Avenged Sevenfold CD

After solidly establishing themselves on the contemporary heavy music scene, Avenged Sevenfold wasted little time with following up their 2005 break-through effort, CITY OF EVIL. The band took a bold step on their fourth and self-titled full-length, opting to produce it themselves--a risky task indeed for such a young band.

Right out of the gate, Singer M. Shadows leads A7X even further into melodic territory--but not without a little help. Lending her vocal support to the slow-grooving "Gunslinger" and the heavy country rocker "Dear God" and taking a solo turn on "(Unbound) The Wild Ride" is Nashville implant Shanna Crooks. A7X explore dramatic power metal in the epic "A Little Piece Of Heaven," while first single "Critical Acclaim" cuts close for what has become the group's signature sound. Nonetheless, it is on this self-titled set that the band sets its sights on the mainstream.

Coming off a Best New Artist Award at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, the members of Avenged Sevenfold returned to the studio, ambitious to create an exciting follow-up to City of Evil, and their self-titled release often focuses hard on pushing the songs into non-metal territory. Their signature blistering Yngwie Malmsteen guitar arpeggios and lightning fast double-kick drums are still evident, while AS show their unbridled enthusiasm to be as inventive as possible as they run through a staggering amount of production enhancements: four songs have string arrangements; violinists, pianists, and vocalists make guest appearances here and there; "A Little Piece of Heaven" is a strange Mr. Bungle-type number with sax, clarinet, trombone, and trumpet; and "Unbound (The Wild Ride)" throws in the most un-metal addition of all -- a children's choir. Some of these enhancements help take the songs to the next level, while others give the sensation of inappropriately mashed-up styles. Vocalist M. Shadows, who required surgery on his vocal cords after Waking the Fallen, shows that his training with Ron Anderson (vocal coach for Layne Staley, Axl Rose, and Chris Cornell) has been for the greater good. Rather than screaming or doing the metal growl, he sings in a few gritty voices, showing an obvious Mike Patton influence, and actually sounds pitch-perfect. His skills and the entire band's technical ferocity are flawless as ever, and although they get lost in a cluttered vision, their willingness to experiment is admirable. [A clean version of the CD was also released.] ~ Jason

Amp - Amended Produc

Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; Eldorado Recording Studios, Burbank, CA; Sunset Sound Recorders, Los Angeles, CA.

Illustrator: Casey Howard .

Photographer: Clay Patrick McBride.

Avenged Sevenfold: Synyster Gates (guitar); Johnny Christ (bass guitar); The Rev. (drums); M. Shadows, Zacky Vengeance.

Personnel: M. Shadows, Juliette Commagere (vocals); Zacky Vengeance (guitar); Greg Leisz (lap steel guitar, banjo); Neel Hammond, Caroline Campbell (violin); Andrew Duckles (viola); Cameron Stone (cello); Bill Liston (clarinet, alto saxophone); Rusty Higgins (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Brandon Fields (alto saxophone); Rev. Dave Boruff (tenor saxophone); Joel Peskin (baritone saxophone); Wayne Bergeron (trumpet); Alexander Iles, Bruce Fowler (trombone); Jamie Muhoberac (piano, organ); Lenny Castro (percussion); Annmarie Rizzo, Zander Ayeroff (background vocals).

Additional personnel: Beth Andersen, Debbie Hall, Bob Joyce, Susie Stevens Logan, Luana Jackman, Monique Donnelly, Rob Giles, Rock Logan, Ed Zajack, Gabriel Mann, Arnold McCuller, Scottie Haskell, Shanna Crooks (vocals); Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar); Dan Foreno (trumpet); Greg Kusten (piano); Miles Mosley (upright bass); Jay-E (programming); Annmarie Rizzo, Zander Ayeroff, Rev. Dave Boruff, Jamie Muhoberac, Joel Peskin, Lenny Castro, Rusty Higgins, Wayne Bergeron, Alexander Iles, Bill Liston, Neel Hammond, Juliette Commagere, Caroline Campbell, Brandon Fields, Bruce Fowler, CameronEntertainment Weekly (p.64) - "[T]hey're super-melodic....Vocalist M. Shadows growl-howls excellently, and the hooky musicianship is unimpeachable." -- Grade: B
Kerrang (Magazine) (p.46) - "[T]hey've created their best and most uncompromising album yet....A varied and staggeringly original record."
Kerrang (Magazine) (p.72) - Ranked #16 in Kerrang's "The Top 20 Albums Of 2007".
Harp (magazine) (p.97) - "[T]he band has more fully integrated its metal bombast and prog ambition....Proof that the band remains focused on exponentially expanding its palette."