the only good thing.
[Reply to this comment]
crystalislupe replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I hope you know that all Mike did was lay down the drum tracks in the studio.
It was The Rev who wrote them. If the drums were good, it's not due much to Portnoy, though it was his performance (which was thankfully executed very much like Jimmy.)
[Reply to this comment]
Jenna replied:
August 5th, 2010 at 4:10 am
Actually it's the other way around, Jimmy emulated Portnoy's style.
[Reply to this comment]
mozilisretarded replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Yeah you're absolutely retarded sir. By the way, you spell "couse" like this… BECAUSE. Hard stuff right, 2nd grade spelling.
You sir should fuck off and educate yourself, Portnoy didn't even write the drum tracks, Jimmy did.
[Reply to this comment]
Phil replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:32 am
Well then good for you, because it was The Rev that laid down all the drumming before he died, but it was on an electric drum kit
Mike just duplicated it on a real drum set.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 10:38 am
The fact that this much talent was wasted on this album is beyond the pale. "Nightmare" is a completely lazy effort that is totally void of ideas.
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:44 am
I still wonder about bringing in Mike Elizondo, who had not produced any heavy music prior. That's why I think this was an effort just to kick it out of the studio.
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
But really what does it matter? The studio knew that it would have a fan base to back it up when it dropped regardless. There are enough people who are eating it up and spewing that it is the best album ever for the soul sake that The Rev died while making it. There are boards upon boards of people who are buying multiple copies and special editions for something I would have to agree with falling short of 'The Best Album' mark by a large margin. I also completely agree with the sentiments regarding sounding waaaaay too much like other bands this album and I think that to me is the heaviest disappointment. That and DangerLine as a whole.
[Reply to this comment]
Austin replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Are u unaware that m shadows isn't the only one on fiction singing??? I mean come on it's the rev, ya no the one who died. Way to be really disrespectful to him…
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MIKE replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:51 am
They were working with Mike Elizondo well before the Rev's passing. So that's what you get for thinking! It's obvious you are willing to say anything without any substantial basis. I just think it's sad if you get paid for your views. You should really just go back to focusing on mtv reality shows and leave music to people who have a clue!
[Reply to this comment]
Jenna replied:
August 5th, 2010 at 4:11 am
Wrong, Mike. A7X liked the idea when Mike came to them because it was different.
[Reply to this comment]
MIKE replied:
August 6th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
No, not wrong, Jenna. Do a little research. They used Mike Elizondo, despite the fact he had only done the garbage he had, because he was a huge fan of A7X. It was in fact, before The Rev passed away. However, they had not yet started any of the actual recording.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 10:56 am
I haven't liked A7X since City of Evil. I wasn't expecting much of this album. Looks like it fulfilled my expectations :/
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
hmm i think you really listen britney spear. Isnt it?
in my opinion the author have never listened A7V so he dont really understand this album.
cheers.
[Reply to this comment]
UR MOM replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
DUMBASS!!! its A7X U FUKEN LOW LIFE PRICK!!
[Reply to this comment]
GOES TO COLLEGE replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Don't call anyone a dumb ass when you type in all caps and can't spell. Jackass.
[Reply to this comment]
Jenna replied:
August 5th, 2010 at 4:12 am
It was probably a mistype, get over it. V and X are close on the keyboard with only C in between.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
City of Evil is the only thing I've ever liked from this band and I lost interest in that ages ago.
[Reply to this comment]
UR MOM replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
IM SORRY BUT I/THE WEBSITE DONT REMEMBER ASKING YOU!!
[Reply to this comment]
GOES TO COLLEGE replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Don't speak for the website, or it will eat your burrito.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
The one song I managed to get through entirely was "Fiction." Read into this as you please.
[Reply to this comment]
Luke Amos replied:
August 1st, 2010 at 3:30 am
You would.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
I'm not going to get into the rest of the album just yet, but wanted to address this part of the review:
"The song “Fiction” is supposed the most personal song for the band but plays as the album’s worst. Aside from the the odd piano loop. The vocals are heavily doctored. There are moments in “Fiction” M. Shadows slurs the lyrics. At one point, the slur is so nasal and so over-the-top, it would be funny if it wasn’t so terribly pathetic.This song is the album’s full on train wreck. Hardly the fitting tribute the band wanted for The Rev."
It's heavily doctored, because they put the Rev's clean vocals in along with M. Shadows. The Rev is who you describe as sounding "nasally", I'm guessing..can't be positive on that, though.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Did you listen to the audio clip of Fiction to the right of the review? Whoever it is that is singing sounds drunk. No one should ever sound like that on an album – intentionally or unintentionally. It's the worse excuse for singing I've ever heard, and honestly makes you wonder if it's some kind of joke…
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
The person on that track that sounds drunk, see above, is the drummer who's voice they took from demos and put on as kind of a posthumous nod of some sort. I do agree with the sentiment of it not being his best sound and that particular segment should have been dropped or replaced with Shadows.
[Reply to this comment]
Hana replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
no this is THE REV. He recorded it 3 days before his death.
And i think you are hypocrite.
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Yes, the drummer, aka The Rev. Although you have to admit that he doesn't sound 'normal' in the first 'i hope its worth it' segment. He sounds like he is trying to sing lower than his range and is warbling accordingly. His vocals before and after that are decent but that one area should have just been Shadows or cleaned up better.
[Reply to this comment]
Melissa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
The person singing that part is Shadows. And that is probably how the Rev sang them on the demo before he died so because it's the rev, you're not going to get the conventinal way of doing things.
but i can't agree that Jen is being a hypocrite, she's being down right rude and disrespectful to the guys and the Rev's memory.
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
@Chris: Some others have pointed this out to me. I cannot verify this one way or the other yet. In some ways that's worse for the song and what they were trying to do.
@Hana: If this was The Rev then the band did him a major disservice. I also don't see how I'm a hypocrite unless you mean that I've never been recorded in a studio completely wasted out of my mind.
[Reply to this comment]
you know replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Who said he was wasted you filthy fuck!? Jesus Christ you have no respect at all I understand you have an opinion but you don't have to be so vulgar and disrespectful. You are very unprofessional and just need to stop.
[Reply to this comment]
Terrance replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
A major disservice? It was his work lol.
[Reply to this comment]
Alyssa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
And how would you know that The Rev was wasted? That is how he always sings. Were you there, or are you just assuming? You really don't seem to have much knowledge of the band, and it shows. I doubt that you are really a fan, although you say that you have listened to City Of Evil and it is on your "top 100 albums" list. But then again, everyone says that just to be one in the bandwagon.
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
http://www.mkanderson.com/portal/archives/1176
I have a list and I published this last December around the time of The Rev's death. I still consider City of Evil to be a great album and also the descriptive of the vitriol in the replies to my review.
[Reply to this comment]
Austin replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
U fuckin make me sick… Ur a no lifed ass hole…show respect. It's a privilege to hear the rev on this album and he was an amazing person… How could u be such a dick and say stuff like that about someone who died and never affected u in any way? U make me sick
[Reply to this comment]
Hana replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
@Kaith Richardson
You re really make me laugh.
WHY PEOPLE ARE WRITING ABOUT A7X WHEN THEY DONT KNOW ABOUT A7X ANYTHING? Nightmare is most emotional record they recorded in their career. If youre not an a7x fan you dont understand this record. Its a MASTERPIECE.
@ Austin, I totally agree; 'ow could u be such a dick and say stuff like that about someone who died and never affected u in any way?' someone here [hmm maybe author?] should shut his face.
O zmarłych się nie pisze. Fiction to kawałek bardziej studyjny- a7x po prostu chcieli nam pokazać głos The Rev'a.
[Reply to this comment]
Aanchel replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Is that Polish?! I kind of want to know what it says…
[Reply to this comment]
Julie replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Keep in mind, those vocals were recorded AS A TEST before the album was even being recorded. So of course they're not being recorded with every intention to sing every word correctly. Also, that's just how the Rev sings. There's very obviously two different people singing in "Fiction". If you don't like the way he sings, don't listen to it. Simple as that.
[Reply to this comment]
Steven replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Umm…hello? The Rev's vocals were demo vocals recorded in a studio in M Shadows's house. You can't expect single-take demo vocals to sound all that great. They were placed on the album because they were the last vocals ever recorded by the Rev, and, as far as we know, the only one's he recorded for this album. And before you go on a rant about how bad his singing is, try listening to the chorus, or better yet, some of the other songs he's had major vocal parts in. Jesus, people, do a little research.
