Avenged Sevenfold
REVIEW! Avenged Sevenfold : Hail To The King
Record Label: Warner Brothers
Release Date: August 23, 2013
Rating: 7.5/10
Buy it at: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/hail-to-king-deluxe-version/id672046420
Metal has been crying out for a revival for years. Acts that can have a prolonged career instead of a hype album that will only have its five minutes of fame. ‘Hail To The King’ is Avenged Sevenfold’s sixth studio album. They have took the fans by storm, proving they are definitely no “one trick pony” with the album going straight to number one in six different countries.
The commercially and critically successful album by the lads from California has taken an almost bittersweet victory. The album marks it’s first number one album not to feature it’s original drummer Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan, who sadly passed away in December 2009. It goes without saying that Jimmy played a major part in the band, writing, producing and even singing on many of their albums. Many worried the band would lose that creative spark that Jimmy had but the band has proved they can still produce the goods without him. The album fits as a touching tribute to a man who was loved and respected by many. The bonus track of the album is in honour of Jimmy being named “St. James.” The lyrics speak of the pain felt since his death, but also suggest a feeling of gratitude and happiness that they got to play alongside their late friend. It’s very emotional.
It’s clear to see Avenged Sevenfold have taken major influences from bands such as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Pantera on previous records, but as great as their previous record ‘Nightmare’ was, you can really tell they have come into their own and found their feet without their fallen brother. Lead singer Matt Shadow’s vocals and lyrics have become much more raw and commanding over the last three years since ‘Nightmare’. On the opening track ‘Shepard Of Fire’; Matt catches the audience straight away with devilishly toned lyrics such as “I can promise you paradise, no need to serve on your knees.” The chugs of Zacky’s guitar will create an arsenal of head bangers from the off. Every shred of the guitar invites you in saying “Now this is metal! Metallica who?”
Now all us Avenged Sevenfold fans know this wouldn’t be an album without a few anthems and ballads. Well, you’re in luck. The lads have delivered yet another high level of tunes to sooth your ears. ‘Acid Rain’ produces the goods on the ballads prospective. Lengthy spine tingling solos causing chills as cold as ice, added with satanic whispered lyrics in the heartfelt verses make it a classic. On the other hand the title track ‘Hail To The King’ is exactly what it says on the tin, a bloodletting bouncy feel along with Crashing drum beats and guitar riffs that will spark any mosh pit into life.
It’s fair to say this album is up there with the rest of their back catalogue of classics. An album that is actually deserving of a number one slot unlike most crap produced these days.
Avenged Sevenfold will headline Download Festival 2014 next summer, on the back of the release of Hail To The King and a recent successful UK Arena tour in which they sold out multiple dates.
Download 2014!
Its that time of year again. Winter’s drawing in and everybody is long into their festival blues. People have begun to claim back their dignity they may have lost over the wild weekends away listening to bands all over the country. Drinking warm cider and living off over priced festival food is a memory of the past once again for a few months. Until now.
As always Download are 1st to lay down some names on their bill for next years bash; with what looks to be a very promising and exciting lineup. This week music fans were lucky enough to get 7 announced for next year’s 12th annual festival.
Monday rolled round allowing Andy Copping and Co to announce the 1st two acts for the festival. Avenged Sevenfold were announced as Friday night headliners with support coming from Rob Zombie. This comes as no surprise to Download regulars who felt this was going to be the year they would headline due to the recent release of “Hail To The King”, a UK arena tour just around the corner and the support slot under the mighty System Of A Down back in 2011 adding to their credentials. The decision to book the Californian band however has been met by acceptance and outrage with many believing the band has lost their edge. None the less, Avenged have earned their headline spot at Download festival and they will surely put on a great show including hits such as nightmare, unholy confessions and Bat Country just to name a few.
Tuesday’s announcement was next and boy did it deliver. Linkin Park are headlining the Saturday night on the main stage; performing debut album Hybrid Theory in full! This set is a guarantee to go down in Download history! This announcement was met with many ecstatic fans in sheer disbelief of what is to come at Download’s next bash. Fall Out Boy were announced as supports for Linkin Park on the Saturday which is a strong support, yet their announcement was left to be overshadowed due to the news released earlier on. Hybrid Theory is an album seen worldwide as getting many music fans into genre’s such as metal, rock and nu-metal going platinum in most countries around the globe. This will be a set you should not miss. Key tracks to look out for will be Papercut, Crawling and In The End.
Download’s third announcement fell on Wednesday to even more joy with fans hearing the news of three bands being announced throughout the day. Traditionally Download festival books a headliner that is seen more as a retro/older sort of band to close the festival. Donington Park will play host to America’s greatest Rock band… Aerosmith! That’s right. The bad boys from Boston will Headline and close Download 2014 on the Sunday night. This booking is one that does not come round often and when it does it can be seen as a true bucket list act. Chances like this do not come around often to see such a star studded act. The support act for Aerosmith was also announced. Alter Bridge will take to the main stage beforehand playing songs from the their recently released fourth album “Fortress.” This band is yet another who are deserving of their position on the Download poster under Rock hero’s Aerosmith.
With all main stage headliners and supports being announced. Andy Copping let on to a surprise announcement to follow later in the day. Dying Fetus is to play the festival next summer after what can only be seen as internet banter amongst festival booker Andy Copping and trolls of the internet who suggested the band in outbursts to announcement of Avenged Sevenfold being booked. The hash tag #WhyNotDyingFetus took Twitter and the internet by storm with many jumping onto the bandwagon of the joke which eventually resulted in the band being booked and completing the week’s announcement of acts.
Tickets are now on sale and the next announcement is to follow in the upcoming weeks. It’s safe to say Download has managed to attain a fantastic lineup full of bands that are sure to play some magnificent sets in 2014. Rock on!
Mallen Official 