Tag: Alternative
0 Avenged Sevenfold – Nightmare (2010)
AVENGED SEVENFOLD “Nightmare” – The Crown Jewel Of A7X
It has been a little over two months since the July 27th, 2010 release of “Nightmare” from Avenged Sevenfold. This has been more than enough time for me to listen to their fifth studio album and come to this realization… “Nightmare” is profoundly bigger and more badass than any critics out there ever expected. To listen to this new A7X album and walk away unimpressed tells me only one thing… your oozing with quality Metal envy. The #1 album chart status and sales figures alone for “Nightmare” are telling of the popularity and quality that A7X carries with their brand of Heavy Rock.
The lead single of “Nightmare” alone is as fine an example of the musical maturation that A7X has reached, in factually just a decade. With shades of Metallica influence combined within their own Metal prowess, A7X can very well know they have made the song of their lives. Just when you think “Nightmare” is going to subside, it doesn’t. This song is uncannily relentless with its psyche-you-out continuity. I can’t help but think to myself… this “Nightmare” song will make Metallica wish it was theirs. I state this as a compliment to both bands, I’m opposed to stirring up controversy. Sometimes.
Anyone still unfamiliar with this “Nightmare” album should consider themselves either a rain forest hermit or walking in their sleep while still having functioning body parts. To pick apart this album would be rather easy… if you never listened to it. That sadly, has been the morbid case in situations that are few and far between. “Nightmare” is so much more than the lead single. As is always the case with A7X, this is a total album of songs. As diverse as it is dynamic, “Nightmare” flourishes with its originality from song to song, with not a micro hint of cut and paste with this extraordinary group of musicians.
If “Danger Line” doesn’t bring your eyes to some semblance of tears, then obviously the lyrics go right over your head. “Danger Line” incorporates whistling and a piano for extra emotional affect, evaporating the immature mentality out there that A7X is NOT a screaming Metalcore band for teenage boys only. Take that, all of you liberal and over compensated mainstream Rock Music critics. “Buried Alive” relies on its melodic heaviness to carry out it’s more than memorable song structure. This is a song that plays out in two parts, one part heavy ballad and second part melt your eardrums into Heavy Metal delirium.
“So Far Away” further removes the unsubstantiated stereotype and misgivings that A7X at times have to duck away from. This song is remarkable in both its musicianship and lyrics. “So Far Away” is the bridge between A7X the Metal Band and A7X the diverse and skillful musicians that they glowingly are. “Tonight The World Dies” tantalizes with a Classic Rock sensibility that marries into the emotionally driven darkness that is this “Nightmare” album. M. Shadows vocally switches from crooning to power bellows with flawless and inherent confidence.
“God Hates Us” is undisputedly the heaviest track on “Nightmare”, exposing the full throttle and extreme side that A7X can credibly unleash through song. If “Nightmare” was built around the sound and fury of “God Hates Us”, A7X would be just another Metal Band that made a “decent” album. This song is grand and mighty in every musical aspect, only A7X doesn’t need to rely on this high level of heaviness to be as great as they are. It is songs like “Victim” that enriches this “Nightmare” album into its “necessity to own” status. A heavy ballad is “Victim” and it does not resemble anything you have ever heard in a “heavy ballad” before. This is as modernistic and emblematic of what a heavy ballad should sound like… and A7X created it.
M. Shadows sings his heart out on this entire album, with the purest and most legitimate emotion spilling over each and every syllable. Yes, hearing Dream Theater founder and former drummer Mike Portnoy on drums is evident and incredible all the same. Mike Portnoy only escalates the totality of power and drive with his rhythmic essence and elegance within these songs heard on “Nightmare”. Synyster Gates on lead guitar and Zacky Vengeance on rhythm guitar compliment one another to the point where they are a guitar brotherhood. Listening to both play together on “Nightmare” is seamless in their unison. Johnny Christ on bass is heard very clearly, playing alongside Mike Portnoy with rhythmic precision, to my ears anyways.
