In a time when the metal world is sounding too familiar, too rehashed, and too much like a watered down version of itself, history has shown that Metal music enters a state of natural metamorphosis. During the 1960’s, most of music spoke of peace and love until a band like none other came from the industrial town of Birmingham England by the name of Black Sabbath and created the genre single-handedly. They showed the word that not everybody was living on cloud nine. Metal grew very organically and from it came the legendary Led Zeppelin, which would prove to be the yin to the Black Sabbath yang, the two bands paving the road to create the art form we know today. It grew in England until the 1970’s when Punk eventually delivered a knockout punch to metal, sending metal to its deathbed. That overly simple, anti-attitude towards music became the norm, requiring people not to think and just react to the music, something that caused mixed feelings with the civil unrest in England at the time. As Rob Halford, lead singer of Judas Priest said in an interview on VH1’s Heavy: The Story of Metal, “Suddenly musicians changed their thinking overnight; radio stations changed their thinking overnight, and metal suddenly became a dirty word.”
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Metal was officially greeted by its first of many obstacles. Bands such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden returned metal to its roots, offering more of a tougher style laced with raw sex appeal and more difficult music. Their brand of music was a Godsend to metal, bringing it out of obscurity and back into the limelight as a respected form of musical art. It was heavier and instantly defined itself as something to be reckoned with. It respected people more than Punk music at the time, allowing them to travel to worlds only bands like Maiden could create and letting them spread their own wings, instead of writing songs about vomiting and hating the Queen.
The 1980s forced metal to reinvent itself again but this time, the enemy was itself. In the midst of the PMRC hearings in which the United Stated Government dubbed metal music unclean by “Reganomic” standards, metal music became a product. Metal became a muddle of young boys with appalling hairstyles writing sappy ballads. Many bands lost their integrity but cried all the way to the bank. Interns, record executives, and producers believed they had a handle on metal and knew what they were doing, ushering bands that once had a hard edge right to the unemployment line. Another uprising started in the form of thrash up-comer revolutionists Slayer, Anthrax, Metallica, and Megadeth. These bands shattered the watered down metal music throughout the 1990’s.
Since the 1980’s thrash movement, which some call the renaissance of metal; the genre has once again been choked by itself by a culture that thrives on the comfortable and familiar. Growling cookie monster vocals have replaced true talent and harmony, once beautiful and driving guitar solos are now replaced with de-tuned bar chords, and Pro Tools ensured mediocre metal singers that they could hit every note without working too hard. New metal as it’s called, was once an interesting and sometimes refreshing take on metal music but now is reminiscent of the 1980’s and 1990’s when a culture has become too comfortable with the norm and bands who once “wow’ed” us with their sheer talent are now nonexistent. Bands are now writing songs that are radio friendly, not too flashy, and stick to the cookie cutter, de-tuned formula that was old 5 years ago. In these mundane times for Metal, with too much emphasis on the popular and commercially feasible, the metal world has found its new savior in the form of Avenged Sevenfold.
Formed by a group of guys still in High School during the school year of 1999, M. Shadows (vocals), Zacky Vengeance (guitar), Synyster Gates (guitar), the Reverend (drums), and Johnny Christ (bass) created metal in its own realm. Like Iron Maiden years before (which the band says is its biggest influence), Avenged Sevenfold turned their Huntington beach, California born metal into the messiah that this music has been waiting for. Starting with unimpressive debut albums “Sounding the Seventh Trumpet” and the more influential “Waking the Fallen,” A7X toiled in the underground. Known by only hardcore fans, they broke out to the mainstream with “City of Evil”, the epitome of cookie cutter metal complete with the screams, detuned guitars, and drums that sounded like pie pans. To most, the band had talent, but to us hardcore realists in metal, the band was nothing more than the norm. It wasn’t until Avenged Sevenfold canceled their tour dates for fall of 2006 and headed to Houston, TX, where they set to work on a fourth studio album that they re-invented metal. In October of 2007, metal got its prayers answered with the self-titled and self-produced gem entitled simply, “Avenged Sevenfold.” Boasting a sound deeply inspired by metal of the past, A7X did the noble thing and didn’t re-create the radio success that “City of Evil” had, but chose to grow and in a sense, grow up. Vocalist M. Shadows, who required surgery on his vocal cords after Waking the Fallen shows that his training with Ron Anderson (vocal coach for Axl Rose and Chris Cornell) has been for nothing but music’s greater good. Gone are the monotonous screams and songs of metal’s regurgitated simplicity, and now Avenged Sevenfold stands on top of the mountain with truly one of the best heavy metal albums ever recorded. This album not just plays; it contains intelligence, raw guttural power, and is a welcomed addition to a genre that truly needed a kick in the pants. Avenged Sevenfold is wearing the boots, leaving a death bat logo right on the rear end of the music industry, hopefully leaving it there for many years to come as this amazing band shows metal how it should be done.
