Avenged Sevenfold first came to us a few years back with the CD Sounding the Seventh Trumpet. While it was good, the production of it needed some work. I mean, how great can the production be if you only get five days to record it? Then came Waking the Fallen, my favorite of the CD's. It was a major difference between the last album. However, earlier this year, they came out with a new album, one that completely changed their genre. City of Evil. 11 songs and not one of them that I do not enjoy...though there are some more than others.
1.The Beast and the Harlot:Great way to kick off the album. Amazing guitar work and vocals. The song has a pretty decent amount of time to it, with verses straight from Revelation. I give this song a 5/5.
2.Burn It Down:Another great song. It starts off with guitar riffs possibly even better than The Beast and the Harlot. This song has more of a punk beat to it, though if does not sway from the heavier side until the very end of the song. More amazing vocals, I give it a 5/5.
3.Blinded In Chains:An attack on the government. This song starts us off with an amazing beat, and represents us being blind to all the things going on in this world. Heavier vocals from shadows on this one, with Synyster Gates providing much of the background stuff. Possibly one of my favorites, I give it a 5/5.
4.Bat Country:Probably the most famous off of this CD, or any of their CD's for that matter, Bat Country gives us a different sounding type of song than the previous three. This song, based on the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and the band's own personal times in Las Vegas, does a good job in switching from a heavy sounding lead to a slower bridge. Great guitar work in this song. 5/5
5.Trahsed and Scattered:Another one of my favorites, this song goes back to the style of the first three songs. Written about their drinking times, this song is pretty fast paced, and another somewhat heavier side of Shadows' vocals on this CD. I give this one a 5/5.
6.Seize the Day:This song takes us in a new direction of City of Evil. It is very slow paced, and Shadows' voice is very soft in this one. It lasts for a pretty good amount of time. Even in the slow pace of this song, it still finds room for a solo. A 5/5.
7.Sidewinder:Takind us back to the heavier direction, this song is actually I believe written about the Devil. It is very fast paced, and kicks us off with a great intro. Shadows' voice is heavier in this song than the past few songs, and he does great with it. After the heaviness of this song dies, we are left with a great acousic part. 5/5
8.The Wicked End:One of my favorites, coming second only to MIA, this song about the end of times is simply amazing. Great guitar work in it, and incredible vocals by Shadows towards the end of the song. It takes us through two verses and choruses, and then enters us into a masterfully done orchestra and choir. A fantastic song, I give it a 5/5.
9.Strength of the World:This is where the CD went down for me. I like this song, but definately not one of my favorites. I do enjoy the guitar at the beginning of it, but for me the song just kinda goes downhill. I give it a 4/5
10.Betrayed:The CD starts to pick up again here, though not completely. This song, dedicated to Dimebag Darrel, has amazing vocals by Shadows, and some pretty decent guitar riffs. However, it didn't seem to stick with me, so I give it a 4.5/5.
11.MIA:Ah. My favorite song on the CD. This song is about the war, and how Shadows clearly disagrees with it. You don't have to be a Bush fan to enjoy this song. It starts us off with a slow beat and calm vocals, and then the heaviness comes on. Perfectly written lyrics, and a great way to end the album, I give this song a 5/5.
So, to any who haven't picked up this album yet, and are a fan of great rock, I would highly suggest this album.