[Reply to this comment]
ArcadianWarrior replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Actually, those vocals are from a demo. Fiction was the very last song that the Rev (their drummer), and 3 days after completing a demo of the song that's when he died. The reason why these vocals sound so "bad" as you say, is because they came from a demo of the song.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
HAHAHA You picked THE WORST part of that song to clip. Completely fair, but other than that part I think the song is decent. As for the rest of the album, "God Hates Us" got my head bobbing a little but beyond that I'll pass.
[Reply to this comment]
Terrance replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
It was the only recording of Jimmys vocals……its not a joke. Don't be dumb lol.
[Reply to this comment]
Jake replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
It was from a demo track morons, demo's aren't supposed to be sung all the way. All of you are jokes.
[Reply to this comment]
Chris replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
No, I didn't listen to the clip on the side, but I know what you're referring to, having heard the song half a dozen times. It does sound awkward to the listener, I know. But if you were in their shoes, and that's the only audio the man left behind to use, what else do you do? That was his song, as was much of the album, only he actually sang on that track. He left behind clean vocal parts, drums (of course), and a few other instrument recordings he had been working on.
[Reply to this comment]
Mary replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
The vocals are from the demo and of course they're not great as they should be on an album but those were the only vocals they had of The Rev and they wanted to include him in the song. Is it bad that they wanted him to be a little bit in the album?
[Reply to this comment]
Spiffy replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
The Rev's vocals in Fiction are from a demo of the song. They put his vocals into his song, which he wrote three days before his death. He had not completed the lyrics or the song, that's why it sounds like he is slurring. What you hear wasn't originally supposed to be in the final product of the song, but they put it in as a final testament to him.
This album was not originally going to be completed. The only reason it was, was for the diehard fans of The Rev and A7x to hear. This is a very emotional album and it's no suprise it came out to be the mess it is.
I myself really enjoy the album, Fiction in particular.
[Reply to this comment]
Mike replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Please do your research before you criticize. The Rev's vocals were ripped from the DEMO and placed on the final song. We still don't know why the his vocals sound like that, but for all i know, it could have been just a vocal idea The Rev never got to record properly. The band just wanted to give the REAL fans their last piece of Jimmy.
[Reply to this comment]
-.- replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
That's The Revs vocals.. And his vocals were demoed, so they're not perfect.. The reason why his vocals are in there because Fiction is his song he finished before his death.. Plus it's in there because this album is supposed to be for The Rev. So go out and do something rather than sitting on your butt and criticizing things you don't know about.
[Reply to this comment]
Daniel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Jen, youre just a stuck up bitch. people are entitled to their own opinions and shit but youre just a disrespectful cunt.
as for the review, you obviously arent ready to listen to the music changes as artists mature, so sorry that you couldnt appreciate Nightmare like the fan base does. same goes for the haters.
city of evil broke their shell, the self titled was the experimental album, and this was supposed to be the concept album, but mostly a tribute for Jimmy
[Reply to this comment]
Emmanuel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
When The Rev sang Fiction he didn't expect his singing to be in the album, it was just a demo, stupid.
[Reply to this comment]
Brett replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
In an interview with Matt, he said that the lyrics to that song werent fully complete when he made that song, hence why he was mumbling at some parts. it was his ONE demo that he ever had a chance to make of that song, and you criticize the very first time it was ever played? like Fuck you and your uneducated self you stupid prick. stupid ass people dont know anything about this album, 2.5 my ass.
Nothing sounds like a copy of another band either, Every band has elements from other bands. and every song they've ever played has had some relation to another band.
Waking the Fallen > City of Evil btw.
And, btw, Burried alive sounds a whole hell of alot more like Led Zepplin than Metalica, though it does follow the samec oncept that metalica uses.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
You may be super angry right now but I agree:
Waking the Fallen > City of Evil.
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
agree 100%
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
For the record, Fiction is the most personal because it was finished by Jimmy, 3 days before he died. He wrote the lyrics, and I'm sure even you could agree that the lyrics then take on a strangely prophetic feel to them given what happened. They've all been quoted as saying that when they demo tracks they don't normally do vocals. Jimmy happened to demo vocals for that song and that is what is included on the track. That is why the quality isn't what it would be had he recorded them clean, in the studio.
You're entitled to your opinion about the album, but at least do some research about it first. It is not hard to find the information telling you that Jimmy's vocals are on Fiction.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I think the "nasally" and "slurring" vocals on "Fiction" are obviously the work of the deceased drummer. The Rev has a beautiful voice and he managed to record the lyrics before he passed, and they used them on the album. That would also be why they sound 'doctored', because they had to make sure there was nothing wrong with the recorded vocals that he'd done. He also wrote the piano. If you want to hear "nasally" singing that may or may not be M. Shadows, listen to Pinkly Smooth. The Rev sang for this band and Syn Gates played guitar. You'll quickly gather that the man singing most of "FIciton" is definitely NOT M. Shadows. You wouldn't know this though, as you stopped listening after City of Evil. The Rev did a lot of vocal work on the self-titled as well.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Fiction isn't a joke, it was the last song The Rev turned in 3 days before he died. Alot of the vocals in the song are done by him, and they aren't that great because they were recorded as a demo but then put in the final version of the song to show respect for The Rev and to remember him. So obviously it wouldn't sound perfect but it's not exactly supposed to.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
FIrst of all…Mike did not help rewrite any fucking lyrics. second of all, you guys have no respect for Avenged Sevenfold. Nightmare is the best album they've written to date. A7X foREVer
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
From the official notes from the record company:
http://www.totalassault.com/artists/468/Avenged_Sevenfold/
"Most of the lyrics were rewritten, drummer Mike Portnoy (of the band Dream Theatre) was brought in to do the Rev’s in-theory inimitable parts, producer Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Regina Spektor) stayed on to help everyone rise to the now-transcendent occasion."
Not clear in this para but for in-studio notes I go with what is provided by the company. Other news regarding sessions in the studio outside of what's provided to me I don't use as a main source.
[Reply to this comment]
Melissa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Why can't you do your own research and use what every person on here telling you your info is wrong, uses? It's called the band. Everything we fans know comes from the band's mouth. That's a primary source so you should use it. Dont use what others give you to use without doing your own research on it.
[Reply to this comment]
Steven replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Not sure how the context of that statement is unclear to you, but I'll explain it to you anyway. Mike Portnoy was brought on to play the drum parts that Jimmy had written. That's what "Mike Portnoy…was brought in to do the Rev's in-theory inimitable [unorthodox, unique] parts." This is referring to DRUM parts. The lyrics were re-written by Shadows, Gates, Zacky, and Johnny.
I'm serious…how much research could you possibly have done? Watch just a few of the interviews they have done, and you could have written a far more informed review. This is simply you saying you didn't like it because it's not fast enough. It's obviously going to be a slow, saddening album. They recorded it right after their lifelong friend died. What the hell did you expect? More party anthems like on City of Evil? An album review should take into account all of the circumstances surrounding the making of the album. You clearly are indifferent to those circumstances.
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
I'm not indifferent to the circumstances of the album. However, just because of The Rev's passing, I'm not going to pretend the songs sounds any better to me.
As for the paragraph I referred to, they lumped Portnoy into a list of things they did to get the album out the door. If he did not help rewrite lyrics, it doesn't matter. The end result is there are some not-so-great moments on the album for me, the listener.
I actually expect more from a band I know is full of talent. In my opinion, they didn't deliver.
[Reply to this comment]
Emmanuel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
What more can you expect than awesome guitar, drums and vocals.
[Reply to this comment]
Brandy replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Hey Keith, I don't agree with anything you said in your review, but damn, I feel sorry for everyone treating you like this. Granted I'm a HUGE fan of them, but enough with the death threats. I value your opinion and it's nice to see some difference in music tastes. I do think you should've spent more time truly listening rather than awaiting some loud, thunderous stuff. These guys just lost a friend. But I think you were really just reviewing the sound anyway. I do think what you said about the rev's vocals was unnecessary and rude. He wasn't a drunken bastard trying to sing. This was a test recording and it WAS necessary to put it in there, for us fans to listen to. I do hope the rest of the fans chill out. They're making mentally stable fans like me, and the band itself, look bad with their psycho comments.