You want to know what started this entire genre and what made it so great? Look for the great innovators of the past. Your search will always come up short without the likes of Avenged Sevenfold. A7X, welcome to the family.
http://www.avengedsevenfold.com
http://www.myspace.com/avengedsevenfold
Comments
Yeah, they are great, and we love them XD
see, if only more "metal-heads" thought like you, then life would be great. People always rant about bands changing their sound, but honestly, it is sooo much better than sticking to the mold. Thank you, sir!
A7X can cram their eye liner and piercings back up the hole from which they pour out their out their "music". I was once a metalhead myself, but have since reformed, I beg you all to do the same. Why scream about death and pain, and swing your arms around to grinding chords. When you can dance and love eachother, the world of electronic dance music welcomes all. Why am i bothering to write this.. who knows, maybe its just the hope that if i can convert one angry metalhead into a loving, dancing, party hardy raver then i'll feel i've done my small bit of good in the world. So toss out your favourite Parkway album, discard the new Slipknot record, and download some Deadmau5 or Daft Punk. Better yet, drop a pill, go to a rave, let go of your pre-conceptions and inhibitions, and after that, if you ever want to look at a metal album again, then i fear their may be something wrong with you. I mean no offense to be taken from this passage, I speak only to extend the love. Long live electro!
While there'll never be another Iron Maiden, Avenged Sevenfold will do just fine. While I've grown out of my metal-or-die phase, and I've reached the age where my presence at a metal concert instantly renders a band uncool, I still sneak a listen on my BlackBerry earbuds. And, yes -- A7X makes for a great listen.
Nice article, Billie! Keep it up!
So well written. Loved the article. Love the band. I agree with you 110%.
Well said!! I agree! i hate it when fans complain about their favourite band evolving. Its like Zacky V said, where were these fans when A7x couldnt sell 100 copies of Sounding the Seventh Trumpet when now they are complaing that A7x's new stuff is rubbish and should go back to the way they were.
I admire A7x for having the guts to evolve and imporve their music.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD FOR LIFE!!
Oh and "disco biscuit raver" have you listened to Avenged's music? They do not "scream about death and pain"
Also im not going to "drop a pill" ill just go and turn up A7x :)
Ta very much
P.S Once again Immense review...keep up the good work! :)
Being a diehard Avenged Sevenfold fan, I have to say you hit the nail on the head. Growing with the metal of the 80s, A7X is a breath of fresh air and you can always expect something exciting from them. From the CDs to the live shows it is an experience of a life time. Thanks for such a great review of an awesome band, who does not always get the credi they deserve!
Well Said! Yeah I much prefer it when bands change their style, it's less boring and more exciting. When a new album comes out and it has a different sound and you've been listening to it for a couple months and you go back to the previous albums the albums sound new again because they aren't the same and they are different. i totally agree i think A7X are doing great and more power to 'em we haven't seen the best yet, it is still to come. It can only get better!! A7X for Life!! Great review, Well Done.
Thanks a lot for giving Avenged Sevenfold the credit they deserve.
Thanks alot man... finally someone gives the credit when credit is deserved. A7X is a band(possibly the only one)that can create a song and everyone love it. Not only does everyone love it but it also has a powerful message behind.
A7X 4 life!!!!
Check out Quick Victim, they sing vocals and not growling thru the music. To me shows that bands lead singer can't sing!
thanks everybody, I really appreciate the kind words, REALLY more than you know. I just want to be real about this beautiful art form and inform everybody about it. Credit should be given in spades where credit is due! To the techno guy, I appreciate your response and understand it but remember there are better bands out there than Slipknot and not all metal is angry. There is a big place for techno too and I love most of that stuff as well, but if you look for anger, you'll find it in any music, then you realize it's not the music that's angry...its yourself..Long live metal, techno, rock, classical, and every kind of musical expression...there's beauty in all of it. Thank you all so much for visiting the page...I had A LOT of fun writing this one :)
I have to disagree, while I love this band, the self titled album is by far the most boring simple cd of the four. listen to lost, almost easy, or dear god they are just the same drum and guitar. city of evil instead had long epic changing songs that didnt follow the rules in a way. with the exception of a little piece of heaven the album is very predictable. and it really doesnt even belong in the metal category.
