The Stage - Avenged Sevenfold

This is new studio album from Avenged Sevenfold. It happens to be album number 7 and is their first for Capitol after a stint of 4 albums with Warner. This is also their first with new drummer Brooks Wackerman, brother of Chad Wackerman who drummed with Zappa for almost the entirety of the 80's (81-88) but then also did some overdub work from him I believe in 1993. Whatever he was Zappa's last drummer. I'm kinda glad they dropped in in October instead of December, though... the name is kinda... it's really stupid. Once I saw the credits I'm glad they have a nice variety of instruments that's probably a stupid thing to note but I think it works.

1. The Stage: So the first time I heard this I was not really excited. I saw the title and the single cover and though it was kinda dumb. Once I heard the song I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either. I mean it isn't a bad song... but it felt like they were doing what they've already done before but not as effectively. Like where are the "chances" being taken and what not. I hear the melodic direction, and the aggression but I don't really feel the aggression or the punch. I really do like the ending though, with the nylon string guitar. Thought I feel like that could have been worked into the song better maybe. Like I don't know, it flows but not as well as it could have.... I don't know. The biggest fault though, imo, is the vocals. They don't really work with the delivery for this track. The opening reminded me of Not Ready to Die, played by Jason Freese, and the song portion kinda reminds me of Carry On or Flash of the Blade at first. The song isn't a travesty but I just don't jive with it the way I do with even Heretic. While Requiem is a song I still dig, and needed a dozen or so listens to appreciate.... I'm not getting anything here. The introduction should pump you up and take you there and it should only grow in its awesomeness. This just kinda doesn't go anywhere and the more I listen to this the less I feel a connection to it. Though I like the drums. The solo is pretty solid and I like how it slows down for a sort of feeling that I've heard on, Victim if memory serves. But again it's okay, but does nothing for me. And most insulting is I barely remember anything once it's over. Even right after I hear the album. I also wish the transition into the nylon string guitar was done a bit better maybe. 
2. Paradigm: This is pretty aggro, but again I'm finding error with the vocals. The feeling I get is there should be a swagger with the vocals in that intro, but I'm not quite feeling it. The drumming sounds great, and that growl sounds tasty but one of my initial impressions was "I feel like this needs more listens". The solo is pretty nice though, even though the first part doesn't do much. The second part has a punch and some power behind it, but it seems too buried in the mix for it to be fully aggro. I definitely think it should be turned up in the mix. 
3. Sunny Disposition: This introduction reminds me a bit of Waking the Fallen. I'm thinking Radiant Eclipse but heavier. The first time thought it seems a bit dizzying and I'm assuming this is intentional. The horns are a nice touch you wouldn't expect, though I feel strings could also add to the song at accenting the vocal line. There's also this Planets feeling to it a bit. Like it feels like a few different songs mixed together and blended to make this song that I don't know if it's a mess or if it's weird in a good way. I mean I get they wanted horns but not sure if they fit this track. It almost feels like ALPoH. It's kinda a jumble fuck. But worst of all it's too long. 
4. God Damn: What a bland song title. Whatever happened to Warmness on the Soul, Desecrate Through Reverence, Clairvoyant Disease, Lips of Deceit. While you may go, corny or lame, you can't deny those paint a picture in your head and make you think for a second. God Damn makes me go " okay, well I don't know if this'll be good but I don't care for the title". The song part is okay and the music isn't half bad. In fact the music during the chorus I've even warmed up to. I'm just not feeling these chorus lyrics, though as I've said I do like the harmonies and the sort of contrast to the verses music. It's lightens up, apposed to the aggression. And they just pulled on my nostalgic heart strings ah-lah, Desecrate Through Reverence/Heretic. Those fucking drums. I don't mind the solo, and I don't mind that Spanish Sidewinder section. But again this doesn't really do anything. 
5. Creating God: I can feel the weird feeling of this, and I like the four on the floor but I'm feeling like I've heard something like this somewhere else. This reminds me of a radio friendly type song, that while not really that weird people might go.... hey that's weird. I feel like, this'll be single. I'm calling it, this sounds like it was written for the radio. Especially the chorus, even though I think it's probably one of the weaker songs and isn't really challenging to me. I know I haven't read the lyrics to this song but the words I hear are having me scratch my head. Not in a I don't get it, but more of a I don't like this. The solo works, but I'm not feeling this one overall. The vocals are what kill it for me, the music is just okay, but the vocals kind of put it in this coffin. Though I guess that riff doesn't work to my savor. That's correct use of that right? Who cares.