[Reply to this comment]
Greg replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:14 am
THANK YOU
[Reply to this comment]
Daniel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
"Most of the lyrics were rewritten, drummer Mike Portnoy (of the band Dream Theatre) was brought in to do the Rev’s in-theory inimitable parts"
Mike only did Jimmys drum arrangement. Matt admitted to rewriting the lyrics, but Portnoy had no involvement with them
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Reading this review kind of made me a bit upset. I have been a fan of avenged sevenfold since STST and WTF. They have indeed changed gears from city of evil to self titled to now nightmare. Avenged Sevenfold isn't about fitting in a genre, you can't put them in a particular one, which is why they are so great. Nightmare is a finished album, it is a dark concept album which works wonders. The only song that might feel out of place is Danger Line, but beyond that every song fits the concept of the pain the band is going through. For those of you who don't know, "Fiction" was a song written by the Rev for his side project Pinkly Smooth a long time ago, but they never recorded it, until Rev decided to add it to the new a7x album. In the review you mention that Mike Portnoy came in to rewrite lyrics and whatnot, you are wrong. The band clearly stated they have kept most of the lyrics that was laid down before the rev had died. Mike came in to lay drum tracks the rev had already played. I think when you reviewed this album, you didn't listen with an open mind, which might be the reason why this is the only bad review I have seen for this album. :\
[Reply to this comment]
Kayla replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
I agree with you.
And honestly, everyone is entitled to their opinion but the reviewer obviously didn't do enough research for this review to be taken seriously by anyone that doesn't outright hate the band.
The fact that Jimmy sings on 'Fiction' can be found simply by checking out the wiki page. Hell, even a TINY bit of research on the album and that detail would be in there.
Not dissing that this guy didn't like the album, but the review is a little difficult to take seriously when it's obvious that the album wasn't given a fair bit of unbiased interest and looking into.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Hey Eric whats up,
Keith is one of the most open minded people I have ever worked with. Its his opinion and just like yours, you should respect that. We all don't have to enjoy the same things in life. Keith was given info from not only the label but the PR firm as well. If any info was incorrect, you might want to take it up with them.
Thanks for the comment.
[Reply to this comment]
Justin replied:
August 6th, 2010 at 2:34 am
I seriously doubt that. If that was the case he'd have known who was singing on "Fiction." I can't take this review seriously because he couldn't even distinguish the two completely different voices. If you don't have an ear for music, you really shouldn't critique it. Don't get all pissy either, what I am typing is true and anyone with common sense will acknowledge this.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Also, I'm sorry – but if you don't understand how "Fiction" is the perfect tribute the band could have done for The Rev, then you're not a fan. "City of Evil" fan or not. Just saying.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Hmm… If I were elitist metal snob such as you (and some of your staff), I guess it would be the cool thing to do to hate on Avenged.
EAD
(Yes, it's an acronym. Look it up on Urban Dictionary)
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Abstinence for life! Just curious, but how is the Staff coming across as elitist metal snobs? This is a serious question, not trying to mock you or anything. Thanks for your concern.
[Reply to this comment]
Rico replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Josh,
Thanks for not openly mocking me, hahaha. I mentioned only, "some'" of the staff, but if you want to get particular: The guy who wrote the article in his mom's basment, the hot slut who made the first comment, and then the guy with the lip piercing who is trying to look tough into the camera.
I admit I got a little annoyed with the "intellectual bashing" of the album. It's cool that the guy doesn't like the album, but does he really have to mention every two seconds about how "eclectic" his taste in rock is? I.e. "I listen to Pink Floyd, old school Metallica, Stone Temple Pilots, etc; I also use a lot of technical terms that the average listener doesn't care to know, therefore I am more than qualified to bash this album."
I get the feeling that a lot of people are dismissive to this album for the following reasons:
-It doesn't sound like Waking the Fallen or City of Evil (OMG I LOVE WTF <3 <3 <3)
-They've gotten too popular and now their fan-base is comprised of the occasional teenybopper who shops at hot topic. (I've been there once; it's a terrible place…)
-"I can't like them because they aren't as hard as Slayer, Hatebreed, Behemoth, etc" (i.e. Those guys who wear the jackets with patches of all the cool metal bands they listen to)
My point is that people shouldn't be so dismissive about the album, merely because of those three reasons listed above.
Ok, now that I feel better about myself for writing all that crap, please feel free to openly mock me this time. GLHF and EAD if you are feeling famished.
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
I don't mention it every two seconds as no time can be associated with an article. I have no idea how long it takes you to read the article. As I write the article it's more like every 10 seconds. But for some people, it may be every couple of hours.
As for my eclectic music taste, I can't help it. I've been listening to rock since I was 6. When songs sound like other songs, it's the way it is. I can't pretend I didn't hear stuff that a good producer should prevent.
[Reply to this comment]
MIKE replied:
August 6th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
How old are you now? 6 1/2?
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Wow, I was dissed by a dude name Rico….saaaaweeet!
Let me ask you this…
If you went to a movie, lets say a sequel to a series you loved and knew all about. You walked away not liking the movie for whatever reason. You came across someone who is a huge fan and totally loved the movie. You shared your feelings about how you felt the story was terrible and the acting was horrible..so forth and so on (whatever), but the person who liked the movie, said your an idiot, you don't know what your talking about and you shouldn't be so dismissive about it. They call you names, talk trash and say your an fool just because you didn't like the same movie they thoroughly enjoyed. It does NOT mean any of the following…
A:) You have no idea what your talking about
B:) You should listen to the "fan" and re-watch the "movie" until you eventually like it.
C:) Re-think your opinion or doubt yourself based on everyone elses feelings about the "movie".
Simply put, its an opinion….take it or leave it. Its great you love the record, but everyone does not have to feel the same way. Sorry, just the way it works.
By the way, "the hot slut" is my wife.
[Reply to this comment]
Rico replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Keith,
Props to how you admitted to living in your mom's basement. Funny stuff. I agree with how some songs can sound a lot like earlier songs, but I don't really find it obnoxious unless it is complete theft due to lack of creativity. (i.e. Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" OMFG I hate that song) Your tolerance level to this sort of thing is probably lower than mine.
Lee,
I was just having fun, not trying to completely diss you. I was well aware you guys were married – It's in the about us section hahaha.
I disagree with your point on the movie though. Watching a movie and listening to an album are not the same at all. My favorite movies are Predator and Dumb and Dumber, but there is no way in hell I could ever watch them every week, much less every month.
My favorite album is A7X's Waking the Fallen with NIN's "The Downward Spiral" at a close second. I could definitely listen to those albums more that once a week, if not every day (I gained 20 lbs of muscle on WTF alone hahaha).
When I first heard My Chemical Romance, I dismissed them because well… they are kind of gay. I decided to eventually give them a second chance and now I'm somewhat of a closet fan (meaning I'm not very open about it and still call them gay).
I saw Sherlock Holmes and hated it the first time because I thought Robert Downey Jr. was lame. I saw it again and tried to give it another chance and I fell asleep. He was amazing in Tropic Thunder though.
Movies and Music are just not on the same playing field, but I guess I can understand where you are coming from. Maybe you can find it in your heart to eventually love this album someday hahahaha.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
The "movie" was a mere analogy man, that is all. It could be about anything that you liked or disliked. The point is, if you like (dislike) something and someone has a differing opinion, neither of you are right or wrong. But you shouldn't have to listen (watch,eat etc..) to something over and over again until you like it.
I'm off, gotta sit down and review the new 10 years record.
[Reply to this comment]
Brandy replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Hey Lee, up there when you're making your point, did you mean *you're? Watch that grammar dude,
. But I agree with what you said. Each of your opinion's should be valued and respected. But your wife was very disrespectful to Jimmy's memory. She should be nicer and people wouldn't be so psycho towards her.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Everybody coming on here is saying how we should be nice? Why? Because all of you have been nice and respectful to us? I'm not being a smart ass. I would genuinely like to know.
And I think you mean opinions, not opinion's.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:25 am
Yea my bad, trying to reply to too many things at once…ooops typo.
