Avenged Sevenfold
Nightmare
Warner Music
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last twelve months you’ll surely be aware of the tragedy that hit US metal titans Avenged Sevenfold with the death of drummer Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan. Their huge fanbase waited anxiously for news on their future heaving a huge sigh of relief when they confirmed they would be releasing a new album and it would feature Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy.
Obviously with the trauma they’ve been through in the last twelve months, it would be easy to say the band deserve full marks for getting their shit together and putting something out but, really, can we review this album based on how emotionally charged the whole process must have been or do we shut the last twelve months out and concentrate on the music alone? Well, there is no doubt that their situation affected the way Nightmare sounded but, as an Avenged Sevenfold record, there is also no doubt that the band have pulled out all the stops on this one to give their fanbase what they want. Kicking off with the first single from the album, and the title track, Avenged appear to have shed some of the poppier elements that littered their last album, instead letting the 80s hard rock/metal influences filter through into the material. From the shredding God Hates Us to the mammoth sounding ballad Buried Alive, everything on this album is massive sounding while Victim epitomises everything great about this band. Full of soaring vocals and racing rock guitars, Nightmare sounds and feels like the work of a band who knew the worlds eyes were on them and they’ve not disappointed as they put 80s influenced arena filling hard rock back on the map.
Finishing the album off with the eleven minute, emotionally charged finale Save Me, M.Shadows leads the band through the sort of grandiose, epic finale that really steps Avenged Sevenfold up to the next level. With Portnoy joining the band for the immediate future, things will hopefully settle down in the A7X camp as this album has shown they’re back and fighting and, thankfully, stronger than ever.
Buy this album from AMAZON
Review by Jane Trantor