6. Angels: This song, I don't know. I do like the eerie atmosphere to this one, it's kind of something I didn't expect and I'm glad they kinda keep in for the entire track. The solo is a nice solo, this could have used strings though. The second solo, played by the good old Papa Gates, is much more interesting I think than Syn's. I will say this track would benefit from that nylon string guitar at the ending more than the title track did. Though I'm not sure they would have worked with the next track as a segue. I want to point out the thing that kind of warms my heart a bit is that chorus, it sounds a bit like a mellotron is being used. I'm pretty sure they aren't using one, but it reminds me of one a bit. Like sampled strings, but a primitive one.
7. Simulation: So I do like the sound effects and the sort of electric piano sound that happens during the verses and the whole atmosphere that is created here. It sounds more like an organ, but whatever. It works for this type of album cover, well the intro at least. Now I feel like the two sections should flow better. Like the effects sound hold over into that drum roll for a few seconds before he starts talking. I think the whole drill sergeant thing doesn't really work that well, but they're going for chaotic. I'm not sure if this works though...... the idea is a cool idea and it kinda of reminds me of a variation of the Nightmare music video. Like maybe what they were saying but you couldn't hear because of the song. The nurse is actually Val, Matt's wife. I wanna point out the more I hear that part the more I cringe. I do think they achieved chaos in the song but I kind want more. I've recorded more chaotic stuff, though it's not complete yet, in my basement. They say that River James Sanders, who's Val and Matt's son, and Tennessee James Baker, who I assume is Zacky's son are backing vocalists on this track. I didn't hear their voices the first time though. I assume it might be mixed in though to the chaos. I guess the whole AI thing has to do with this track, whatever I'm not really digging into that bullshit. I'm more interested in the music and the profound nature of the lyrics. The most upsetting this is like nothing, I mean yeah the chaos sounds cool, but like I'm not feeling anything. I mean, to be honest, I'd much rather listen to Oxygen or For Adolphe Sax or I don't know something more chaotic. I will say though, after Val talks that solo is fucking tasty. Top notch and it is almost worth playing this song to get to it. Almost, but again, not completely. I mean I guess the evil prayer on Requiem is cheesy, but that song is not only bad ass but it works.
8. Higher: I don't think this works on spotify, you can't have interruptions in the middle of the songs. Like I feel like that completely ruined my impression of this song, given how it started. Fucking asshole commercials. I do like the song, but I didn't get the full impact until I picked up my CD copy. I did like the ideas going on and what was happening in the song, like the different flavors mixed in there. The piano and the multi tracked vocals work I think. I mean there is a bit where I'm like... eh, but for the most part I liked that introduction. Now the song starts and I'm not feeling that as much, I do like the sort of odd time to the riff. I can't pin the time signature, but it sounds like there is an extra 8th or 16th note. I like it. The chorus is nice, but first time thought it's too short. The vocals though, like they hurt my ears at parts. I like the sort of choir that is behind the prelude to the solo. I could be wrong, but did I correctly count 4 over 3. The choir that sound like its out of an 80's or 90's song. It kinda reminds me of Like A Prayer a bit. I don't really approve of the effect on his vocal, but I think it works. I like that piano that has a little part for just like two seconds. There are a lot of nice details in this song. It isn't prefect, but I like parts. And the piano towards the ending reminds me of Epic. It's a decent track {7/8}.
9. Roman Sky:  This opens promising, with a guitar that hark-ins to the ballad off the last album. So why are they fucking with his vocals. This feels like a shitty version of Crimson Day, or at least a version that doesn't click. I will say, the guitar is still pretty solid and I wonder what key or mode or scales he's using for this. But the strings are a bit irritating me, like the best part of the song is getting burried. And I guess as it progresses the instruments balance much better and the song unfolds into a solid track. But that first minute and a half or so is like a bit cluttered. The balance is all fucked. And I guess I could nit pick the balance with those strings are very fucking. Okay it's supposed to be gorgeous and heartfelt and pretty, and it feels generic. They are pretty, but it's not pulling on my heartstrings the same way Acid Rain does. It has it's moments, like during the solo, the arrangement works very well. In fact I hear some Malmsteen in the solo. But like I don't know, I don't think I can bold this track, there are to many moments it's off for me. And those two songs I compared this two, I actually went back and revisited them to hear why they work and it's because the lyrics are much better first, the vocals also are more effective. But you feel the emotion and the guitar doesn't come in and out it kind of plays it quite, until the solo. It's kinda like too much at once isn't good. Both of those ballads have phenomenal arrangements, this isn't really. Simple but effective, this is not simple and not effective.
