Review Summary: A good friend once told me you are memory
Hailing from Huntington Beach, California. Avenged Sevenfold in 2003 would become one of the biggest bands of the decade. Waking The Fallen I believe is Avenged Sevenfold's strongest effort. Metal-core was at it's peaking point. Albums such as Jane Doe, Alive or Just Breathing, Bless The Martyr and Kiss The Child and Frail Words Collapse were perfect examples of how a metal sub-genre called Metal-core was going to be huge. Avenged Sevenfold are well known for having a mix following, it's either a love or hate relationship. Waking The Fallen mixes many different styles and elements to their sound. This was a step up from their debut, which only sold 300 copies in it's first week. They wanted to improve from that poor production and gain a huge following in a very competitive scene. Avenged Sevenfold always wanted to mix clean with harsh vocals and they were one of the first bands to really master that craft. M. Shadows, I believe is fantastic on this album. His vocals are a fantastic balance of high screams, low screams and cleans. What really gravitates me towards this album, is the energy.
In my personal opinion, i don't consider Metalcore/Hardcore as bad genres, I feel like a lot of bands aren't trying new things, it can be recycled with the same thing happening over and over again. Avenged Sevenfold's lineup was complete for this album. M. Shadows on Lead Vocals, Jimmy Sullivan aka The Rev on the Drums, Zacky Vengeance on Rhythm Guitar, Johnny Christ on Bass and Synyster Gates Gates on Lead Guitar. Each member showed they were capable of taking risks and using new ideas, to make it fresh and dynamic. I really admire when bands aren't afraid to be themselves, I'm not a die hard fan by any means, but I do respect the music that they put out. It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to make it as a rock band. Waking The Fallen's polished sound with diverse guitar work, compelling drum work, crisp bass work and lively vocals, make this my favorite Avenged Sevenfold album. This album can make you feel at times emotionless and driven from everyday life. The primary songwriters on this album are M. Shadow, Synyster Gates and Jimmy Sullivan, they would write about social issues and their thoughts against society. Avenged Sevenfold has made a name of themselves. Without Waking The Fallen. They wouldn't be as successful. They unfortunately will disband from this sound during the recording of City of Evil. Avenged Sevenfold showed us that anyone can enjoy this record, with lots of hard work, impressive instrumentation and logical views that this album has. Is one of the reasons why Waking The Fallen has a special place in my heart.
Recommend Tracks
Chapter Four
Second Heartbeat
I Won't See You Tonight (Pt.1)
Unholy Confessions
Remenissions
