Unholy Confessions

Lately, I've been listening to a lot of Avenged Sevenfold. The band just released a new self-titled disc and is now touring the country in support of the work. Over the years, Avenged Sevenfold have changed their sound, becoming slightly more slick as fame rolls their way.

If you listen to the band's music enough, it's easy to pick up influences other than straight Metal. The band is a mix of metalcore, thrash, screamo...and yes, glam.

While most modern Metal bands eschew the notion of a lengthy guitar solo, A7X embrace the practice -- with two top-notch axemen! Much like RATT 20 years ago, Avenged Sevenfold's calling card is amazing guitar work. It's this virtuosity that has drawn both me and my husband to their fold.

Now, I'm sure you're skeptical but seriously, if you like glam and guitars you should give A7X a chance. They have a strong Guns n' Roses grit about their guitar sound -- and I love the military precision of the drum work.

If you don't believe me about the glam influences, then take a listen. I prefer Avenged Sevenfold's faster songs, but "Seize the Day" has an excellent guitar solo.

Let's compare to Guns n' Roses "Sweet Child O' Mine."

I expect many comments, so feel free to speak your mind. That's the great part of an open discussion.

Comments

[Rob Rockitt, Hard Rock Hideout]

Allyson,
I have only checked out the new record, which I like well enough. Do you have any of their older stuff?

I wanted to hit that A7X show in Columbus too. Black Tide was the opening act, and they are going to take 2008 by storm.

Rob Rockitt
<a href=http://www.hardrockhideout.com>Hard Rock Hideout</a>

[Mrlee]

This band sucks, i hate them.

ive listened to both city of evil and the new album.

They are a lame band, there chorus;s are always tame and emo sounding, the drumming is way too over the top, and most the songs are average anyway.

the only thing thats good about them is they have good guitarists, that is it. that band sucks ass.

[Christian Graus]

A7X rules - I played City of Evil for ages. I love Seize the Day, it's one of the best tracks on the disc, and an indication of the way they try different things. I love the song with the big Middle Eastern sounding acoustic solo at the end as well, and obviously the fast stuff is also killer. IMO they mix some real old school songwriting values with some more modern influences to create a sound that's unique to them, and that's the reason they stand out from the pack. I can't wait for the new CD to arrive ( stupid Amazon have just delayed the order again )

[dirty angel]

i love seize the day but i got more of a november rain vibe from the solo. I couldnt believe them when i heard there new stuff there is deffinetly a glam side to them i love there music now.

[Vince Neilstein]

Love this band. I get tons of shit for it, too -- most people can't get past the image, even though they INSIST they aren't judging based on the image of the band. They're one of the rare bands that combine musicianship AND songwriting, and the songwriting is both catchy and clever. One of the best metal bands of the 2000s, for sure.

[Jason]

I'm not crazy about A7X, but I don't hate them. I thought "Bat Country" was a crazy awesome song, but past that I'm not familiar with much of their material. I just heard the new song on WEBN about an hour ago, and wasn't overly impressed.

[dastout]

I wasn't too impressed with the first album. I thought the song, "seize the day" was a little to Guns n Roses epic song style (i.e. Civil War, November Rain, etc) which, honestly, I wasn't a huge fan of. The new album though, the couple of songs I've heard anyway, I really like. "Critical Acclaim is a great rockin' song. The one thing I don't like about the band is that they stole their logo from Overkill. Overkill have the exact same logo with the skull with wings and they've had it for at least 25 years. Get Your Own Fuckin' Logo!!

[Metal Mark]

I heard the previous album and it was okay. It was like a mish-mash of styles with average results.

[Kenny Ozz]

A7X is an interesting Dichotomy. They look good, they have cool stage names, they have cool symbols and logos, their fans are rabid. They have it all right?? WRONG!!! The songwriting isnt there and they are very overrated. They have alot of potential but have yet to show that they are worthy of their stardom.

[Christian Graus]

dastout, City of Evil was their third album.

[davey boy a7x]

in reply to mrlee, if u had bothered ur ass to listen to the older stuff u never would have sed they where emo lol!!! try listenin to soundin the seventh trumpet and wakin the fallen b4 u slag off the best band to grace the palnet at this moment in time bar iron maiden, wh othey happen to be touring with this year, yh thats emo isnt it, tourin with maiden, listen to a band b4 critasizing u dumb fucks!!!

[asevynex]

A&X is the effing shit... how could you say they suck? The drumming is not over the top the Rev is just bad ass...