10. Fermi Paradox: The drums introducing this song has a nice feeling to them and I like energy of this track. The intro also reminds me a bit of a not stripped version of something off Hail to the King. I still think the guitar should have more punch, but it works..... But I'll admit, the second the vocals started I made a fact that was like "did someone just shit down here". The vocals ruin this song, and the energy just dies. Like instantly, though I do like they guest guitar work from Yngwie. That's a joke by the way, but it sounds like something I could hear on one of his record. I like the vamp for the solo, and the solo itself works fine. Also I am aware of the Fermi Paradox, but I forgot what it was called. Like I have heard of it, I just didn't recall what it was called... if that makes any sense. The whole, we can logically assume this exists but if it does then why don't we have enough proof to suggest that it even could exist. Also I can't be the only one to cringe when I hear those "AMSR" vocal part. No, not good.
11. Exist: This albums sonic attempt at making a Save Me, or rather an epic closer kinda. I will say it's a pretty solid track that needed multiple listens, it's much more effective than Book of Souls.  longer cuts, and the composition is pretty nice. There are lots of sequences and classical touches and I think it's a well arranged track. There are parts in that intro where I feel it's up to the power of Save Me.The dual lead in the one descending riff is awesome. I also like the other descending riff, even though it also ascends. The horns reminds me a bit of Planets. Actually this could be a mix between Save Me and Planets. There is this sort of solo before the vocals section come in and it give me goosebumps. Loving that tone, and then I really love the electric "acoustic" guitar that leads introduces the vocals. I think the vocals are fine here, and this part in and of it's self is a great song. Kind reminds me a bit of Gunslinger. It's also a nice contrast and way more relaxed, and is a nice contrast of what happens later. Everybody sounds good here, though I am not crazy about the effect on Matt's voice. It doesn't ruin the vocals though, just a slight nit pick more than a real problem. I also love when the strings come in and I'm glad they had them come in... thought I'm not crazy about the drums at that part before the chorus. It kinda felt odd, or maybe off a bit. Like kinda oh lets put something rather than work I guess. I don't know. I really like the bass line in the track and everything works together to progress the song and the details are really nice. The transitions and developments into the solo are nice too, thought I don't think the solo is mixed loud enough, but that's just me. I do like the keyboard sequence here, the guitar also has a nice accent feeling. And I really like what's happening here. When I saw Neil deGrasse Tyson I kinda rolled my eyes. I was like wow, they would.... or anyone would really. I understand what he's saying works, but I don't think it sonically sounds that good. Like the way it is like it was over the phone in the background. Not really feeling that, but I think the words work I guess. The only thing is eventually there should be a part where Syn just fucking shreds. They probably kept it out to have the focus on the the words, but I don't know I kinda what that solo to add so there's something more to hear beyond listen 3 or 4. Also I mean I get what he's saying but I kind of disagree. Basically people are very shitty and self absorbed partially because we only see us. We need to realize how truly insignificant we actually are, and maybe then we'd "grow up". He uses bigger words to convey what he's saying, but I don't think people'd be less shitty if we did that. Maybe I'm misunderstanding that, maybe he's just saying he doesn't get caught up in the retardation that is us. But people have been around for how long? We still have many of the same problems like war, corruption/manipulation, intolerance, pride, ignorance, willingness to be ignorant among many others. So I doubt that'll ever change. If it somehow did, it would eventually crumble and we'd be fucked in the ass again, its only human. Well never be a Star Trek society unless you force us to be against our will. But this is a great tune and probably the best one here. The 15 minutes is justified. {8/10}

