Album of the Week: 06.06.23

"Life Is But a Dream" - Avenged Sevenfold

Oh man...where to begin. I've been a fan of A7X for even longer than I've been playing guitar. They were my first live concert. Waking The Fallen is what conditioned me to tolerate screaming in music. The Synyster Gates Custom Schecter was my first "special" guitar. With the exception of Linkin Park in my early teen years, A7X was my first favorite band. I will admit that in my college years, when I strongly identified with so much of the Sumerian bands, my faith did waiver in them (Hail To The King & The Stage) as those two releases were the first from the band where I found myself disliking more tracks than ones I was revisiting. With this rebirth, being their first album in well over 5 years, they have truly reinvented themselves.

The singles did take a few listens to grow on me but boy did this album get a grip on me from the initial listen. It exudes so much character, pays homage to so many diverse influences, and despite its experimental sound, it still embodies something that A7X fans can find familiarity in.

I can see where people may have expected something different and, from that, may not have as warm reception. And then you have the Anthony Fauntano's of the world that want to tear it to shreds. But through the haters, there seems to be a beautiful appreciation for the masterpiece that this album is. I can only speak from my experience (and maybe some of that affinity comes from where I'm currently at in life) but this album resonates with me a lot. From the System Of A Down-esque opening track, to the left-field journey of We Love You, to the spacial nostalgia of Cosmic, to the hints of Alice In Chains and The Beach Boys on Beautiful Morning, to the unique use of guitar effects to create a synth, to the vocoder, to the peace and freedom of death captured in the penultimate track, to the classical composition that guides the album to its conclusion.

Official Album Playlist