“Save Me” is the epic song on “Nightmare”, coming in a few seconds short of eleven minutes. If Synyster Gates intentionally wanted his guitar to sound as if it were singing, he succeeded here. This song is not going to be a dreaded epic listen, for those of you who have not heard it just yet. A7X took great care into considering song structure for “Save Me”, it plays out as a short story with ample guitar parts that focus on melody and harmony, rather than raw power leads. With a ballad formula that compensates by its overall hardness, “Save Me” never loses my attention for a second. The speed kicks in at the midway point, with multiple guitar solo’s that brandish speed, while never compromising this song’s melodic intent.
Jimmy “The Reverend” Sullivan sings on “Fiction” and is credited with the drum arrangements as well. Hearing “The Rev” sing these lyrics on “Fiction” is chilling and leaves an emotional impression on me. Not to sound cliche, yet, “The Rev” was a one of a kind drummer. A7X will never be the same band without “The Rev”, his untimely and tragic passing only reminds me to never take for granted great musicians who have brought joy to my Metal loving life… and to not take life for granted either.
“Lost It All” is the non-album track that is available on itunes as a deluxe version bonus track. This song’s dark theme and heaviness fits right into the “Nightmare” scheme of things, showcasing just how brilliant sounding A7X is, when they combine present day “hardness” with their already patented “heaviness”.
I liken “Nightmare” to be Avenged Sevenfold’s “Back In Black” album, possibly their “Black Album” of their career. It surely comes across this way to my ears and senses. A7X took a dark approach lyrically and delicately weaved some heavy emotion into an album of songs that is fittingly titled “Nightmare”. Not one song sounds forced or contrived “at the last minute” of recording. This is an album to embrace for not just its skillful musicians, this album must be embraced for its end product being the totality of “real” songs. There is nothing pre-packaged here, this is “Nightmare” and A7X can stand tall and proud in “my” Metal world.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Nightmare
- Welcome To The Family
- Danger Line
- Buried Alive
- Natural Born Killer
- So Far Away
- God Hates Us
- Victim
- Tonight The World Dies
- Fiction
- Save Me
Avenged Sevenfold is:
M. Shadows – vocals
Synyster Gates – lead guitar, backing vocals
Zacky Vengeance – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Johnny Christ – bass
The Rev – Drum arrangements, Lead Vocals on Fiction, Drums on Nightmare’s demo
Additonal Musicians:
Mike Portnoy – drums, percussions
Brian Haner, Sr. – guitars on “So Far Away”
Sharlotte Gibson – backing vocals
Jessi Collins – backing vocals
David Palmer – piano, keyboards
Stevie Blacke – Strings, string arrangement
Stewart Cole – trumpet
Mike Elizondo – keyboards
The Whistler – Whistling
0 Negative Space – Storylines (Release Year – 2008)
Negative Space is an unsigned alternative rock act out of Lancaster, PA. Their new CD, “Storylines” is a little lighter than some of the discs I have been listening to as of late, but it does seem to have a mix of styles which makes this an interesting listening experience.
Some songs such as “Diaries“, “Fairweather”, “Right Time” and “Falling” have just enough of hard guitar licks to keep me interested.
“Fairweather” is a tune that I could easily hear on modern rock radio. It is a song that could have some hit potential for Negative Space, if it gets enough airplay.
For whatever reason, “Falling” reminds me a lot of Nickelback. I could easily hear Chad Kroeger singing this song. It is very much in that vein.
The music on this “Storylines” sounds like a blend of many of today’s rock acts including Breaking Benjamin, Jimmy Eat World and maybe even a dash of Anberlin.
Josh Nice is good vocalist. His style and sound falls more into the Pop/Rock genre, but his vocals are well suited for the music on this disc.
Although I prefer my music to be more on the harder side, I believe “Storylines” is pretty good. It shows the raw potential of Negative Space. With a little help, these guys could be destined for big things!