How much did biscuit raver take? Dude I have plenty of love without yours, trust me. Go back to your little Rave and stay there. By the way, A7X does rule.
I used to think Avenged Sevenfold was cocky (The rev and his double ride in the Almost Easy video). But the song was too catchy to ignore. before I knew it, I was buying them all, and now, they are my favourite.
A lot of people regard their latest (self-titled) album to be not as great as City of Evil. But even Avenged themselves stated they never want to make the same album twice and that the self titled album was very groove-orientated.
I see it as the album kicks me in the ass with every song.
I believe they ARE the saviours of metal and could quite possibly take the throne of giants such as Maiden.
Long live A7X.
That was very well put!!! A7X is the new face of metal!!! They will be up there with the metal greats!!! When there next album comes out you will here something new that u have never heard before. Like with "City of Evil" you heard great guitar riffs and killer drums. In "Walking the Fallen" you heard there screaming. Off there self titled ablum ur heard the diffrent music come together.
Dear God = country
Scream = hip hop
you can find all there songs like that and how they add all the extras like adding orchestras, and just how they all contrbute in the singing! They really worked there @$$E$ off!! I can't see what they are going to do next. In the end there not going to be remembered for there metal there going to have there own style of music so diffrent and The Rock and Roll hall of Fame better be holding a spot for them because they will get there and be among the greats!!1
wow....!
Why is it now people realize this?!
well whatever..
But yes i agree but the world ALWAYS needed avenged sevenfold bcuz there just straight out AWESOME...
Bestest band EVER..:D
ohh sorry and A7X 4 LIFE until afterlife...
:D
ahhh!!
i effinn lovee;;
Avenged Sevenfold<3333
bestt bandd EVERR:DD
noo doubt aboutt it!!:DD
-kimm<33
OMG!! DUDE YOU ARE THE MAN!! I LOVE THE ARTICLE!! TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU 110%..ALL CREDIT GOES TO YOU AND RESPECT TO YOU FOR DOING THIS AND SHOWING AND GIVING THE GUYS OF A7X THE APPRECIATION, THE CREDIT AND GETTING THEM MORE OUT IN THE MUSIC WORLD LIKE THEY SHOULD BE TODAY!! I DON'T GET TO HEAR THEM MUCH ON THE RADIO BUT THAT'S WHAT MY CDS ARE FOR! I TOTALLY LOVE THE BAND! THEY ROCK AND SEEING THEM IN CONCERT WAS THE BEST NIGHT OF MU LIFE! THEIR SONGS ARE SO UNIQUE AND NO ONE, NO ONE COULD EVER TOP THEM! IT MAY TAKE THEM A WHILE TO GET OUT IN THE SPOT LIGHT MORE BUT TO ME THEY WILL ALWAYS BE IN MINE! THE GUYS ARE DOIN A FANTASTIC JOB WITH THEIR ALBUMS AND I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR MORE FROM THEM..THEY WILL FOREVER AND ALWAYS BE MY NUMBER ONE FAVORITE BAND!! M. SHADOWS I LOVE HIM SOOO MUCH AS FOR THE REST I LOVE THEM TOO! KEEP UP THE HARD WORK A7X AND LIKE NOW IT WILL PAY OFF MORE IN THE LONG RUN!! A7X FOR LIFE BABY! AGAIN GREAT ARTICLE MAN!! LOVED IT! ^~^
Wow ur awesome i totally and whole heartedly agree
"Metal-Heads" need to understand that screaming really is really a very lazy was of singing
I think raver over here might be on 2 many drugs hey dude not all metal is angry hell ull put f@#$in metallica's kill em' all in and after listening to that put in a jack johnson cd soooo just because we listen to metal dsnt mean were angry actually im quite the opposite
im gay too
Black Sabbath are from Aston.
Woah... when it said "welcome to the family" at the end of this article, i got chills down my spine.. was this meant to use that new song title???
Ryan, if u recheck this page and see this comment, i wanted to let you know that this is purely concicedential (dunno how to write that word) because the article was written before their new album came out
raver...you should think before you type. we are not angry people, i am a very happy person and a HUGE fan of A7X and plenty of other metal. I also listen to a lot of electronic music (especially Daft Punk!) Do not generalize because you dont respect A7Xs ingenuity. They are a revolutionary band that is much needed.
RIP Jimmy
A7X for life!
I started listening to CoE on friends' iPods and all, then went and got Avenged Sevenfold.
After that I went back and bought EVERY single album, and of course, I have the LE version of Nightmare.
Yes, there are other great bands out there. But to disrespect Avenged for not being metal is a travesty. It's a NIGHTMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARE!
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