I didn't really think they were metalcore, but I guess they are. (Who even gives bands their genre? 'Cause whoever does is fucking stupid at times.)
Avenged is very special to me, because they were one of the first "hardcore" bands I ever listened to.
Also, I've been a fan the longest of any of the bands I like today.
They were founded in 1999, so they are a bit older than most of the bands I like.
The members are: M. Shadows(vocals), Synyster Gates (guitar), Zacky Vengeance (guitar), Johnny Christ (bass), and Arin Ilejay (drums).
I found them from the radio. The local radio station plays them a lot, and I think the first song I ever heard was Almost Easy.
In 2009, the original drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, passed away. He was a genius, and such a tragic loss.
I was listening to a radio show (I wasn't a fan then), and it was Syn and M. Shadows talking about the Rev, and his death.
And I saw a drummer friend who had an A7X shirt, and so I curious enough to look them up.
From then on, I've been in love with them. They've made me laugh, cry, and calm me down when I've had a bad day.
Sounding The Seventh Trumpet (2002)
Their first album, they wrote many of these songs when they were still in high school in Huntington Beach. This album has a much more punk vibe. It's pretty much all screamed vocals, which you never hear in their newer stuff. Overall, a good start to the band.
Waking The Fallen (2003)
This album is way better, and more their sound. They got a new producer for this one, and pushed themselves to be better. This album really established the sound of Avenged. Like the guitar tone and quality is pretty much like this all the way on up. More of the vocals are sung, instead of screamed, thought there is occasional screaming throughout. Almost all the songs are SOO good, too.
City Of Evil (2005)
In my opinion, this is their best album. Every single song is completely flawless. Came out in 2005, this was really when they were at their absolute best. I wish I was old enough then to have liked them. I was like 8 though, and had no music taste, sadly.
Music videos:
Beast And The Harlot
Bat Country
Seize The Day
Avenged Sevenfold (2007)
This album is probably tied with City Of Evil for best A7X album. There. Is. So. Much. Good. They actually made a movie about the making of this album, and it's really good. Also the Rev sings in it a lot, so about 100 bonus points for that. Now, I'm actually gonna talk about individual songs.
Almost Easy
First Avenged song I ever heard. I just remember playing it on Guitar Hero when I was 12 over and over and being like, "This is so awesome!!" Funny story about this song. The Rev wrote it on guitar, and Syn thought it was stupid because the chords were so repetitive and basic. But, once they started getting more involved and writing the whole things, it was like this amazing heavy rock song that made the charts and got on Guitar Hero! Music video is good too.
Afterlife
The thing about Avenged that makes them so much better than all the other generic metal bands, is that they have so much variety. In Afterlife, they actually had a string orchestra come in and record. And the director of the orchestra was none other than Steve Bartek, the guitarist of Oingo Boingo!
Music video. Watch it.
A Little Piece Of Heaven
This song adds some fun comedy to the plate. Written by the Rev, this song's lyrics and video depict and young man asking his woman for her hand in marriage, and she laughs at him and says no, so he kills her, and uses her for whatever he wants. For this one, they had the full orchestra group with horns as well. But this song. It's pure genius straight from the Rev's crazy imagination.
Diamonds In The Rough
This album is more of a compilation than an actual album. It's good though! It features some live stuff from Long Beach. (Which was their best show ever.) I don't have that much to say about it, except that I like The Fight and Dancing Dead.
Nightmare
Ah, the infamous Nightmare. So, they were going through a real hardship at the time of this album's making (losing the Rev), but despite that, they kept going and this album turned out to be the most badass metal album ever in this age! Part of that was because all the songs were written by the Rev. Sadly, the only song he actually appears on is Fiction, when he sings a lot. They had Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater help them finish the album and touring until they got Arin.
This album is really emotional, because all the songs are about their beloved Jimmy.
The two big metal anthems are the first two opening songs: Nightmare and Welcome To The Family. Buried Alive was another really good one.
So Far Away is the big ballad. It's their direct tribute to Jimmy. The music video is a tribute to him as well, and I cry every time I watch it.
Fiction was genius because it features the piano on the whole song, and Jimmy sings a lot. A thing about Fiction that makes me cry: when Jimmy sings he's basically saying goodbye. It freaked the band out too, because his death was by no means planned.
Save Me is a big 12 minute number. Sensational, as always.
Other stuff:
Avenged's song "Not Ready To Die" was featured on the video game Black Ops.
"Carry On" was the song for the Black Ops 2 trailer.
They did a cover of Pantera's "Walk", go check out my post about covers for more.
I have heard rumors that Avenged is making a new album this year. Don't know if they're true, but I hope!!
No comments:
Post a Comment