As far what Jennifer said, I don't believe she was disrespectful to anyone. The fact that this guy did it to himself is what is so disrespectful. As a fan of the band, you should feel betrayed and let down that someone you admired was selfish enough to do this to himself. I'm sure you will say "it was an accident, he didn't mean to kill himself" and I'm sure you are correct. But, with that being said, these rock stars get so caught up in their own lifestyles that they care less about life and how precious it truly is. Fans shouldn't mourn him, you should mourn and feel sorry for the family that he so selfishly left behind.
Just because these people (whether its Jim Morrison, Elvis, Kurt Cobain,Layne Staley, Jimmy Hendrix, Paul Gray or "The Rev", just naming a few) are stars and in the worlds eye does not make them any more important than anyone else. Should we value their lives more than the average person who is a junkie or addict? You might say, "Well he meant and gave so much with his music." There are fortune 500 companies that are run by junkies and addicts who have made and are currently making more impact than this guy ever would have. Just sayin'
Bottom line, Jimmy made a tragic mistake that cost him his life. But, I can't feel sorry for him because it was his decision and his decision alone. I do however feel sorry for his family that will have to deal with this loss for the rest of their lives. If any of the other band members are in the same boat as he was, hopefully they will head the warning and not make the same mistake/s that he did.
Thanks for the comment, take a look around…we work with all styles of metal and hard rock. Maybe you can find something that you enjoy.
[Reply to this comment]
michael replied:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
@Lee You say that you feel sorry for his family yet some of the things that have been said is very disrespectful to his family
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
I don't think the reviewer can call himself a fan if he's only listened to one of their albums, usually a fan of a band has listened to more than one of a bands albums. Plus in case you haven't noticed the band is probably still upset about losing one of their closest friends, so if M. Shadows is slurring the lyrics in Fiction then he probably broke down whilst recording the song.
A7x FoREVer
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I love seeing some sites like this giving it a low rating, then sites giving it a perfect rating. I'm sorry, but this is Avenged Sevenfold, imo, the most talented band, Mainly because of how many different ways all of the members can play in different styles and genres. I'd like to see a band who has the guts to do what they do, and actually pull it off.
[Reply to this comment]
jake replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
i totaly agree with you, well said my friend
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Yeah the Rev sings quite a bit of "Fiction" and as i've read in other reviews you can't just listen to this album with the hopes of getting hard rocking metal album but mainly a tribute to the Rev. To cut down "Fiction" is almost the worst thing you can do, if you know the importance of the song you look past the piano and Rev's slurred vocals and listen to the lyrics. I'll agree on Danger Line it's not a career highlight same for Tonight the World Dies. But to only list God Hates Us, Natural Born Killer, and Nightmare as the only thing good about the album is so narrow-minded as those are the heaviest tracks on the album along with "Welcome to the Family." Look into the lyrics and how they celebrate the Rev and you can truly apreciate this album.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Well, these reviews tell me that this site cannot be trusted, because this album is amazing. It mixes elements of all the A7X albums together and brings in new influences. And yes, Fiction singing is slurred but that's because they had to use the vocals Jimmy left for the demo. You people judge without fully understanding and keep your mind closed to the raw emotion that this album brings to the table. Imagine losing your brother and recording an album half as good as this, then let we'll talk.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Here we go again with the whole "this site cannot be trusted" thing. HA HA HA! Like I have said TIME and TIME and TIME and TIME again. Just because we gave your beloved band a bad review has NOTHING to do with the trustworthiness of the site. If we had given it a good review, I am more than positive that your feelings would be different. Get over it people, everyone does not have to like the same stuff you do.
[Reply to this comment]
Melissa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
We couldnt care less if this was a bad review, the point is, is that if the writer is going to be disrespectful and not know the facts about what he/she is writing about, it cant be a trusted source. I'm sure these comments would be different if they gave a more positive review but I'm more certain that if he was nice about it and did some research, we would all be fine with it besides a few people that just like to rant about anything bad about this band. I love all different types of music. This guy could have written a review like this on Lady GaGa (I'm not a big fan) and I'd still be here saying that it was rude and disrespectful. It doesnt matter who it is being reviewed, it matters if the info is correct and the reviewer went in with an open mind.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Like I have said in other post. Keith was given a press release via the label and PR that stated nothing of which you are talking about. He did what he had to do based on the information given to him. Plain and simple.
[Reply to this comment]
Melissa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
but why couldnt he go and find information for himself? PR and label people aren't the ones who created the music so why go by what they had to say instead of those who actually know the real facts? It's sad that he wasnt very professional in writing this. Some of the stuff he said was not called for and he could have prevented all of us fans flocking here and doing this if he had done some research. That's what's got me on this, the lack of his own research. Granted I respect his opinion and yours on this matter but the review could have been worded a bit different to get the point across.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
The band is represented by a label and a pr firm who are "supposed" to have their best interest. The label and the pr are "supposed" to be working for the band correct? If the label nor the pr firm cared enough to promote this certain aspects of the album….where does the fault truly lie? I get what your saying and all, but, would that little bit of information (that the label NOR the pr cared enough to include remind you
)made a difference in your feelings about the reviewer?
[Reply to this comment]
Melissa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Yeah it would make a difference about my feelings toward the reviewer. It's called manners and saying that if you dont like something, just saying that you dont like it works.
Avenged likes to go out and promote the details of the album while they let the firm take care of the over all aspects of the album. It's their style, it's they way they do things. But let's not try to make me question the loyalty their label or that of the pr firm has for Avenged. Their label has a large about of loyalty to the band and that's obvious when you look at the contract. WB has no say in what goes on a record. For them to have that much faith in the band, that is caring.
But thanks for the fun and making it so i couldnt comment on your last reply. I may be 16 but i'm not a stupid little girl that doesnt know how to go around barriors or have a good taste in music.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
I'm sorry, but that's how YOU think it works. You should always question things in this industry. Labels have a large amount of loyalty to ANY band that makes them money. REGARDLESS of who they are. But loyalty only goes so far. Do not believe all that you hear and or see in the music business.
By the way, I never made it to where you cant reply…..
and don't worry, I thought I knew everything at 16 too
[Reply to this comment]
Anthony Gannaio replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Yeah, you gotta remember, Melissa, that when a band hires a PR rep, that person is effectively a second mouth for the band, other than the band itself. In this industry, if the PR rep says (or doesn't say) something, it is held in the same regard as the band saying or not saying. Therefore: If the PR didn't say anything about it, but it is an important facet of the music, the fault lies with them, not us.
And I am the only 16 year old here who knows everything, thank you.
[Reply to this comment]
Melissa replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:15 am
Yeah i noticed that i cant comment on anyone from this site so I'll forgive you for that one. haha
PR firms should just go out of business then and I'll i'm saying is you guys dont have to follow what they say, be lil' rebels and go find our own stuff, dont follow the crowd! Ahh fuck it, enough with the speech you get in gym class, just do your own stuff, screw everything that is "offically released" if it's shit.
And for the record, I know all, so thank you. ;D besides, I dont think like a 16 year old, i possess too much genious.
[Reply to this comment]
The NewReview replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:24 am
Comments will only thread 5 levels deep. That's why you can't reply to some comments.
[Reply to this comment]
Jenna replied:
August 5th, 2010 at 4:19 am
A good reviewer does research, they do not just take a press release and write away. The facts in this review are wrong, months ago it was known The Rev would sing on Fiction, come on guys.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Me, thanks for the comment. I think the main issue here is that everyone has their own opinion and just because our reviewer has a different opinion than yours doesn't mean his is the RIGHT opinion. He was just giving an honest assessment of an album he volunteered to review. As they say, bad press is better than no press. Hope you enjoy the site.
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Dear Josh,
Thank you for remaining sane and polite through all of this mud-slinging. I'm glad that someone has. It really disappoints me when fans of a band get so hot headed over reviews that really are just someone's own opinion. While yes, I will join in and say there were parts of the review that could have used some personal research or better wording, I realize there are other things in the works that us fans don't have access to like the PR firms and such.In the way it was written there were a few things that could be deemed incorrect facts. It disappoints me that this went from several comments to an all out battle royal over something that boils down to opinion. In my opinion, isn't even their best album. It's also annoying that people would discredit the site as a whole for this one review but I'm sure its nothing people in the biz of writing reviews aren't used to. In closing I'm very pleased to see that you are weathering this so well and I'm sorry for the hail-storm of abuse being riddled over an opinion.