Overall I have to give this album a 7/10. My initial listen I was unsure if I liked, it was okay and I was satisfied. The one thing though is it didn't feel like Avenged. That's not a bad thing, but that's also not a really good thing. After a few listens, like enough to where I was like... "Okay, this is what I think" I realized something. I don't think I'm gonna be listening to this album by the time the next one comes out. Hell two months from this review I probably won't. There is something about it that just doesn't click for me. The other bands I've out grown almost completely, I like this more than them. But like, Brooks is a solid drummer, but I'm not sure he should have wrote with them. Though they kind of have to change their sound because they don't have The Rev anymore, and Arin's gone, so I don't know. I will applaud them for kind of throwing me off the trail of predicting what will happen next. So many bands make albums and I can listen to 10 seconds or 30 seconds and know what's gonna happen or have the basic idea. In fact, most of those bands you can listen to three songs and you've gotten more out of that than listening to the 11-15 tracks. I respect they aren't going back, or stripping down, they're pushing ahead. There's a lot of good ideas on this record, but like so close. I wonder if they were trying to do a more complex version of the last record. But they also made a less effective one, the tracks on that that are good still are good. I don't know, I think I'd rather revisit "We got it from Here.... Thank You 4 Your service." or for sure Blackstar and maybe untitled unmastered. I guess it's just depressing I bought two CDs this year, and one of them I only have to complete my collection. Ill probably do the next album by these guys but my stance on my fan hood has been shook. Maybe l'l do my favorite album of their next.

