Avenged Sevenfold are a band that I really had not heard of before I purchased what is one of the best albums in my collection. Cut short, Avenged Sevenfold are a five-piece metal band that combine the white-knuckle intensity of hardcore punk and combine it with the technical ferocity of metal. They could be classed as metalcore but they probably are not as heavy as many of the bands in the genre. Nevertheless, 'Waking The Fallen' is a superb album and one which has definitely left a lasting impression on me. So, here is a track by track review.
Track 1: Waking The Fallen
This is a short opening track which comprises of a simple chugging guitar riff and some distant vocals. It is quite hard to hear what the singer is actually going on about but all the same a decent, atmospheric opener.
Short but sweet. 3/5
Track 2: Unholy Confessions
Track two really kicks things off with a typical metalcore style guitar riff before launching into the first verse. There are some good vocals on display here and some pretty nice guitar work. This is definitely a good song to judge the band on. 4/5
Track 3: Chapter Four
Undoubtedly one of the best tracks on offer here. Chapter Four opens with some fantastic drumming and some simple powerchords before transforming into some tasteful lead guitar breaks and almost spoken vocals. The solo on this song isn't particularly frenetic but it fits the song perfectly as does the singing from M. Shadows. 5/5
Track 4: Remenissions
The track opens with some snarling vocal sounds and pacy guitars before slowing down for the first verse. There are some well-written lyrics that are sung pretty well throughout the song. The chorus introduces some really cool flamenco-like guitar wizardry which is a welcome addition and helps keep the song original and interesting. There is a relatively heavy breakdown section and a ice interlude before the final section of the song. 4/5
Track 5: Desecrate Through Reverence
Another one of my personal favourites. You will either love or hate the high-pitched vocals but in my opinion they are what make the song.The guitars, drums and bass keep it simple throughout the song in order to leave plenty of room for the superior vocal work. The outro is particularly epic, with a departure from the high-pitched yelping to some more normal singing. 5/5
Track 6: Eternal Rest
After you have been blown away from the breakneck speed and brutality of the intro and experienced the truly blistering solo on offer, the song slows down for a routine verse, chorus, verse format. The lyrics are quite dark in places but fit the song well. Apart from the amazing intro, this song is nothing to write home about. 4/5
Track 7: Second Heartbeat
Yet another of my personal favourites. The song opens with a one note guitar riff and some pretty standard stuff in terms of other riffs, vocals, drums etc. The song is saved by an albeit lengthy but nevertheless impressive solo which takes us into the eighth track of the album. The lead breaks on this track are fairly tasteful. 5/5
Track 8: Radiant Eclipse
Unfortunately, this is probably the albums downpoint as it just does not possess the quality of the other tracks. After a fairly creepy guitar intro, the track continues into some simple enough verses which don't particularly excite. The vocals are pretty standard and the chorus really puts you off the song. One for the skip button to deal with in my opinion. Definitely a slight letdown. 3/5
Track 9: I Won't See You Tonight part 1
Another superb track. It starts off with a melancholy piano intro, before launching into a memorable little guitar lead. The verses are very soft and it is a welcome change from the usual high-pitched yellings the singer often favours. The lyrics are not anything to write home about but they are alright. The guitars don't really do anything before a lengthy interlude which is very refreshing for the listener. The singer cuts back in with a more powerful rendition of previous lyrics and the song dies down for a piano break before an epic outro and shift into the next track.
One of the highlights of the album. 5/5
Track 10: I Won't See You Tonight part 2
I was expecting this track to be pretty much more of the same featured on the previous song but I was pleasantly surprised to hear it was a much heavier affair. The song opens with some controlled feedback and screaming in the background. The song is driven by yelled vocals and chugging guitar riffs. I really do love the vocals on this song. It changes dramatically are around fifty seconds or so which is nice. There is a small but highly technical solo which is pure aural entertainment before the song changes to what is pretty much an excerpt from the previous song. Again, the track changes for the final verse/chorus and ends with some screeching, artificial sound effects. 5/5
Track 11: Clairvoyant Disease
This is quite a soft song until the chorus cuts in and the guitars start wailing in the background like a crying baby. The structure is pretty much the same throughout, with softly sung verses juxtaposed with heavier choruses. The solo/interlude is fairly simple and repetitive before the solo which is much more of a 'feel' solo than a technical one. Which is a change from sweep-picked arpeggios and blistering legato. The outro is quite soft and soothing. 4/5
Track 12: And All Things Will End
The final track begins with a soft, guitar intro before launching into some commonplace riffs and saimple, driving verses. The chorus features some nice lead guitar work before the track dumbs down for a short while. There is another short interlude before returning to heaviosity. The track changes with another blistering solo full of technicality before ending with the fast solo over a very slow and sludgy section. 4/5
I hope you found this review enlightening and if you like this band and don't own the album, for God sakes go out and buy it!