-Q-
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Thanks CallMeQuixotic. Everyone here appreciates your comments. As you said, everything here comes down to opinion. We as a staff are gladly willing to share our opinion daily with different reviews, blogs, news articles, etc. that we cast off to our wonderful audience. Be as it may, with reviews, this is a lose-lose situation. As a reviewer, you are not going to please everyone and we all understood that when we agreed to write. No one here claims to be perfect and mistake will be made along the way. Fortunately, as a site, we are passionate and committed to providing people entertaining, informative and thoughtful reviews covering a gammut of sounds in hopes that you too will join us in finding the next best thing the music world has to offer.
Once again, thanks for the comment and we hope you enjoy what we're doing here.
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
I apologize but as it is the end of my day and reading most of these comments have wiped me of my ability to write well. But yes, you are welcome and good luck in the future! Sorry about the backlash and please don't think poorly of all fans, we aren't ALL like that I promise.
-Q-
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Thanks Q. We appreciate it. Hope you come visit again!
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
You, Keith Anderson, have got almost all of your information wrong. They released Nightmare because they wanted to do it for Jimmy and the fans that have stuck with them through everything.
How can you say that Fiction isnt the tribute the band would have wanted for Jimmy. Jimmy wrote and recorded the fucking song. The "odd piano" you hear is definitly not avenged style but it's Pinkly Smooth's style. This song was supposed to be for pinkly smooth but because Gates and the Rev put that band on the side burner, jimmy never finished it until 3 days before he died. Now i understand if you dont like the song but dont go saying it's not the fitting tribute to Jimmy because it sure the hell is.
Warner Brothers gave a7x complete creative freedom over their stuff and infact, when the album was finished, in one day the execs came in, gave a listen, and asked what they wanted their single to be and in true avenged style they chose almost a 7 minute song and WB rolled with it.
The producer was a big fan of avenged and approached them to work on the album so they gave him a shot.
This album is finished and it's beautifully finished. It's what they wanted and what the fans in what we call the deathbat army wanted to hear. Oh and if you must know, you cant just play one song on this album and stop it, write your shit and then continue, you have to listen to it all the way through to get the full effect.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Go fuck yourselves. That's the Rev singing on Fiction you dumb fuck. He was trying to record anything. The mic was just on. All the songs are good. All of them. How dare you laugh at Fiction, which wasn't really made as a tribute to the Rev, it was the Rev's goodbye. He wrote it and played the piano. Get your facts straight. Fuck you.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Jared, you may be angry (a safe assumption at this point) but using profanity to punctuate your points comes across as immature. If it makes you feel any better, I think "Fiction" is the strongest song on the album. Either way, keep rocking.
[Reply to this comment]
Lily replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Well the reviewer certainly doesn't think so..
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
But he isn't the reviewer. Even so, the reviewer is entitled to his opinion no matter how inflammatory it may be to fans.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Obviously the reviewer is an attention-seeking pathetic fat man living in his mother's basement. He wrote a bad review so that he can "stick out" from the rest of the reviewers who gave good reviews. While you type away in that lonely basement, Avenged Sevenfold keeps on rolling with fame, cash, and the respect they deserve.
[Reply to this comment]
Brandy replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Please…you're making sane fans like me look bad. Let the man have his opinion; other people are allowed to dislike things you like.
[Reply to this comment]
Phil replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:57 am
Agreed. If you have something to say, at least say it in a fashionable manner, and not like a 6 year old.
[Reply to this comment]
Mayhem replied:
July 29th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Get over yourself…
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Those vocals were the demo version and it was enough to put on the album. The demos arent always as crisps as the final product.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I see it all of the time. Once one bad review is posted, everyone that reads the review it is joining along with the reviewer and saying that it also sucks as well, like in this case. I don't think Nightmare is a bad album, although a lot of you on here will probably disagree with me. Being a fan since the STST days (which most of you probably are not even real fans and are just passing by here to join on the hate wagon and comment), this is a different approach, and I will admit it, it took me a couple of listens to really warm up the the album. Yes, it has its weak points, but it has its strong ones as well. And for those of you commenting about the singing on Fiction, that is how the Rev always sings. I don't really know where you get the "it souns like someone is singing drunk" theory, but whatever…
JMO, and you don't have to agree with it.
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Well said Alyssa. Very well said.
While I don't think it's the BEST record it's got it's good points (maybe I'm still 'warming up' though). Fiction is a good song and while some fans might know that is how Jimmy sings I have to admit there was one portion he seemed to be singing lower or almost out of his range where he seemed garbled which, in contrast to the rest of the cleaner more 'Jimmy' sound I didn't dig as much. But awesome thoughts anyway.
[Reply to this comment]
Alyssa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
To the hardcore fan, Fiction is a treasure. To the average listener, they may not understand the origin of the song, so I could see where they are coming from. Many of The Revs songs were different, unique, and somewhat hard to get into, but they grow on you. Such songs like A Little Piece Of Heaven, Brompton Cocktail, Fiction, etc.
[Reply to this comment]
Justin replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Thankyou. Couldnt have said it better. It still hurts me to hear people talk in such disrespect of him.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Opinions are opinions, fine. But, one thing you're way off on is the song fiction. The lyrics aren't M Shadows that you're criticizing. That's the Rev singing duet with him. The lyrics were recorded just prior to the Rev passing. The very slurred part you're talking about was supposed to just be a rough take the Rev recorded, but they ended up using in the finished version because they wanted his voice on there.
Also, the piano loop you're talking is because this song was actually a song the Rev wrote with Synyster Gates in their little side project called Pinkly Smooth. There is an EP out that not many people know about by Pinkly Smooth that uses odd piano parts and such that he says he used because he was inspired by works of Oingo Boingo and Danny Elfman-type pieces.
The Rev does all the vocals on Pinkly Smooth stuff. If you listen to Nosferatu Does a Hefty Dance or Mcfly, you'll hear the immediate similarities in the song-style.
Other than that, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I really like the album, but whatever, it's not for everybody. Just clearing the "Fiction" criticism
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Thanks for the comment. Keith was given information to work with and it proved to be either inaccurate or not as detailed as required in this instance. Hope you understand.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
I can't believe what I am reading here. First and foremost, as a journalist, Keith Anderson, you should really do your research and know the material before you jump to conclusions. Let me help you out here. The song Fiction, which was finshed by Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan 3 days before his unfortunate passing. The "slurring" you are referring to is actual demo recording of Jimmy singing and NOT Shadows. M. Shadows does sing parts of this song both in conjection with and alternating with Jimmy. This is their fallen brother, and Shadows best friend, and they released this song and album as a tribute to him. So using his recordings, dispite the less than optimal quality, was resonable and appropriate. It isn't supposed to rock out, it is supposed to be what it is…an erie and clairvoyant song that deals with his death.
As far as the rest of the album, to each his own I guess, I love it as I have loved all their material from A7X to Waken The Fallen.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
is this the a7x hate site :L:L:L:L sad or what…this is the ONLY bad review of this record.. the last people who wrote a review like this had to make a formal apology coz it was wrong…as for the lass who clearly wants to be hayley williams but doesnt have any tallent (jen) i think you should do some research before you comment considering you couldent even tell matt and jimmy apart…hah you really make my laugh, fucking ginger bitch
[Reply to this comment]
Anthony Gannaio replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
No, they made a formal apology because the pissed-of community of "A7X foREVer!!!!11!" fanboys tore them to pieces. They took it down and said:
"[The Reviewing Site] recently published a track-by-track guide to the forthcoming Avenged Sevenfold album. We wish to apologize wholeheartedly for any misunderstanding in the article that caused upset to both the band and their fans. This was certainly not our intention and therefore we have removed the piece from the site."
They then wrote a positive review *not because theirs was wrong*, but because it offended the fans. Now maybe you should get your facts straight before freaking out.
Unlike that site, we stand by out reviews no matter if the band's fans throw a temper tantrum. Now as Josh said, let's be civil please.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
First off Jake lets get a couple of things straight…
She is a hell of a lot hotter than Hayley Williams. Ha Ha Ha Ha! Second, there isn't a chance in hell that this site, Keith or any of us will apologize to you or anyone else. Just because he gave your favorite band a band review.
Later tater…
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
I'm older than Hayley Williams, so maybe she wants to be me. Plus my hair is naturally this color (red), and not dyed (orange).