Hail to the King - Avenged Sevenfold

This little thing here COME ON!. I've been waiting since Not Ready to Die for you (especially since before that I really wasn't even thinking of their next album following Nightmare). I'm not dissing the album but I finally get to hear this. And it's in my hands. My precious. I wish the cover was a little cooler, but it's cool enough. I also heard about the no double track vocals. And heard the title track. If the whole album is like that, this is gonna be a long review. :( Here is song quick facts, first album with Arin as a member (though his first drum performance was on NRTD). This is also the first album without The Rev. By that, he didn't write anything off this. This is also Avenged Sevenfold's sixth album and is, in the US, released a day late (08-27-13) of being released on the 10th anniversary of the release of Waking The Fallen (08-26-03). If that's on purpose, I don't know, but I wanted to say that. [Note: I basically had to redo this entire review]

1. Shepard of Fire: This song, from the start, reminds me of something they would have put on City of Evil. More of that hard rock sound, vs the experimental elements of the Self Titled and the darkness of Nightmare. I can't quite put my finger on what the horns remind me of, I need to re-relisten to City and some other albums. The more I hear this song, the more the magic goes. It fades kind of. This song, after even gaining a new respect, I don't like it any more. I always kind of liked this song, but I didn't have as much of a revelation about this song as Requiem. This song is a pretty good intro. The chorus in the song is pretty cool. I like the horns in the beginning and think that this is a song that has a sludge to it. Not sludge metal, but kind of slightly slowed down version of some of their past songs. The bass heavy song reminds me a little of the intro to Save Me.
2. Hail to the King: The intro is pretty cool, when I only heard it as an instrumental. When I heard the vocals it sent this song to the shitter. The more you hear this the better it gets. But, on the other hand, it loses that little magic it had to appeal to it. The intro kind of gets boring, though the vocals aren't as bad. This is just an average song, with nothing special about it. I love this band, but I can't stick up for them with this song at all. Then after discussing this album, as a whole, I gained a new respect for this song. Though this isn't what I wanted, this is still a pretty decent track. Once you learn to overlook the whole weird vocals thing, it's a pretty fun song. Kind of like a Almost Easy or somethings along these lines that follows up the intro track on an A7X album. This is another groove track, just like the last. It isn't high speed, but its tempo is fast enough. I almost feel the tempo this songs at is too simple for Syn. I mean, yes that might be on purpose, but it just seems like it might be too simple. The "hey's" remind me of Critical Acclaim. The solo might be more exciting if it was a little faster, but it fits the way it is.
3. Doing Time: Though this title sucks the music in the beginning is pretty cool. But the "poem" in the beginning isn't really doing anything for me. His singing reminds me a lot of Axel Rose in a song like Bad Obsession or when he uses that type of thing with his voice. This could actually be a Guns N' Roses song, but not an Avenged Sevenfold song. After hearing this song I went to look for what GNR song it reminded me of. This song actually reminded me of Perfect Crime, at first. This song though is much better when you hear the whole context of the album. They wanted to make a raw sounding album like Sabbath or Zeppelin and use their influences. Daft Punk did that with RAM they celebrated their influences of music and did a great job at it, Avenged did the same thing, and I tip my hat to them for that.
4. This Means War: This is a pretty sick song. First time through, I'm not huge on this lyrics or singing. This song could almost be a cover of Sad But True. I'm serious, just listen to this than that (or vice versa) and tell me what you think. Well the only difference is that this song isn't an "gritty" and "rough" as that Sad But True. That song has a type of force behind it that makes it "tough" and a song that can be proudly called a Metallica song. But this song, well, is kind of like a not so "tough" song. Maybe like a side kick. "Batman's" the best and this song is more of a "3rd Robin". (Note: Just take this song with a grain of salt).
5. Requiem: The whole Latin Chant in the beginning isn't cool. The way it sound it just comes off as cheesy. It'd be different if it was cheesy sounding and from 1970 or 1980 at the latest 1990, but this is 2013. Come on! I enjoy the song, but not enough to like it or that it sticks out. After relistening [and meditating with a convo] after a day or two break, I learned the it's sick. I still am not found of the chant in the beginning, but that changes. This is one hell of a dark song, almost evil. I could see, in a movie, this being the part where they are calling upon satan to do as he does. And that prayer kind of makes it a little creepier. The singer's praying to Satan in the song. This song almost drags you to hell and it keeps you down there. This is probably, you could say, their evilist song. And he doesn't even scream on this song. The "In flames" part reminds me a little of one of the parts in The Wicked End. Just the riff in this song is just sick. I just love this, and this song has a riff that's just kind of hard to just have quiet. IT NEEDS TO BE LOUD!!!!! {9/10}
6. Crimson Day: This intro reminds me of like a mix of Fade to Black and Don't Cry. It also reminds me a little of Buried Alive. Now I can see what they were doing on this track. This is like a non-explosive Buried Alive. This song isn't evil, like the others, but it is still pretty great. This is a pretty song, and I love how it's about Matt's son. This is a pretty solid ballad in its own respect. I tip my hat to them for that. I like this more than So Far Away.
7. Heretic: This is probably the sickest song title off this, though there isn't much competition. You know, partially because of the album M produced called Requiem for The Confession back in 2007. This is another CoE (city) track. The part where it goes in to the acoustic guitar arpeggios reminds me a ton of the ending of Turn The Other Way. The verses of this song are just ok, and hard. But the shine of the song is that whole acoustic arpeggio. It even could be compared to something off Waking The Fallen. And that's at just over the halfway mark. The second half, that and the solo, are the best part of the song.
8. Coming Home: Though the riff sounds like a riff that Iron Maiden might use?, I still think this is a solid song. The way each instrument comes in after each other reminds me of Smoke On The Water. The guitars in this song kind of remind me a little of Carry On. There is something that is off about the chorus that pulls me in. Not off in a bad way, but it doesn't sound pretty. It is pretty, but for me, in more of an IFHY way. The solo in the song is pretty sick too. There are parts of the solo that remind me of Judas Priest. There are also parts that I think are just sick in their own respect. {8/10}
9. Planets: This song, when I saw the title, kind of made me think that this song would be like Acid Rain. I didn't know, but the kind of ballad before the ending. I saw "Melancholia" and this song reminds me of it. As my cousin suggested, and in an interview M. Shadows and Syn mentioned that movie for these song. I love that movie, and it's very touching. But this song is just a raw two part ending to the album. This is the albums Sgt. Pepper's Reprise and Acid Rain being A Day In The Life. The prefect book closer to the album. And also it's kind of like the two different perspectives of the inevitable end. "Mother of all, your time is coming". I love how the chorus is three lines, or four, and the first two have a vibe that you want to sing along to, and then the refrain of the tracks title "Planets Collide" is very powerful. The type This Means War was missing. It still has power and he doesn't even scream it. There is power in this album, and it's neat that there isn't any screams. {9/10}
10. Acid Rain: This is is by far the best track. Though St. James reminds me a tad of 4:00 AM this is still a good song. This isn't really an average A7X song. In fact this is a pretty unique song. The lyrics, and strings, and overall vibe bring me to where I went while listening to Perfect Day. This is a beautiful song and makes this album worth at least 2 listens (1 being the first time, two after hearing it again). This song is cool to hear after hearing the entire thing through. This song is much better too if you can imagine what going on, or if you can picture the movie "Melancholia". It's a beautiful movie both visually and message wise, but it makes these two songs even better. I assume the rain is in reference to the title track off 1970's Black Sabbath, but whether they copied it or whatever I didn't even think of that at first. {10/10}