You can pick up your own copy of “Storylines” at CD Baby.com. Check them out at myspace at this link.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Diaries
2. Fairweather
3. Honestly
4. Ashes
5. Right Time
6. In Sickness and in Wealth
7. Falling
8. Lights Out
9. Need
10. White Houses
11. Almost
12. We Are
13. Abigail
Negative Space is:
Josh Nice – Vocals
Rick Lienhard – Guitar
Britain Roda – Guitar
Mark Reinmiller – Bass
Jimmy Everly – Drums
0 New Video – Finger Eleven – Talking To The Walls
Finger Eleven has released a new video, in support of their album, “Then Vs. You Vs. Me” In this video, they let fifty of their fans film the band. What you see is the end result. Check out the video below.
0 Dive – The Truth Sampler (2007)
New Jersey alt rockers Dive sent me a five song sampler of their album, The Truth About Us.
If you are a fan of mainstream radio rock, Dive has a sound that will appeal to you immediately. Dive’s sound is fairly common amongst today’s rock acts. They employ a distorted bass line combined with a heavy
rhythm guitar. There are a few lead guitar licks, but they are few and far between. I like how the percussion was mixed on this disc. The crashing of the cymbals is crystal clear instead of hidden behind the bass rhythm.
The most powerful instrument in this band, is the voice of Jon Sitar. Sitar has the voice that could take Dive to the next level. I was more impressed with his vocals than I was the music, but the five songs on this sampler are pretty good. Dive is certainly band to keep an eye on in the future.
For more information on Dive, check out their myspace page.
You can buy their CD, The Truth About Us at CDBaby.com.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Breaking
2. The Truth About Us
3. All I Know
4. Change
5. Reasons
Dive is:
Evan Canova – Guitars
Jeff Moczydlowski – Guitars
Jon Sitar – Vocals
Brian Weaver – Bass
Andy Zampella – Drums
4 The Offspring Offer Free Single, New Album
The Offspring has announced a June 17 street date for its new Columbia effort “Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace” and the offering of a free download of first single “Hammerhead.”
“Hammerhead” became available today (May 5) on the band’s official Web site, offspring.com. Users need to provide an email address to receive a link to a high-quality MP3 of the track, which comes free of digital rights management.
“Rise and Fall,” a 12-track set originally due in March, was produced by Bob Rock, best known for his work with Motley Crue and Metallica. Lead singer Dexter Holland told Billboard in January that he also received guidance from Rick Rubin throughout the recording process, describing the legendary producer as an “invaluable resource.”
Holland, who said Rock didn’t alter the band’s Southern California punk sound too much, called its eighth studio effort the “best thing we’ve ever done — we spent over a year and a half on it, and it shows.”
Besides a CD and digital release, a gatefold vinyl edition of “Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace” will come bundled with a free digital download of the album.
Here is the track list to ”Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace”:
1. Half-Truism
2. Trust In You
3. You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid
4. Hammerhead
5. A Lot Like Me
6. Takes Me Nowhere
7. Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?
8. Nothingtown
9. Stuff Is Messed Up
10. Fix You
11. Let’s Hear It For Rock Bottom
12. Rise And Fall
Here are the Offspring’s initial summer tour dates:
May 16: San Diego (91X X-Fest)
May 17: Irvine, Calif. (KROQ Weenie Roast)
May 18: Santa Barbara, Calif. (KJEE Summer Round Up)
May 30: Madrid, Spain (Electric Festival)
June 6: Lisbon, Portugal (Rock in Rio Festival)
June 7: Nürburg, Germany (Rock am Ring Festival)
June 8: Nuremberg, Germany (Rock im Park Festival)
June 13: Interlaken, Switzerland (Greenfield Festival)
June 14: Donington Park, England (Download Festival)
July 4: Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic (Rock For People Festival)
July 5: Sopron, Hungary (Volt Festival)
July 6: Belfort, France (Eurockéennes Festival)
July 8: Athens, Greece (Rockwave Festival)
July 26: Denver (93.3 Big Gig)
Aug. 9: Baltimore (Virgin Mobile Festival)