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
die slow all of you keep enjoying lil wayne on auto tune
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Let it be known that none of us condone the actions or artistic endeavors of Lil' Wayne. Carry on.
[Reply to this comment]
Anthony Gannaio replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Seconded.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Umm, thirded.
And yes, I know that's not a real word.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Hey dumbfuck, The part in "Fiction" where Matt Shadows (The singer) slurs his singing was sung by The Rev ( the former and now deceased drummer). You're obviously not an A7X fan if you got their singing confused. Go die in a fire…
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Wow your comment is so thought provoking. The label sent out information along with the album. Keith used what he was given BY WARNER BROS. about this record. I went back and looked and Not a single word was mentioned about "The Rev" singing on "Fiction."
[Reply to this comment]
Lily replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Hey, dipshit, the Rev WROTE Fiction and he had co-vocals on the song. Listen to some interviews and get your information straight (oh thats right, you hate Avenged Sevenfold).
[Reply to this comment]
Synester00 replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
The band OFFICIALLY stated in several interviews that The Rev guest stars in the song and he even wrote the entire song three days before he died.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
So we are supposed to watch interviews of bands that we review to hoping that relative information is in them? That's insane
We get information from labels, bands and PR that send us albums for review…
Another question, why is it a must that everyone mention that this was done "three days before he died?" Simply put, it was done prior to his death. I'm just curious, does this make the song sound any better or make it anymore relevant?
[Reply to this comment]
Steven replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Yes, in fact, it does. That Jimmy finished writing the song so close to the time of his passing is one of the main reasons the song is on the album at all. From that perspective, the listener can interpret the song lyrically as Jimmy saying goodbye to the band, his family, friends, and fans. The majority of the people defending this review (especially you), are being far too defensive to actually see the point the fans are trying to make. This review was created with a substantial lack of information, and, therefore, is a half-assed effort that cannot be taken seriously.
I'm sorry that the reviewers at this site lack the initiative to do their own research. Especially when all of the relevant information about this album can be located in a matter of seconds.
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
People interpret things differently. You say tomato i say toe-mato…..lets call the whole thing off
[Reply to this comment]
Katy replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Why aren't more people talking about how cute Keith is?
[Reply to this comment]
jake replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
but its a fact that he did…just listen to it…surely you didnt base a review on writing??
[Reply to this comment]
Brandy replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Considering in almost every interview about the song or the album, they specifically said his vocals were on there…Just saying.
[Reply to this comment]
Brandy replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Hey…listen, I agree, but don't embarrass Avenged Sevenfold and the rest of their fans with immature crap like "Go die in a fire."
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Just making a few points to clarify.
The band was working with Mike Elizondo was working with the band before the Rev's death.
Mike Portnoy was The Rev's favorite drummer and is a friend of the band's.
Fiction includes vocals that the Rev recorded days before he died. Did you listen to the lyrics? They kept them there for a reason. "I hope it's worth it, out on the highway, I hope you'll find your own way when I'm not with you."
The band was going to go into the studio in January initially until he died, so this is pretty close to what it would have been, save for the lyrics and Fiction, probably.
Nothing against your review, as you are entitled to your opinion, but I figured I'd just inform you of a few things which may help clarify.
[Reply to this comment]
Francis replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Oops, forgot to clarify (even further): The vocals on Fiction were recorded days prior to his death on the demo version of the song. (Obviously not the studio version.)
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Double “Nightmare!” – #1 And #3 Best Selling Albums On iTunes!
411Mania Give Nightmare A 9.0!
Distorted News Gives “Nightmare” A 10/10.
Metal News Gives “Nightmare” A 8.7 Out Of 10.
Metromix:Their best record, and, in its own punishing way, a nice tribute
so kids, when it comes to the REAL critics this album is great….as for this guy wholooks like he is obviously a convicted pedophile, well what can i say its probably allot different to the music he is alowed to liten to in jail….good day to yah
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Hard to say those are real critics. What makes a REAL critic? Someone who gives Avenged Sevenfold a high score? Consider me confused. Unfortunately, you lose all credibility in your comment by resorting to tacky name-calling as well. Let's be civil, people.
[Reply to this comment]
Gabby replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I find the last statement very hypocritical coming from a person who continues to bash Avenged Sevenfold like they don't have any feelings.
[Reply to this comment]
jake replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
no, i was pointing out the fact that every other review point sout the fact that its a good album….except this one…hmmm i find myself doubting the skills of this reveiwer…clearly basing the whole thing on opinion…then again, i just looked at some of the bands you like, PFFT theyre certainly unremarkable…but whatever all i can say is…read every single comment on this site by an a7x fan and tell us we arnt the best fucking loyal fans ever!!! exactly we're one big family here standing up for the fact that nightmare is an awesome album!!
PS. you look like a dwarf
[Reply to this comment]
To Jake replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Jake. You sound like a fucktard. Get it together.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
That last comment has my mascara running and I just spent a few minutes searching for my razor. Thanks. Name me an album that has complete, 100% universal acclaim. I want links, everything. My point is, there will always be someone not as thrilled with a piece of work released by an artist, it is just going to happen.
You guys may be loyal but you are certainly immature, short-fused, and for the most part lack patience as well. Additionally, you are simply tarnishing my view of Avenged Sevenfold even more knowing that these type of people associate with them.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have an Avenged Sevenfold altar to build before I bleed out.
[Reply to this comment]
you know replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Now wouldn't you feel like an ass hole if the person was a real cutter, which is a serious topic. For someone who keeps on talking about being civilized well that wasn't a very civilized reply.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
You're right. That wasn't a civilized reply. This rather immature commenting is really rubbing off on me. I would like to apologize to any self-harmers out there. Offense need not be taken. As for my mascara, it is still running.
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
While it ISN'T a civilized reply I'd like to see you wade through the mudslinging and come out without a few short-tempered responses. As a fan this kind of 'support' really annoys me. (not you specifically) but all the cursing and all out rage over one 'less that favorable' review.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Josh, it is manscara. Get it right.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Dang it. I'm still getting used to this.
[Reply to this comment]
jake replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
werw, just because i sound 'imature and short fused' doesnt mean you can stereotype the rest of us…id rather you took an individuall dig at me…EVERYONE I AM IMMATURE AND SHORT FUSED…tbh, yeah id agree with you…makes life more fun
and i LOVE arguing, its my second favorite hobby…behind listening to a7x…haha just kidding…have fun fighting everyone, i think im done for the day :L
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
I don't really know what else you want me to go off of? Even if this is a small sample size of Avenged Sevenfold fans does that mean I ignore the results? Nonetheless, thanks for visiting the site. Hope you find a review you might enjoy here in the future.
[Reply to this comment]
jake replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
i may well do..i will continue to check for more reviews of different bands i like
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Sweet. Thanks for your input, Jake.
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Hey please don't hate on all of us.
Some are sane and can accept a decent crit of the band we <3.
I'd love to see some people here make it through art school… sorry. Anyway I don't condone the pyro-display of hate that's goin' down here at all. I promise.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
No, there's no hate involved. Just head-scratching. I appreciate everyone's interest in the review and I do think it is remarkable that people are willing to defend a band so quickly which is a testament to the band and their following, yet this review is simply one raindrop in the ocean. Argue, please argue but let's do it a little more level-headed, alright? Myself included.
We at the NewReview love our readers whether they want to rip our heads off or not. We wouldn't be able to do what we do without any of you.
[Reply to this comment]
you know replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
To CallMeQuixotic I'm not sure if you were replying to me about going through this without giving a short-tempered response or not. I really get what your saying but I could do it without bringing up a topic of self-abuse and associating it with "emos" (since mascara was mentioned) or any other serious topic. If you looked I did have a short-tempered response to the writers mentioning he's never recored while being wasted or something. eh oh well though.
[Reply to this comment]
you know replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
ah and yeah I totally messed up some spelling on that last response lol
[Reply to this comment]
CallMeQuixotic replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:58 am
Hey You Know:
I agree with you that the comment was unnecessary and from the standpoint of someone who used to deal with said issue it's always a little annoying to see it being taken in such a light manner and associated the way it is. I was just saying until that comment Josh was pretty level headed for the amount of junk being thrown at him and his site. The fact that he apologized is also something I think is good, there a more than a few people saying worse things who have yet to admit they were being hot tempered. Personally I think stab at a problem like that, while bad, isn't as awful as saying something to the tune of 'eff off and die.' But that is just me.