Overall I have to give this a 8/10. After hearing the first track, not Hail to the King, my faith in this album was somewhat restored. I heard this and didn't like it that much. I did some research and had some talks, and I put those perspectives in mind. I needed that to get this. It's actually pretty good. In a way, how Nightmare is dark and a "nightmare" this is just raw and pure Evil.

Welcome to the Family Ep - Avenged Sevenfold

This is the second Ep release, and as of July 16th, most recent Avenged Sevenfold release. This was released on December 21st, 2012 and I think that it was for their tour at the time. It features Welcome to the Family (off Nightmare) a song that was unreleased (4:00 AM) and a live version of Seize the Day (originally off 2005's City of Evil). I could go on forever explaining or I could review this and have it done.

1. Welcome to the Family: Go here to see review of song
2. 4:00 AM: The piano in the beginning gives this song an intresting beginning. This is a classic song that would be recorded during their Nightmare chapter of their career. This song kind of reminds me of parts of other songs. Like a part right before the pre chorus where it kind of reminds me of God Hates Us with the guitar. The riff of the song is also a solid Avenged riff. I assume this was written after the passing of The Rev. This song screams Avenged Sevenfold outtake for me though. I could kind of see this being on like another Live In The LBC bonus disc Diamonds in the Rough. This also has a more poppy feeling to it.
3. Seize the Day (Live in Seattle): This version of the song was recorded at some point in time before the passing of The Rev. I'm not exactly sure when but I think it's a solid album. I hate doing live reviews before the studio version, because it's basically doing the same song twice, for the most part. Well anyway I think that it's a pretty version and you should check this out. Zacky sings the intro.

Overall I give this a 8/10. The live Seize the Day was solid, 4:00 Am is a good song, and it has the already released Welcome to the Family, which is also solid. Buy it on iTunes, its only $2.49

Nightmare - Avenged Sevenfold

There is a reason that I can honestly say that Avenged Sevenfold's fifth album Nightmare, is in my top 5 all time favorite albums of all time. Part of the reason is because of all the stuff that they went through with the passing of The Rev, who was their drummer, who died right before they were going to start recording the final cuts. This album has lots of memories for me. I remember the day the single Nightmare came out. I saw a ad on Facebook and then, I was a bad ass because I bought the song without even asking my parents. When I first heard the beginning of the song I was hooked on it, then I remember listening to it 3 or 4 times in the day. I left home and in the car, while my dad was picking something up, I turned on the radio and all I missed was the beginning, Now I'm no amazing album reviewer but I think it's worth a shot to voice my opinions. I saw the track listing I think the day they released it and I thought it was the most bad ass thing that they had a 11 minute song, which I know off the top of my head it's actually 10:56. I listened it the day before I left for camp on like July 23rd, but i didn't really remember anything, because I was too busy to actually pay attention, about it except some song's drums sounded like Almost Easy and some of the songs sounded cool. While I was going up to camp I watched the Welcome to the Family YouTube black ops video at least, I am defiantly not over exaggerating, 15 times. I was also bad ass for listening to God Hates Us on YouTube to. The day it came out I drove my mom, who wasn't camping, nuts and said that she had to get the Cd the day it came out. I was so in need of that Cd I almost had someone pick it up at camp for me. well after "hell" was over I got home and burned it on my iTunes. It felt so surreal touching it. I listened to it on the way to my cousins college graduation party and I was psyched when my other cousin, Stevie, was waiting to talk to me about the album.