[Reply to this comment]
Becca replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Please don't speak for all fans. I'm extremely loyal to Avenged Sevenfold, but I'm not immature and I don't lash out at people because they don't like something I do. I happen to like this album, as I have liked everything they have done starting with STST. This man, doesn't. Whatever. I won't lose sleep over it.
And while all these fans are ranting about 'respect', take a look at what you're saying. Respect this man's opinion, wether you like it or not.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Thanks for the comment, Becca. Keep rocking!
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
That 'slur' that you hear is The Rev. Do your homework and then write a review, okay?
[Reply to this comment]
tpislegend replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
hey alyson!
can you give me the url to your music review site? i am soooo curious about your opinion about your favorite bands and stuff.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
+10, baby.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Wow, you guys really have a horrible taste for music. It's ok not to like an album but at least get your facts right. The nasal vocals you hear is the only vocals that The Rev (not M.Shadows) recorded for anything on that album and it was their tribute to add his vocals to HIS song. Have you never heard his vocals before? That's his singing style. Listen to "Little Piece of Heaven" or the chorus of "Critical Acclaim" or any old Pinkly Smooth song. That's how he sings. Next, the soaring female vocals you speak of from Dark Side of the Moon are on "The Great Gig in the Sky", not "Brain Damage" (which is what you seem to be suffering from after reading your review). Next, the Metallica comparison on "Buried Alive"….ok it does have a lot of Metallica influence…but "The Unforgiven"??? Really? Have you ever listened to Metallica? And just because "Tonight the World Dies" has a Em to C chord progression you think it's a copy of STP? Let's think of all of the rock songs that have a Em to C chord progression…. Pink Floyd "Breath", Nirvana "Something in the Way", Johnny Cash "Hurt", REM "Everybody Hurts", STP "Creep", Metallica "Nothing Else Matters", Seether "Broken"…..I could go on and on but the point is that it is an extremely popular chord progression for SAD SONGS! They just lost their best friend and one of the best drummers in the world. If you don't like their music…fine….I guess that's what they pay you for….but to go so far as to make fun of the final song ever recorded by a very influential musician is just down right wrong. If this album is so bad I guess that's why it is already number 1 and number 3 respectively on iTunes and will likely fight it's way to the top of the billboard charts as well. There…I'm done ranting…now go back to your STP album.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Andy, do you like Tayor Swift? She was number 1 on iTunes for quite awhile. Connect the dots. Thanks for your comment.
[Reply to this comment]
Andy replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Why you hatin' on Taylor Swift????
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Touche.
[Reply to this comment]
Andy replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
lol
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
"Wow, you guys really have a horrible taste for music. "Based on this album (and your allegiance to this band) couldn't we say the same thing about you? Just sayin'
[Reply to this comment]
Andy replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Majority rules dude….100% of the reviews I've seen prior to this one have been extremely favorable of the album….so yes….I stand by my previous comment….you guys have a horrible taste for music.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
I like Paramore! Am I the only exception?
[Reply to this comment]
Aanchel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Oh dear God, was that a pun?
I laughed though
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
+10.
[Reply to this comment]
Daryn St. Pierre replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
That's your opinion of Keith's opinion though. It's not factual information therefore there's no real ground for argument. It's just your opinion that his taste in music is bad because he happened to give it a lower review than any other review site, and his review happens to clash with your opinion.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
I find it so amusing how people like you can sit and criticise an album as if your opinion is the only one out there. Yes, you can try to deny it but the fact is, you (the writer of this article and the commenters) have blantently said that this album is ridiculously awful (in general) and that is that.
I have to firstly just admit that I am actually an A7X fan and for me, this album was absolutely incredible. The raw emotion created from it, mixed with the talented linguistics and musicianship that formed each song completely blew me away. I am positive that many will disagree but that is just my opinion and I thought that that is vital to my comment.
I can easily see how you have made comparisons from songs on this album to great songs of the past but it is pretty much impossible to ever write anything that doesn't sound somewhat similar to a previous masterpiece. It's called being influenced. Name me one album that doesn't have any songs that sound like another song from another artist/band.
You, Keith, have no real basis to stand on. I read through this article carefully and it seems to me that your main 'point' is that the songs seem disjointed and you claim that "Nightmare is not finished". For many fans, this sort of jaggedness is quite a redeemable quality and I actually quite enjoy. The changes that are sharp and don't seem to fit together make the songs more interesting and means that you never grow bored. Nightmare was very much finished too. Months and months of hard effort went into this album and the roughness was probably intentional. I definitely wouldn't have liked anything different.
I guess that you may be bored of reading this by now (if anyone has bothered to) but I just want to really point out that you cannot claim that Avenged Sevenfold are past their best so flippantly, as if you know best. No – you need to be much more balanced and actually note that while you don't like the songs, many others do and your closed mind that just wants certain sounding songs (which are similar to 'God Hates Us') is actually more restricting than the album itself. You have focussed your mind so that you will not accept something different so that you think it's wrong and useless.
Now that is just plain sad. At least listen to an album properly and give it a chance before writing something so opinionated and false. Otherwise your article has no actual substance to it.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Aanchel, we appreciate the comment. After reading your thoughts I am somewhat cloudy. Should Keith totally disregard his personal opinion of the album in favor of wiping the tears off of mourning Avenged Sevenfold fans' cheeks? All I am saying is that with your thoughts you are seemingly attempting to convince Keith he is wrong when in reviewing music (a hobby wherein the individual will never please ever reader) everyone is entitled to their own opinion regardless of enjoying the product or not. Thanks for maintaining civility, hope you are enjoying the site.
[Reply to this comment]
Lily replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Yeah, like anyone knows about this site..
[Reply to this comment]
Lee replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Actually Lily they do
In just 10 months of existence we average over 70k unique visitors a month (and growing every single day) as well as work with every major label out there. We also work with just about every single hard rock/metal independent label and pr known to man. Right now we are working on some albums that are still 3, 4 even 5 months out. Just because we didn't like this album means absolutely nothing. Its just another cog in the wheel.
Thanks for the comment.
[Reply to this comment]
Alyssa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Thank you Lee and Josh for being civil about this whole thing and not going ape shit.
I just don't understand why people got all upset over this review. I am a hardcore fan, and I have been for 10 years, and this review didn't really bother me. Maybe there was some slight lack of knowledge about Fiction, but otherwise it was Keiths opinion, and although I don't agree with it, I do respect it. I really do like Nightmare,and obviously some of the people here don't, but thats okay. I couldn't care if no one in the entire world liked the record. As long is I do, that is all what matters. But, I will admit it honestly, some of the haters' comments are here are quite annoying. Such as Steve calling us "little hot topic kids" and "freaky teeny boppers", or Jen with her stupid arrogant comments. And yes, there are some fans out there that are like that, but pretty much every band that you will find has them. The A7X fans are also called emos. It annoys me, but hey, whatever.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Thanks for the comments, Alyssa. As said before it is all about opinion. Also, no one's perfect. Mistakes are bound to happen to the best of us. I can't begin to tell you the mistakes I have made. We're all learning, all growing as writers here. We welcome everyone's praise and criticism. And yes, the name-calling needs to stop, discussion without it is possible, I assure you. Either way, thanks again for your kind words and hopefully you are enjoying what we are trying to do here! It's all about the music.
[Reply to this comment]
Phil replied:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:14 am
Thank god there's some civility in some people.
I'm a hardcore A7X fan but damn, a lot of them are just immature and disrespectful.
If you disagree with the review at least back it up in a mature fashion.
[Reply to this comment]
Josh Velliquette replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Lily, this review may have pissed you off but I guarantee you can count on us for honest and fair reviews of anything under the sun musically. While we won't be reviewing Lil' Wayne anytime soon, we hope you could continue to check us out and find some great new music. Thanks for the comment.
[Reply to this comment]
Aanchel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
What I am trying to say is that Keith's article appears to make out that the album was a complete failure and it's almost like he is trying to say that his opinion is actually fact. I didn't appreciate the fact that the article criticised the album and basically just said it was disjointed and A7X have gone downhill without exploring why this opinion was held enough.
No, that was not the way that Keith should have written it. He should have stated his opinion (and clearly made out that it was just a personal view) but backed it up more. I can barely see much evidence in the article to support any of his points, except for the comparisons to other songs and stating that Matt sounded like he was slurring in 'Fiction' (although that was The Rev, but I think enough people have pointed that out already). My problem is that he said he liked City of Evil and not this album, without providing enough clarification for his points.
He didn't have to "[wipe] the tears off of mourning Avenged Sevenfold fans' cheeks" to write a good article. Just because I am sad about Jimmy's passing does not mean that I expect all of the reviews of 'Nightmare' to be good. No; critique is good but you have to be professional about it, do your research and actually attempt to open your mind and give the album a chance. Fair enough, if he didn't like it (which is pretty obvious), then he just had to explain WHY a bit more. That's all I'm asking for. Until then, articles which parade around the fact that an album "is not finished" cannot exist. If I had read this article before listening to the album, then I would have not known why this apparent roughness was being criticised or why Keith complained how "effort had been rescued". It would have made me prejudice against the album with no actual reason.
Thank you for your last sentence though. I honestly believe that immature behaviour has no place in a dignified discussion and truth be told, this is the first time I have stumbled across this site but I shall explore it further
[Reply to this comment]
Anthony Gannaio replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
If you want his proof, where's yours that The Rev sang on "Fiction", ya know? I haven't seen one angry commenter link anything which proved it.
[Reply to this comment]
Aanchel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
@Anthony:
Check here: http://deathbatnews.wordpress.com/2010/07/20/you-cant-win-this-fight/
[Reply to this comment]
Anthony Gannaio replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Thanks! I'm glad you're one of the few to actually carry on a civil debate without flipping out. I appreciate the link too!
[Reply to this comment]
Aanchel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
No problem. I think it's so difficult to express a point if one is acting like a fussy kid. I have to admit that I get awfully embarrassed when people with a similar view to mine completely flip out…
Oh, and no problem for the link as well. Like I've said before, evidence is always needed to support any statement so it's only fair that I have the evidence to support my views too.
[Reply to this comment]
Anthony Gannaio replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
You are now highly respected in my book, friend. I totally understand what you mean, too. It's a shame, but not everyone has learned that when you flip out and take personal stabs at who you're disagreeing with, it only makes you look bad and reinforces the other side. Thanks for the comments!
[Reply to this comment]
Aanchel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Oh well thank you, friend.
I completely agree with you. People need to learn that in order to be respected and to get people to listen to them, they need to say more than a few vulgar words about how the reviewer knows nothing and is disrespecting the Rev. At least explain WHY one thinks that!
I have to say that after reading through these comments, I'm much more inclined to the opposite side of the case just because it seems like the more sensible side. *sigh* When will people just grow up? They shouldn't comment if they don't have something with reasoning and meaning to say.
Oh, and no problem. It's nice to see different opinions created from a single piece of (controversial) writing.
[Reply to this comment]
Melissa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
here you go. Start at 6 minutes and listen to the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYXVbQUjKI0&feature=player_embedded#!
Actually you can get a lot of the stuff us fans are talking about through this entire interview. There is 5 parts i think.
If you want some more proof here you go…
Amazon.com biography- has statements from the band. Zacky V confirms that fiction is the only song with the rev's vocals
http://www.amazon.com/Avenged-Sevenfold/e/B000APYAHY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1279664107&sr=8-1
or you can go to deathbatnews.com and read it as well. You'll have to type you can't win this fight in the search bar and it will come up and all you have to do is click on it.
Deathbatnews.com has a review as well where the owner of the site went to Zacky's house and listened to the album. She talks about the rev's vocals in the part of the review about fiction. I know this isnt a super credible thing but she went to his house to hear it so that's a primary source since she was there.
and here is a radio interview Syn and Shadows did with Ronni Hunter. They talk about fiction starting at 3:30 minutes. They talk about how the song started being written and then Shadows says that they saved some of the vocals and put them in the song. The interview is kinda hard to hear but if you turn up the volume it's there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDatBbnLcCA&feature=player_embedded#!
If you would like more proof, ask, I've got more. Just so you know, i'm not an angry commenter either. i rather enjoyed going back and reading and listening to these so thanks for allowing me to give myself a little refresher.
[Reply to this comment]
Anthony Gannaio replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Yep! Love it. Thanks for backing up your argument in a civil way and not flaming.
[Reply to this comment]
Keith Anderson replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
@Melissa: I appreciate you taking the time to respond. My problem was during this entire review process, the band stopped returning my phone calls. They also had me arrested for trying to break in for an interview. And to think that's the reward I got for all those years of writing threatening letters to them.
Anyway, I only had the album itself to go by and the press release from their PR folks. With all of the rumor sites and unreliability of the Internet in general, I will just keep stalking them and hoping they'll notice me on the back row of their shows.
[Reply to this comment]
Melissa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Deathbatnews.com my friend, it's stalking made easy. Credible and fun. I sound like a damned late night show trying to sell you shit.
Stalk away and thanks for clarifying your review in the comments. We fans do have a temper but that's something you have to over look until they come back on and write something nice.
[Reply to this comment]
Jen replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Keith, your humor cracks me up.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Besides the review by Rock Sound, this is honestly the worst review I have ever read. Almost anyone can tell that you have not done any research whatsoever before listening to the album. You thought that M. Shadows was the only one singing in Fiction? Ha! That was the Rev singing it, and in case you didn't research on this, he finished the song and recorded the so-called "nasally" vocals three days before he died. Yes, I understand that you are not a fan of them, but being a reviewer does not give you the right to bash it down to every single note that was played.
[Reply to this comment]
July 27th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Hey, look at all the little Hot Topic children. This is hilarious. You people are as nutty as those stupid ass fuck H.I.M fans. Its sad that the drummer died yes, but its sad when any decent person dies. Get over it, this record is anything but good. I bought this shit today and I'm pissed. What a damn disgrace.
[Reply to this comment]
Aanchel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Firstly, there is no need to act uncivilised by name-calling. Seriously, are you ten?
We are allowed to be sad about Jimmy's passing. He was a person just like any other, so he deserves to be mourned. You might not give a damn about him, but we all did. We haven't even really brought up his death all that much on this web-page.
Furthermore, we don't give a damn if you're pissed. So what – you don't like a record. Big fucking deal. Get over it and don't waste your time insulting those who want to defend it.
[Reply to this comment]
Steve replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Look at some of you fanatics and their name calling of the reviewer you fool. They come onto the board and call him stupid and a pedophile not knowing anything about him other than he gave this album a bad review. Like I said before, I love Avenged Sevenfold but this album sucks. Like you said, who gives a damn if your pissed. Like who the hell are you anyway? You feel like you and your fanatic fan base should be able to come and talk shit and not be dealt the same fate. Get the fuck over it. You people need a swift kick in the ass.
[Reply to this comment]
Alyssa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
And so do you! Get off your fuckin high horse and stop preaching. And for your informtion not all of us are "little hot topic children" or "emos" as most want to call it.
[Reply to this comment]
Aanchel replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
@Steve:
I am not condoning what the 'fanatics' are saying either. I'm just telling you that you should not stoop so low. Ignore me if you want to but it is just advice. Mature people would be able to accept that and not argue back in such a vulgar manner.
What do you mean "who the hell are you anyway"? I am simply a fan of A7X and stumbled across this review. What else do you want to know about me? Seriously, what is the relevance of this question?
Just so you know, two wrongs do not make a right. That's a life lesson and remember it. It will save you from much grief.
Furthermore, they are not "[my] fanatic fan base" and I am not a part of them. Don't judge – it's stupid and ignorant.
[Reply to this comment]
jake replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
just coz a7x have the best fans in the world…you are all jelous youll never be in the biggest and best family in rock
…God, im almost embarrassed that you bought the album
[Reply to this comment]
Alyssa replied:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
No, A7X does NOT have the best fans in the world. They have very supportive fans, but some fans act like rabid animals that attack people when they disagree with others views and opinions……
*AHEM……*
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Hid The Philosopher replied:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:31 am
I have been reading through all these responses and it is interesting to see how people react towards one another. Human beings are Social Animals. That said, this explains the different reactions to this review, which by no means condones any angry or disrespectful behavior exhibited here from either side. I have never been a major fan, but do appreciate and enjoy the album. My philosophical view of this dilemma is that our society has bred thes