1. Nightmare: The intro of the song is amazing. I don't care what anyone else thinks This song still feels the same way it did the first time I heard it. I remember just being in awe at this song. I still am to this day. That all i can really say about this song.
2. Welcome to the Family: This song is worthy of Metal royalty. The sick intro and the... I don't know exactly how to explain it. My favorite part is bridge, Avenged make a lot of amazing bridges, and the bridge makes me tear up a little. There is little at what i can say about this song to. With out over thinking the 3 minutes of the song. Save Me is nice all you have to do is listen to it two or three times to get your ideas, this not so much.
3. Danger Line: This is the song that made me want to learn piano, fo realz. It's such a beautiful song and the way they pulled this off it, makes me tear up. yes I begin to cry at its beauty. And I get this chill that makes me cry when I listen to it. I'm crying while I'm typing this up right now. The guitar solo makes, for me a little breather from crying after hearing his vocals that are extremely touching. But that ends when I hear "the whistler", as credited in the album, whistles and the drums/piano fadeout.
4. Buried Alive: The first time I heard this I didn't think much of it but after hearing it, and actually listening to it I love it. This songs intro gives me a chill, almost like the one from Danger Line. And the chorus makes it blood pumping. The first and second verses just "rip me apart". The violins make it all that much better and more emotional. After the second chorus at about 3:51 it holy shit. That's all I can say. at 4:14 the harmony part makes up one of  my FAVORITE guitar solos. The post solo at like 4:58 is awesome, especially live, but the rest of the song is blood pumping and aggressive. I love the way this ends on a fast beat and then stops, and the faster beat is picked up on Natural Born Killer, and the opposite for Danger Line into Buried Alive, one starts softer and the other begins softer
5. Natural Born Killer: This song is an 'iffie. There are days I like it more than others. The drums sound too much like Almost Easy, so I really only get the whole thing out of the song when I listen to the album front to back. The 1st solo is also pretty cool
6. So Far Away: This song is good. I feel like an asshole because this is every one's favorite song because it's about The Rev. Well FYI I remember listening to Avenged and liking them, not enough to say i was a fan, when I was in 7th grade. 2 years before he died. Now so many people love him and didn't know about the band till after he died. I honestly love this song. It makes me cry, not as much as Gunslinger, but it is still touching. The best part I think, that makes me begin to tear, is  the second acoustic solo at 3:28. That, along with the video, and also the drums make me begin to tear. I hate myself for not being a big enough fan to be affected by The Rev and I will always feel that way.
7. God Hates Us: If you look at this album as one big picture it could be looked at as a nightmare. The beginning of title track is soft, like falling into your sleep, then it picks up, your in your nightmare, then the bad dream begins to faze as you hit Danger Line and you are at peace when Buried Alive comes along. But the nightmare picks up at the end of Buried Alive and into Natural Born Killer. This fazes off and for all of So Far Away the nightmare becomes a beautiful dream. So sound asleep right? wrong. This song has its eerie intro and is the 1st climax of your night mare. The solo the vocals the everything is terrific. Then it just cuts to the same eerie intro as the outro.
8. Victim: This is picking up as the peaceful part of your big dream and stays this way until the end. This was a different song where I didn't appreciate it till I actually listened to the album in its whole. Which quick fact, I have played this album, looking at my iTunes play, at least 20 times. The solo is sick, one of my all time favorites EVER, and the vocals are cool. This is just a awesome song. I think the best part is after the solo from 3:54-4:54. That is my favorite minute and then goes into another awesome solo. I also love the bongos and I think the ending is better with that part, but i think it's perfect that way because it is just how it began
9. Tonight the World Dies: This is arguably one of the most eerie songs Avenged has ever done. This song took more than one listen to appreciate it. but it is great. The solo good blues and twang. The beginning and end work perfect and it's great and the acoustic guitar makes the song all that much creepier.
10. Fiction: This song is to king of i didn't think i would like it because of piano. That changed after I heard Danger Line finding a new love for piano. And after listening to it's beautifulness for real. It is, to me, like they are singing to each other and trying to grab out to each other but can't reach. I guess you could look at it, if you run about 100 miles with it, according to my way of the way it sounds like they are reaching out to each other. It could be like Dear God, roughly like god watch out for my girl and take care of her while I'm away and not around, combine with Afterlife, The guy dies and doesn't want to be dead and wants to return to his life back on earth and escape, concept wise if you use my take on, not fiction's story but the way the lyrics and the atmosphere from voices, strings, piano, bass and drums it's like they are singing to each other because they are brothers. but at 3:33 comes one of the most touching parts of any song, EVER, with the organ breakdown and them singing. Looking at my take on how it sounds, the are coming to grips that they won't see each other.... yet 
11. Save Me: This song is orgasm worthy. I remember seeing this as the either worst song or the most mother fucker song I've seen by Avenged. This was before hearing it. When i listened to the album, in pieces on Soundcloud, as i said earlier. But I talked to Stevie about it and after that I tryed, this fall, to beat Save Me to school. If I moved my but it'd be a 15 minute walk but i tried to get home in under 11 minutes. Never did but that makes this song that much more meaningful to me. Ok so here is the part about the music. The intro guitar takes off, your dream is over this is a bitter sweet wrap up. So sit down bitch and take it. At 1:23 how the lead guitar picks up, that my friend is jizz your pants worthy. The great intro/build up to any song. He doesn't even start singing until 2:02. And the chorus is touching the vocals take over but if you actually listen to the instrumentation through out the album its sick. I love that they use the whisper type thing, much like Critical Acclaim and Welcome to the Family. Ok 4:49 another amazing build up to a well... amazing solo. This song gets better every time I listen to it. I seriously am having trouble sitting down and not attempting to jam along. The ''breakdown'' at 5:48 is another thing that helps this get into the next part of the song. The cowboy-ish arpeggios Syn plays at 6:08 are, I feel the best way ever to slow down and build up for another solo. At 7:35 is where it gets into full swing and back to the original verse type just wanting to get fucked in the asshole. This part makes it seem like there is going to be a big solo, the intro guitar riff even comes in but It is just as good if not better that it's the way that it is and slows down into part of what helps prove this beautiful song. Now the tearjerker in this song starts at around 9:29 where it is the GREATEST way to end a 10+ minute song.

Overall Nightmare deserves a 100/10. These guys deserve more success for their skills. Everyone thinks their cool or they are good because of 1 or 2 songs. Well they can get raped by Save Me and see if they actually only like 1 or 2 songs anymore. This album has so much more that I can offer but this is the best I ca do for now.